On Nib Materials
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Let's discuss various nib materials.
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Fascinating video! Having a bit of background in material science, I found your explanations logical and on-point.
In addition to nib-tine geometry, several other factors that should (from a theoretical standpoint) affect the "springy-ness" of a nib:
1. Thickness of the metal used to form the nib; all other things being equal, a thinner material will have more softness/spring
2. Curvature of the metal; all other things being equal, a #5 nib will be stiffer than a #8 nib (a 5mm circle has a tighter radius than an 8mm circle - making the material stiffer - assuming the same nib tine geometry, thickness, and alloy)
3. Alloy of the metal; some alloys are inherently more springy than others. For example, the two most common alloys of stainless (304 and 316) vary in the amount of other metals in the alloy, changing the springy-ness of the material; 304 stainless steel is 74% mild steel, 18% chromium and 8% nickle. 316 stainless steel is 71% mild steel, 16% chromium, 10% nickle and 3% molybdenum. Similarly, two "14K Gold" materials may have differing percentages of nickel, copper, rhodium, and zinc (depending on the manufacturer) making up the 41.7% that's not pure gold.
The Waterman's number 2 sized nibs, revered by many as "wet noodles," are interchangeable with most modern number 5 nibs.
On the nib geometry issue, it should be noted that most nib meisters I've seen say that 14k gold is best for a flex nib. 18k and 21k nibs simply are too soft and not springy enough, so they tend to be sprung from flexing. As a result, those nibs tend to be engineered in such a way that makes them rigid despite the soft material, thus preventing sprung tines, hence the rigidity of things like the 21k and 18k Sailor nibs and even something like the Pilot Vanishing Point nib.
Like many, my best nib is a Sailor 21k. However, I am not convinced that the gold contributes measurably to its specialness. I don't think I can detect any difference between gold and steel. I think it's all in the nib design/build/grind. I bet Sailor could make an identically performing nib of steel, but for reasons other than performance, they choose only to use 21k gold for this nib.
I think it is also worth noting that Montblanc also make the nibs and feeds for other pen in the Richemont groups of brands e.g. Cartier and Dunhill. They use the exact feeds and nibs and they have all the characteristics of a Montblanc. I used to sell these pens and brands many years ago and I noticed this from observing the pens and also got it confirmed.
In-house nibs: Ancora, Aurora, Lamy, Montblanc, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot/Namiki, Platinum, Romillo, Sailor, Waterman.
JoWo nibs: Bexley, Conklin, Edison, Faber Castell, Franklin Christoph, Goulet, Taccia, TWSBI.
Bock nibs: Caran D'Ache, Cleo Skribent, Conid, Conway Stewart, Danitrio, Delta, Diplomat, Dupont, Eboya, Elysee, Graf von Faber Castell, Franklin Christoph, Helico, Kaweco, Karas Kustoms, Montegrappa, Monteverde, Omas, Onoto, Sheaffer, Signum, Stipula, Stylo Art, TWSBI, Visconti, Yard-o-Led
If you want a nib with silver content, Dr Brown, the WWII Sheaffer's with palladium nibs are a silver alloyed with palladium. 😁
I found this review very worthwhile. I think you succinctly covered such a broad area in a reasonable time that I could understand. I learned a lot. Thanks. 👍👍👍
I love how he says i ll send you a 149 and i thought 1,49$. It took me a few seconds to realize he meant a montblanc 149 and that ,since i got this joke, I am probably already too deep in this hobby than I should be comfortable. Send help
I just looked up Schmidt nibs and it seems they are made by Jowo.
Nice again, Stephen and very to the point.
Leonardo started making their own nibs as well, I’m very curious about them. I love it when brands make their own nibs, but nothing is wrong with a well tuned steel Bock or Jowo nib. Santini also makes their own nibs, and afaik they are the only ones making nibs in white gold. Which is quite awesome and (in pictures) beautiful to see. I agree, there is so much more information to share about nibs.
Would love to see Dr B's opinion on Leonardo's new nibs, given his take on a certain other Italian company's in-house nibs.
I have a penchant for golden nibs because they allow me feel I'm writing with a jewel.
Very useful summary, and matches my experience, so far as it goes. (No 21k Au, no palladium.) So far as my sense of writing fun is concerned, you saved the best for last -- I have an ensso Italia, Bock Ti nib, and love the line variation and feedback, perhaps for the same reason that I enjoy a manual transmission in a car. Closer to the road.
