Asian Nibs

[jdooney]

I recently saw information that the nibs on pens were asian nibs. Is this a new designation? I remember reading on this webstie that asian nibs were thinner than american or german nibs, however, when requesting a nib sizes is there a specific translation between the EF of an asian nib to that of an american other type of nib?

 

 

[Mike S.]

In my experience, nibs from Asian manufacturers (notably Sailor, Pilot, and Platinum/Nakaya) are at least one full size smaller that the same nominal size in a Western (European or American) pen. For example, a medium Sailor is much like a Pelikan fine, while a broad Sailor is much like a Pelikan medium.

[Phthalo]

Asian nibs isn't a designation. Chinese pen manufacturers and Japanese pen manufacturers are very different things. Generally speaking, modern Chinese pens usually have European (Schmidt or Bock(?)) steel nibs, while Japanese nibs are created in-house.

 

While people say Japanese manufacturers produce nibs with finer points than other manufacturers do, in reality it's the other manufacturers who produce broader points than is normal!

 

There is no rule or translation, but basically you just assume your Japanese nib will be one size smaller than everybody else's nib of the same size. Japanese nib sizes are more akin to vintage nib sizes, and more 'correct', IMO. Other's nib sizes just keep getting bigger and bigger!

Edited May 27, 2007 by Phthalo

[OldGriz]

Asian nibs isn't a designation. Chinese pen manufacturers and Japanese pen manufacturers are very different things. Generally speaking, modern Chinese pens usually have European (Schmidt or Bock(?)) steel nibs, while Japanese nibs are created in-house.

 

I have to disagree with this statement... even though they say German Iridium, the majority of nibs used on Chinese pens are made at the Shanghai nib factory... they are generally good quality though...

I got this information from Giovanni (Tryphon) who has worked with the Chinese for some time importing pens to this country.

[sjldaniel]

In my experience, nibs from Asian manufacturers (notably Sailor, Pilot, and Platinum/Nakaya) are at least one full size smaller that the same nominal size in a Western (European or American) pen. For example, a medium Sailor is much like a Pelikan fine, while a broad Sailor is much like a Pelikan medium.

Generally, this is true. For example, the medium nibs on my Pilot and Sailor write more like a western fine. However, as with any rule, there are exceptions. The fine nib on my Danitrio Densho is just like a western fine nib.

[Phthalo]

Tom: Ah ok. I knew some were done in-house, but not that it was a majority.

 

sjldaniel: I believe the reason that the DT's are an exception is because the nibs are made by Bock in Europe.