Which nib grinds might be right for you?
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
- Let's talk nibs! There's lots of talk online about "italic" nibs and "architect" nibs and "stubs", but you might be wondering just what all the hype is about. Well, I hope this video helps!
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Special thanks to Mark Bacas for the use of the images!
www.nibgrinder.com
Everything you wanted to know of nibs but did not know who to ask!
The meowing put me in "what do you want?????do you need something????”-mode before I realised it was YOUR cat, not one of mine x)
Exceptionally informative, Mike. I kind of wish I'd found a video like this a couple years ago when I began my rabbit-hole journey and experimentation, but your insight and information remain valuable even now after-the-fact. Perhaps because it confirms much of what I thought I was seeking/finding. THANKS!
Thanks Mike, very informative. I'm pleased you referred to the different ways that people angle their pens. It made writing styles clearer.
This is another excellent presentation from Mike. RS. Canada
Great video! Much appreciated it since you included a few I had never seen up close before.... and your cat drove mine nuts! It kept trying to reply so I had to watch it in another room with headphones on! 😊😸😺
Great explanations. It is really helpful to see each nib so close up
This was very informative and I don’t think any of the other reviewers ever made/showed these comparisons - Thanks
Love this! I think the options and varieties of nibs for writing a part of why fountain pens are so amazing, I actually really like grinding my own from spare nibs bought online, I have a loupe, some micromesh, it really is a great way to customize and add expression to writing.
Tip: use more ink resistant paper, since you'll be able to demonstrate the line variation a lot better :)
Thanks guys! I 'll try rotring pencils, I love their design, and a thicker paper.
Instablaster
What a great description of different nibs and how to decide what nib is best for each individual writing style !!
Glad it was helpful! I've been meaning to update that video, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Is there anything you wish I'd addressed?
I've only used round nibs. And found out I liked them fine, or extra fine. But now, I'm in LOVE with how the architect nib writes! Thanks for letting me know!
All but 3 of my pens are some variety of Italic, all but a few stubs were self ground. I tried this Montblanc Oblique Triple Broad on Sunday though and it was amazing!
Great video, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm a newbie, so being introduced to anything other than F/M/B is awesome.
Awesome. That's what I was hoping for!
I shared it to my Flipboard magazine dedicated to Pens. I think some of my readers/viewers will also find this useful. flip.it/y5osGt
Mike, thank you for the great tutorial!
I recently learned that oblique nibs range from round to italic, just like non-oblique nibs. I tried using stub and cursive italic (straight?) nibs for a while and never really liked them until I got one as an oblique. I still have to pay some attention to how I rotate the nib but not nearly as much as a flat cursive italic.
Obliques also come in a variety of angles, I think the normal of which is around 15°. If you rotate your pen a lot you might want a larger angle. fpnibs.com offers oblique Jowo nibs in 15° or 30° angles with round, stub, cursive italic, or italic points. I ordered a variety just to try them out using a TWSBI 700. The round oblique didn't really impress me, a basic round nib works just as well. I really liked the 15° stub, it was smooth and natural to write with but had a lot more character that my round nibs.
I also really like some of the Sailor specialty grinds; the Naginata-Togi MF is probably my favorite nib. It behaves very similar to an architect (narrow down strokes, wide cross strokes) but the writing angle is much more forgiving (both the rotation angle or the writing angle). I ordered an architect nib hoping to replicate the same behavior as the Naginata-Togi but was disappointed. Sailor paused specialty nib production through ~2018 but Mike Masuyama, who used to work for Sailor, can do Naginata-Togi grinds (along with a couple other Sailor specialties). Sailor has even more options than I can mention but many of those are generally pretty broad, which doesn't match my writing style.
Thanks for the great videos.
What a helpful video. Just what I was looking for. I'm a rotator and I've been trying to figure out what kind of nib to get. Looks like it's the Left Oblique for me. Thank you - you just saved me lots of money trying to figure it out.
Excellent. That's what I was hoping to do!
Thank's Mike it was very informative keep on the great work. Fletch North Wales UK
Thanks!
Hi Mike, very good video.Thanks! I like using the fude nib sometimes when I'm sketching on location. It gives great varition, kind of like using a brush, but not as extreme.
I've used them a couple of times, but I've never bought one. Franklin-Christoph gets them from Mark Bacas sometimes, and I'm always a little tempted.
Excellent! You answered a lot of questions for me.
Glad it was helpful!
Nice introductions to all the different nibs. I already have custom ground an Italic/ Oblique/ Italic stub and italic vintage pens. They are all good to my handwriting.
