Is nib smoothness your top priority?

[journo]

Please excuse this "newbie" question.

For years I judged the performance of a nib, indeed the pen, by the smoothness of the writing experience. The pen moving smoothly, effortlessly and, consequently, silently across a piece of paper was what counted most.

But the sound of pen on paper is also extremely enjoyable (to me, at least). I was wondering if there are FPN members who perhaps accept a less than silky-smooth nib for one with more "tooth" (I hope I have the terminology right) in order to enjoy the sound of a pen writing? Or maybe you choose paper to give you that sound?

Or perhaps to others the sound is not pleasant at all, but purely indicative of a rough nib or inferior paper?

John

Edited September 11, 2006 by journo

[fjf]

It is all a matter of taste...I prefer smooth, but I can understand that a little feedback can be enjoyable...

[Phthalo]

I use XF nibs and smaller on the majority of my pens, so I am used to tactile and audible feedback.

 

I have a Sheaffer Snorkel with a Needlepoint Triumph nib, it makes a beautiful and distinct sound which I noticed the first instant I used the pen.

 

Otherwise, for me personally, the sound isn't a big deal - perhaps because I'm just used to it, and have never had a silent nib.

[mfwebb]

My Pelikan 800 is the only truly "silent" nib I have and it is the standard I measure the others by.

 

My Duke Ruby is almost as silent but the others do make some sound on the paper which I like.

[kissing]

I used to have nib smoothness as top priority, because I thought that the smoother a nib is, the better it was.

 

So I eventually ended up with a super-dooper smooth Sonnet which glides wildly on paper like it has a mind of its own because it was so smooth. It proved to be difficult to write with such a smooth pen, because it was hard to control Made it tiring to write with because there was too little resistance on paper (kept slipping, lol).

 

So now I try to look for at least a bit of "tooth" to a nib. The subtle 'sound' of the nib scratching on paper is a desireable thing, depending on your taste

 

Good timing of this post - It's been on my mind too

 

Oh yeah, and welcome to Fountain Pen Netword. No question in here is considered to be "newbe", so post whatever is on your mind I live in Australia too (Melbourne). Whereabouts are you from in Australia, may I ask?

[Demonstrative Pen Collector]

My Pelikan 800 is the only truly "silent" nib I have and it is the standard I measure the others by.

 

My Duke Ruby is almost as silent but the others do make some sound on the paper which I like.

You are lucky to get a smooth Pelikan nib. It must be party time in Heaven. It would be easier for Man to renounce his sinful ways than for Pelikan to produce smooth nibs. You are indeed lucky.

[Judybug]

So I eventually ended up with a super-dooper smooth Sonnet which glides wildly on paper like it has a mind of its own because it was so smooth. It proved to be difficult to write with such a smooth pen, because it was hard to control Made it tiring to write with because there was too little resistance on paper (kept slipping, lol).

 

Kissing,

 

I know what you mean about a super smooth nib being hard to control. I have some super smooth nibs and I have some that have a tiny bit of "drag." I love them both. There's nothing like the feel of a super smooth nib on good paper! BUT if I have lots of writing to do, the nibs with a little drag are not nearly as tiring.

 

So, Journo ----- I use the super smooth nibs for lists and short notes. The nibs with a little drag [like the Romet Asia that I recently did a review of] are the workhorses that I use when I've got a lot to write.

 

Judybug

[kissing]

Yes I know exactly what you're talking about Judybug.

 

The liberated feeling of "swooshing" a super smooth nib on good paper is very nice But its not the easiest way to write for long pieces of writing

 

 

[sonia_simone]

Yes, interesting, I have a "51" that is very smooth (but a tiny bit dry, I keep waffling on whether or not I should have someone really take it apart and clean it up), but I find that while I like it for notes, I tend to go to less smooth pens for snailing.

 

I have a Pel modified for flex that is kind of the best of both worlds--smooth and skate-y enough for fast notes but the flex gives some spring and a tiny bit of feedback that makes it enjoyable for a three- or four-page snail.

[DrPJM1]

Shape and Size

Weight and Balance

Color and Trim

Fit and Finish

Comfort in use

Cap & Clip Performance

Nib Performance

Nib Shape and Size

Feed and Flow

Filling System

[goodguy]

When I buy a pen I buy it first for my collection.The way it writer is important of course but not as much as to other people that write with their pen.

I do have a pen I write with thats my Omas Paragon as for the rest of them they are in the cabinet.

[John Cullen]

I have heard people say they had a nib that was too smooth, but I have never experienced it.

 

Sometime I will have to take a pen and ask one of the nibsters to make it too smooth just to see what it would be like.

 

Generally, I vote for the smoother the nib the better. YMMV j

[journo]

I find the thoughts expressed on this topic to be extremely interesting. Please allow me to share an anecdote.

A few years ago I viewed a TV doco about the murder of a newspaper editor and publisher who fell out with the Milosevic regime. (It may have been Dusko Jovanovic, but I can't remember.)

However, for pen lovers, one scene in particular was unforgettable.

The nature of a dissenting editorial the man had published was discussed. To accompany the voice-over, the vision showed, in extreme close-up, a re-enactment of the editorial being handwritten with a fountain pen.

The handwriting was superb, and the distinctive sound of nib on paper added urgency and a sense of drama. It was a fairly long scene, and quite compelling – not only for what was being written, but also for such a consummate exposition of the art of writing, of which the sound was such a significant and powerful element.

[Wolverine1]

I prefer that a pen's nib be really smooth. I have issues with my hands - nerve damage that has caused severe neuropathy, so, for my needs, the optimum pen is one that offers as little resistance as possible.