What does the "Shorthand" do to the nib? Are the edges more rounded? Thanks in advance.

The 9555 is the tipped version of the 1555 which was designed or adapted or perhaps adopted for use with the "Gregg" shorthand method taught all over the place as a way for secretaries, office assistants, reporters or whomever to be able to take accurate word for word transcriptions of conversational english at lightening speed.

Shorthand itself uses some abbreviations that we still would recognize like w/ for "with" or w/o for "without" There are even "Gregg" recommended fountain pens manufactured with the Gregg logo on the cap or barrel but sadly these were not made by Esterbrook.

Adam

All good info, Adam, but how is a nib designed for "lightning speed" physically different from a typical nib? The only thing I can think of is that it would be smoother around the edges (and perhaps would have a greater flow?). As a lefty who sometimes catches a sharper nibs corners on an upstroke, I was wondering whether a Shorthand nib might serve me well.

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All good info, Adam, but how is a nib designed for "lightning speed" physically different from a typical nib? The only thing I can think of is that it would be smoother around the edges (and perhaps would have a greater flow?). As a lefty who sometimes catches a sharper nibs corners on an upstroke, I was wondering whether a Shorthand nib might serve me well.
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"Lightening speed" in this case has to do with the omission of most of the letters in most of the words not in the nib's design. Although I generally find 1555s and 9555s to be smooth nibs, it is due to the fact that many of these nibs have been VERY well used not because of any particular design feature. Indeed, most NOS 1555s are quite scratchy in my experience. Under magnification a 1555 has exactly the same shape as any other medium fine, non flexible nib and a 9555 is the same story with other tipped nibs in the 9XXX series.

Hope this helps!

Adam

"Lightning Speed" = Marketing

Thanks for the info, Adam. With your observations about the 1555 and 9555 being the same profile, under magnification, as other medium fine nibs, I guess FarmBoy's conclusion makes sense.

Nevertheless, it lets me know that either would make a good, general use nib.