Do you have an architect nib?
Thanks Mike very informative.
Great review it makes me want to try a few more grinds
Excellent! I hope you find ones that you love.
I learned that I'm not for cursive italic the hard way. I sent a fine nib pen for grinding and it came back with a sweet spot which was glassy smooth when you find it, like gliding your finger across a wet mirror, but it was so small that I found it very difficult to use. The one who did the job also scratched my nib so it bothers me everytime I see it so I just bought a replacement nib unit and tried to forget about the experience.
Thank you so much for this explanation.
Glad it was helpful!
My friend writes with a very vertical hand. Would the Waverly work the best?
Im considering a relief nib for my esterbrook! (Left oblique) because i do have a tendancy to turn inwards anyways.
The sweet spot is obviously shifted to the side but how big is it? Do you think i will find it scratchy or something? Hmmm
Sir I want the bold letter in writing , which pen can I use ?
Fhanks for the video. What blue is the used at 3:01?
Regards
Very detailed information
I scored a Jinhao x 450 with a fude nib, on eBay years ago, I loves it! Then again, I am learning Chinese...
Thank you, Mike. Word up so you don't worry. I'll watch this later this afternoon.
Ha!
Very useful for people. Very graphically intensive work in making this video too. I am glad that you enjoy the process of making them. 16.51 of watching this and I am done. How long did it take you to plan out and then execute the task?
Thanks, Anzan, I hope it's useful for folks. It's a video that I've been thinking about for a long while, and I've been amassing the pile of pens that I was going to use for a few weeks. I'm not sure how long it took to come together, actually. It's certainly more complex than an ink review, but anything with pens involved will be. I edit relatively quickly, but it still takes some time.
Thank you. I never knew there were so many different nibs and how they are good or not as good depending on how one holds their pen.
Yep. There are LOTS of different nib grinds out there, and not every nib will work for every person.
Those wavery nibs are extremely popular in China. The call it the "artistic nib". They made many models and brands of fountain pens with that kind of nib. Because it would be more suitable for writing the Chinese Characters, since the nib need to be moved in a different angles.
I find I rotate the nibs some as I use it. The F-C S.I.G. nibs sometimes bite paper for me (I have tried F and M) so I stick to stubs which always write nice for me. I might try a DailyItalic which is also in-between a stub and CI but it is more forgiving of rotations. I believe Masuyama also has what he calls a round nose italic that sounds like the same thing.
Great vid. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for that great Video! I have a Lamy 1.1 stub and although I love how the writing looks on the paper, I do not like at all how "scratchy" it feels on the paper during the writing process. So, I prefer the normal M nibs because they are "softer" when I write with them.
My perfect nib would be a M-nib, that writes soft but puts down a nice line-variation to the paper. I thought an obligue M were what I am looking for, but according to your Video, they are almost the same as the Lamy stubs. And my writing with my normal M nibs is just fine - so I guess I do not rotate that much during writing. Therefore, I think an obligue M does not really fit my writing. Your video really saved me some money.
Hey Blue,
Yeah, I've got a Lamy 1.1 as well, and it's a really dry stub. A good stub won't feel scratchy, so don't give up on stubs. It sounds like obliques aren't for you, so I'm glad I could help!
Osmiroid used to have a chart to use to see which nib was best
I love Pilot nibs from extra fine to Stub calligraphy nibs.
Now I have a Pilot custom heritage 912 with the fa nib. A new experience. Flex is fun.
The first pen that made my handwriting look better was a Jinhao X750 Shimmering Sands with a Bock 1.1 stub nib.
Inexpensive too.
Does Franklin Christoph offer an oblique nib? I recently bought a 1960s Pelikan with an oblique broad nib. I like it a lot, but it's rounder and not as crisp as the one you show here. Thinking of getting a left oblique italic, but there aren't many pen manufacturers who produce these nibs anymore!
No, they don't. I just had one put on this FC pen after the fact. The oblique can be a little particular, and I'd say get it done in person. You can get an oblique nib from Lamy sometimes, but I can't think of any other moderns who sell them. Pelikan used to do it, but I think they've stopped.
LOL, your cat just woke up my cat.
That's amazing. She has this old shoelace that she loves to chase, and she makes that sound when she really wants me to play with her.
