| There a variety of Fountain pen nib sizes and types | | | | benefits of each of these materials to help you make |
| available. We have taken the guess-work out of | | | | your choice. |
| choosing which nib is best for you by explaining the | | | | - Stainless steel: Mainly for everyday use. Hard |
| different sizes and materials available below. | | | | wearing and available on the lower budget pen |
| Nib Sizes | | | | ranges. Steel nibs however do come on the more |
| Firstly there are many different nib widths available | | | | expensive ranges of fountain pen and are usually |
| for a fountain pen. Below is a brief description of | | | | produced to a very high standard. A steel nib is ideal |
| some of the more popular sizes to help you make | | | | for anyone who uses a hard or heavy hand when |
| the right choice. | | | | writing or is used to using a ballpoint pen applying the |
| - Extra Fine (EF) For small/thin, precise handwriting. | | | | same pressure when writing. |
| Not very flexible and can be occasionally a bit | | | | - Gold Plated: Stainless steel with a gold plate. These |
| scratchy on the less expensive ranges of fountain | | | | steel nibs are usually gold plated to match the |
| pen. This however is not usually the case on more | | | | appointments on a pen. Eg: gold plated clips, gold |
| expensive pens or gold nib pens as the nibs are | | | | rings, gold caps. These nibs have all of the benefits |
| produced to a very high standard. | | | | of the above with an added luxury factor. |
| - Fine (F) Also good for small, precise handwriting. Not | | | | - Gold: Gold or platinum plated/gold (white gold in |
| very flexible. A good choice for someone with a | | | | colour). Typically these nibs are made from 14-Kt or |
| heavier hand as a fine nib will withstand a bit more | | | | 18-Kt gold and are always hallmarked. Gold nibs are |
| pressure and won't feather(the name given when a | | | | softer and more flexible than stainless steel nibs and |
| nib pulls apart and leaves a wide ink trail) as much. | | | | are generally more expensive. A gold nib however will |
| - Medium (M) The preferred choice for most people. | | | | shape/wear to your personal style of writing making |
| This size nib produces a medium size line with greater | | | | it much more personal to you and providing a good |
| ink flow for quicker, easier writing and the nib is | | | | reason not to let anyone borrow your favourite |
| slightly more flexible. | | | | fountain pen! A gold nib is well worth investing in if |
| - Broad (B) Suitable for assertive, large handwriting. | | | | you want something a little bit special and something |
| Not a good choice for children. | | | | that will last you a lifetime. |
| - Left Hand (LH) The best choice for the left hander. | | | | Looking after your nib... |
| The point of the nib is designed in a different way to | | | | It is always important to remember to clean your |
| create a stress free and most importantly, a | | | | fountain pen nib from time to time to avoid it |
| non-splatter writing experience. | | | | clogging up with dried ink. The best way is to simply |
| - Calligraphy 1.1 (small edge) 1.5 (medium edge) 1.9 | | | | run it under cold/warm water or leave it overnight in |
| (large edge) | | | | a cup of water (nib section only). If you generally use |
| Gold Nib Or Steel Nib? | | | | black ink in your pen then this is more important as |
| Fountain pen nibs can be made from 14-Kt/18-Kt | | | | black ink tends to dry in the nib more quickly. |
| Gold or Stainless Steel. Below is an overview of the | | | | |