I understand that Japanese nibs tend to run narrower (i.e., a medium may write more like a fine). How do Italian nibs compare? If I like the fine nib on my Parker "51" Vac and the Esterbrook 9556 nib, for example, so I'm sure a Japanese medium would be okay. But how about an Italian medium? Or should I go with a fine? Any insight would be appreciated.

Hey Ben,

What Italian pens are you interested in? Italian pens don't in general tend to be finer than their US/European conterparts. In fact, I understand that many Italian pens have German nibs from Bock or Schmidt -though one exception is Aurora who, I'm pretty sure, manufactures their own nibs.

That said, it does vary between manufacturer. I think Aurora nibs tend to run a little on the fine side - though not as much as say Namiki/Pilot nibs. Signum nibs however seem to run a little on the broad side in my opinion. My Omas Ogiva fine seems to match my expectations for a fine nib, and my Filcao medium nibs seem pretty standard too (but again, standard to my preferences and experience).

But Italian nibs definitely don't have the general tendency to run on fine side of things like Japanese nibs, so I'd recommend a Fine nib to get something close to your Vac.

Hope this helps!

A couple have caught my eye lately. Ancora, Aurora, Renzetti, Marlen, and a few others. I'm certainly not aiming at the top end LEs (and Renzetti is cartridge only, from what I gather). I don't mind medium, but I'd like a restrained, or consistent medium. Nothing too out-of-control wet. Know what I mean?