Which Nib is best for Signature?

[ygtclk]

Hello everyone,

 

I would like to ask you a question. I am looking for a nib that best for signing a documents. 
 

I tried oblique nibs, but they are not so work for me. I am looking for Salior special nibs. I want to get well (not overdose) line variation. 

 

which nibs should I try? 
 

thank you. 

[Claes]

Hello!

I believe it is mostly a matter of taste.

Back in the 60s, many Important Documents

were signed using a BB or BBB nib.

 

A recent ex-president has other favourites: https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-uses-personalized-sharpie-pen-2018-11?op=1&r=US&IR=T

 

Personally, I prefer to use a Parker 51 stub

(about 0.9mm). It is important, though, that it flows well.

 

Have fun!
Claes in Lund, Sweden

 

 

[Lithium466]

Pilot makes some Signature nibs for that very purpose...but it's all a matter if preference.

[Karmachanic]

The nib on any pen that is currently inked will suffice.

[txomsy]

Why didn't it work?

 

If it was because of skips, maybe you didn't hold the nib properly to paper or maybe the pen cannot cope with the ink flow needed for a quick signing scribble. I have used successfully my XF nib on an MB without problem, but the pen would lay out ink as needed no matter how fast my hand moved.

 

If it is because you don't feel comfortable or don't like the looks, or it scratches the paper or some similar, then it likely is better to use a B or thicker nib with round point that is more forgiving of position.

[Baka1969]

I have a MB 146 with a broad nib ground to a left oblique that I like for signatures. I wouldn't mind a BBB ground the same way.

 

I have all the Lamy stub nibs and find them a bit scratchy for the way I sign my name. The Lamy 1.9 mm stub makes a great looking signature but just doesn't feel right. 

[ygtclk]

5 hours ago, txomsy said:

Why didn't it work?

 

If it was because of skips, maybe you didn't hold the nib properly to paper or maybe the pen cannot cope with the ink flow needed for a quick signing scribble. I have used successfully my XF nib on an MB without problem, but the pen would lay out ink as needed no matter how fast my hand moved.

 

If it is because you don't feel comfortable or don't like the looks, or it scratches the paper or some similar, then it likely is better to use a B or thicker nib with round point that is more forgiving of position.

 

Honestly, I did not like how my signature looks with O3B.

[landonitron]

I think my signature looks best using a soft/semi-flex nib. A full flex nib could offer more line variation, but my signature wouldn't turn out quite the same since I'd have to go slower.

[thx1138]

Any pen which is smooth and has a good flow rate will work well for a signature, especially at the speed I scrawl mine.

[jchch1950]

A broad or double-broad stub by a nib master, will have a thick line and some variation. Also, it will be harder to fake because not anybody can have a similar nib.

[A Smug Dill]

On 1/19/2024 at 8:21 PM, ygtclk said:

I am looking for Salior special nibs. I want to get well (not overdose) line variation.

 

A Naginata Togi nib should do the trick. They come in three different width grades these days, starting from Medium-Fine. You can assume they all write broader than regular Sailor 21K gold nibs of the same nominal width grade, comparing NMF against (regular) MF, etc. The broader the width grade, the less line variation — i.e. relative change in the line width along the same pen stroke — you will see.

[Doc Dan]

I think it is a matter of taste. Why not go to a shop and try various nibs and see which one you like the best?

 

I like a 1.1 Stub nib, but that's me.

[ygtclk]

5 hours ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

A Naginata Togi nib should do the trick. They come in three different width grades these days, starting from Medium-Fine. You can assume they all write broader than regular Sailor 21K gold nibs of the same nominal width grade, comparing NMF against (regular) MF, etc. The broader the width grade, the less line variation — i.e. relative change in the line width along the same pen stroke — you will see.

Which pen has Naginata Togo nib? I only saw that 1911L and KOP.

[ygtclk]

26 minutes ago, Doc Dan said:

I think it is a matter of taste. Why not go to a shop and try various nibs and see which one you like the best?

 

I like a 1.1 Stub nib, but that's me.

Of course I will go and try by myself, but before that I would like to get some opinions. 

[Mangrove Jack]

It is a matter of personal taste and a lot depends on the quality of the paper and the ink.

I use, for legal and business related documents, either a Lamy 1.1mm italic or a Pelikan Fine nib.

And for signing cheques (checks) I prefer my Parker 75 EF which has good ink flow. 

All signing is done using waterproof archival quality ink, blue-black in colour to differentiate the original from a photocopy and of course to be dark enough (most blues are not) to come out distinctly on a photocopy (of a photocopy of a photocopy). 

 

  

[A Smug Dill]

3 hours ago, ygtclk said:

Which pen has Naginata Togo nib? I only saw that 1911L and KOP.

 

If, as you said, you're looking for Sailor special nibs, that the Naginata Togi is the most commonly available out of those, and not only to be found on one current model.

