Inktend / Pen library / Snowflake
18111
Snowflake
A model in 18111's fountain pen lineup. Specs below reflect the typical configuration across 18111's core range.
A solid mid-range option once someone has decided fountain pens are a habit worth investing a bit more into.
Specs
About 18111
18111 is the pen label of Yoshi Nakama, a one-person maker working in Brooklyn, New York, who turned to pen making after a background in large-scale fabrication. Pens are made in small batches, mostly from cast Alumilite resin (ebonite on request), and are noted for decorated caps and barrels produced by laser-engraving patterns and filling them with iridescent powder, a technique the maker describes as a modernised chinkin. The standard nib is a JoWo steel unit, with 14k or 18k gold available by request; output is limited and pens are sold directly rather than through retailers.
How to fill the 18111 Snowflake
Fill it two ways: snap in a pre-filled international cartridge for convenience, or use a converter — a small plunger or twist mechanism that installs the same way a cartridge does — to draw ink from any bottle. The converter route opens up the entire world of bottled ink, which is where most of the hobby's color variety lives.
Choosing a nib size
Nib size determines line width, not writing pressure — fountain pens are meant to glide, never press. Extra-fine (EF) suits small, dense handwriting and thin paper; fine (F) is the most broadly recommended default; medium (M) shows more ink character and shading; broad (B) and stub grinds favor bold, expressive strokes and calligraphy-adjacent writing. The Snowflake's gold nib will also flex slightly with pressure, giving line variation that a steel nib of the same size won't produce.
Keeping it clean
A quick flush with cool water every time you switch ink colors — and a full clean every 4–6 weeks of regular use — is enough to keep the nib and feed performing well. Inktend's cleaning reminder is tuned to a 21-day baseline and adjusts naturally to how often you actually refill.
Pairing inks with the Snowflake
Because refills are quick with a cartridge or converter, this is a good pen for rotating through several colors rather than committing to one; sample vials work especially well here.
Frequently asked questions
More from 18111
Specs reflect the typical configuration across 18111's core lineup rather than this exact model — check current listings before buying.