Best Nib For General Writing

[corgicoupe]

What would you suggest as the best nib for general writing and note taking? I prefer fine to medium nibs, and I am aware that the 9XXX series are superior to the 2XXX series, but the focus of my question is the last three digits.

 

This will be on a J-series pen.

Edited December 15, 2015 by corgicoupe

[redbike]

My favorite is a 9556 nib. You can take fast and neat notes with one of these in good condition. That said, I'm currently using a 9668 that writes a line about as fine as the 9556. I love Esties, but the relationship between the nib # and writing qualities is very inconsistent.

[Hobiwan]

+1 what redbike said. The 556 and 668 nibs are general purpose medium points, and show up most on pens found "in the wild".

 

For fine there are generally the 550 and 551s.

 

If you like some line variation, try the 314-F and 314-Ms (I use a 9314-M).

[corgicoupe]

I have one with a 2556 and one a 2668. What way does the 9314 differ? Would I notice a significant difference if I replaced my 2xxx with 9xxx?

[mmg122]

My favorite is the 2284 (a little too broad for you) but in my experience, the 2xxx write smoother than the 9xxx. The experts, however, maintain that the 9xxx last longer because of the tipping. I figure my 2xxx will last longer than me, regardless.

 

When I'm looking for a medium nib, I tend to prefer the 2668...purely subjective.

[Hobiwan]

I have one with a 2556 and one a 2668. What way does the 9314 differ? Would I notice a significant difference if I replaced my 2xxx with 9xxx?

 

The 556 and 668 nibs give you a consistent line width, while the 314s are "relief" nibs, "slanted" (one tine slightly shorter than the other) to give you a bit of variation or shading as you write.

 

For instance, the vertical strokes would show wider than the horizontal ones. If you're good at it (as some of the writers of this forum are, while I'm totally NOT), you can do some great looking artistic writing with them.

 

As to noticing a difference between 2x and 9x, I believe that depends on your own individual sensitivity. The 9x points feel "sturdier" to me than the 2x. MMG122 finds the 2x smoother. Best thing to do is try one for yourself and see what your reaction is.

[mhm802]

+1 for the 9556

[pajaro]

9312. It's medium, and it imparts a certain style to my writing, which ordinarily sux.

[ISW_Kaputnik]

The 9788 is my favorite, but it's a bit harder to find, and might cost you as much as an entire Esterbrook J with another nib. And although it's described as "extra flexible medium", I don't think of it as flexible at all.

 

After that I'd say the 2668 and 9668. It may just be the sample I have, probably is, but my 2668 is the smoother feeling of the two.

 

And I recall liking the 2442 Falcon stub very much. It's a left oblique stub that you have to rotate for writing, but it suited me perfectly when I used it. Only, with the huge number of pens I've acquired since, it may be two years or more since I've used it, don't even recall which Estie I have it in. So maybe I shouldn't recommend it without using it again. Maybe I should try it in one of my Dip-Less sets.

[Joe in Seattle]

1551 "student" nib. Writes well, very forgiving when used in class to take notes.

[arcadeflow]

I've got a 2668 and it's very smooth if I find the sweet spot. Since it's not perfectly round because of no tipping, I find it is a bit sharp if I loose the spot. But it is so pleasant when written with at the right angle...

[corgicoupe]

9312. It's medium, and it imparts a certain style to my writing, which ordinarily sux.

The 9314 seems to be available, but not the 9312, at least from Anderson. Guess I'll try the latter.

[Hobiwan]

I've got a 2668 and it's very smooth if I find the sweet spot. Since it's not perfectly round because of no tipping, I find it is a bit sharp if I loose the spot. But it is so pleasant when written with at the right angle...

 

If you have or can get one of those very fine whetstones for honing knives, you can get rid of that scratchy spot by duplicating the stroke that scratches very gently (I use only the weight of the pen) on the fine part of the stone with a slight rotation of the nib as you stroke. Once or twice, VERY gently, then test, then again if needed until the nib doesn't hang when you're off the sweet spot.

 

Others, I believe, suggest using a brown paper grocery bag. I haven't done that, but they say that works also. Also, VEEERY fine grit sandpaper (like 1200 grit or finer) is said to help with that.

 

You do it with a wet nib (water or ink) to cut down hard friction......

[Runnin_Ute]

I have 1551 Gregg, Venus fine, 9550 (ef) and 2464 broad..

All good.

[penrivers]

1551 "student" nib. Writes well, very forgiving when used in class to take notes.

Very good, humble, underated, subestimated, glorius clerical nib.