The "finest" XF nibs

[antoniosz]

I amde some changed from the original posting. I included a better picture of the overall writing. So here are some writing samples from some enjoyable XF nibs shown next to a 37c stamp and the PT 2004 nib.

http://www.streamload.com/azavalia/FPN/XF_nibs/all.jpg

 

1. Parker 51 Special XF with Noodler Blue Black width=0.18-0.22mm - relatively wet

2. Pentrace 2004 XXXF (Binderized) with Waterman Black 0.14 0.19 wet

3. Sheaffer 777 Late Triumph nib with Sheaffer Jet Black width=0.21-0.28mm - wet

4. Sheaffer Modern Crest triumph XF with PR American Blue width=0.13-0.26mm - between dry and wet

5. Parker Sonnet stainless XF with Penman Sapphire, width=0.23-0.29mm - wet

 

In the pictures below the vertical height of each picture is 2mm. They were taken by my QX5 microscope at x60.

 

Parker 51 Special - Noodler's Blue Black

http://www.streamload.com/azavalia/FPN/XF_nibs/51Special.jpg

 

Pentrace 2004 XXXF Binderized Waterman Black

http://www.streamload.com/azavalia/FPN/XF_nibs/Pentrace2004.jpg

 

Sheaffer 777 Sheaffer Jet Black

http://www.streamload.com/azavalia/FPN/XF_nibs/sheaffer777.jpg

 

Sheaffer Modern Crest - PR American Blue

http://www.streamload.com/azavalia/FPN/XF_nibs/Sheaffermoderncrest.jpg

 

Sonnet plated XF - Penman Sapphire

http://www.streamload.com/azavalia/FPN/XF_nibs/SonnetXF.jpg

Edited October 1, 2005 by antoniosz

[Velma]

I somehow missed this post originally. Thank you for the detailed analysis. (I'm a fan of extra fine nibs, because of my small scratchy writing.)

[Stompy]

Antonio,

 

You have far too much fun with the microscope of yours.

[Keith with a capital K]

Making a good extra fine or even finer nib takes immense skill and patience and I appreciate any maker or individual who can create such wonderful little smooth points.

 

I find that the Sheaffer Crest xf runs towards fine and is exceptionally smooth.

 

How about some Japanese xf's or some xf CI nibs ?

[Maja]

Antonios, I too missed the original post of yours, so thank you for adding to it!

These are very interesting pictures, but I was just wondering (and I apologize in advance if this is a silly question) if it wouldn't be a bit more useful to compare the writing of each nib using the same ink, in order to decrease the # of variables?

[antoniosz]

Good point. I will try

[Maja]

Good point. I will try

Ok, thanks! Great microscope images, by the way....