Lamy Safari - Nib Size And Smoothness

[P.A.R.]

I've had my Safari (extra fine nib) since September. I'm currently using Pelikan 4001 Blue Black in it and am very satisfied with both ink and pen. I am wondering, however: is there any difference in feel (such as smoothness on paper) between the fine and extra fine nib sizes? Based on what I've seen in ink reviews, it appears that bolder nibs make shading more visible. There's an art store near my house that sells both fine and extra fine Lamy replacement nibs for about $10 each (though I can get 'em for $8 thanks to a friend that works there,) so I wouldn't have to buy an entirely new pen.

 

 

Any help would be appreciated. PAR.

Edited December 6, 2010 by P.A.R.

[Cnulhu]

As a general rule, broader nibs tend to write more smoothly, and so a Lamy fine nib should write more smoothly than an extra-fine. However, I must provide the disclaimer that Lamy Safari nibs can often be quite inconsistent, and people have come across fine nibs that write as though they were extra-fine, and extra-fine nibs that write as though they were medium. However, I'd say it's a fairly safe assumption that a new fine nib will equally or more smoothly than your current extra-fine.

 

Anyone care to corroborate or refute that?

[Dr Lopez]

I can corroborate. My experience is similar to that of Cnulhu: My fine is wider than my medium. According to others too it is a bit of a gamble which width you'll end up getting.

 

I prefer to use my Safaris with italic nibs for expressiveness an added line variation. For $8 it is very worthwhile to have a go with some of their italic nibs. I find these italics more like cursive italics than pure italics so they are not difficult to use at all.

[P.A.R.]

I can corroborate. My experience is similar to that of Cnulhu: My fine is wider than my medium. According to others too it is a bit of a gamble which width you'll end up getting.

 

I prefer to use my Safaris with italic nibs for expressiveness an added line variation. For $8 it is very worthwhile to have a go with some of their italic nibs. I find these italics more like cursive italics than pure italics so they are not difficult to use at all.

Thanks for the advice. But what's an italic nib?

[sumgaikid]

Usually,the problem is in the shape of the tipping material that's underneath

the nib. If it's shaped round or oval,that will make the nib write broader than

its designation. A nib can be shaped with a very small EF tip,but the rounded

tipping matreial on the bottom of the nib can make the same EF nib write like

an M nib because when light pressure is used in writing,there is the normal ten-

dency for the tines to spread,thus creating a broader ink line. This is also why

a good nibmeister will remove most or all of the tipping material to get that

thinner line requested by the client.

 

 

John

[Cnulhu]

Thanks for the advice. But what's an italic nib?

 

Italic nibs are nibs that have a wide, thin tip, like Lamy nib here:

 

http://thoughtswhilewalking.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/LamyNib200.jpg

 

Italic nibs are an easy way to get line variation in your writing, as the shape of the nib causes down-strokes to become naturally wider than cross-strokes. As such, italic nibs are commonly used in calligraphy.