NOTE: The Nibsmith has temporarily suspended accepting pens for nib work. This only applies to pens that would be mailed to us. This does not apply to new pens sold through our site. We are still performing nib work on new pens sold through our website. Nib work on new pens can be added on each pen’s product page. This page will be updated to accept orders when we reopen our queue. At this time, we don’t have an estimate for when that will be.
Current estimated turn-around time: n/a
This page lets you order nib work on your own pens that will be shipped to the Nibsmith. If you would like to add nib work to pens purchased from the Nibsmith, please add those customizations on that particular pen’s product page.
Process For Ordering Nib Work
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- Select the desired nib customization from the “Nib Work” drop-down menu below.
- Continue down the page to select additional options and fill in associated fields as required (denoted by an asterisk *).
- Click the orange “ADD TO CART” button when finished. If sending multiple pens, the form needs to be filled out and added to the cart for each pen.
- Click “View Cart” at the top of the page or the orange cart icon in the upper most right corner of the page.
- Click “PROCEED TO CHECKOUT.”
- Complete the order process by typing in your billing information, selecting your return shipping method, and completing payment.
- Finally, write your order number on the outside of the package (please do not print out your order to include inside the box) and ship to the following address:
When shipping your pen, please use a method with tracking and insurance in case of damage or loss. The Nibsmith cannot be held responsible for pens damaged or lost during shipping.
Packages are generally delivered to the reception office of my apartment complex and will be signed for by someone other than myself. You will receive an email notification once your package enters my work queue. When I’ve completed your order, you will receive an email containing the tracking information.
For more details and writing samples of each grind, please see the Product Description below.
Laura –
Dan does great work, with good turnaround time. He really dials in on your preferences, on making sure the nib works for you. And he’ll work at it till it’s perfect for you, whether you see him at a pen show or mail in your pens. I especially like his architect’s grinds and stubs, but I also send him any nib that needs a little tweaking. I put him in the very top rank of nibmeisters, up there with John Mottishaw and Mike Masuyama, which is pretty heady company, but he’s worked wonders for me.
Duncan Sutherland (verified owner) –
I had the Waverly modification and grind/polish on my Lamy 2000 EF nib.
Dan’s communication throughout the process was good and I’m very happy with the result.
I think I’ll be sending more pens Dan’s way in the future.
Cheers
Duncan
Hong truong –
I purchased an m405 and m205 from dan without any knowledge of different types of grinds. I basically described how I wanted the pen to write and somehow Dan understood my gibberish. The pens arrived and I fell in love the moment that pen touched paper. Highly recommended to anyone and I will be sending a few pens his way for customization.
William Lusby (verified owner) –
Terrific work on my nibs by Dan. I sent him three pens, one to be straightened and two for nib alterations to grind to an italic nib. All the pens write perfectly – great job. Thanks.
Anita T. Monroe (verified owner) –
My late father’s Parker Sonnet was no longer functioning..I asked Daniel to restore it – repair the bent nib and change it from a medium to
a fine line..He did exactly that, and now the ink flows properly, the line is perfect and I will have the use of my father’s pen. I am deeply appreciative.
Claire (verified owner) –
I sent a pen to Dan for an architect grind. Upon receiving the pen back, I discovered that the angle I gave Dan was incorrect and the pen was incredibly uncomfortable to write with. After I emailed Dan explaining my error, he had me send the pen back to be fixed. He had the pen back to me promptly. Now the angle is perfect!
Steven Garsson (verified owner) –
Am a lifelong artist, and work in multiple mediums.
Now have four very good models of fountain pens, a decent fine point Waterman, a nice Platinum and two Sailors. Have less- than-no interest in collectable pens or precious details…the interest in a pen for me is the ergonomics, the writing/sketching and THEN the aesthetics.
