Fountain Pen Nibs
The ink of a fountain pen is drawn through a feed to the nib and then to the paper via a combination of gravity/capillary action. The typical fountain pen requires little or no pressure to write, thus making your mark much more creative and free flowing.
There are many different nib widths available for a fountain pen. Below is a brief description of the sizes to help you make the right choice.
- Extra Fine (EF) For small, precise handwriting. Not very flexible.
- Fine (F) Also good for small handwriting. Not as flexible.
- Medium (M) A good everyday choice. Greater ink flow for quicker, easier writing. Flexible.
- Broad (B) Suitable for assertive, large handwriting.
- Left Hand (LH) The best choice for the left hander. The point of the nib is designed in a different way to create a stress free, non-splatter writing experience.
- Calligraphy 1.1 (small edge) 1.5 (medium edge) 1.9 (large edge)
Fountain pen nibs are made from different materials:
- Stainless steel: Mainly for everyday use. Hard wearing and usually on the lower budget pen ranges. Ideal for anyone who uses a hard hand when writing or is used to using a ballpoint pen and applying the same pressure.
- Gold Plated: Stainless steel with a gold plate. These nibs are gold plated usually to match gold clips, and appointments on a pen.
- Gold: Gold or platinum plated (white gold in colour). Typically made from 14-Kt or 18-Kt gold and always hallmarked. Gold nibs are softer and more flexible than stainless steel nibs and are generally more expensive. A gold nib however will shape/wear to your personal style of writing making it much more personal to you and providing a good reason not to let anyone borrow your favourite fountain pen! A gold nib is well worth investing in if you want something a little bit special and something that should last you a lifetime.
