Extra Fine Nibs

[jde]

Great comparison thanks! How does the SF pilot nib feel to write with? Is the ink flow a little hard to keep in check?

 

Feel? Smooth, fine, good, lovely. I like all of those nibs or I wouldn't own 'em. (But forced to choose among them, like I wrote, the Platinum and the Sailor.) The Pilot SF has, IMHO, a bit more character than a regular Pilot F, although the SF is not as "fine" as a regular Pilot F.

 

I don't really understand your second question. I don't "flex" my nibs, and write with a light touch. The SF flows without issue. (And I actually am writing with it in a TWSBI, replacing the wide TWSBI EF). I use wet-flowing inks: Namiki Blue, Platinum B-B. Noodler's Black I would not call wet, but good flowing ink. Any smudges in the scan are caused by my careless fingers.

 

All only my opinion and experience. YMMV. Or rather, YMwillV.

[imadeadend]

Great comparison thanks! How does the SF pilot nib feel to write with? Is the ink flow a little hard to keep in check?

 

Feel? Smooth, fine, good, lovely. I like all of those nibs or I wouldn't own 'em. (But forced to choose among them, like I wrote, the Platinum and the Sailor.) The Pilot SF has, IMHO, a bit more character than a regular Pilot F, although the SF is not as "fine" as a regular Pilot F.

 

I don't really understand your second question. I don't "flex" my nibs, and write with a light touch. The SF flows without issue. (And I actually am writing with it in a TWSBI, replacing the wide TWSBI EF). I use wet-flowing inks: Namiki Blue, Platinum B-B. Noodler's Black I would not call wet, but good flowing ink. Any smudges in the scan are caused by my careless fingers.

 

All only my opinion and experience. YMMV. Or rather, YMwillV.

 

Sorry I should have reworded that second part. I meant that even though it's a fine, does the mild flexibility of the nib cause it to be too wet for normal writing? My custom 74 F is fantastic, but even with the stiffer version it pushes a little bit more ink than I would like on the downstroke with light pressure (though this does bring some nice shading). Thanks for the info

[jde]

Great comparison thanks! How does the SF pilot nib feel to write with? Is the ink flow a little hard to keep in check?

 

Feel? Smooth, fine, good, lovely. I like all of those nibs or I wouldn't own 'em. (But forced to choose among them, like I wrote, the Platinum and the Sailor.) The Pilot SF has, IMHO, a bit more character than a regular Pilot F, although the SF is not as "fine" as a regular Pilot F.

 

I don't really understand your second question. I don't "flex" my nibs, and write with a light touch. The SF flows without issue. (And I actually am writing with it in a TWSBI, replacing the wide TWSBI EF). I use wet-flowing inks: Namiki Blue, Platinum B-B. Noodler's Black I would not call wet, but good flowing ink. Any smudges in the scan are caused by my careless fingers.

 

All only my opinion and experience. YMMV. Or rather, YMwillV.

 

Sorry I should have reworded that second part. I meant that even though it's a fine, does the mild flexibility of the nib cause it to be too wet for normal writing? My custom 74 F is fantastic, but even with the stiffer version it pushes a little bit more ink than I would like on the downstroke with light pressure (though this does bring some nice shading). Thanks for the info

With the right ink (like Sailor Sky High), the SF does produce some shading. (Namiki Blue or Noodler's Black doesn't shade in my nib.)

 

Well, the SF nib is not too wet at all for my version of normal writing. Also, there is no issue with fast writing... which is part of my normal. But i you find a plain old F a bit wet, I can't imagine you'd want an SF. It's wetter. IMHO. But what do I know?

Edited May 3, 2012 by jde

[imadeadend]

Great comparison thanks! How does the SF pilot nib feel to write with? Is the ink flow a little hard to keep in check?

 

Feel? Smooth, fine, good, lovely. I like all of those nibs or I wouldn't own 'em. (But forced to choose among them, like I wrote, the Platinum and the Sailor.) The Pilot SF has, IMHO, a bit more character than a regular Pilot F, although the SF is not as "fine" as a regular Pilot F.

 

I don't really understand your second question. I don't "flex" my nibs, and write with a light touch. The SF flows without issue. (And I actually am writing with it in a TWSBI, replacing the wide TWSBI EF). I use wet-flowing inks: Namiki Blue, Platinum B-B. Noodler's Black I would not call wet, but good flowing ink. Any smudges in the scan are caused by my careless fingers.

