Drillog Kodachi Review: A Sword-Shaped Dip Nib Built for Expressive Lines

Introduction

Drillog is the writing instrument brand of Sheone, a Japanese company based in Hancho that runs a factory specializing in precision metal processing, primarily for aircraft parts. The same company also produces metal home goods under the Neighbor and Craftsman name, which explains the machining quality on display here. The latest release is the Kodachi nib, an eye-catching dip pen nib shaped like a traditional short Japanese sword, with a blade-like tip and fine ink grooves machined along its surface.

The pen arrives in two boxes: one for the holder and a smaller one for the nib, along with company information and use and care instructions in several languages. This is very much a specialty tool, and this review covers who it suits and what to expect.

What Makes the Kodachi Nib Different

The idea behind the uniquely shaped nib is to allow expressive, dynamic line variation. It is designed to be ideally used for kanji and calligraphy as well as drawing. In demonstrations, the flat side lays down a very thick line, and rotating the nib produces a very thin one, with hybrid variations in between.

The nib is made from a titanium alloy that will not have an adverse reaction to acidic or slightly alkaline inks, so you can use just about any ink, not only fountain pen ink. One caveat: shimmer inks are best avoided, since the particles could impede the smooth ink flow through the small grooves.

In use, you dip the nib into an ink bottle, and surface tension holds ink in all the grooves as it is drawn down to the well at the tip. The name refers to the kodachi, a traditional short sword used by samurai with a blade length of around 16 to 24 inches, and the tip of the nib genuinely resembles one. The nib is available in three color variations: sunset, sunrise, and midnight.

Writing and Drawing Performance

With the flat end down, the nib lays down a nice thick line, and the opposite side produces a really pleasant thin line. Changing the angle as you write lets you vary between thinner and thicker strokes, which is where the expressive character comes from. It does not flex; the variation comes entirely from how you angle the nib.

Scratchiness is worth addressing directly. For normal-style writing it is not buttery smooth, but it is not as scratchy as expected, and less scratchy than some other Drillog nibs. Writing upside down for smaller text and thinner lines is actually very pleasant. On the thin side the ink runs out sooner, so you need to dip again, though ink flow once going is decent.

This is not a pen for jotting quick notes. It is a specialty nib, best appreciated with good handwriting, calligraphy practice, or artwork where dramatic line variation is the point. A small engineering touch worth noting: the nib posts on the holder in a very short position and lines up perfectly when posted.

Holders and Finish Options

The review setup pairs the midnight nib with the Night Owl Blue holder in the Classic Spiral style, a deep blue spiral-machined barrel that suits the dark nib nicely. The nib screws directly into the holder with no converter or cartridge; it is literally just the nib.

There are plenty of holder options beyond this one. The lineup includes the Classic Spiral in other colors such as Opera Red, the Classic Mirage, the Twins Mirage which accepts two nibs at once on either side, the Classical Material AL in aluminum, and the Classical Material SUS in stainless steel. If you know a custom pen maker, holders can also be made to accept the Drillog nib, opening the door to fully custom barrels.

Pricing

The barrels vary in price, with the Classic Spiral at about $200 and other barrels in the lower $100 range. The Kodachi nib itself runs right around $188 depending on the dollars-to-yen exchange rate. This is a premium specialty product, and the pricing reflects the precision machining behind it.

Care and Maintenance

Cleaning is refreshingly simple. You run some water over the nib or dip it in water, and it cleans off in about two seconds. Letting it air dry is the smarter choice over using a tissue or paper towel, since loose fibers can get stuck in the small grooves and potentially impede ink flow.

That low-maintenance routine is one of the quiet advantages of a metal dip nib: there is nothing to flush out with a converter, no ink to fully remove between sessions, and no fragile tines to worry about.

Buying Advice

If your writing needs are everyday notes and signatures, this nib will likely sit in a drawer more than on a desk. But if you are into calligraphy, kanji, or the artistic side of drawing and want a tool capable of dramatic, controlled line variation, the Kodachi is a genuinely interesting addition to your toolbox. Consider pairing the midnight finish with a darker holder for a cohesive look, and budget for both the nib and a barrel since they are sold separately.

Conclusion

The Drillog Kodachi is a high-quality, beautifully machined specialty nib that turns line variation into a deliberate, physical act. It demands the right use case, but for calligraphers and artists it is one of the more distinctive writing tools available.