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.

Anatomy of a fountain pen

I have been talking about fountain pens for long. However, I have never talked about the basic parts of a fountain pen. A fountain pen is made up of many parts and typically consists of :

Cap: The cap is the top part of the pen that covers the nib when it is not in use. It often screws onto the body of the pen to keep the ink from drying out. There are a number of cap closing mechanisms most common being pop on/off and screw on/off.

Barrel: The barrel is the main body of the pen that holds the ink reservoir. It can be made of various materials such as plastic, metal, or resin.

Section: A section or grip section is the part of fountain pen into which the nib fits in. Also section is the part from where the pen is held while writing.

Nib: The nib is the metal tip of the pen that comes into contact with the paper. It is typically made of stainless steel or gold and is designed to be flexible enough to provide varying line widths. Nibs come in different sizes and nib tip widths. e.g. Most common size for nibs is International No 6. The bin widths range from Extra fine(EF) to Trippel Broad(BBB). Most renowned pen making companies have proprietary nib sizes. 

Feed: The feed is a small plastic or ebonite piece that sits underneath the nib and regulates the flow of ink. It has a series of channels and fins that help distribute the ink to the nib.

Ink reservoir: The ink reservoir is the part of the pen that holds the ink. It can be a piston reservoir, a converter, cartridge, or built-in ink reservoir.

Filling mechanism: The filling mechanism is the way the pen is filled with ink. There ae many types of filling mechanisms. Most common are piston, removable converter, cartridge and eyedropper.  

Clip: The clip is a small metal or plastic piece that attaches to the cap and allows the pen to be clipped onto a pocket or notebook for easy carrying.

A fountain pen is a complex instrument that requires precise engineering to create a smooth and enjoyable writing experience.

 

How a pen was destroyed and reincarted.

 

Anything first is always special. So was this Gama Forever fountain pen for me. Fountain pens have fascinated me since my childhood mostly Parkers and Chinese Hero pens, However, in 2013, I found the Gama fountain pens. The Gama Forever was my first made in India Fountain pen, so ever more special.

The pen is made of ebonite, with eyedropper filling mechanism, came with a stock fine nib and an eyedropper to fill the ink. I had chosen brown rippled design for the pen. The filling system and the ebonite feed was new to me. I had no prior experience with eyedropper fountain pens.

I was too happy to receive the pen so much so that I did not use the pen for a couple of months. Daily I used to look at the pen, pretend to write with it and put it back. Finally, one fine day I decided to fill up the pen with ink and use. I filled the pen with Parker Quink Blue ink. This was the time when I was not introduced to fountain pen inks yet. The nob being 'fine' was okay, not very smooth, gave some feedback but was not scratchy. I started to use the pen daily. The ink capacity was huge and I was enjoying writing. The pen was fantastic.

Then came the dreadful day. I was enjoying writing, when suddenly a blob of ink came out of the nib without any warning ruining the paper. I was clueless on what has happened. I though may be I shook the pen and the ink came out. So, I cleaned the nib and continued writing. However, after some time another blob of ink cam out of the nib. I was worried now and it was time to find out the problem.

I searched on internet for the problem. And for the first time in my life I came across the term "burping" in fountain pen context. A problem specific to eyedropper fountain pens. I read about the causes of burping and mostly it as stated that it happens when the ink levels are low in the reservoir, the heat from the hand expands the air in the reservoir, pushing the ink out of the nib. The simple solution was to not let the ink levels drop to half the barrel and if so fill the pen again. But, my naivety with the fountain pens and especially with the eyedropper fountain pens prevented me to implement the simple solution by just refilling the pen with ink. I had to find another way to fix the issue.

I was determined to fix the burping issue. First I tried to pull out the nib in a hope that the cleaning of the nib and the feed may fix the burping issue. Due to the lack of proper tools and experience with fountain pen maintenance, I failed to pull out the nib. Gama nibs in general are quite tightly fitted and will need proper equipment to pull out the nib. Still, the burping issue persisted, so I next took a drastic step. I don't know why, tried to seal the nib and the feed with fevicol(Face palm moment when I look back now). Of course this too did not help. Frustrated me, I again tried to pull out the nib, this time with the help of a plier. I grabbed the pen with plier from its section. I quickly realized my mistake but it was to late. I had already rotated the pen in the grip of pliers. This left a unrepairable awful deep scratch on the grip section. Now I grabbed the nib and the feed with plier and pulled. Instead of the nib coming out the feed broke into two. I was devastated. Within a couple of months of acquiring I was successfully able to destroy a perfect pen. With broken heart the pen went into storage.

