John Sorowka, a retired nib specialist based in Oxford, is among the few experts in Europe dedicated to the craft of modifying and repairing fountain pen nibs. Sorowka, now in his seventies, has spent decades honing the delicate art of adjusting the small metal tip of a pen that controls ink flow and writing performance—an often overlooked yet crucial component of fountain pens.

Sorowka’s interest in fountain pens began in childhood. He started using them at age four and learned how to repair nibs at 13 from his future brother-in-law, who worked at the Oxford pen shop RC Phillips, now known as Pens Plus. Although Sorowka pursued various careers, including engine building, he returned to nib work in the early 2000s following the death of his wife. Initially skeptical about the commercial viability of this niche craft, he soon found that his skill attracted demand, notably from artists, cartoonists, and collectors across Europe. Companies have also commissioned him to customize nibs, making his name a mark of quality for bespoke fountain pens.

Despite the niche appeal of fountain pens in a digital age, Sorowka views them primarily as practical tools rather than mere luxury items. He maintains a preference for inexpensive pens that function well over high-end models sometimes kept in climate-controlled cases as collectables. He emphasizes that well-crafted nibs allow for smooth ink flow, minimal friction on paper, and even the ability to write using the reverse side of the nib for finer lines, a technique Sorowka often employs.

Sorowka is resistant to the label “nibmeister,” a term he considers an Americanized linguistic invention he finds distasteful. He describes himself more mundanely as a specialist or simply “a grumpy bloke that works on nibs.” His craft involves manipulating the nib’s shape and flexibility, enhancing the writing experience according to the user’s preferences.

When asked about the relevance of fountain pens in the contemporary world dominated by digital communication, Sorowka contends that writing by hand enhances cognitive processes and fosters a personal connection that technology cannot replicate. He highlights the aesthetic pleasure and emotional value of handwritten notes and letters, distinguishing the physical effort and intimacy involved from impersonal digital messages.

Sorowka currently works on nibs out of personal interest rather than professional obligation. He prefers to avoid publicity and keeps a low profile, declining invitations to reveal his workshop but readily demonstrating his extensive collection of pens at informal meetings. As a gesture of encouragement, he recently gave a silver Parker 45 pen from the late 1960s to a visitor new to fountain pens, hoping to inspire an appreciation for this enduring writing instrument.