nib size

[jackson6612]

What nib size would you recommend for a student or for general purpose writing?

 

Have I placed the nib sizes in the correct order? Are other sizes, fine, medium, and broad, also known by some other names like extra-fine? Can you please also tell me what is industry standard line width for these sizes?

 

extra-fine (micro) < fine < medium < broad

 

Thank you for the help.

[donwinn]

What nib size would you recommend for a student or for general purpose writing?

 

Have I placed the nib sizes in the correct order? Are other sizes, fine, medium, and broad, also known by some other names like extra-fine? Can you please also tell me what is industry standard line width for these sizes?

 

extra-fine (micro) < fine < medium < broad

 

Thank you for the help.

 

There actually is no industry standard for stroke width. Richard Binder has information about the various nib sizes which you might find helpful.

 

Donnie

 

[BillTheEditor]

What nib size would you recommend for a student or for general purpose writing?

 

Have I placed the nib sizes in the correct order? Are other sizes, fine, medium, and broad, also known by some other names like extra-fine? Can you please also tell me what is industry standard line width for these sizes?

 

extra-fine (micro) < fine < medium < broad

 

Thank you for the help.

You just need to try out pens in various widths. As Donnie has said, there are no standards for the various width designations. In general, students will prefer a pen on the "fine" side of the spectrum (faster note-taking), BUT some fine nibs are pretty dry and may not keep up with a fast-writing user (it depends on the ink, too). It's pretty much impossible to predict what an individual's subjective and practical experience will be like.

 

Pen shows are a great place for experimenting, or local pen clubs. Otherwise, you just have to go pester a clerk in a brick-and-mortar store for a while. Be sure you buy a pen from the clerk (assuming you find one you like), and then write a nice note (using the new pen) to the clerk's boss, praising the customer service you received.

[Zeroblade]

Yep, as they say, there's no strict standard of line width when manufacturers classify something as "fine" or "medium" or "broad." It's more of, "the fine writes thinner than the medium which writes thinner than the broad," and so on.

 

Of course, that being said, the best width for general writing would probably be fine or extra-fine. Decades ago, that's what we all went with, after all.

[gyasko]

Of course, that being said, the best width for general writing would probably be fine or extra-fine. Decades ago, that's what we all went with, after all.

 

But German pens from decades ago have broader nibs than they do today. Moreover, the English seemed to have preferred broader nibs. And since there were broader American nibs sold and even advertised in the age of needlepoints, i think it's safe to assume that there must have some users out there.

 

At any rate, it's best to try out the widths and see what you like.

Edited April 13, 2009 by gyasko

[Teaos]

I usually use an F or XF at school, and a stub when I'm handwriting essays at home.

 

Jeremy

Edited April 13, 2009 by Teaos

[piembi]

At any rate, it's best to try out the widths and see what you like.

 

This would be my advise, too.

I do love broader nibs but at the office I prefer medium or fine-medium nibs. If possible, oblique.

There is no general rule - just try out.

[archie001]

Personally, I'd consider "extra fine", "fine", and eventually a "medium" for students. Writing with them appear cleaner, and one could write longer in a filling as these nibs consume lesser ink.

[nemesiz]

In the Eighties and Ninties while attending Secondary School, the majority of pupils that used Fountain Pens purchased the Parker Jotter or Vector series with a standard medium nib. They were cheap, durable, reliable, and simple to re-fill, so perfect for a typical student. Mainly the fountain pens were used to write dissertations, essays and jot down notes. For finer work such as writing formulae, mathematical equations and graph work a sharpened or mechanical pencil were favoured. Although there was a machiavellian reason why many fountain pen users adopted the medium nib at the time, it was the simply the ability to fill up each line of a page with less words, thus making it look like you've done more work!

 

Nowadays my preference are fountain pens with ultra fine nibs for detailed work where accuracy and presentation is vitally important. So unless you're using a fountain pen for mathematics, accountancy or writing Kanji, a medium or larger nib would probably be perfect for your requirements. If you have a department or pen store near you, ask for a demonstration to see which fountain pen you prefer.

Edited April 13, 2009 by nemesiz

[Daosus]

As an engineering student, I used fine nibs. The feed keeps up at high speeds and the pen uses less ink. I find that anything finer than a Sheaffer Fine (which is on the thinner side) requires me to think about the pen when I write. Since you ostensibly go to class to learn, not to play with pens, I suggest something along those lines as well. Obviously, my experience is dictated by my handwriting, so you will likely need to experiment to find your ideal pen.

[jackson6612]

Hi all,

 

I wasn't expecting so many replies, especially in such a short time. What you people are saying is also correct but here I don't have any pen store, the stationary shops have regular pens as most people use ball pens these days. Therefore, I have to order it online. The pen I want to buy is Sheaffer Legacy Heritage Black Laque Fountain Pen. It's a very expensive pen for me and I know if I ever buy it I will have to keep it in a locker!

