The Pilot Parallel is a specialized calligraphy fountain pen that completely reimagines traditional nib design. Instead of a standard curved nib with a single slit down the middle, the Parallel features two flat steel plates pressed side-by-side.

This unique parallel-plate architecture allows ink to flow perfectly evenly across the entire width of the metal. It is highly regarded by calligraphers, artists, and beginners for a few distinct reasons:

• Extreme Contrast: Because the flat edge makes full contact with the paper, it lays down a massive, perfectly crisp broad stroke on the downstroke, and an incredibly thin, sharp hairline when moved horizontally or used on its corner. This makes it ideal for Blackletter, Gothic, and Italic scripts.

• Color Blending: You can create instant gradients by touching the nib of one Parallel Pen (e.g., loaded with red ink) to the nib of another (e.g., loaded with blue ink). The ink transfers between the plates, so when you write, the color gradually shifts from red to blue as the first ink runs out.

• Sizing System: The pens come in a variety of specific millimeter widths to match different lettering scales. The cap colors denote the size: Red (1.5mm), Orange (2.4mm), Green (3.8mm), and Blue (6.0mm). Newer 3.0mm (Pink) and 4.5mm (Teal) sizes have also been introduced.