Q. Where are your products made?

Paladin Pen Company is based in Georgia, with an international approach to sourcing and production. Every Paladin product begins with the vision and design of our founder and owner. For products and components we do not produce in-house, we seek out reputable manufacturers, skilled artisans, and specialty suppliers around the world whose expertise can bring our designs to life. This approach allows us to pursue exceptional materials and craftsmanship without being limited to a single supplier or country.

Our pens are designed in Georgia and manufactured to our specifications using carefully selected components, some made personally by us. Our inks are handcrafted in Florida, then bottled and packaged by hand at our Georgia headquarters. Our hand-blown glass dip pens come from artisans around the world, with many styles or their nib type created exclusively for Paladin. We devote the same care to our stationery and packaging, from their design to the selection of trusted production partners.

We are proud to share the origins of our products while honoring the confidentiality agreements, personal relationships, and proprietary designs that support our work. These commitments limit the supplier and technical details we can disclose, but our guiding principle is straightforward: every choice must serve the quality of the finished product and the experience of the person using it.

Q. Who makes your fountain pen nibs? Are they supplied by JoWo, Bock, Schmidt, or another established nib manufacturer?

Our nibs begin with our own proprietary designs, developed in-house and brought to life exclusively for Paladin by a carefully chosen specialty manufacturing partner. They are a defining feature of our pens and the expression of a writing experience we have worked diligently to perfect. Though only recently introduced, they are already earning recognition for their exceptional performance.

The nib is the heart of a fountain pen, and we take considerable pride in ours. We also deeply value the partnership behind its creation. To honor that relationship and protect our proprietary development work, we keep our manufacturer’s identity and the details of that process confidential. What we are proud to share is the result—one you can appreciate with every stroke.

The following Q&A offers a closer look at our nibs and the qualities that distinguish them..

Q. How are your nibs crafted, and what does “run in by hand” mean?

Each nib undergoes a meticulous process that combines precision machinery with skilled handwork.

Production begins with rolling and stamping the metal, drilling the breather hole, and engraving our signature plumed armet. The details are accented in 22K gold before the nib is formed into the curved shape that fits over the feed.

An iridium ball is then applied to the tip. Once cooled, it is shaped by specialized grinding machines to the intended point width—fine, medium, broad, or otherwise. A fine slit is cut from the tip to the breather hole, followed by tumbling and hand-finishing to remove rough edges and small burrs.

Each nib is then “run in by hand” by an expert nibmeister, who writes with it and carefully adjusts it through smoothing and, where necessary, further grinding to achieve its intended writing character. Before packaging at our Georgia headquarters, our founder and owner personally tests every pen and performs any additional smoothing needed to meet our exacting standards.

An individual writing experience

Our goal is to deliver an exceptional writing experience from the first fill, while recognizing that no single nib adjustment can suit every writer’s preferences. Writing angle, ink, and paper all influence how a nib feels and performs.

For those who prefer a more personalized touch, we welcome having our nibs customized by a skilled nibmeister. We are pleased to recommend Kirk Speer and Mark Baucus, both respected professionals whose work our founder has entrusted with pens from his own collection. We value their craftsmanship as highly as their integrity.

Thoughtful design, straightforward care

Our proprietary plastic feed is softer than many conventional plastic feeds and designed to emulate the feel and performance of ebonite, a material favored by many enthusiasts.

The nib assembly is also designed for easy disassembly and cleaning. The complete nib unit unscrews from the grip section, and the nib and feed can then be pulled from the unit for washing and drying.

We take particular pride in the precisely engineered notches that allow our nib and feed to fit securely together, helping ensure consistent alignment upon reassembly. To reassemble:

1. Align the nib and feed so their notches engage.

2. Align the flat underside of the feed with the corresponding flat ledge inside the nib unit.

3. Gently insert the nib and feed until fully seated.

4. Screw the complete nib unit back into the grip section.

Q. Why brass for the primary material?

A. While many fountain pens are made from resin, we chose brass for Durendal’s primary components for its enduring strength, reassuring substance, and long history of craftsmanship. Its solidity lends the pen a distinctive presence in the hand, while carefully considered balance allows its weight to assist the writing motion with minimal pressure.