Loving this video, very informational! I'd love to see another video about flex nibs. You mentioned having a Stipula, which has a V-flex and Ti-flex, how do they differ? Also noticed some companies say "elastic 14k nib" (like Leonardo), while Pilot has "14k soft nib", and Scribo offers "14k flexible nib"... What is the difference? Also how would these differ from the special Fa (Falcon) nib on Pilot? I'd love a nib with some line variation, and the nib names are quite confusing. Thank you!
Pens are like watches that all use ETA movement and few have in-house movement. At least the watchmakers that use ETA movements try to present something different in the dial. The pen companies copy each other. Each pen of more than 250 euros should have in-house nib (that write flawlessly out of the box) .....but on the other hand, I doubt if there are so many nib-makers...Pen makers must reposition.
Sailor for a short time used 23K nibs. Platinum made 22K nibs. What other material(s) were combined with the gold is unknown.
Iridium has been used for a tipping material. But Iridium is very costly. Other materials have also been used like Rhodium, Nickel and Stainless Steel. Older steel nibs have had the tips bent over to create the "tipping" material.
I wish I could remember the name of the reviewer who said the more a nib is arched, the more bounce it has. I believe he was among the engineers and did a small search to give him credit to no avail. It’s too far back in my viewing history; but the comment stuck with me.
He was noting the Platinum President had no more bounce than the #3776, because both pens’ nibs were practically straight compared to nibs which you see curve over or around the feed.
Of course the more the nib arches around the feed, the longer the tines have to be to reach the page, so I believe the reviewer’s comments explain your observation.
Happy to see you again and again 👍👍👍
FANTASTIC explanation. Thank you!!!
Superb video, so informative. Yesterday I ordered a Titanium F nib, due tomorrow, so your advice is so timely. thank you.
I find that the engraving on the nib also plays a big role in the way the nib is eager to flex. The more engraving, the stiffer the nib.
Great video! I've followed you for quite some time now, so I knew much of this but putting it together into one vid was very much appreciated. I may have known much of this but I also learned a good bit too. Many of your reader's comments were quite helpful as well. THANKS!
Excellent explanations, Professor! Ty!
I see gold nibs as a way for the industry to tier the pens they sell - the general customer, then the enthusiast who will pay sometimes the whole cost of the pen for the *care* put into the writing experience. Or maybe just because they want the most expensive and best version of the pen. The cost is definitely due to the metal, but that allows for a larger margin to be added. At the same time, there are plenty of gold nib pens that ship and don't write 😂
Bock makes a Platinum nib but it doesn't seem too attractive. Rigid...
I avoided Sailor until I had the opportunity to try all the kinks nibs at Anderson Pens. The 18k Pro Gear slims were meh--and the pen is too small for me. The standard with the 21k nib, however, blew me away. After obsessing over my choice --it's my Grail pen--I kept going back to the MF. The graceful geometry gives them pleasant bounce, and the feedback is too my mind trivial.
I have one of William's pens--which I love--with a #8 titanium, and rather than feedback per se, I think the sound and feel is a function of how the micro vibrations travel through the nib.
Excellent video as always. I do appreciate your down to earth approach to pens, and your refusal to pander to manufacturers/brands. Fountain pens are tools, and unless you want to use them to tiny stab people, if they don't write they that are useless.
Gold nib on my platinum pocket pen is 22k and it is a stiff nib.
Excelente trabajo. Gracias por compartir su experiencia. Saludos desde Medellin Colombia
Interestingly, Santini are offering nibs made of actual white and rose gold, instead of plated yellow gold. In case somebody wants to do a comparison between the three. 😉
I think I would only want one good gold nib pen.
Amazing pens !
Trollolol intro was fire.
Question: If most nibs are tipped Presumably with simular material, why would he material used for the body of the nib have much affect on feed back. After all it is the tipping is what is in contact with the paper?
The shape of the tipping
I would assume that the different material properties of each nib material will transmit micro-vibrations differently; as for example the sound of a crystal wine glass differs from the sound (vibration) of a regular wine glass.
Well but a lot of vintage gold nibs don't really have that long tines but they have great line variation.... I wish that someday you could do a discussion into the world of flex nibs !
I have a Waterman's Taperite that can attest to this. Basically a stubby little semi hooded nib with a decent amount of flex. And the holy grail "wet noodles," though originally sold as a "number 2," are generally interchangeable in a pen that has a modern number 5 nib. Not that different shape, even. Thinner the vintage nib, more flex, in my experience. My 1912 Mabie Todd Swan is extremely flexible, very thin.
What about gold filled Nib?
A frisson of joy from the suggestion of a lacuna in your education. 🥹