Balbina, specialist in fountain pen nibs

Balbina’s elegant presence radiates an inspired tranquillity and a delightful glow. For the past 28 years, she has embodied the connoisseur’s eye and the hand that adjusts Caran d’Ache fountain pen nibs. At the centre of her thoughts, a picture of the user of each fountain pen takes shape little by little. “Each hand lives with its nib,” explains Balbina, constantly thinking of the person who a few days later will write with this elegant writing instrument that she now holds in her hand. This moment is always her “little treat”. She searches for, anticipates and imagines the person’s writing position. She analyses the written notes sent by clients so as to adjust their fountain pen nib to their hand, in order to meet the requirements of its owner and ensure perfect quality.

Taking the time required to achieve quality

“You need to take time for quality!” says Balbina with a smile that expresses true satisfaction. She views an ultimate sense of focus untroubled by any pressure, together with a great sense of responsibility, as the true allies in achieving quality. All Caran d’Ache fountain pen nibs are top quality and they all pass through her hands. Made of gold, steel or coated in black PVD, each nib is unique and the work is done by hand. This is an elegant, refined and extremely delicate craft.

Magnificent experience

When she first started, a fountain pen expert taught Balbina the secrets of nibs. The profession followed quite naturally after that. While intuition, dexterity, a sharp eye and a magnifying glass all help, these must be backed by the values of careful work, patience, experience, knowledge and a ability to keeping one’s feet on the ground. “In life, you need to know how to be happy,” says Balbina with wise simplicity. She retains her great love of life with Caran d’Ache and this longstanding love story continues and gets better all the time. Balbina also watches over the well-being of the nibs that regularly return to her, bearing the marks of a long life of writing. A daily existence filled with beautiful encounters between inspired soul …

Your Caran d’Ache fountain pen and you

Balbina reveals the secrets of how to live with your Caran d’Ache fountain pen:

Each hand lives with its fountain pen nib

“The nib of your Caran d’Ache fountain pen is unique. It is a handcrafted creation and has been adjusted by hand. It has its own personality. When you write, you will initially get to know it and discover its qualities. In turn, it will learn to feel your hand and you will transmit your thoughts and emotions to it. In time, it will become the extension of your hand and will shape itself according to the pressure and feel of your writing.

Your fountain pen nib is you.”

Material

“Gold nibs shape themselves more easily; steel, which is harder, takes longer.”

Motion

“Don’t put too much pressure on your fountain pen nib. Cultivate responsible, refined movements. Great statesmen’s signatures are always done with a fountain pen.

If your fountain pen nib is deformed, I can fix it but it will always remain more fragile.”

Caring for a fountain pen

“To ensure that your fountain pen has a long life, use it regularly. Write. Pay attention to the air intake. When it is not being used, empty the ink and close it carefully.”

Avoiding accidental ink spills

“When used correctly, Caran d’Ache fountain pens are protected against ink spillage. When travelling, in order to avoid any accidental ink spillage, empty the writing instrument prior to departure.

Don’t forget to read the Caran d’Ache user manual which will teach you how to take the best care of your fountain pen.”