Who Makes The Best Nibs Today

[tinkerteacher]

Thanks max dog for that very informative list, another bit of knowledge to file away somewhere.

 

As was said, the question is too subjective [and flame/troll worthy].

 

But ... the one maker I absolutely, positively know that if I pick up one of their pens, it will write well and will put down the line that is stamped on the nib no matter the price point, Pilot/Namiki. That's down to rock solid, magical levels of Q&A though, not how enjoyable their nib will be to use.

[CarlosCaligrafia]

It is down luck and personal preference.

For me, Pilot/Namiki has been amazing on all ranges, from cheap MR to the expensive Namiki.

 

Is also about luck, for example all the Lamys I tried has been awful...

[Frank C]

The majority of (western) nibs are made by Bock or JoWo. Faber Castell, Pelikan, Omas, Kaweco, Edison, you name it... Bock and JoWo are comparable, in my opinion.

 

Montblanc and Aurora are the two up-market manufacturers that come to mind as still making their own nibs.

 

Generally, I think the Japanese (Sailor, Pilot and Platinum) make better nibs than Bock or JoWo (flame-suit on).

 

 

For regular nibs from EF to C to MS: Platinum

 

I also love the Sailor Speciality multilayer nibs, they have no competition.

 

 

For me, the one company who's nibs just can't be beat is Pilot/Namiki. They have gone above and beyond with QA on all their stock nibs. I have multiple Pilot pens that were amazing right out of the box. However, the "best" nib is all about individual needs. While I like really wet writers, you may not, and so on. It all depends on what you're looking for, and your writing style. For a truely personalized feel, bringing it to a nibmeister is the way to go. There are several out there that can make even the most stubborn of nibs glide across the page. I had a particularly stormy relationship with a vintage Indian ebonite pen, and was considering just tucking it into a drawer and forgetting about it. After a small adjustment from Mike Masuyama, that pen is one of my favorites.

 

TLDR: Out of box, undoubtedly Pilot/Namiki, for the "best" nib, send it to a nibmeister, who can make it the best for you.

 

I agree that the Japanese nibs are among the best, and that Sailor Multilayer nibs are in a league of their own.

[calhoun tubbs]

My votes go to Pilot and Pelikan.

[Keyless Works]

It's Aurora and Pilot for me followed closely by Platinum.

[Precise]

I've written here that my Italian nibs are my smoothest because they are slightly flattened where they meet the paper:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/297964-my-italian-nibs-are-my-smoothest/

 

More data and photos here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/298062-where-the-metal-meets-the-paper/

 

Since the above, I've purchased a Delta with their "Fusion" nib (Fine). Once again, Italian is smoothest.

 

The flattening can be very slight. I've started to "Italianize" other pens by slightly flattening them. The results are stunning! They float across the paper.

 

Alan

[Aurko]

For me it has been Sailor followed closely by Pilot.

[TassoBarbasso]

Definitely OMAS if you want smoothness; Pilot for variety and reliability. Aurora for those who like more feedback. Lamy in the "steel nib" department.

[FOUR X FOUR]

To me, the Visconti Smarttouch and Chromium tubular nibs are among the smoothest nibs I've used. Porsche nibs are also very smooth

[pen tom]

I'd say Pelikan 1000 and Nakaya's soft nib

[Hospitalier]

I agree that the Japanese nibs are among the best, and that Sailor Multilayer nibs are in a league of their own.

Sailor - the be all and end all, end of.

[Blade Runner]

Aurora and Montblanc

Edited November 29, 2015 by Blade Runner

[Drone]

The Pilot FA "Falcon" semi-flexible Japanese fine #15 (proprietary size numbering) nib is a good contender for the best modern production fountain pen nib.

 

Do not confuse this nib with the nib in the Pilot "Elabo" (Japanese market) or "Falcon" (outside Japan market) pen models; which also have semi-flexible nibs. The two nibs are quite different.

 

Now, if only Pilot would wake-up and make an Ebonite (hard rubber) feed that can keep up with their FA nib!

[Sergio 46]

The big three japanese : Pilot, Platinum, Sailor lead easily the pack, followed by Lamy and Pelikan.

[Christopher Godfrey]

@FOUR X FOUR: I am fairly certain that Porsche are not in the nib-making business. Their nibs may very well be nice and smooth; but I bet you that they came out of either the Bock or the Jowo factory...

[Peppers]

Pilot!

They make such a lovely nibs. Well engineered and manufactured. High quality and high reliability. Quite beautiful as well.

[FriendAmos]

OMAS.

 

Any other questions?

[tragique]

Pilot. In my opinion, of course.

 

I agree, Pilot constantly amazes me.

[akustyk]

Sailor, for amazing variety and engineering prowess

Aurora, for magic and sheer writing performance

Lamy 2000, for beauty in simplicity

Montblanc, for classy designs, solid performance

[pajaro]

Montblanc and Pelikan.

 

If you have sunk big money into something else, that will, of course, be your choice.

 

Some nibs might seem better if the pen makers paid more attention to finishing the pen. Heat setting might help in lieu of running a bunch of stuff through machines and slapping the parts together.