A valuable lesson was learnt that day. Years went by and slowly but steadily I learnt more about all kinds fountain pens, the filling mechanisms, nibs, feeds and most importantly the maintenance of pens. It is 2023 now and it is time to fix my first fountain pen. I had bought a number of nibs and feeds from Kanwrite and the Gama forever takes the No 35 nib. I was now able to pull out the broken feed and the nib with a make shift peg tool. I replaced the nib and he feed. Filled the pen with ink and it worked flawlessly. Now atleast after a decade of fountain pen usage I have better experience in managing the eyedropper pens and use them without allowing them to burp.

All in all it took me over a decade to build my understanding of different types of fountain pens, their repair and maintenance. One thing that I have learnt from my experience is never rush things with fountain pens. If you don't now anything don't try on expensive pens, you will definitely destroy the pen. Sharpen your skills on cheaper pens. I still daily learn new things If there is even a slight doubt consult an expert and get the pen repaired from the professionals. Many thanks to the fountain pen community worldwide for enhancing my knowledge on fountain pens.

 

Why to write with a fountain pen.

Writing with a fountain pen can be a unique and enjoyable experience that many people find to be both practical and pleasurable. Here are some reasons why people choose to write with fountain pens:

1. Comfort: Fountain pens are designed to be comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time. They are often weighted evenly, making them less tiring to write with than ballpoint pens.

2. Aesthetics: Fountain pens are often seen as a symbol of elegance and sophistication. They come in a variety of styles and materials, such as gold, silver, and precious woods, and can be personalized to suit your preferences.

3. Writing Quality: Fountain pens produce a smooth, consistent line that is difficult to achieve with other types of pens. The ink flows freely from the nib, creating a unique writing experience that many people find to be more pleasurable than writing with a ballpoint or roller-ball pen.

4. Environmentally Friendly: Fountain pens are refillable, which means they can be used for a long time and create less waste than disposable pens. Most fountain pens last for years even decades thus causing less plastic damage to the environment.

5. Creativity: Writing with a fountain pen can inspire creativity and self-expression. Different types of nibs and variety of inks can encourage you to experiment with different writing styles, such as calligraphy or hand lettering.

6. Live the Legacy: Fountain pens have a long and rich history, and using one you can live the legacy. They were once the preferred writing tool of many famous authors and thinkers, and can give a sense of nostalgia or romance to your writing. 

Overall, writing with a fountain pen can be a rewarding experience that offers many benefits beyond simply putting pen to paper. Whether you're looking for a more comfortable writing instrument, a stylish accessory, or a new outlet for your creativity, a fountain pen may be worth exploring. 

A list of Indian fountain pen manufacturers

India has a rich tradition of fountain pen manufacturing, with several well-known brands that have been in business for decades. Some of the most popular Indian fountain pen brands include:

Camlin: Camlin is one of the oldest and most popular fountain pen brands in India. They offer a range of pens in different colors, designs, and materials. Camlin Elegante, Trinity, Camlin 47 are some noted models.

Lotus - Lotus pens are one of the best Indian fountain pen. Based out of Mumbai, they make world class fountain pens in different colors and patterns. Popular pens are like Lotus Shikhar, Everest

Ranga - Ranga Pens has been making fountain pens since 1970, when the company was started by M.S. Pandurangan. Ranga was founded in Thiruvallur, in southern India, near the east coast, close to the city of Chennai. Ranga Model 8, Samurai are some popular models

Vazir - A relatively new fountain pen brand founded in 2020. They have a variety of India made fountain pens at a relatively competitive price. Vazir 1.0, Vazir Black

ASA - Another fountain pen brand from South India. They have a wide range of  premium fountain pen models that are affordable. Popular models are ASA Nauka, ASA Maya, ASA Durga

Kanwrite - Kanpur Writers Probably the only fountain pen brand from North India, located in the city of Kanpur. Mostly famous for their nibs and feeds, they do offer affordable fountain pens also. Popular pens include Kanwrite Desire and Kanwrite Heritage

Click - Click India, another popular Indian fountain pen brand that makes affordable fountain pens like Click Aristocrat and Click Falcon

Airmail Wality - Mumbai based pen manufacturing company offers a number of eyedropper filled fountain pen models. Airmail 71JT and Airmail 69JT are the most popular models

Ratnam sons - Another old fountain pen makers from South India. This brand has been endorsed by Mahatma Gandhi.

Deccan - Hyderabad based pen manufacturers. Deccan Masterpiece and Deccan Advocate are the popular models.

Other notable Indian fountain pens worth mentioning are Gama fountain pens, Mohi Pens, Beena, Guider  All in all India has a diverse fountain pen manufacturing catering to needs of all fountain pen lovers.

Review - Chinese fountain pen: Seagem from Baoer

Overview 

The pen is a Chinese made fountain pen from Baoer. This pen is a cheap imitation of Waterman Expert fountain pen. 

