Sailor <F> vs <M-F> nib size comparision?

[Arts11]

Having recently gotten some holiday cash, I think it's a good time to consider getting another Sailor to replace the one I lost. I'd most likely get either a Sapporo or a 1911m [i've heard they use the same nib?] but I'm not sure what sized nib to go for this time around. That being said, does anyone have a writing sample directly comparing a Sailor <F> and a <MF> nib [comparing them to a regular <M> nib would also be appreciated]? Thanks!

[OneRiotOneRanger]

Having recently gotten some holiday cash, I think it's a good time to consider getting another Sailor to replace the one I lost. I'd most likely get either a Sapporo or a 1911m [i've heard they use the same nib?] but I'm not sure what sized nib to go for this time around. That being said, does anyone have a writing sample directly comparing a Sailor <F> and a <MF> nib [comparing them to a regular <M> nib would also be appreciated]? Thanks!

AQccording to John Mottishaw, Sailor F, FM and M nib tips lay down lines of .30, .36 and .50, respectively. My guess is his web site, nibs.com, probably has writing samples. I have a Realo with a H-FM (hard, medium fine) nib, and I like it VERY MUCH.

[rollerboy]

AQccording to John Mottishaw, Sailor F, FM and M nib tips lay down lines of .30, .36 and .50, respectively. My guess is his web site, nibs.com, probably has writing samples. I have a Realo with a H-FM (hard, medium fine) nib, and I like it VERY MUCH.

 

Tsk tsk. Mottishaw is very explicit on his web page that the measurements in the table are of the nib tip and *not* the line width formed on paper (as the latter is highly dependent on paper, ink and other factors).

 

That said, the numbers would indicate one could expect the line formed by an FM nib to be closer to a fine than to a medium. Somewhere on FPN I have seen a writing sample that shows the difference between F and FM. The difference was subtle but certainly discernible.

[Arts11]

AQccording to John Mottishaw, Sailor F, FM and M nib tips lay down lines of .30, .36 and .50, respectively. My guess is his web site, nibs.com, probably has writing samples. I have a Realo with a H-FM (hard, medium fine) nib, and I like it VERY MUCH.

Thanks for the help, but I've seen all the chart data before, and honestly, they don't really give me much information except for how the nibs potentially compare to each other, relatively speaking. That's why I think comparative writing samples are so invaluable b/c even with variation in ink/paper, you can at least get a feeling for how the nib lines look, instead of an ideal statistic.

 

Tsk tsk. Mottishaw is very explicit on his web page that the measurements in the table are of the nib tip and *not* the line width formed on paper (as the latter is highly dependent on paper, ink and other factors).

 

That said, the numbers would indicate one could expect the line formed by an FM nib to be closer to a fine than to a medium. Somewhere on FPN I have seen a writing sample that shows the difference between F and FM. The difference was subtle but certainly discernible.

Interesting. Hopefully someone will chime in with a sample. In the meantime I'll continue searching for a comparison.

[kushbaby]

I have a Sailor PG (Morita Blue) with a M-F nib, and a Sailor PG mini (Morita blue) with a F nib, both using Sailor nano-black ink. Unfortunately, the M-F is in my desk drawer at work (and I'm on vacation). If I get the chance to swing by and pick it up, I'll work up a sample for ya (along with a H-M for good measure, though the ink is different so that's not quite fair).

 

(There is a difference - it is subtle. Probably subtle enough not to lose sleep over in trying to decide)

 

Edit: I DO have a H-MF here at home (the ribbed yellow LE). I'll try to get a sample written...

Edited December 29, 2009 by kushbaby

[Arts11]

I have a Sailor PG (Morita Blue) with a M-F nib, and a Sailor PG mini (Morita blue) with a F nib, both using Sailor nano-black ink. Unfortunately, the M-F is in my desk drawer at work (and I'm on vacation). If I get the chance to swing by and pick it up, I'll work up a sample for ya (along with a H-M for good measure, though the ink is different so that's not quite fair).

 

(There is a difference - it is subtle. Probably subtle enough not to lose sleep over in trying to decide)

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate it. My old Sailor had a <F> nib, but prior to losing it, I didn't really use it a lot b/c I was on a broader nib bent at the time. Now that I've settled on finer nibs again, I think a Sailor would be welcome, but I don't want to go too fine [or too broad].

[kushbaby]

OK, here is the comparison. All pens are loaded with the same ink (Sailor nano-black). I threw in a Saibi Togi nib for fun. Note: even though the "MF" is a Naginata LE, the nib itself is a H-MF (as identified by the seller who purchased it new and as identified on the nib itself).

 

I have been pleased with both MF and F (as well as the others). If you're getting a Sailor, I predict you will be very happy with it.

 

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/kushbaby_pics/Sailornibcomparison.jpg

 

(Edit: PG = Professional Gear)

Edited December 29, 2009 by kushbaby

[Arts11]

OK, here is the comparison. All pens are loaded with the same ink (Sailor nano-black). I threw in a Saibi Togi nib for fun. Note: even though the "MF" is a Naginata LE, the nib itself is a H-MF (as identified by the seller who purchased it new and as identified on the nib itself).

 

I have been pleased with both MF and F (as well as the others). If you're getting a Sailor, I predict you will be very happy with it.