I want to try a stub I think it will he my favorite
I want a blade turk fountain pen if possible tell who do I need to get in touch with because that nib looks like it writes really good
That would be Mark Bacas at www.Nibgrinder.com
I really enjoyed your explanations. And your cat in the background is just too cute. Could you tell me what finish that is on the Franklin-Christoph 45, please? It's stunning. TIA
Thanks! That one is one of the very first 45s, and it's in an unnamed acrylic. They use it sometimes on prototype color pens, but they never seem to have very much of it. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Very good video. Never saw anything like this before. Never heard of Waverley nibs, for one. Wish the stub here had some writing done like the rest of the nibs. I have always had fond feelings for stub nibs, and about a third of my total pens haul of 47, have stubs. Very curious about and tempted to try out the italic and oblique.
Thanks! Both the italic and the oblique are pretty particular about your hold. One demands good discipline, the other is for those of us who rotate, so they're sort of for different people. I'd say to try before you buy on those.
Mike Matteson ..thanks Mike for the prompt reply. I realize those two types of nibs are not for everyone. I reckon I have a pretty good hold and angle to my writing at all times. I’m quite certain I don’t especially rotate much while writing. Oh well, don’t worry I’m not going to thoughtlessly buy pens with nibs I’m not sure about.
But thanks again for an instructive and fascinating video. I’m late here, but this kind of thing will always be relevant. And oh, as a part owner and part slave to two cats, that outro to this video was priceless. 🙂
What do you mean by "rotate" and "writing angle" in your video?
Rotate is the angle the nib is relative to the paper. If it is exactly centered there ia no rotation. For example of it was rotated to the right the right side would be closer to the paper than the left side. Writing angle is the angle you are holding your pen relative to the paper. For example if your pen is completely vertical the angle would be 90 degrees.
What was the blue ink in your music nib pen? I liked it, it looked like it was vibrant with nice shading.
Looking back at my Currently Inked notebook, that was almost certainly Akkerman #00. I don't think I got around to reviewing it before I ran out of ink, but it is a really nice looking ink. It did some bleeding and feathering on copy paper, but it was also in a music nib, so perhaps we can't hold that against it TOO much.
Thanks,
I love the white pen, that stub black ink one. Which pen it is?
That's a Franklin-Christoph Model 02. That colorway isn't typically available. They make all sorts of different colorways for pen shows, and this is one of those.
Much appreciated.
Thanks for the interesting video. I wonder what nibs you would suggest for someone who usually uses a Japanese EF or F nib, but wants to try something more expressive (but still writes in 12 point or smaller). I tried a 1.1 stub, but it was way too broad. I ordered a .6 and .8 stub from Birmigham, and am waiting on their arrival... but have never tried an Oblique or Waverly or even an Italic. Do any of those work well with small writing? Thanks and Aloha!
Hey Andrew, so, after 2 months, any recommendation? I quite enjoy the preppy 0.2 and wonder what will am upgrade over that
Shalom/ Salam / Hi @@assaf The preppy is a great deal, although for a few dollars more you can get a prefounte pen (which can take preppy nibs). I just prefer the look. I think mine was 11 USD. Regarding the nib explorations, I am a slow learner and have only tried the Birmingham .6 stub, which I quite like... but realize that I often like writing quickly (drafting thoughts). I think I need to slow down to better appreciate the stub or other nibs.
@@AndrewWertheimer shalom Andrew 🙂 thanks for the info! Ooh writing slow can be a delight sometimes, i haven't tried a stub, but writing slow with a fine nib... Almost makes me feel like an artist 🙂
@@assaf todah Assaf. Yes it is fun to feel like an artist. I sometimes want to use FPs to quickly express myself so I can read thoughts later.. so I’m not such a nibnik but finding the right nib+ink+paper can help me get to a point where I’m just writing my thoughts as fast as I can. Other times I’ll try to write for others in a more artistic sense.
i'll write always giving much pressure on nib while writing....so which nib i can use?
If you're applying a lot of pressure, then probably stay away from most gold nibs. The metal is softer and easier to deform with pressure. Or, you know, ease up. :)
Very nice and indormative video. From this video i have learnt a lot about nib grinds but unfortunately being a student i cant really use special nib grinds but i can only use round fine, extra fine or medium. At a shop i did try out a lamy broad nib and i loved it but i couldnt keep it because it was a bit too wet to be used on cheap paper. Your handwriting is kind of like simlar to figbootonpens.
Can these grinds be done on any fountain pen?
Like if i had an ultra extra fine from platinum (which i would never buy) and i want a cursive italic thats a bit on the broader side can it be done?
Mike Matteson oh ok. Thanks for the answer. The reason i asked was because i have heard things about retipping nibs from nibmeister's webpages.
Oh, you can re-tip a nib if you need to, but that refers to having them add tipping (the metal "iridium" stuff) to the nib. Not many do that sort of work. It's sort of the opposite of grinding a nib.
