Amazon has a
new resource page for the Scribe, and in the FAQ section they answer this:
Quote:
How do I know when I should replace the tips in my pen?
If ink strokes appear before you even touch the pen to the screen, or if you see visible damage to the tip, that means it’s time to replace the tip. Kindle Scribe includes 5 replacement tips and a tip replacement tool. Use the tip replacement tool to extract the old tip and insert a new one for optimal writing performance. Additional replacement tips are available for purchase.
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Anecdotally, I have written 100+ pages of notes for school over the course of 5 months now, and have yet to replace my first tip.
Doing some quick and dirty math: If I hastily assume that tips will only last me 6 months, then the included 6 tips will last me 3 years into the future. And after I use those up, a 10 pack will cost me $15 on Amazon. In the end, the 16 total tips will have lasted me 8 years with
the net cost being only $1.88/yr. Considering Amazon only guarantees
4 years of security updates, I doubt even the most hardcore Kindle users will need to buy more than 1-2 replacement packs in the entire lifespan of the device (barring they don’t use excessive force, and don’t prematurely replace the tips).
I would also advise against using titanium nibs. The Scribe's matte coating is made of plastic, and will scratch very easily at a level 3 on Moh's hardness scale. Titanium falls at around a level 6 and will be enough to scratch even tempered glass screen protectors over time.
It's better to accept this is a fundamental problem of physics. The friction of rubbing two surfaces will cause wear to at least one of the surfaces, and these tips were designed to be disposable and replaceable. It is far more economical and safe to just buy the $1.5 tips once you run out, rather then to buy a titanium nib that
will damage the writing substrate.
TL;DR, in my personal experience they last a long time. A titanium nib is not worth the money, and at worst will damage your screen.