Ink

Laban 325

Overview

This was one of my very first broad nib pens. I was weirdly nervous about owning a broad nib pen, because I thought it would be too difficult to use on most papers and with most inks. Plus, my love for EF nibs is all the way on the opposite end of the spectrum. But, what is the purpose of shading inks if they’re not going to be seen?

Turns out I adore broad nibs, and this one especially. It is always inked up with Sailor Jentle Pêche and I use it constantly.

Details

This is a hefty pen, and posting it feels very precarious. However, I have never had the cap fly off; so it must be designed with exactly the right amount of length in the back to secure the cap on.

The fake marble look on the white bits of the pen is what really drew me to this pen in the first place. I was initially going to get the forest green version, but I’m a sucker for pink just as much as I’m a sucker for teal so I ended up with sakura and have zero regrets. It is a shame that eventually I’ll run out of pêche ink, though, and that Sailor won’t be producing any more of it.

The flow, natively, is absolutely impressive with the Sailor ink. However, because I wanted this pen to write wet, I put some ink additive in to a 5ml vial and I am in love with the results. It’s the first time I’ve gotten the concentration of additive to ink correct. One drop for a full 5ml vial is all it takes for this to write like a waterfall. And it maintains that flow through pages and pages of writing.

The nib is a standard JoWo #6, so I can’t say much more about that. I enjoy JoWo nibs even if they’re typical. As I’ve said, the broad is lovely.

There is a little bump on the grip, as most pens tend to have. I could, of course, do without that, but it is smooth enough.

If you’re in Europe, or are willing to order things from abroad, you can get replacement nibs for this pen that include and entirely new grip as well as a nib. I got one in fine, because I’m a chicken, and I have yet to use it. But it is very cool that it comes with an entirely new grip. You can just buy a smattering of them for use with different inks if you want, rather than buying a new pen. And the metal screws make me feel very confident about unscrewing and rescrewing the pen together.

What you get when you order a replacement nib (I got mine from Cult Pens) Shame there is no filigree.

Writing Sample

@flexy.sadie

Laban Sakura with a broad nib. Sailor Jentle Pêche ink. Reupload because of the weird quality of the other. #laban325 #sailorink #fountainpentok #fountainpenaddict #fountainpengeeks #stationeryaddict

♬ In A Big Country – Radio Edit – Big Country

Verdict

This is one of my favourite pens! It is heavy, but so well balanced that I can (and do) use it for hours at a time.

I am always upset when steel nib pens surpass $100usd, but I waited for a sale and got this one for about 50% off.

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