• https://sailor.co.jp/product/10-7121/
• https://sailor.co.jp/product/10-7122/
• https://sailor.co.jp/product/10-1585/
• https://sailor.co.jp/product/10-1811/

 

[Bo Bo Olson]

The @ '50-70 German normal factory stub semi-flex.

The OB or OBB give much better line variation than regular flex obliques which have only a shadow of line varitaion.

Non oblique, vintage '50 to 70, B-BB work also. But not IMO as well as the Oblique.

 

I have a 500 Pelikan with a eyeballed OBBB with a 30 degree grind with a maxi-semi-flex nib.  A 15 letter legal name takes up 2/3rds to 3/4ths of a page....might be a bit much.

 

Do look for Osmia OB or OBB....called LBB...L for left slant, R for right. You might have to have a new gasket put in them. They are a great pen and their steel nibs are as great as their great gold ones.

Their price is a bit lower on German Ebay than they should be...black and gold of course in medium-small, standard and medium large plain body, not colored or BCHR. Color in vintage German pens outside of Pelikan normally cost 1/3rd more.

 

I suggest looking at Osmia pens, they are with small diamond with nib size in the diamond like this picture from someone else, to see the often normal semi-flex nib.

Picture used to show the semi-flex nib....I do have a larger, later 540 similar marked pen with a grand steel nib................the grand gold nibs are as good as the grand steel nibs and can be had for €10 less than gold. I wish I'd not been an ignorant gold snob back then. I could have ended up with more Osmias.

The picture is a gold plated nib....but Osmia/Degussa made great nibs.

The Osmia Supra nib is often a maxi-semi-flex nib....not always a couple guys who won 30 and 50 said it's not always so. I only own 8 and for me a Supra nib is a maxi. Again someones else picture that shows what you need to know.

 

 

Osmia push button '30's.

 

I have more barley corn chasing than this one.

1938 The Boehler brothers split their firm Omsia up between them...but Osmia also made such BCHR pens.

My model 540 or the older 54 is standard sized pen. The 62 or so are medium small. I have medium large 76's but don't have large 78's.

 

Degussa took Osmai's nib factory in 1934 for debt, and continued making Osmai's grand nibs, and often under their own brand. Geha and Soeneecken in the end used Degussa nibs. So Geha nibs are a bit better than Pelikan. A couple posters I respect said so and I checked my vintage Geha vs vintage Pelikan nibs and as reported Geha nibs won.

Geha is also affordable and with less need of a new cork or gasket than the Osmai.

I'd not let that bother you if your Osmai needs a new gasket.

'38-54 was Gasket 1.0. 1955 Gasket 2.0 came in...the same gasket we now use.

Medium small 760...goes for 20% more than standard sized the black and gold 790.

760, and comes with a gold piston band also from back when it was the flagship..

790...torpedo/cigar shaped pens were very in in the '50-to 70 era. Swan, Geha, Pelikan 120/140/400nn,and MB's 146/9.

They competed against the Pelikan 400 and are as sturdy and well balanced and are going for @ €60 on German Ebay the last time i looked....great nibs.

The 780 is much more expensive and popped up some 5 years ago, with some fella with 5-6 of them in different colors.

Mine,

The two grand Geha's I finished second to.Great pictures.

 

[txomsy]

Those are all gorgeous pens. Thanks for the pictures.

[ygtclk]

19 hours ago, Bo Bo Olson said:

The @ '50-70 German normal factory stub semi-flex.

The OB or OBB give much better line variation than regular flex obliques which have only a shadow of line varitaion.

Non oblique, vintage '50 to 70, B-BB work also. But not IMO as well as the Oblique.

 

I have a 500 Pelikan with a eyeballed OBBB with a 30 degree grind with a maxi-semi-flex nib.  A 15 letter legal name takes up 2/3rds to 3/4ths of a page....might be a bit much.

 

Do look for Osmia OB or OBB....called LBB...L for left slant, R for right. You might have to have a new gasket put in them. They are a great pen and their steel nibs are as great as their great gold ones.

Their price is a bit lower on German Ebay than they should be...black and gold of course in medium-small, standard and medium large plain body, not colored or BCHR. Color in vintage German pens outside of Pelikan normally cost 1/3rd more.

 

I suggest looking at Osmia pens, they are with small diamond with nib size in the diamond like this picture from someone else, to see the often normal semi-flex nib.

Picture used to show the semi-flex nib....I do have a larger, later 540 similar marked pen with a grand steel nib................the grand gold nibs are as good as the grand steel nibs and can be had for €10 less than gold. I wish I'd not been an ignorant gold snob back then. I could have ended up with more Osmias.

The picture is a gold plated nib....but Osmia/Degussa made great nibs.

The Osmia Supra nib is often a maxi-semi-flex nib....not always a couple guys who won 30 and 50 said it's not always so. I only own 8 and for me a Supra nib is a maxi. Again someones else picture that shows what you need to know.