 

All only my opinion and experience. YMMV. Or rather, YMwillV.

 

Sorry I should have reworded that second part. I meant that even though it's a fine, does the mild flexibility of the nib cause it to be too wet for normal writing? My custom 74 F is fantastic, but even with the stiffer version it pushes a little bit more ink than I would like on the downstroke with light pressure (though this does bring some nice shading). Thanks for the info

With the right ink (like Sailor Sky High), the SF does produce some shading. (Namiki Blue or Noodler's Black doesn't shade in my nib.)

 

Well, the SF nib is not too wet at all for my version of normal writing. Also, there is no issue with fast writing... which is part of my normal. But i you find a plain old F a bit wet, I can't imagine you'd want an SF. It's wetter. IMHO. But what do I know?

 

Yeah I'm more of a light pressure - slow writer. Only one way to find out if it's for me haha

[XiaoMG]

I've tried a few Japanese EFs that were very similar to their F counterparts, and some dry German EFs that were not too wide...but here are two examples that aren't in that general middle-range, but rather closer to the extremes you may come across.

 

 

The square is a standard 5mm square; one pen is a German EF and the other is a Japanese EF. Inks are Edelstein Topaz and Iroshizuku Kon-Peki.

 

http://i.imgur.com/lquno.jpg

 

[jzents]

My ignorance is revealed to all. So TWSBI is one of those Chinese makers? I was reading some other posts, they sound pretty good and not too expensive. Are their fine nibs comparable to the Japanese fine nibs?

I don't have Lisa's (ethernautrix) nice handwriting, but this should give you an idea of how wide a TWSBI EF is in comparison to Japanese nibs. I would not even compare a TWSBI EF to a Japanese F. Maybe a Medium.

 

All these nibs are smooth/pleasant to write with. My favorite's here are the Platinum (which has 'feedback') and the Sailor nibs. (Among these, only the Sailor (a 21K nib) was tuned by a pen seller, and it was in theory tuned to my ink and writing preferences. My first Sailor from same seller was an F that I found scratchy and way too wet. Go figure.)

 

I still think one of the best deals in a 14K nib is the Platinum #3776. Even better deal with a steel nib.

 

Have fun exploring!

 

 

Great comparison thanks! How does the SF pilot nib feel to write with? Is the ink flow a little hard to keep in check?

Very nice and now I know to not think of a TWSBI as far a really fine nib goes. I appreciate your time to do that. It really shows the difference. Cheers!

[jzents]

I've tried a few Japanese EFs that were very similar to their F counterparts, and some dry German EFs that were not too wide...but here are two examples that aren't in that general middle-range, but rather closer to the extremes you may come across.

 

 

The square is a standard 5mm square; one pen is a German EF and the other is a Japanese EF. Inks are Edelstein Topaz and Iroshizuku Kon-Peki.

 

http://i.imgur.com/lquno.jpg

Graphic. I would not have expected such a difference. But there it is. Thank you very much!

[Willameena]

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I need some sound advice from fine nib users. I am looking for an everyday EF pen. I am looking at either the Platinum 3776 fine or the sailor 1911 EF. I have a pilot namiki and the ink flow is just incredibly perfect ( customized by Mottishaw). I have a pilot prera(small pen, no posting permitted) that I like but the ink flow is not reliable and provides a much lighter ink color when writting with the Namiki. Anyone have advice on the difference in ink flow on either of these pens . I have never used a Sailor or Platinum .

 

thanks in advance

[imadeadend]

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I need some sound advice from fine nib users. I am looking for an everyday EF pen. I am looking at either the Platinum 3776 fine or the sailor 1911 EF. I have a pilot namiki and the ink flow is just incredibly perfect ( customized by Mottishaw). I have a pilot prera(small pen, no posting permitted) that I like but the ink flow is not reliable and provides a much lighter ink color when writting with the Namiki. Anyone have advice on the difference in ink flow on either of these pens . I have never used a Sailor or Platinum .

 

thanks in advance

 

Either Sailor or Platinum is fantastic. Sailors have better build quality IMO than Platinums, but the nibs are around the same in terms of smoothness. I can't comment on the Sailor EF until I get mine this week, but the Sailor F is dreamy and the PLatinum EF is amazing as well. The feeds on either brand are exceptional and flow is just perfect IMO.

