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.

 

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. 

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.

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