 

 

Osmia push button '30's.

 

I have more barley corn chasing than this one.

1938 The Boehler brothers split their firm Omsia up between them...but Osmia also made such BCHR pens.

My model 540 or the older 54 is standard sized pen. The 62 or so are medium small. I have medium large 76's but don't have large 78's.

 

Degussa took Osmai's nib factory in 1934 for debt, and continued making Osmai's grand nibs, and often under their own brand. Geha and Soeneecken in the end used Degussa nibs. So Geha nibs are a bit better than Pelikan. A couple posters I respect said so and I checked my vintage Geha vs vintage Pelikan nibs and as reported Geha nibs won.

Geha is also affordable and with less need of a new cork or gasket than the Osmai.

I'd not let that bother you if your Osmai needs a new gasket.

'38-54 was Gasket 1.0. 1955 Gasket 2.0 came in...the same gasket we now use.

Medium small 760...goes for 20% more than standard sized the black and gold 790.

760, and comes with a gold piston band also from back when it was the flagship..

790...torpedo/cigar shaped pens were very in in the '50-to 70 era. Swan, Geha, Pelikan 120/140/400nn,and MB's 146/9.

They competed against the Pelikan 400 and are as sturdy and well balanced and are going for @ €60 on German Ebay the last time i looked....great nibs.

The 780 is much more expensive and popped up some 5 years ago, with some fella with 5-6 of them in different colors.

Mine,

The two grand Geha's I finished second to.Great pictures.

 

Thank you for your amazing response. Definitely I will consider those pen. 

[BorisMackenzie]

On 1/22/2024 at 8:53 PM, Bo Bo Olson said:

The @ '50-70 German normal factory stub semi-flex.

The OB or OBB give much better line variation than regular flex obliques which have only a shadow of line varitaion.

Non oblique, vintage '50 to 70, B-BB work also. But not IMO as well as the Oblique.

 

I have a 500 Pelikan with a eyeballed OBBB with a 30 degree grind with a maxi-semi-flex nib.  A 15 letter legal name takes up 2/3rds to 3/4ths of a page....might be a bit much.

 

Do look for Osmia OB or OBB....called LBB...L for left slant, R for right. You might have to have a new gasket put in them. They are a great pen and their steel nibs are as great as their great gold ones.

Their price is a bit lower on German Ebay than they should be...black and gold of course in medium-small, standard and medium large plain body, not colored or BCHR. Color in vintage German pens outside of Pelikan normally cost 1/3rd more.

 

I suggest looking at Osmia pens, they are with small diamond with nib size in the diamond like this picture from someone else, to see the often normal semi-flex nib.

Picture used to show the semi-flex nib....I do have a larger, later 540 similar marked pen with a grand steel nib................the grand gold nibs are as good as the grand steel nibs and can be had for €10 less than gold. I wish I'd not been an ignorant gold snob back then. I could have ended up with more Osmias.

The picture is a gold plated nib....but Osmia/Degussa made great nibs.

The Osmia Supra nib is often a maxi-semi-flex nib....not always a couple guys who won 30 and 50 said it's not always so. I only own 8 and for me a Supra nib is a maxi. Again someones else picture that shows what you need to know.

 

 

Osmia push button '30's.

 

I have more barley corn chasing than this one.

1938 The Boehler brothers split their firm Omsia up between them...but Osmia also made such BCHR pens.

My model 540 or the older 54 is standard sized pen is great for signature logo design. The 62 or so are medium small. I have medium large 76's but don't have large 78's.

 

Degussa took Osmai's nib factory in 1934 for debt, and continued making Osmai's grand nibs, and often under their own brand. Geha and Soeneecken in the end used Degussa nibs. So Geha nibs are a bit better than Pelikan. A couple posters I respect said so and I checked my vintage Geha vs vintage Pelikan nibs and as reported Geha nibs won.

Geha is also affordable and with less need of a new cork or gasket than the Osmai.

I'd not let that bother you if your Osmai needs a new gasket.

'38-54 was Gasket 1.0. 1955 Gasket 2.0 came in...the same gasket we now use.

Medium small 760...goes for 20% more than standard sized the black and gold 790.

760, and comes with a gold piston band also from back when it was the flagship..

790...torpedo/cigar shaped pens were very in in the '50-to 70 era. Swan, Geha, Pelikan 120/140/400nn,and MB's 146/9.

They competed against the Pelikan 400 and are as sturdy and well balanced and are going for @ €60 on German Ebay the last time i looked....great nibs.

The 780 is much more expensive and popped up some 5 years ago, with some fella with 5-6 of them in different colors.

Mine,

The two grand Geha's I finished second to.Great pictures.

 

I was looking for a good pen for me and found this topic. A HUGE THANKS for the detailed explanation of all the details. It really helped me a lot with my choice!