The body and the cap of the pen is made from metal, where as the grip section and the rear end of the pen are of plastic. The pen is ivory white in color and has a black band with two golden bands on the cap which look very nice. The black band has "Seagem" written on it. The clip and the other appointments are of golden color which do not have a perfect finish. The pen can be posted but becomes a little heavier for ideal use.

The cap is sturdy and is pop on/off and was too tight on my pen. I had to push with immense pressure to close the pen. The clip too is very functional and the cut in the clip looks very good. The overall design of the pen is awesome and is very comfortable to hold. The grip section has a nice depression making the hold very good. The pen is a cc pen and comes with a standard converter.

The nib of the pen is from Baoer and is the only disappointing part of the pen. The nib is a steel nib and the feed does not have any grooves in it. Probably that is the reason why this pen is very dry.  The pen can be fully dismantled so it is easier to change the nib with some other matching size nib. I am not sure of the size of the nib but seems like a number 3 or 4.

The cost of the pen is around $6.

• Material: Metal 
• Nib: Steel, Medium
• Filling System: Cartridge/Converter
• Length (Capped): 142mm
• Length (Uncapped): 125mm
• Length (Posted): 153mm
• Exposed nib length: 19mm
• Grip Diameter: 8mm
• Max body Diameter: 12mm

Pros

• Very cheap.
• Very comfortable
• Decently heavy and well balance

Cons

• Very dry.
• No feed grooves
• Cap too tight

Conclusion

The pen is well made and very comfortable to hold, it is a decent buy, but the nib is a disappointment. If you are ready to change the nib, the pen is a good deal.

Gallery

Sheaffer Green Ink - Is the label correct?

We all know Sheaffer. Sheaffer is a well-known brand that produces high-quality fountain pens and inks. The inks are very well made and can be used in almost all types and brands of fountain pens. The colors are also quite consistent the ink does not fades away easily. 

However, my recent purchase had me thinking. I recently bought a Sheaffer Green ink. I was expecting a green color that would match the bottle sticker without much difference. But I was in for a surprise.

The ink in my opinion has a turquoise greenish color, tilting more towards teal and turquoise. 

I was quite baffled by the color of the ink. I was not sure whether the bottle was wrongly labeled. So to verify I went to a stationery shop and asked for a Sheaffer Green Ink and tried it there. It had the same turquoise blue green color. I did some more research and found out that this is the only green that Sheaffer makes and it does have a bluish tone.

All the other inks from Sheaffer match the bottle label but the green. So if you are in for buying a green colored ink from Sheaffer, better try out the ink before buying it.

Review - Camlin Scarlet Red fountain pen ink

Overview 

Presenting the Indian made ink: Camlin Scarlet Red. This ink looks like a cross between red and pink inks.  The ink is water and dye based and is very thin, so it shows some degree of shading with medium and broad nibs. The flow of the ink is good but the colour of the ink varies with different nib widths and so does the flow. This ink works best with a Medium nib or broad nib pen. The multiple passes on the ink give a nice dark reddish pink color.

The drying time of the ink is a bit longer; it takes around 30 seconds to dry completely on a normal 75 gsm copy paper. Ink feathers on both 75 and 100gsm papers, but the bleed through is not prominent on 100gsm paper(almost nill). The ink is non waterproof and withers easily with water. Other costlier inks are definitely better but it would be unfair to compare this ink with any of those. Being cheapest this ink does its work very well.

The price of the ink is Rs 15 or (around 25 cents ) for 60ml bottle.

Likes

• Nice color
• Nice flow
• Very very cheap
• Produces shading(to some extent)
• Good flow

 Dislikes

• Feathering
• Very thin
• No sheen, kind of dull ink
•  Longer drying time(but it all depends on the conditions the ink is being used.)

Conclusion 
All in all I would say that this ink is solely for academic purpose. It can be used for some minor work and not long writings on normal paper, I would say it will bleed through and feather. I would suggest this ink be used with a high gsm paper only and preferably with camlin fountain pens.

Gallery

 

 
 

Hobbies...bring out the inner you!!

Today life is fast paced, everyone is in a hurry. The advancements in technology have increased the pace of our lives immensely. Now a days we are never off work. Computers, mobiles and internet are keeping us connected to our work always. You may have to answer an email even at odd hours of the day. This uninterrupted cycle goes on for ever and in course of time the you get dull, stressed and often end up destroying your personal life.

Here is when the hobbies come to the rescue. By definition from wikipedia: "A hobby is a regular activity that is done for pleasure, typically during one's leisure time". The problem here is of the time factor, but hobbies do not demand your long hours. Giving even 30 minutes to your hobby can do miracles to your personal life.