 

I say get the one you think looks best and is the cheapest and you can't really go wrong

[jde]

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I need some sound advice from fine nib users. I am looking for an everyday EF pen. I am looking at either the Platinum 3776 fine or the sailor 1911 EF. I have a pilot namiki and the ink flow is just incredibly perfect ( customized by Mottishaw). I have a pilot prera(small pen, no posting permitted) that I like but the ink flow is not reliable and provides a much lighter ink color when writting with the Namiki. Anyone have advice on the difference in ink flow on either of these pens . I have never used a Sailor or Platinum .

 

thanks in advance

 

+1 with what Iamadeadend said... either one will have good ink flow, and is a great writing pen at EF level.

 

I got my Sailor EF from Mottishaw, requiring him to make be on the drier side yet retain smoothness. That's the only Sailor I have. (Originally had a Sailor F but swapped to the EF instead. The F was too wide for what I wanted.)

 

I've had several Platinums (F and EF), and they are my very favorite nibs. Bought via FPN or eBay and never needed one tuned. Platinums are solid pens, yet, as Iamadeadend indicates, the resin #3776 pen feels fragile. But it isn't. Plus the celluloids in these pens are glorious.

 

A Sailor 14K nib might feel closer to what you are used to with a Pilot, IMHO. A Platinum nib will give you feedback (smooth yet with personality), as will a Sailor 21k, only less so.

 

You'll probably end up trying both of 'em at some point, Platinum and Sailor. You may find either of them runs wetter than your Pilot. Enjoy!

Edited May 5, 2012 by jde

[Hex]

vintage sheaffer lifetime, vintage sheaffer triumph , sheaffer feathertouch and inlaid nibs are among the best extrafine and fine nibs one can get. The waterman le man 100 ef and f nibs, vintage mb 146 and 149 ef and f nibs as well as parker fuofold flat top and vacumatic ef and f nibs are also very very good.

 

I 2nd the Sheaffer recommendation.

I just inked up my 440 XF and it's a crisp fine line that started right away.

I got it from Goulet Pens and I believe they now have a 444 in stock.

It' s worth a look.

 

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/servlet/the-94/Sheaffer-444--%28Quasi-dsh-Imperial%29/Detail

 

No affiliation, yada, yada

[Willameena]

Wow, my dilema remains...which one to pick!!! I wish I could get one of each. I really like the look of the Platinum demonstrator, but it only comes in F nib. That means extra charges for a EF ( if necessary) and then there is customs to pay... No matter which pen I choose it is starting to get expensive. It's hard to make your choice based on pictures only. Is there a big difference between the EF of Sailor and the F of Platinum?

 

[jde]

It's hard to make your choice based on pictures only. Is there a big difference between the EF of Sailor and the F of Platinum?

 

 

Maybe this will help you:

http://www.nibs.com/...ngSizespage.htm

 

Edited to add: Apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread.

 

Willameena, you might want to peruse the Pens from the Land of the Rising Sun subform. Lots of info there about these pens, and Japanese nibs F, EF, etc.

Edited May 6, 2012 by jde

[imadeadend]

Wow, my dilema remains...which one to pick!!! I wish I could get one of each. I really like the look of the Platinum demonstrator, but it only comes in F nib. That means extra charges for a EF ( if necessary) and then there is customs to pay... No matter which pen I choose it is starting to get expensive. It's hard to make your choice based on pictures only. Is there a big difference between the EF of Sailor and the F of Platinum?

 

 

I am about to receive that exact Sailor this week!

[Willameena]

Oh please let me know how it feels and write ( pics if you can). Where did you purchase the pen?

[imadeadend]

Oh please let me know how it feels and write ( pics if you can). Where did you purchase the pen?

 

Engeika (Taizo Okagaki) off eBay.

 

I'll write up a review when I receive the pen for sure. I'm very curious to see how the extra fine will go in terms of smoothness

[adallak]

My Pilot Elite with EF nib is one of my smoothest pens.

[imadeadend]

Just a heads up, the Pilot VP extra fine nib units are outstanding! Mine arrived this morning and is better than I could have hoped with the finest line I have ever seen/used (finer than any ballpoint/gel/rollerball pen or whatever too).

[thinkink]

An inexpensive option could be to get a Pilot 78G with an F nib - a true Western EF.

[Willameena]

Did you get the sailor yet? if so are you able to pin a picture of the writting . I would be so pleased if you could.

 

Thanks