In this episode, Matthew Chen, a renowned nib grinder, shares his journey into the world of fountain pens and nib grinding. He discusses his early experiences with pens, the evolution of his craft, and the unique techniques he learned from masters like Nagahara. Matthew also delves into his passion for photography, the quirky trend of placing pens in food, and the busy life of a nib grinder attending numerous pen shows. He emphasizes the importance of customer interaction and the personalized service he offers, including mail-in nib services.

Show Links

https://www.mattsnibworks.com

https://www.instagram.com/pactagon/

Takeaways

• Matthew Chen is a nib grinder known for his specialty grinds.
• He started using fountain pens in 2015 and quickly became interested in nib work.
• Matthew learned from nib grinding masters, including Nagahara.
• He enjoys photography and often captures moments at pen shows.
• The trend of placing pens in food started as a humorous meme.
• Matthew travels extensively for pen shows, attending around 20 events a year.
• He emphasizes the importance of customer interaction at shows.
• Mail-in nib services are available for those unable to attend shows.
• Matthew prefers a steady and manageable business approach.
• He values continuous improvement in his craft.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Chen and His Work

12:01 The Journey into Nib Grinding

23:47 Understanding Nib Grinds and Customer Experience

24:13 Understanding Nib Grinds and Writing Styles

26:38 Choosing the Right Nib Size for Grinds

29:28 Nib Quality and Tuning Challenges

32:09 The Art of Photography and Nib Grinding

37:25 The Trend of Pens in Food

39:14 Matthew's Busy Pen Show Schedule

43:58 Future Plans for Matthew's Nibworks