Akabander

This interesting pen was released by Nahvalur at the 2023 DC Pen Show. They had an announcement event that featured the CEO of Nahvalur and Ralph Reyes, the nibmeister behind Regalia Writing Labs. The speakers' passion for writing instruments was clear through the presentation, and the collaboration has borne delicious fruit. As each nib is hand-tuned by Ralph, it is a limited run of 50 pens. I think selling a steel-nib pen at this price point is an unconventional choice, but the nib is good enough to make this cost reasonable.

And what a nib it is! Early days, but it is certainly fun to play with. Very expressive for everyday writing, but not so soft that it would be a problem for anyone with a light hand. Smooth and pleasant on the page, a bit of feedback that aids precision but nothing draggy or toothy. Very, very wet, and the flow keeps up with the flex nicely.

I also really like the Atlantic Blue ink from Nahvalur. It shades beautifully, flows well, mildly lubricated; the tint is suitable for business, but interesting all the same.

The pen rest is from Toyooka Craft in their new blue stain. Photographs don't do this stain justice, it has a subtle change in shading at the edges that's kind of reminiscent of a tamenuri urushi finish. The journal the pen is resting on in the last picture is from Garny Leather; they have a textured leather that's nicer than any other journal cover I've held.

Writing samples, additional image: https://imgur.com/a/8ZvVXfN

Text in the long writing sample is from Journey to the West, Anthony C Yu, trans. on Clairefontaine Séyès-ruled A5+ ring-bound. The paper in the short sample is Nebula Casual Note.

ps. There were other pens introduced at the event; two new Original Plus colors; two new Nautilus colorways; and a pretty Year of the Rabbit IKKAKU pen named after Chang'e's jade rabbit, Yu-Tu. I was tempted by the Yu-Tu, as the rabbit theme is adorable, but Ralph's nib made the decision easy.