What's your nib size preference and range? and

[Blade Runner]

Given one choice I'd say my nib preference is F, and the majority of my pens have F or M nibs. But my range varies from EF to BB. In fact an EF and a B are among my favorites.

 

Answering my second question, I do periodically switch nib size preferences.

Lately I've been on a B nib swing.

 

Regards,

Jeen

[chupie]

Is there a chart anywhere showing the stroke of different nibs? I'd really like to find out what to call the size I like. I discovered fine is ok for somethings, but I'd like something bolder. However, do you just have to look specifically for a pen with a certain nib or can you order them with different sized nibs or ...well..how does that all work?

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

"Everything" is a proper answer. I have to use a fine point most of the time because most of the time, I am doing math. Anyway, I have most every nib except for the ball-tipped broads.

 

Dillon

[Glenn-SC]

I have a very wide range of acceptable nib sizes, anything from fine to medium!

[Brian Anderson]

I mostly prefer anything Medium and broader, with preference to Obliques (ala Relief), however, there are times when I find myself taking notes, or writing lots of plans and need to have something that ifts well in the confines of a legal pad. In these cases, my OBBB motishawed Relief is of no use.

 

I will say my dislike over Fine nibbed pens has diminished somewhat over the years, but I doubt I will ever like an XF nib. I just can't stand them.

 

Best-

Brian

[Kees]

I started out with fine nibs because “they” told me that was the way to go; “they” were wrong. I changed to BB for superior ease of writing, regular BB’s and the not so comfortable stubs, then disarmed and bought B nibs with various results. I even got some obliques which were a complete failure –for my handwriting, that is.

 

Now I’ve ceased to believe I’m something special: all my recent pens are M and I doubt if I’ll ever buy anything else again...

[RichardS]

I find an F nib generally suits my handwriting best, but Bs (and larger) are more fun to write with, owing to those soft tips and the rich flow. That said, my favorite modern nib for looks and feel is actually a steel Pelkan OBB

 

The No. 2 medium semi-flex nib in my Swan SM2/57 is probably the most fun of all - but not really practical day to day.

 

So having read what I've just written, the answer to the question seems to be ... it depends

[grasshopper]

Jeen, because the line varies from one pen/model/brand to another, I'd say that my preferences vary only between Fine and ExtraFine. If I had no choice and the pen came with a Medium, I'd have to get it stubbed otherwise my handwriting is not legible at all.

 

I don't think my range will swing any wider than this (not saying never, but I highly doubt it will).

 

G.

[Macuser]

I agree with Grasshopper. I prefer fine to extra fine. Even my rollerballs are fine tipped.

[acfrery]

I prefer juicy nib sizes from a generous medium to broad, except when I am proof reading that I prefer dry and fine to extra fine nibs.

 

But I am rapidly falling in love with stub nibs...

[John Cullen]

HI Usually I buy a fine nib, though a thinner medium (like Aurora) is good too.

 

I wish I could use a Bold and imagine they are really fun to write with, but I am never in a situation where I can write really large or wouldn't find such a nib bleeding all over the paper. However, it is interesting that people often gravitate toward these B and BB nibs. I just am not sure how and where and when they use them.

 

JC

[Johnny Appleseed]

I usually prefer fine to EF flexy nibs, or stub/cursive italics on the medium-broad end of things. For a standard, stiff nib I tend to lean toward fine, but it also depends on what I am doing.

 

For general pocket use I try to make sure I have one fine/ef for writing notes on the to-do list, address book, checkbook and other places where I need to write small.

 

For correspondence I like to use a cursive italic or stub.

 

For fast note-taking I lean toward the medium-broad range for their generally smoother action at high-speed, though any pen that is wet enough to keep up will do.

 

And I love to use flexy nibs whenever I can get away with it - the finer the better.

 

John

Edited December 21, 2005 by Johnny Appleseed

[southpaw]

Varies - for most of my daily writing, a true fine or fine-medium nib is preferred (although it may be labeled EF, F, or M). For other stuff, it runs the spectrum, although I don't technically have any bold nibs (but rather some custom grinds made from bold nibs ).

[garythepenman]

I'd have to say mostly broad and stubs. I really want to get a new pen with a fine flexible nib but it must be smooth..is there such a pen as I've found most fine nibs are a little scratchy.

[KCat]

F or F-M

 

like using edged nibs for more expressive writing but for daily use prefer the above.