I see hobby as a very personal thing. You do whatever you want without anybody's supervision or deadlines. Some people collect stamps, others collect coins and yet some other like gardening and yet other indulge in expensive hobbies like collecting antique. So it is just doing something that gives you a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Once you start doing what you like, there is no other feeling like that. You immediately feel relaxed and de-stressed. You admire your work hence building up your confidence and making you more positive.

I have a few hobbies which fluctuate a bit, but one of the hobbies that I admire the most is writing with a fountain pen and collecting fountain pens(Okay I admit I do not have very expensive pens though :)). I write a weekly journal and do writing for fun as well.  Writing and admiring my collection relieves me of stress. I have been writing regularly from over a year now and I must admit that I am reconnected with myself now. My other hobbies include photography, reading and sometimes stargazing.

One thing is for sure, hobbies give you a necessary break from your daily  routine. They refresh your mind and mood hence improving your performance. It is not difficult to spare few minutes just for yourself where in you can always admire your work without any critics.

Review : Gama forever ebonite eyedropper fountain pen

 

Overview

The pen is a handmade Indian fountain pen and is of large proportions. The material of the pen is ebonite and it is very well balanced and sturdy. The pen is beautifully made and the pattern just looks great. It comes in a few colours: black, green marbled, light brown marbled and dark brown marbled (shown in picture). The pen is decently heavy but comfortable to hold and write. The cap has two rings at the opening, which look great. The clip and other appointments are gold trimmed. The pen can be posted but becomes un-usefully long; besides the pens body itself is large enough that it does not need posting.

The opening mechanism of the pen is screw on type and the threads are pretty smooth but need a few rotations to open. The clip of the pen is also functional and not very tight. The filling mechanism of the pen is eyedropper type which enables it to hold a lot of ink.

The pen comes with dual toned iridium point nib, which was a little scratchy out of the box and needed some adjustment before being used. The flow of the nib was also decent and varies according to the level of the ink in the pen. If the pen is full, the pen has right flow of ink which goes on increasing as the ink levels start to decrease in the barrel and ultimately leads to burping(when barrel is almost half empty).

The pen costs Rs. 675 or around $11.

• Material: Ebonite 
• Nib: Steel. Medium-Fine
• Filling System: Eye dropper
• Length (Capped): 150mm
• Length (Uncapped): 133mm
• Length (Posted): 175mm
• Exposed nib length: 23mm
• Grip Diameter: 10mm
• Max body Diameter: 14mm

Some structural observations

The whole pen is handmade so it has some indentations on the cap.

Pros

• Very sturdy pen (won’t break even if it falls).
• Very comfortable to hold and write.
• Holds a lot of ink.
• Cheap as compared to other western pens.

Cons

• Nib was scratchy, had to do some adjustment.
• Since the pen is handmade the finish is not perfect.
• The appointments are gold plated that erodes very soon.
• The pen being eyedropper needs filling very often, otherwise it starts to burp.

Conclusion

The pen is very well made and comfortable to hold despite being big. The nib was a bit scratchy out of the box and wrote very smoothly after some adjustment. The pen is made for long writing and is ideal for everyday use. But I would refrain using this pen on important documents as it might burp.

Where to buy

www.asapens.in

Writing Sample

Gallery

Losing the art of handwriting with fountain pens.

Finally reviving this blog after a void of seven long years with a re-post of my earlier articles.

"Loosing the art of handwriting with fountain pens".

The title of this post seems adequate as, the younger generation of the 21st century which is highly obsessed with the digital gadgets is forgetting the ways of life and learning that created gentlemen few decades ago.

Only a few decades back, we used to write letters to our friends and family. We used to sit, think and write beautiful letters which often reflected the mood of the writer. Fountain pens and inks used to be the instruments of necessity in every house. It was an art to write a good letter. Alas, this art is almost  lost under the shadow of mobile phones and social media. Nobody today bothers to write a letter and make somebody wait for days to see the message in it.

The advancements in technology have accelerated our lives to such a pace that any kind of delay is unacceptable. Plans are made on the fly, meetings are fixed in a blink of the eye and fair enough as time is money. But this fast paced life is taking each one of us away from ourselves. I believe, writing letters by hand to friends or even just penning down your mind helps connect you to yourself and relieves you from stress.  More over, writing improves ones writing skills and gives you a sense of satisfactions and calmness. Also, daily writing may work as therapy for some.

For years fountain pens and inks have been the principle instruments of writing. Although the advancements in technology has sent these instruments from necessity to luxury, there is still hope that fountain pens, inks and hand writing will make a comeback. Through this blog I try to bring forward these instruments of learning and writing and share my views on them so as, I can motivate the young today to get out of the digital world and get real through hobbies and fun.