The nib
The nib
The one part of a fountain pen that touches the page. Chosen for your hand, then tuned to it.
- Grades
- EF to BB
- Metal
- Gold or steel
- Tipping
- Hard alloy
- Tuning
- By hand
Grades
Nibs are graded by the width of the line: extra fine, fine, medium, broad and double broad. Japanese grades run finer than European ones of the same name.
Gold and steel
Gold nibs, usually 14 or 18 karat, have a little more give and resist corrosion from ink. Steel nibs are firmer and simpler. Either way, the writing point is a tiny bead of hard alloy welded to the tip.
Tuned to you
Everyone holds a pen at their own angle. A nib can be smoothed and adjusted to that angle, so the pen writes the moment it touches paper.
