What is nib creep?

[CraigR]

I feel like I should understand this, but I don't think I do. What exactly is "nib creep" and is it a function of the nib or the ink? Thanks for any help. /Craig

[asamsky]

Nib creep is the tendency of ink to creep out of the slit or breather hole on a nib and sit on the surface. This can make the nib look dirty and will sometimes lead to ink in the cap. It's mostly a function of the ink, but it's possible that some nibs are particularly prone to it. You usually get this with very highly saturated inks. It's something everyone luuurves to talk about, but isn't really a big deal for most of us.

[fjf]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/fj1121/omas3.jpg

[cafzal]

Richard Binder has a nice glossary of terms on his highly informative web page. It reads:

 

"The spontaneous accumulation of ink on the top surface of a nib; the ink is said to “creep” up out of the slit. Some inks are more prone to creep than others, but the root cause of the phenomenon is a nib slit that is either damaged or manufactured with insufficient attention to finishing; nicks, scratches, etc., can create a capillary path across the edge between the slit wall and the top surface."

 

Cf. http://www.richardspens.com/

[CraigR]

Thank you for the explanations! /Craig

[girlieg33k]

May I present nib creep!

 

 

 

Photo is a Pilot Ecrino filled with Noodler's Iraqi Indigo, taken from my Ink Review of the same ink.

[CraigR]

Thank you for the explanations! /Craig

 

Edited for double post, sorry.

Edited March 20, 2008 by CraigR

[Sousy]

I feel like I should understand this, but I don't think I do. What exactly is "nib creep" and is it a function of the nib or the ink? Thanks for any help. /Craig

 

A "nib creep" is also that rather strange looking guy at the stationery store that doesn't quite know how to act around women...

 

[CraigR]

I feel like I should understand this, but I don't think I do. What exactly is "nib creep" and is it a function of the nib or the ink? Thanks for any help. /Craig

 

A "nib creep" is also that rather strange looking guy at the stationery store that doesn't quite know how to act around women...

Shucks, that would include me. Ya mean I are one? /Craig