Fountain pen nib anatomy

A simple diagram showing the anatomy of a fountain pen nib 

Fountain pen nibs

When you are into fountain pens, it becomes utterly important to have knowledge about the pen nibs. The nib, is the heart and soul of a fountain pen and is responsible for the flow, line variation, and overall writing experience.

The Anatomy of a Fountain Pen Nib: 

A fountain pen nib is a delicate instrument, typically made of metals such as stainless steel, gold, or even specialized alloys. It consists of three key components: the tines, the breather hole, and the tipping material. 

• The tines, which form the split point of the nib, control the ink flow. 
• The breather hole allows air to enter the pen barrel, ensuring smooth and consistent ink flow. 
• The tipping material, often made of iridium or other hard-wearing materials, provides a smooth writing surface

Nib Characteristics:

Fountain pen nibs come in various sizes and tips range from extra-fine to tripple broad, and even specialty nibs like stubs, italics and music. The size determines the width of the line produced while writing. Additionally, nibs can exhibit different characteristics, such as flexibility, springiness, and feedback.

Flexibility: Some nibs are known for their flexibility, meaning they can bend and provide line variation based on pressure applied during writing. Flexible nibs or commonly known as Flex nibs create distinct thick and thin lines, adding a touch of personality to one's handwriting.

Springiness: Springiness refers to a nib's ability to bounce back after being pressed against the paper. Nibs with more springiness enhance the writing experience, providing a responsive feel to the writer's hand.

Feedback: Feedback is the tactile sensation felt while writing, which can range from smoothness to a slight "toothiness." Some writers prefer a smooth gliding experience, while others appreciate the feedback for better control and precision.

Nib Materials and Manufacturing Techniques:

Gold and stainless steel are the most commonly used materials for nibs, each offering distinct characteristics. Gold nibs are known for their flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to adapt to a writer's hand over time. Stainless steel nibs, on the other hand, provide durability, affordability, and a consistent writing experience. Gold nibs are softer than the stainless steel nibs and are resistant to corrosion

The manufacturing process of fountain pen nibs is a meticulous craft. Skilled artisans, often referred to as nibmeisters, carefully shape and polish the nibs to ensure optimal ink flow, alignment, and smoothness. Handmade nibs require a high level of expertise and attention to detail, resulting in a truly unique writing instrument.

Nib size and numbers

Nib Tip Size

The standard fountain pen nibs come in various sizes. The size of the nib mean the tip of the nib that touches the paper and the line with the nib will generate. Nib sizes vary from Extra Fine(EF) to Triple Broad(3B). Below are some letters that represent the size of the nib and you will see them on the nib.

• EF - Extra Fine
• F - Fine
• M - Medium
• B - Broad
• BB - Double Broad
• BBB or 3B- Triple Broad

There are also some specialty nibs like oblique nibs, stub nibs, architect nibs and music nibs. Also nib tip can be round or flat. Depending on the nib tip the line created by the nib varies.

Nib Numbers

Nib numbers refer to the number that tells how big the nibs physicaly. The nib number is usually the width of the base of the nib in mm.  

Indian Nib Numbers

Some of the common Indian nib numbers are

• Number 0 - Camlin 47
• Number 5.5 - Click Century, Click Neo
• Number 35 - Kanwrite Heritage, Legacy, Click Aristocrat, Click Falcon, Vazir
• Number 8 - Airmail 71JT, Airmail 69, Click Bamboo, Bril Signature
• Number 9 - Kanwrite Mammoth

Indian number 8 nib is totally different from the international number 8 nib

International Nib Numbers

Some of the common International nib numbers are

• Number 5 
• Number 6
• Number 8
• Number 9

Many famous pen makers have their in-house nib numbers, that make them unique.

Customization and Nib Tuning:

One of the fascinating aspects of fountain pen nibs is the possibility of customization and tuning. Nib tuning, performed by nibmeisters or enthusiasts, involves fine adjustments to optimize the nib's performance. This process can include smoothing rough edges, aligning tines, adjusting ink flow, and even modifying nib shapes to suit individual writing preferences.

Once you are acquainted with the knowledge of fountain pen nibs, fountain pens become more interesting.  You can experiment with different nibs, interchange nibs create the best writing experience.