 

Actually my handwriting is not so good. But years back my friend had a Sheaffer, which you looked like the one I want to buy now, and one day when I used it to write some notes my handwriting wasn't looking that bad. So you can say I'm buying this pen primarily in the hope of making my handwriting better. Now please don't suggest that I work to improve my hadnwriting rather than spending money on this pen because I'm beyond that stage. I hope you can understand the gravity of the situation! If you don't, then it's just that you don't know how embarassing it can be to have a bad handwriting, at least sometimes.

 

Thank you for the help.

[Gran]

Why not try something such as a Lamy Safari in both a fine and a medium point? When you've discovered, after a bit of time, which you prefer, then a more expensive purchase will be made with some informed experience.

 

Many of us on this forum have used fountain pens for decades and do not have fountain pens that cost over $100.

 

I do not believe that a pen which costs over $250 writes significantly better than a pen which costs $50. There may be those who do not agree with me. I have a pen which cost me $5 including shipping, and my handwriting looks better with this pen, than it does with some pens which cost $30 or $50.

 

If the pen sits well in your hand, and you can use it comfortably for long periods of time, and you like writing with it, then it is a good pen for you.

 

All else is what the pen symbolizes to you.

 

Many old Sheaffers have good nibs, and are comfortable to write with.

 

If you wanted to post in the Want To Buy category here on FPN, you could find a pen which writes nicely, for not much money.

 

There are many ways to improve your penmanship. Here's a book I practice with: http://www.iampeth.com/books/champion/the_...thod_index.html

 

Lots of good info on that website.

 

Best of luck to you!

Edited April 13, 2009 by Gran

[Ghost Plane]

Argh! The years I suffered scratching along with fine and medium nibs because everyone told me that was what I SHOULD like! And now I'm blissful with my B, BB and stub nibs. Take your time before jumping on the advice of the needle writers. Just because they're vocal doesn't mean it's the correct nib size for YOU.

[amh210]

One of the prime considerations in nib size is the size of your natural handwriting. If you tend to write small, a broad nib will be problematic as you will be filling in your loops. If your natural handwriting is large and well spaced, a broad nib may work for you.

 

When I started with FPs, the big, bold nib attracted me, and as long as I was just signing checks it worked well. As I now spend more time writing paragraphs and pages, I find I prefer a fine or xf nib. My handwriting is not particularly attractive, but it is more legible with a fine or xf nib.

 

I would certainly concur that your first FP should be inexpensive. There are decent fountain pens for under $25 and you could even pick up a few of them to explore nib-width variety.

 

Good luck with your experimentation and enjoy the FP obsession.

 

Andy

[georges zaslavsky]

I mainly wrote with fine or medium nibs, I still write with these nib sizes as my standard nibs today. I however don't mind a stub or a medium oblique nib for my week end writers.

Edited April 13, 2009 by georges zaslavsky

[ZeissIkon]

Of course, that being said, the best width for general writing would probably be fine or extra-fine. Decades ago, that's what we all went with, after all.

 

Not all of us. When I bought my first fountain pen (around 1970-1971, seventh grade, a cheap cartridge Shaeffer identical to the one my grandmother had, cost me a dollar in those days when a new car could be had under $2000), I hated the fine point instantly. By the time I finished high school, I had found I preferred a medium, but a broad was too wide for my writing size.

 

Of course, the definition of "medium" varies somewhat, but I'm finding that the Yafa Cartridge Fountain Pen (marked as "medium nib" on the packaging) that I bought a week or so ago at Office Depot is just about right -- it could stand to be a little broader, but it's not fine enough to bother me and, most importantly, not fine enough to feel scratchy. Get some decent ink in there, and it might well be "just right" for real...

[jackson6612]

Thank you very much for the helpful information and suggestions. Your suggestion is well taken, and now I'm also of the opinion that I should buy some inexpensive pen, such as Lamy Safari, as compared to the Sheaffer. Would you let me know of some other inexpensive pens too? As I have already mentioned that I'm primarily buying fountain pen in the hope of making my handwriting look better, so please keep this in mind while making any recommendations. I was thinking of buying a Sheaffer not because I have a lot of money, it's just that I only know of two brands of pens, Parker and Sheaffer, and to buy a Sheaffer I will have to save money for many months.

 

With best wishes,

JH

 

PS: I will use the pen to write English.

Edited April 13, 2009 by jackson6612

[Gran]

This link: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=11808

 

shows discussions here on FPN of "Best inexpensive pens" and "Best pens under $50", as well as much other useful information.

Edited April 13, 2009 by Gran

[Daosus]

I suggest looking on the Pen Review subsection of this forum for information on pens. Also, I strongly suggest vintage. I was hesitant myself at first, but they are really much better value for the pen. I bought a Parker 51 Special and a Sheaffer Snorkel Clipper for around $80 (together). These pens write better than anything I've come across.

[jackson6612]

After having been through several pages on fountain pens I have decided I will buy a Lamy Safari Charcoal with a fine nib. It's attractive and looks as it will sit better in my hand. Perhaps, this will help to make my handwriting look better. Do you recommend this pen? Is it a piston-filler or what? Should I buy this ink? Let me remind you again that I want to use this pen in the hope of making my handwriting look better and I will solely write English with it.

 

Thank you very much of all of you for your valuable suggestions. May you all have peace and happiness in your lives.