NibSmith worked on the larger of the two Sailors, a 21k Zoom purchased in Kyoto last August for me by a friend. It was a major disappointment in performance compared to the smaller version I have, and in reading about Architect nibs on the internet…another site made first mention of the Architect mod that I saw, at a higher price and a 6 month turn, and I was like “cool mod, screw the wait time/cost, and then found Nibsmith.
The pen work performed does EXACTLY what I want it to do…..there are three distinct line widths that I have found out of a dedicated hour of playing with it on hot pressed Strathmore 300 paper and Waterman Mysterious Blue ink. It sketches wonderfully and will be my favorite pen, whereas it was my LEAST favorite pen due to not being able to produce a fine line before modification work.
Khaled (verified owner) –
my first pen mod and I chose him after seeing multiple reviews. The order was completed within a month. It writes perfect, just the way i wanted it. He made the pen writes just the way I hold it. Great work. Big fan now!
andrewdy –
OMG I didn’t realize getting a nib ground can make it so hard to rotate to my other pens, I have to actively put my M600 stub nib in a safe so I can use some of my other pens. Amazing nib with the right amount of wetness for the tasty tasty sheen. Would recommend and actually have 2 more pens I want to send over to Dan, Thanks alot!
Andrew –
Dan did a fantastic job on my Montblanc Leo Tolstoy! I requested a 0.4mm cursive italic with maximal line variation whilst being smooth enough for everyday use – which was not an easy task. Dan’s work was spot on & ,in fact, exceeded my expectations- I never knew a nib that gives so much line variation can be so smooth! Unlike my other cursive italic, I never had to readjust my grip to accommodate for the nib’s edge; the pen simply works for me. Not to mention his customers service has been exemplary, he is quick with email, a big plus for such a personalised service he is offering. Now I understand why his queue is getting longer all the time. I highly recommend Dan’s work & I would definitely be sending more pens to him in the near future!
Dr. Krishna Tej (verified owner) –
Finally got my hands on the pilot custom heritage 823 broad nib which dan had ground to a stub for me. I must say it’s BEAUTIFUL!!!! It’s springy, soft and has a wide line variation… Couldn’t have been more happier or satisfied! Thank you so much Dan!!! Will definitely look you up next time I need a beauty shaped! ;))
David Vara (verified owner) –
Dan is the master!! I had an unpleasant experience with the MB boutique in my city. So I enlisted the assistance of Dan and with his knowledge and expertise he was able to fix my 146 limited 1924 with MOP and rose gold trim. Now it writes like a dream!! Thanks Dan!!
charlesearle335 (verified owner) –
I sent Dan my Pilot Custom 823 to be ground into a 0.6mm stub and receive the Waverly Mod. This thing writes like nothing you can possibly imagine. Everything was spot on; the flow, the smoothness, the line widths, absolutely stunning. I’d recommend his work to anyone who wants a nib that will perform flawlessly. His service is fantastic, he’s highly professional, and the turnaround time, though long, is certainly worth it. Way to go, Dan! If I ever need another nib tuned or ground, I’ll send it straight to you!
Adi (verified owner) –
Dan is simply excellent at what he does. I have sent him two pens so far, and the results have exceeded my expectations. You can tell that he pays careful attention to what you request when sending him a pen, and you get back something absolutely PERFECT. Keep up the great work! 🙂
David (verified owner) –
I just received my (previously) scratchy Sailor 1911L Demonstrator back from Dan, and it’s writing smoother than it ever did. I’m a fan of Sailor M/F nibs, and this pen wrote pretty good until I somehow screwed it up. Now that Dan has done his magic on the nib, this is one of the smoothest writers that I own.
