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Stroke Sizes between Nib sizes and brands


Kelly

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Hello all,

 

Does anyone know of a source (either on the web or in book form) that lists the different nib strokes (caliper measured) by brand and standard nib size ? I've heard that some FP manufacturers can sometimes run small or wide (i.e. Pelikan nibs tend to run a bit on the wide side? True?). It seems a list like this could be really handy, especially if one is purchasing their pens on-line (*raises hand). Any comments on this will be a help - thank you :)

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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For a "standardized" comparison, here's a link to a downloadable copy of my stroke width chart. This represents the sizes I grind to when I customize nibs. To download the chart, right-click on the link to bring up the contextual menu, and save the linked file. Mac users with only one button (mouse or trackpad), click and hold for the contextual menu or control-click to pop it up instantly.

sig.jpg.2d63a57b2eed52a0310c0428310c3731.jpg

 

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I was told that the "small" Pelikans (M75 to M400) have a finer Medium nib than the "large" ones (M600 to 1000). Is that true? I want to order a 600 soon, and I wonder if the M will be any bolder than the M on my Pelikan Go... This one barely exceeds the width of a fine Waterman, as far as I can see. The charts don't make any difference between individual Pelikan models.

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I was told that the "small" Pelikans (M75 to M400) have a finer Medium nib than the "large" ones (M600 to 1000). Is that true?

Your dividing line is in the wrong place. M250, M4xx, M6xx, and M700 use nibs that are the same physical size and are finished the same way. (The differences are in the imprint, plating or lack thereof, and how the nib and feed are set into the threaded collar). M8xx and M900 use a larger nib size. M10xx uses one even larger. M3xx uses an itty bitty nib. M200 and M215 use a steel nib, and M150 uses a steel nib that's a millimeter or so shorter but is otherwise identical.

 

Ennyhoo, the nibs in M250, M4xx, M6xx, and M700 usually give a line that is fairly true to my "standardized" chart. Larger nibs will give a broader line, especially M10xx because of its extreme springiness. The steel nibs tend to run a bit finer than my chart.

sig.jpg.2d63a57b2eed52a0310c0428310c3731.jpg

 

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Thanks, Richard! I can hear an expert's voice. So, steel vs gold can be a factor. Somehow, as far as I remember from my first contact with Pelikan FPs, the line made with an M200 medium was thinner than the one made with an M620 medium. So, your dividing lines appear to be: 150 to 215 -- 250 to 700 -- 800 to 1000, in an ascending order of line width. Is that correct?

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Thanks everyone for these handy links. I've got them printed for easy access. :D

A hot wind was blowing around my head, the strands of my hair lifting and swirling in it, like ink spilled in water. ~ Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin

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So, steel vs gold can be a factor.

Only insofar as Pelikan spends more time and money on shaping the tips of its gold nibs. The metal content of the nib body itself is immaterial.

 

So, your dividing lines appear to be: 150 to 215 -- 250 to 700 -- 800 to 1000, in an ascending order of line width. Is that correct?

Yup.

sig.jpg.2d63a57b2eed52a0310c0428310c3731.jpg

 

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