What does a Soft Nib write like, and which pens have them?

[Arts11]

What characterizes a soft nib [ie- how does it write compared to a hard/firm nib; line widths, etc.]? What pens/companies have soft nibs?

[mrphyig]

Hi, Arts. I was just reading this. Section 1.1 might be a cogent and quick answer to your question.

[Arts11]

Hi, Arts. I was just reading this. Section 1.1 might be a cogent and quick answer to your question.

Thanks for the link, mrphyig! So "soft" is related to flex somewhat. I wonder if there are any cheap soft-nibbed pens out there for me to try?

[mrphyig]

Hi, Arts. I was just reading this. Section 1.1 might be a cogent and quick answer to your question.

Thanks for the link, mrphyig! So "soft" is related to flex somewhat. I wonder if there are any cheap soft-nibbed pens out there for me to try?

 

My only experience with anything other than a "nail" has been the Namiki Falcon, which is a gorgeous pen but probably not an inexpensive way to go about your exploration. As compared with my Sheaffer Prelude and Cross Townsend, the whole nib on the Falcon gave slightly under the pressure of my strokes and absorbed the shock a bit, making it feel like I was writing with a soft pencil or a rubber tip. The tines also separated slightly when I exerted heavier pressure (most people seem to classify the Falcon as a semi-flex).

 

A good friend of mine recently won a Reform 1745 in a Pay-It-Forward contest and reports that the nib does have some flexibility to it, so it's another avenue you might consider. Terim (no affiliation) is selling them here, and the comments seem encouraging.

 

Hope that helps, oi.

[tonybelding]

I'm not an expert on this subject, but the impression I've generally gotten, rightly or wrongly. . . Is that a "soft" nib is just a nib that feels mooshy on the paper. It's not really something sought after, but is sometimes offered by pen companies as a poor substitute for a proper flexible nib -- because they either don't know how to make a proper flex-nib, or because they're afraid if they sold actual flex-nibs then ham-fisted buyers would just ruin them .

 

Also, 18K gold tends to be soft. Again. . . The reason 18K gold nibs are made isn't because they're better for writing, but rather because the ignorant sometimes assume that 18K is more gold than 14K and is, therefore, more better. And the pens are sold based on that misconception. (I tend to lump 18K gold in the same bin with "precious resin", can you tell?)

[Sandy1]

Hello,

I have a Soft Fine Medium nib. It generates a line width between Asian <F> and <M>, in the neighbourhood of 0.4mm

The pen into which the nib is mounted is a Pilot Custom 74.

I find the pen & nib combo very nice: fast, responsive, and the nib does generate more flex (variation in line width with increased pressure) than initially expected. It seems to be 'flex on demand', in that one can easily write with little force and encounter little if any flex, or writing a bit slower more deliberately forming characters the flex can be used just fine.

OBTW, the nib is a 14K affair. I wouldn't care if were made from old toad stools, so long as it writes like this one does.

The C74 is indeed made out of precious recycled Lego blocks & old tires from my trusty rusty red F150. So I would go for a Namiki Falcon II which is metal. Likely recycled dog food tins, spent 30.06 casings, belt buckles, rowels & barbwire; mebbe some old harpoons from the whaling fleet in there too.

Best Regards,

Sandy1

:-)

[FP Writing]

Interesting question.

My experience is that gold nibs are softer compared to steel nib and gives more response/feedback. There is a "feel" that the pen response to your writing style. Generally gold nibs are more enduring than steel ones.

And i think only dip pens are the genuine flexy nibs, because there is no feed underneath.

Modern pens with feed is difficult ro have true flex, so commonly is semi-flexy or "soft".

 

Pen companies i recommend for soft nib: sailor, faber castel, Pilot

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3977327130_d285f0e1ab_b.jpg

 

 

[Dutchpen]

hi,

 

my experience is that 14 ct gold nibs are much more softer and springier than 18 ct nibs, 18ct nibs are very hard.

21 ct nibs are too soft in my opinion.