Scott (verified owner) –
Dan did an awesome job on both the nibs! The architect grind on my Vac 700 B is perfect. And the narrowing and smoothing on the Kara’s stub really improved that pen as well. Thanks so much for sharing such skill and doing such great work!
jdunnicliff (verified owner) –
A very simple review for exceptional service: I had purchased the special edition Pelikan M400 Tortoise with an italic broad nib for
“creative” expressions and a B nib for everyday use. After using the italic nib, I wanted a bit more flair from the B nib and opted for a stub grind. I came across Dan/s name in The Fountain Pen Network, looked at his website, and decided to give him a a chance to work his magic. The grind is flawless and the nib writes perfectly, all for a very fair price. I also appreciate his ordering system which notifies one when he receives the pen and the shipment date when it is returned. All in all, a perfect experience. Thank you Dan!
Jason Murphy (verified owner) –
I asked Dan to produce a fountain pen unicorn and he delivered. I asked for a CI grind that writes smoothly while offering noticeable line variation, all while landing in the FM range. My Visconti Homo Sapiens has hardly left my hand since it was returned. Throughout the process, Dan would respond quickly to questions with thoughtful and helpful answers. I strongly recommend his work and will be sending pens to him in the future.
Michael Bentley (verified owner) –
Dan does amazing work.
I had broken a nib on a century-old pen. And couldn’t find a correct replacement. I did however, find one very close — but one size bigger.
Dan agreed to attempt to swap the bigger nib into the pen.
He was able to make it work and I couldn’t be happier with the results! I now have a very early Sheaffer’s BCHR self-filling pen with an oversized full-flex nib.
Also, Dan’s expedited service is no joke. Fastest turnaround time I am aware of for quality fountain pen repair.
Debi –
I bought an M400 nib from Dan and asked him to grind it into a stub. Prior to this, I had gotten stubs ground by another very well-known Nibmeister. I am extremely pleased with Dan’s work! I got a stub that writes with fantastic line variation, yet is easy to write with quickly, which is the way I write. It doesn’t “catch” on the paper like some stubs I’ve used in the past. I also like my pens very wet, and Dan accomplished this. The nib lays down plenty of ink and is a joy to write with. I find myself reaching for the pen Dan ground for me above all others in my collection. I plan to have him do a couple more for me in the near future. And on top of all that, Dan’s prices are the most reasonable around, and his turnaround time is great. I will definitely consider Dan before any other Nibmeister when having nib work done in the future.
Tom H. (verified owner) –
I sent Dan several pens to have the nibs tuned and smoothed – an old Pelikan M800 and two Aurora Continents. He did an amazing job with all three. The flow was improved in all three and the M800 writes such a smooth, consistent line that it is now my daily writer in my planner. Customer service was great, Dan even offered to fix a problem with the piston in one of the Auroras. I would definitely recommend him to any other fountain pen users!
patconn7 (verified owner) –
My second custom nib from Dan , This time an Architect grind on a fine vanishing point nib that had bent tines and previous flow issues, it was all done in the stated turn around time and it’s now a wonderful nib to write with, Thankyou Dan !!
MENG TA CHUNG (verified owner) –
Dan tuned and ground my Montblanc 146 from a B to an M. He’s done a fantastic job. I love the nib, and the pen is now a superb writer.
czc11024 (verified owner) –
Dan did a fabulous job converting my Patron of Art into an Architect grind. His pen tuning has really has added life to my pen. I am extremely satisfied. Thank you Dan!
superoblivionbread (verified owner) –
Dan turned my Yard-o-Led’s skippy, overly fat “fine” nib into a precise and smooth 0.3mm extra fine. Perfect.
I count Dan among the other legendary nibmeisters–his work is that good.
Rudy Smith –
Daniel did a great job repairing the nibs of two pens I had dropped and damaged. I highly recommend Daniel. Now, both pens are better than new and I am glad to be using them daily again.
After years of using fountain pens without mishap, I dropped one and then dropped the other on the next day. Ouch!
The pens are a Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age with extra fine nib, and a Lamy 2000 with fine nib. Both nibs were bent and the pens were unusable.
After the repairs, the Lamy is smoother and is more pleasant to use. I have two identical Lamy 2000s, and I never used to be able to tell them apart. But now the repaired pen is the better of the two.