Amazing and educating video! I hold the pen so straight, perpendicular to the paper, is there any hope for me to use a fountain pen? And if so which one would be a forgiving nib?
Thank you so much, you are great!
Tania
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You can use a fountain pen with that pen-hold, but it'll be tougher to find one that feels great to you. A little bit of customization, though, and you can do it.
Hi... sounds like a Rotring (technical) pen might suit you. I really like them.. come in different widths...I find a 0.4mm or 0.3mm suits me.They need some attention to keep them from drying out
What is the last greenish ink in the WA nib? Cheers!
That's actually a blue black from R&K called "Salix." It's an Iron Gall ink, so it darkens slightly over time.
Mike, well done. I find that I can like all nibs. Some are challenging so I need to pay attention, a good thing for me. Writing is a physical act that requires some practice. Like many other things, effort required. Enjoy DC, I will not be there.
Aw, man, I'll have to catch you at another show then!
I’m very new to fountain pens I literally just got my TWSBI eco a few days ago but have you ever had a “FUDDED” Bib or FUD Nib? I seen an Asian guy using them
Fude. Pronounced "Foo-day" is a nib with an extremely upturned tip. I don't have any, but they are really cool in the right hand. Believe that they were meant to be able to mimic a brush in Asian calligraphy.
IHi Mike, its my first time commenting, and I write exactly like you do and generally use a M, B or stub nib. This video was really informative. I knew of nibs until the Architect but had never heard of a S.I.G nib or a Bacus-Turk. Is the name of the nibmeister Mark Bacus? I want very badly to have line variation to a pen. A special nib that makes my left foot Oblique writing look pretty when writing in cursive or Spencarian-ish pretty lettering using that nib.
My most expensive pen so far is the Pilot Custom 823 and I bought my first Pelican 205 Golden Beryl in a B nib. Is in transit.
Now I am looking to get a pricier pen, a limited edition of 70 Leonardo pen might be my grail pen, unless I find a more solidly made pen that should take the grail pen title. I think with collectors there is always a grail pen. So I am looking for a Leonardo or a Pelican M800.
Do you know if a Leonardo write with a thicker line than a Pelican??
The SIG nib comes from Franklin-Christoph (my wife is their nib specialist and grinds these nibs, now) and the Blade Turk comes from Mark Bacas at www.nibgrinder.com .
Pelikan makes their own nibs and they are known for being wider and wetter than average. Leonardo uses different nib makers for their pens, but they are generally more normal.
Hi Mike, Keep up the great informative videos. At the Raleigh pen show you purchased from the auction for a 140.00 a conway stuart fine italic nib pen. Have you ever inked the pen? If so, is the ink line width closer to the franklin christoph fine or medium masuyama cursive italic nib? Can you bring this pen to the Colorado pen show; if you are interested in selling this pen I may be interested. Thank you for the follow up information and your time. Have a great day. Barry Levitt
Hi Barry,
The line width is pretty much the same as the FC medium CI. I'm not really interested in selling it, though. I like it WAY more than I thought I would. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the information, enjoy the pen.
I like that blade turk nib where can I get those pens with that type of nib
The Turk is a nib grind that Mark Bacas does. You can get that grind on all sorts of pens through www.nibgrinder.com/
Still confused on which nib is best for me 🙈 Thanks for sharing this ☺️
It's a long quest, for most of us. :-D
well done... thanks
You’re welcome!
The ones that are bent back are good for writing Japanese.
I like the Waverly nib to what pen has that nib
That's the Pilot Custom 912. Pilot has recently released that model with every nib variation in the USA. It's pretty great.
I'm right handed but I tend to rotate the opposite way to you so I don't think you can say left footed is for right-handed people😅. I find that it helps bring out the line variation without having to turn your paper or your wrist, given that you rotate your pen
Nope, not 100% of the time, but it’s just a rule-of-thumb.
Wait when is the Dallas pen show?
September 8-9!
Fude!!! My favorite!
Very subiectiv
I think you mixed up left and right oblique
NB
I think people who uses fountain pen usually are cat lovers.
Your cat desperately needs your attention........(:- )
8 minutes into this video and I still haven't a clue as to what kind of a patternever patent and what kind of a nib to look for.
I think perhaps some sort of auto-correct error has ruined what you're trying to say here. I have been thinking that I need to make a more current version of this video, though. What exactly are you looking for?
PLEASE STOP BEGGING FOR MONEY!!!
TF is a nib? Why can't you ppl just use regular pens??