When making bullet shell pens from the Zebra F-301 pens I sand off the nickel plating from the clicker and the nib. The other day I came across a DIY video on nickel plating brass and the old light bulb came on. It is an amazingly easy process and here are the results.
Here is a picture with a brass pen for contrast.
Here is the video I followed the instructions from and it worked as described. I think this is just too cool for school.