Zoom Nib

[George H]

Can anyone tell me what a Zoom nib is and how does it differ from an italic nib?

[Chris]

I'll happily take a step back if someone has a better explanation, but my understanding is that a zoom nib in one where you can get the same effect all the way from a broad to a fine in the one nib by holding the pen at different angles (to the vertical, not rotational).

 

So, held more upright you get a fine line but held lower and the line is broader. You do not get line width variation unless you move the pen up and down (waggle) as you write.

 

I think the shape of the tip is sort of ovoid.

 

I have tried one and the effect is interesting, though it takes some getting used to.

 

An italic nib has a wide, flat tip and the line width varies depending on the angle of the line on the paper relative to the tip. That allows you to make fine upstrokes and broad downstrokes.

 

A search here for zoom might provide a better explanation.

 

Chris

[Sandy1]

...

An italic nib has a wide, flat tip and the line width varies depending on the angle of the line on the paper relative to the tip. That allows you to make fine upstrokes and broad downstrokes.

...

Chris

+1 on the Zoom description!

 

But I believe the Italic allows for fine side-strokes ↔, and broad up- down-strokes ↕

In terms of practical use, I have found the Sailor Zoom is best at illustrations, drawings, etc. In my hands it does not give a uniform result when writing text. (I do not 'waggle' consistently.) The flipside of that nib gives a mono-line, so is good for text, labels, uniform lines, etc.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited February 18, 2011 by Sandy1

[orangezorki]

I think that you have touched upon a reason why a zoom nib is not as common as the product highlights might suggest - angle of writing. For me at least, I tend to have one comfortable angle for any one pen, and would even say that I would prefer a double sided nib with a standard broad point for writing, and a fine reverse to use for corrections and writing in between lines.

 

David

[alexander_k]

Chris's description is very accurate - at least for my Sailor zoom nib: the only angle that matters for the thickness of the line is the inclination of the nib relative to the paper. A zoom nib also offers you more variation than other nibs. Just like Sandy1 I've found it very useful for drawing. For writing its main advantage is that there are more possibilities for comfortable holding.