 

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/kushbaby_pics/Sailornibcomparison.jpg

 

(Edit: PG = Professional Gear)

That looks awesome! Thank you so much, and you have such nice handwriting. Just wondering, but do you have a Pilot pen with a <F> nib? If you do, there's no need for a writing sample or anything, but I was wondering whether a Pilot <F> nib produced a line that was closer in size to the Sailor F or MF?

[kushbaby]

That looks awesome! Thank you so much, and you have such nice handwriting. Just wondering, but do you have a Pilot pen with a <F> nib? If you do, there's no need for a writing sample or anything, but I was wondering whether a Pilot <F> nib produced a line that was closer in size to the Sailor F or MF?

 

Although there are two other Pilot pens on my wish list, the only ones I have currently are "Capless" Vanishing Points. I had a "resting" one with a F nib, so I filled it with Sailor nano-black. It's somewhere between a Sailor H-F and H-MF. However, I seem to remember reading that some thought that the VPs had wider nibs than other Pilots, so this should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/kushbaby_pics/SailornibcomparisonwithVP.jpg

 

(Edit for typos)

Edited December 29, 2009 by kushbaby

[Arts11]

That looks awesome! Thank you so much, and you have such nice handwriting. Just wondering, but do you have a Pilot pen with a <F> nib? If you do, there's no need for a writing sample or anything, but I was wondering whether a Pilot <F> nib produced a line that was closer in size to the Sailor F or MF?

 

Although there are two other Pilot pens on my wish list, the only ones I have currently are "Capless" Vanishing Points. I had a "resting" one with a F nib, so I filled it with Sailor nano-black. It's somewhere between a Sailor H-F and H-MF. However, I seem to remember reading that some thought that the VPs had wider nibs than other Pilots, so this should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv327/kushbaby_pics/SailornibcomparisonwithVP.jpg

 

(Edit for typos)

Awesome again! Thank you so much. It's a nice coincidence that my preferred line width is also that of my Pilot VP decimo's <F> nib. However, this makes my decision just as complicated as both the Sailor F and MF nibs look really nice. I doubt I could go wrong with either, but I think I'm leaning towards the MF. Hopefully I can find a black-colored Sapporo or 1911m with rhodium trim with a MF nib.

[kushbaby]

Awesome again! Thank you so much. It's a nice coincidence that my preferred line width is also that of my Pilot VP decimo's <F> nib. However, this makes my decision just as complicated as both the Sailor F and MF nibs look really nice. I doubt I could go wrong with either, but I think I'm leaning towards the MF. Hopefully I can find a black-colored Sapporo or 1911m with rhodium trim with a MF nib.

 

As I mentioned before, I personally wouldn't be able to choose between the MF and F if forced to. I don't think you can go wrong with either. If it helps, this is Sailor nano-black, which I have found to be on the pleasantly dry side. So if you intend to use a wetter ink, you may want to go for the finer nib.

 

 

Edit: I read somewhere (I forget where) that the MF nib is being discontinued. While you may want to confirm that (it's a vague memory, don't take it as fact), that may sway you toward getting an MF while you can.

Edited December 29, 2009 by kushbaby

[Arts11]

Awesome again! Thank you so much. It's a nice coincidence that my preferred line width is also that of my Pilot VP decimo's <F> nib. However, this makes my decision just as complicated as both the Sailor F and MF nibs look really nice. I doubt I could go wrong with either, but I think I'm leaning towards the MF. Hopefully I can find a black-colored Sapporo or 1911m with rhodium trim with a MF nib.

 

As I mentioned before, I personally wouldn't be able to choose between the MF and F if forced to. I don't think you can go wrong with either. If it helps, this is Sailor nano-black, which I have found to be on the pleasantly dry side. So if you intend to use a wetter ink, you may want to go for the finer nib.

 

 

Edit: I read somewhere (I forget where) that the MF nib is being discontinued. While you may want to confirm that (it's a vague memory, don't take it as fact), that may sway you toward getting an MF while you can.

Good to know about the ink and the possible discontinuing of the MF. I primarily use wetter inks nowadays so that very well could sway me to the F nib. Thanks again, I appreciate it!

[kushbaby]

Good to know about the ink and the possible discontinuing of the MF. I primarily use wetter inks nowadays so that very well could sway me to the F nib. Thanks again, I appreciate it!

 

Any time!!!!

 

[rollerboy]

Just to complicate matters ... if the Naginata LE used for the MF writing sample has a Naginata-Togi nib (and presumably it does) then be aware the line width of that nib varies with angle to the page. I believe it's narrow when held more vertically and gets wider as the angle to the page gets shallower. Most people have said the net effect is it's wider than the nib size would indicate. I think that fits with the writing sample provided here. The MF and M look very close. A vanilla MF (non-Naginata) would likely be finer. (Actually, all the writing samples here look pretty close. I've an F and an M Sapporo and the difference in real life seems greater than in the screen shots).

[kushbaby]

Just to complicate matters ... if the Naginata LE used for the MF writing sample has a Naginata-Togi nib (and presumably it does) then be aware the line width of that nib varies with angle to the page. I believe it's narrow when held more vertically and gets wider as the angle to the page gets shallower. Most people have said the net effect is it's wider than the nib size would indicate. I think that fits with the writing sample provided here. The MF and M look very close. A vanilla MF (non-Naginata) would likely be finer. (Actually, all the writing samples here look pretty close. I've an F and an M Sapporo and the difference in real life seems greater than in the screen shots).

 

It's a regular H-MF. When the person who purchased it bought it (at a show), that was an option, and he chose the regular H-MF (I asked specifically about this before buying it). FWIW.