14k Vs. 18k Vp Nibs

[bridgettt]

I'm wondering if there is a discernible difference between the 14K and 18K nibs. Maybe the color? I'm thinking about getting a cursive italic nib from one of the nib grinders and a current listing has a 14K nib. My VP has a 18K nib now and also a lot of the pictures show a yellow gold nib which won't match my pen (rhodium trim) at all.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[Joe in Seattle]

No dif in writing I can tell. I believe some grinders prefer 14K for strength.

[OTDoc]

18k obviously has more gold in it. This larger quantity makes a negligible difference in softness. Richard Binder and others think 14k is the ideal for writing and that 18k nibs can lose their shape more easily. 18k is a value/advertisement deal since 18k would be deemed more valuable/expensive than 14k by most people. In nibs as small and tight as the VP nibs, there is no real difference in feel of writing. In larger nibs such as the Viscontis you may notice a bit of a difference. Color should not be affected since manufacturers can control that regardless of gold content.

[bushido fan]

Hi Bridgett,

 

 

Thanks for asking about this. I recently touched upon part of your question with another, more experienced friend here. My sense is that there a couple of pieces to your inquiry -- albeit related.

 

We were discussing a degree of confusion regarding the perception of 14k nibs being more flexible than 18k nibs -- or those of even purer gold content, such as the Sailor 21k, or even some Japanese 24k nibs. While it may well be that the alloys used -- and in their proportion -- clearly have effect; it seems counter intuitive that a 14k nib would be softer or more flexible than an 18k, or purer nib. After all, gold is alloyed for durability, strength and color. ie -- I have found my Sailor KOP 21k M to feel softer than my M1000 OM and my 149 14k F to feel somewhat in between the two. All three are of similar size, although the shape of the Pelikan has more girth, which may add to the slightly stiffer feel.

 

As to the second piece of your question -- about the cursive italic nib -- it may be that re-shaping the nib will also increase its flexibility, depending upon how much material is removed. For an adequate answer to this piece, I would recommend speaking with one of the brilliant artisans that help us with tuning our pens/nibs. Their experience will provide a helpful roadmap in your search.

 

 

I can not speak to the soft, flex nibs as I haven't written with any, and am yet to receive my Mikado. I am awaiting one with a flexi Fine nib.

 

 

 

While I don't think that I've directly answered your question -- nor, with any desire to hijack same -- my intent is more to add nuance and spark conversation around the details that concern us both.

 

And it feels like some more experienced pen folk, weighing in here, will be helpful to these ends...

 

 

Thanks and All the Best,

 

John

[bayport714]

I have a VP with 14k nib and another with 18k. If my life depended on it I could not tell the difference without looking at the marking on the nib. In my opinion they write exactly the same.

[bridgettt]

I'm glad to hear that it shouldn't make much difference. I had a feeling that it wouldn't. I wonder what the incentive/pay off for Pilot is in making the two if there is no discernible difference?

[Richard]

14K VP nibs are definitely stiffer than 18K. This doesn't usually come into play, but for people whose hands are really heavy it can make the difference between springing a nib and not.

 

Also there is a very slight difference in color; 18K are a tiny bit darker, more "gold" in color.

[soesano]

18 k has more gold concentration than 14 k

this actually has the purpose to shape the pen nib in the way you write