The Visconti is much better than new. From the factory, the nib was dry and required some pressure to write well. I had been considering nib work to improve it. Dropping the pen was a blessing in disguise because it made the nib work a requirement rather than option.
Daniel transformed the Visconti from being tolerable to being superb. I can’t believe the difference! The pen is such a joy to write with now. This is my “grail” pen, and it means a lot to me. Having it working perfectly now is something I am genuinely grateful for.
Richard –
Dan’s worked on a number of pens for me over the last few years ranging from vintage to modern, budget to rare urushi-laquered pens, nails to flex nibs, and they’ve all come back as excellently tuned, smooth writers. His stub and cursive italic grinds are also noteworthy and I always have several of his inked up. I haven’t regretted sending him any of my pens and I wouldn’t hesitate to continue doing so.
JD –
I received my pen back – and it’s BETTER than new. Amazing attention to detail. Writing with my Sailor KOP is now a dream – SO smooth. Highly Recommended. Thanks!!
Malachi (verified owner) –
Spectacular nib services! I sent my Homo Sapiens and Pelikan M805 in since they had some scratchiness. They were already pretty great feeling, but now they are just incredible! Smooth and an absolute joy to write with in every direction. I highly recommend Dan’s nib work and will be sending more pens to him in the future.
Barry Bradlyn (verified owner) –
Excellent work and great service. I got a width reduction to a fine with a WA modification on a Sailor 1911S. I got the pen back in less than three weeks and it writes amazingly. It’s tuned perfectly to my writing angle. I’m already planning to send in more pens!
leschroeder3 (verified owner) –
I sent in a Visconti Manhattan for a Homo Sapiens nib swap and tune and the pen is superlative in its performance! Entrusted with a grail pen and it has come back better. I highly recommend Dan’s work to say the least.
Sarah Lippek –
INCREDIBLE work!
I have two modest Kaweco pens, a Sport and a Student, that were treated to Dan’s nib tune & smooth when I bought them from Nibsmith. All I can say is that I am VERY impressed with Dan’s handiwork. I would have been pleased just to have decent pens that worked, but I think these two leaped right into my very favorites that I own.
Dan achieved my ideal grind – what I think of as an “ice skate” sensation – quite smooth, but not frictionless, just a nice whisper of feedback on the turns, like an ice skate that glides over the ice but still makes that satisfying slicing sound coming around a bend.
So, many thanks to Dan! He has won me over to professionally tuned nibs. I really appreciate the care he put into my humble pens. I hope to remain a loyal customer for years to come! I will always check here first when getting new pens in the future, or giving the royal treatment to a favorite I already have.
Babs –
I purchased a Sailor (1911) Pro Gear Ocean from Dan in 2019 and had it tuned before sending my way. This was my first purchase with Nibsmith and only because he still had the special edition color I wanted in this pen. This is my FAVORITE pen, bar none.. I have a pretty solid collection of pens, but this is my absolute, made for me, favorite. Living in LA I have access to other people who do nib work, and have attempted to match Dan’s work, but to no avail. Dan is truly a nibsmith extraordinaire!!! I cannot begin to describe the joy of having a pen tuned precisely to your liking. It is delicious. And, sadly for my many other beautiful pens, it is the one I want to pick up each time I write. Thank you Dan. Your work is has brought such joy to my daily life. Sidenote: Dan was at a pen show when I placed my order, and yet was really good at communicating quickly and efficiently. I also received the pen quicker than I imagined I would.
dima –
Dan consistently does great work. I prefer needlepoint nibs and no one else seems to get them as fine and smooth as him. It has gotten to the point that I would rather order a steel nib that’s been touched by Dan than a gold nib that has not. I have ordered 8 nibs, for everything from Lamys to Pelikans and have had zero duds or out of spec grinds. I can’t recommend Dan’s nib grinding skills enough.