Nibs Between Pilot Vanishing Point And Custom Heritage 92

September 21, 2015

Hi,

I have some questions about the smoothness and fineness of nibs between Pilot Vanishing Point and Pilot Custom Heritage 92/Custom 74.

I have Pilot Decimo with a fine nib and I like the smoothness and fineness of this nib, but it is little heavy for long writing. While I was searching for a smooth, lightweight, and fine fountain pen for long writing, someone has recommended me Pilot Custom Heritage 92. I see it has pretty good reputation in this forum.

Thus, I would like to know more about the nibs of this pen. As I said, I like the fineness and smoothness of my Decimo fine nib. How is Pilot Custom Heritage 92 nib like comparing to Decimo nib?

I see they have F, FM, M, and B nibs. I wonder if I should get F nib or FM nib for Pilot Custom Heritage 92. Also, is there any place to purchase Pilot #5 nib separately? I am asking this in case that I may not like the nib I order, and I am also interested in trying SF nib.

Thanks,

September 21, 2015

I have a VP with a Fine nib and 3 pens with the #5 nib, 2 Fines and a Medium. I also have a Custom 823 with a Fine #15 nib. All of the Fines write a very similar line - I can't tell a difference by eye except for the ink color. The main difference between the VP and the others is the softness it has that the #5 and up nibs don't have. I like them all.

September 22, 2015

I have a VP with a Fine nib and 3 pens with the #5 nib, 2 Fines and a Medium. I also have a Custom 823 with a Fine #15 nib. All of the Fines write a very similar line - I can't tell a difference by eye except for the ink color. The main difference between the VP and the others is the softness it has that the #5 and up nibs don't have. I like them all.

Thanks reicel,

So, VP nib is softer than the other three nibs?

I like nib that has little springy to it!

September 22, 2015

All of the Pilot gold nibs have a little springiness to them IME, although the soft nibs go that little bit further.

Comparing the geometry of the VP and Custom series nibs, the length and narrowness of the VP nib means it lacks some of the torsional rigidity that traditionally-shaped nib offer. I've found that VP nibs aren't as smooth on horizontal strokes, and have had one that squeaked on the page. I suspect that the lower torsional rigidity contributed to harmonics that gave this feedback. It's not a bad sensation at all, but takes a little acclimatization if you're used to silky nibs.

Both F and FM nibs can be expected to be smooth, but the FM will feed back less of the texture of the paper. IMO the FM nib offers the best balance of fineness and smoothness. YMMV.

September 25, 2015

All of the Pilot gold nibs have a little springiness to them IME, although the soft nibs go that little bit further.

Comparing the geometry of the VP and Custom series nibs, the length and narrowness of the VP nib means it lacks some of the torsional rigidity that traditionally-shaped nib offer. I've found that VP nibs aren't as smooth on horizontal strokes, and have had one that squeaked on the page. I suspect that the lower torsional rigidity contributed to harmonics that gave this feedback. It's not a bad sensation at all, but takes a little acclimatization if you're used to silky nibs.

Both F and FM nibs can be expected to be smooth, but the FM will feed back less of the texture of the paper. IMO the FM nib offers the best balance of fineness and smoothness. YMMV.

Thanks PabloAU,

According to others' reviews, I think FM nib would be too thick for my taste.

Do you have any experience with SF nib by any chance?