Kakimori

What Is a Kakimori Dip Pen?

A Kakimori dip pen is a writing instrument designed to use any bottled fountain pen ink without needing a converter or cartridge. The pen body is machined from solid aluminium or brass, with a threaded grip section that accepts Kakimori's signature metal nibs. The reservoir at the back of the nib holds enough ink for several lines of writing before re-dipping. Unlike traditional dip pens, which are usually balanced for calligraphy or illustration only, the Kakimori design is balanced for everyday writing. It can be used for journaling, sketching, and signatures with equal comfort, and the exposed-nib design lets you switch between ink colours instantly without flushing.

Buying Kakimori in Canada

Kakimori products are manufactured in Tokyo and are not sold through Canadian mass-market retailers. Blesket is one of the few Canadian specialty retailers carrying the current lineup as an authorized dealer. Orders ship from our Toronto-area warehouse, typically within one to two business days, with free shipping on orders over $55 to Ontario and Quebec and over $99 nationwide. You will not pay US-to-Canada exchange rates or cross-border shipping fees when you order through Blesket. Limited Kakimori releases, including special edition inks and seasonal nib designs, sell out quickly and rarely return, so if you see something you want, order promptly.

Kakimori Nibs: What's the Difference?

Kakimori produces several nib types, each suited to a different writing style. The Brass nib is the original, balanced for everyday writing with a smooth, wet line and slight character on downstrokes. The Steel nib is firmer and finer, closer to a Western F or EF, ideal for journaling and detailed sketching. The Cap-Less brass nib is a flatter design that holds more ink and reduces re-dipping frequency. The Frosted stainless steel nib has a slightly textured finish that gives subtle line variation. All Kakimori nibs are interchangeable and screw into both the aluminium and brass pen bodies, so you can build a single setup that handles multiple writing styles.

What Inks Work with Kakimori Pens?

Kakimori dip pens accept any standard fountain pen ink, including Kakimori's own original inks blended in collaboration with Japanese ink makers. Their seasonal "ink colours of Tokyo" series, subtle blue-grey, soft pink, warm sepia, are sold in 35ml bottles. Kakimori pens also work beautifully with inks from Sailor, Pilot Iroshizuku, Robert Oster, Wearingeul, and Diamine, including shimmering and sheening inks that can be difficult to use in conventional fountain pens. The exposed-nib design makes shimmer particles and pigment inks less prone to clogging, so Kakimori is often the best way to try inks you would not otherwise use in a sealed pen.