Brass also provides a durable foundation that resists cracking and offers added resilience against everyday bumps and temperature changes. Our enamel and protective lacquer finishes help shield the exterior from moisture and ordinary handling, preserving its rich color and polished appearance. Although no material or finish is impervious to prolonged sunlight, ink, water, or extreme conditions, this combination reflects our intention to create a pen of lasting beauty and dependable character.

Q. How do I care for my Paladin Pen?

Our pens are crafted for lasting durability and straightforward maintenance. A little routine care will help preserve their appearance and writing performance for years to come.

Fountain & Rollerball Pens

For routine cleaning, disassemble the removable writing components and rinse them with lukewarm water, using a quality fountain pen flush when needed and following its instructions. Avoid hot water, harsh chemicals, and forcing any part during disassembly or reassembly. Gently blot away excess moisture and allow the components to air-dry completely before reassembling, particularly for storage.

Clean the exterior with a soft, lint-free cloth. If necessary, use a lightly dampened cloth, then gently dry the surface.

When not in use, keep your pen capped in a dry, room-temperature environment, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat or cold. A soft, protective case will help prevent scratches and accidental damage. For travel—particularly by air—emptying and cleaning the pen beforehand helps reduce the risk of ink leakage.

Glass Dip Pens

Rinse the nib with lukewarm water after use, gently blot dry with a soft cloth, and allow any remaining moisture to evaporate before storing. Avoid pressing or rubbing the delicate point against the cloth or sink.

Store your glass pen in a protective case or cushioned holder. If the point becomes chipped or damaged, use a small square of 2000 grit sandpaper to reshape.

Q. Who makes Paladin inks, and what is Atramentum Sacrum?

Atramentum Sacrum—Latin for “Sacred Ink”—is Paladin’s signature collection of fountain pen inks. Each color is conceived by our founder and brought to life by Anderillium Inks™, whose expertise in handcrafting dye-based inks ensures that every formulation meets our exacting standards.

The name reflects our reverence for the written word and our belief that exceptional ink deserves the same thoughtful craftsmanship as the instrument that carries it. Beautifully saturated and formulated for fountain pens across brands, our inks also complement Paladin’s K5 converter-equipped rollerball pens, opening a world of color far beyond conventional rollerball refills.

Once crafted by Anderillium, our inks arrive at our Georgia headquarters, where each bottle is filled, capped, dipped in wax, sealed, labeled, and boxed entirely by hand. We produce in small batches to maintain freshness and give every bottle the attention it deserves.

Our distinctive faceted bottles unite our medieval-inspired aesthetic with a practical purpose. As the ink level falls, the bottle can rest on its side, allowing the pen to enter at an angle and reach more of the remaining ink—a thoughtful detail that makes every fill more rewarding.

Over the next two years, we plan to introduce two to three new colors each quarter, complemented by select limited editions featuring shimmer. Each addition will further our vision for Atramentum Sacrum: expressive color, carefully crafted, in service of the art of writing.

Q. Why does Paladin use AI-generated imagery on its website and Instagram?

We use artificial intelligence to bring the historical imagination behind Paladin to life, creating evocative settings that express the inspiration behind our pens and inks.

We chose the name Paladin for its meaning as a champion—a reflection of our commitment to fountain pens, handwriting, and calligraphy. Its association with medieval legend helped shape our creative direction, uniting a love of history with the artistry of modern writing instruments.

AI allows us to explore that world visually, placing our creations within scenes that evoke the romance, atmosphere, and grandeur of an imagined past. These artistic interpretations help tell our story; they are not intended as historical documentation.

The settings may be imagined, but our products—and the craftsmanship behind them—are very real.