I am hoping that someone here can help me decide on a nib size.
I find that the Japanese Fine is WAY too fine for me. On 'Western' pens I like a wet M nib generally.
Is a Sailor Broad nib most like a Medium ? Is there a readical difference between Sailor and Pilot nibs?
Thanks so much for the help !
Full Version: Sailor Sapporo Nibs
Hard to guess what you'd like, but you might start by taking a look at the nib measurement chart at nibs.com. I've found it to be very useful.
Sailors are my favorite pens and I currently use a M and B 1911 full size. I have also used the M/F (Pro Gear) nib and it was too fine for my taste.
I notice a distinct difference between the M and B nibs although both are smooth and wet.
To me (and this is all very subjective), the M feels closer to a Western F and the B more like a Western M and I think that is the question you posed.
Hopefully you will receive some other opinions but I think you might like the B a little better than the M.
I looked into the possibility of buying just the nib section so I could have several nib widths but when I could find a source, the prices were almost as much as the entire pen; in the $150 neighborhood.
I notice a distinct difference between the M and B nibs although both are smooth and wet.
To me (and this is all very subjective), the M feels closer to a Western F and the B more like a Western M and I think that is the question you posed.
Hopefully you will receive some other opinions but I think you might like the B a little better than the M.
I looked into the possibility of buying just the nib section so I could have several nib widths but when I could find a source, the prices were almost as much as the entire pen; in the $150 neighborhood.
QUOTE (zquilts @ Aug 28 2008, 11:49 PM) 
I am hoping that someone here can help me decide on a nib size.
I find that the Japanese Fine is WAY too fine for me. On 'Western' pens I like a wet M nib generally.
Is a Sailor Broad nib most like a Medium ? Is there a readical difference between Sailor and Pilot nibs?
Thanks so much for the help !
I find that the Japanese Fine is WAY too fine for me. On 'Western' pens I like a wet M nib generally.
Is a Sailor Broad nib most like a Medium ? Is there a readical difference between Sailor and Pilot nibs?
Thanks so much for the help !
I have both Sailors and Pilots. The buzz in a different thread (and from my limited experience I agree) says that Pilot nibs tend to be just slightly smoother than Sailor nibs, which can "catch" on wide sweeping strokes (IOW, they seem to be a little sensitive to pen angles). Pilot nibs also seem closer to western nibs in width, so a Pilot M is close to a western M. The #15 nib on my Pilot Custom 823 is fantastic!
Thanks - that is exactly what I was thinking ---- though I was surprised to read that Pilot nibs are a bit smoother. I'll sontinue thinking about a Sappora with a Broad Nib !
QUOTE (Ledjeffelin @ Aug 29 2008, 03:42 AM)
Sailors are my favorite pens and I currently use a M and B 1911 full size. I have also used the M/F (Pro Gear) nib and it was too fine for my taste.
I notice a distinct difference between the M and B nibs although both are smooth and wet.
To me (and this is all very subjective), the M feels closer to a Western F and the B more like a Western M and I think that is the question you posed.
Hopefully you will receive some other opinions but I think you might like the B a little better than the M.
I looked into the possibility of buying just the nib section so I could have several nib widths but when I could find a source, the prices were almost as much as the entire pen; in the $150 neighborhood.
I notice a distinct difference between the M and B nibs although both are smooth and wet.
To me (and this is all very subjective), the M feels closer to a Western F and the B more like a Western M and I think that is the question you posed.
Hopefully you will receive some other opinions but I think you might like the B a little better than the M.
I looked into the possibility of buying just the nib section so I could have several nib widths but when I could find a source, the prices were almost as much as the entire pen; in the $150 neighborhood.
QUOTE (zquilts @ Aug 28 2008, 11:49 PM)
I am hoping that someone here can help me decide on a nib size.
I find that the Japanese Fine is WAY too fine for me. On 'Western' pens I like a wet M nib generally.
Is a Sailor Broad nib most like a Medium ? Is there a readical difference between Sailor and Pilot nibs?
Thanks so much for the help !
I find that the Japanese Fine is WAY too fine for me. On 'Western' pens I like a wet M nib generally.
Is a Sailor Broad nib most like a Medium ? Is there a readical difference between Sailor and Pilot nibs?
Thanks so much for the help !
I have a broad nib in my Sapporo and it writes a thicker line than any of my Western mediums. I'm still trying to decide whether to change it or not. It's certainly broader than I had been expecting.
I would agree with Nick. I have both M and B. The Medium is a bit wider than a Western fine, the Broad is a bit wider than most Western mediums, but very much like a Pelikan M800 medium. There are no smoother or more reliable nibs in my arsenal (at any price point) than the Sailors! The comparisons include Pelikan, Lamy, Parker, Shaeffer, Visconti, Aurora, Omas and Bexley (thought the Bexley 18k does come close).
One thought. If you end up with a B and it is too broad, a nibmesiter can turn it into an M stub for you. You can't go the other way though.... I've got the M/F in my Pro Gear and it is perfect, but the M in my Phileas is just a bit too broad for me.. I like thinner lines...
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