Stiff Nibs

[Edgar Allan Bo]

While 99,99 % of the folks out there is hunting for the flexiest of the flexy noodle-nibs, I'm looking for suggestions for stiff nibbed fountain pens (dry noodles!?!)

 

Just to say I should go for the steel ones isn't quite right because even the Pelikan M200 steel nib is waay too flexible to be called a "stiff" nib. The standard (steel) LAMY nib is a true stiff nib. Also some Rotring pens. Plus gold nibs can also be stiff, like on the Parker 51.

Edited July 19, 2011 by Edgar Allan Bo

[Nonsensical]

Well, hooded nibs are pretty stiff in general. Sailor nibs are pretty stiff too, much stiffer than my Pelikan ones, at least.

[piembi]

DOn't know about modern pens (Except for the Lamy steel nibs).

 

My stiff nibbed pens are Parker 51 and Sheaffer Triumph nibs (Touchdown, Snorkel). A Parker 45 can be very stiff as well.

[andybiotic]

Although I am one of those that constantly searching for flexy nibs, I do also enjoy a good smooth writing everyday stiff nib. I am sure many people are too, in fact I know there are many others here that don't like flexy nibs.

 

Now, may be not much of a suggestion, but you can consider as well, my next target is a Sheaffer PFM, there is no flex in those inlaid nibs (gold or steel) and they are not known to be soft. I have a Sheaffer's imperial triumph (steel) and a Sheaffer's targa (gold), both inlaid nibs, both quite stiff. On top of that, I just love the look of them!

 

Another one is Esterbrook nibs, my 2968 is very very smooth and stiff as a nail, there are others like the 9450, 9555, 9968,1550, 2556, 1551, 2668 etc are specially advertised as "firm" nibs and especially the 1461, which are manifold nibs for carbon copies which HAS to be stiff.

 

Talk about Manifold nib, Moore has a few manifold gold nibs as well I think though I am not sure...

 

It shouldn't be hard to find a good stiff nib, should be a lot easy than those flexies!

Edited July 19, 2011 by andybiotic

[richardandtracy]

Totally stiff & inflexible?

 

I know the modern Duofolds are that way, particularly the broader italics nibs. They are so rigid you feel every fibre in the paper, there is no shock attenuation by the nibs whatsoever, and flex is not something that occurs.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[ghazali]

Most of the Chinese pens i've bought have stiff nibs like the Kaigelu (Kangaroo) brand especially. Though they are pretty smooth writers generally too.

Edited July 19, 2011 by ghazali

[Val]

The Waterman Carene has the stiffest nib that I'm familiar with. I've always loved the looks of the pen, but never been able to justify the purchase b/c the nib is not my preference. Maybe it's a good match for you!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Well I got four nails...P-51 F, Esterbrook 2968/9968 B, a Cross Townsend M, and an MB 320 EF. I am set forever. Not that I'm ever going to use that MB...I can live with a regular EF, but like semi-flex in EF, much more.

 

OK I'm not counting my Wearevers..... They are waiting for new sac's. Had they had softer nibs, I'd be more in a hurry.

 

I think each should have a couple of nails, as in every flex at least a couple.

I did not like my nail OB in it did nothing with line variation, it is now a CI and is fine.

It would be a great left handers nib though.

 

I also have stiff italic calligraphy nibs. They do the job as they should.

I think everyone should have a set of them too.

 

Yes there is good reasons to have a few nails.

I think they are easy to find. I don't look so I don't know.

[ethernautrix]

I love hard nibs, and so I very much like Nakaya firm nibs, Montblanc StarWalker and Hemingway, the Triumph nibs on my Sheaffer Tuckaways (Tuckies!) and the vintage nibs on my Sheaffer Flat-tops. Favorite hard steel nibs are Pelikan and Stipula Vedo.

 

These just off the top of my head.

[Namo]

Pilot Myu/Murex; Rotring 600.

[Number3124]

My Noodler's Ink piston pen is a pretty good nail. Well, it may just be rigid, but it seems pretty stiff too me. Any Parker "51" should also do the trick. Esterbrooks and Sheaffer Triumph/Inlayed nibs are also famously stiff.

[aliikizkaya]

Tombow Havanna Zoom 505. Nib like a piece of raw steel. Mine tears the paper.

Edited November 21, 2013 by aliikizkaya

[Moshe ben David]

Pilot Myu/Murex; Rotring 600.

 

+1 on the Myu/Murex

[Moshe ben David]

I'd also say most of the Monteverde steel nibs are virtually nails. Also the Cross Apogee. And I have and love them both!

[pajaro]

I am somewhat amused by my Esterbrook 9048 "extra flexible fine" which seems stiff enough.

 

Cross Solo is an economical stiff nib, and they are super writing pens in medium.

 

Sheaffer Imperial inlaid and Triumph 14K nibs seem to me to be stiff.

 

I write with a light touch. I don't hate flex, but I have found it unrewarding in pens I have that flex. I can write with them without flexing them.

 

Parker 51s and 61s have a tubular nib that makes them strong and firm. Some say they can get flex out of them, but it seems like that is overcoming the design to prove you can do it by shaving off some nib material or however they weaken the nib so it can flex. The mountain is there, and by gum, they will make it flex. A Parker 51 broad stub will put a stop to that.

 

Parker Sonnet seems firm to me. Reform 1745. Pelikan M4xx, M6xx. Sheaffer No Nonsense.

 

I accidentally bent a Pelikan M1000 fine nib. Replaced it with an O3B which was pretty stiff.

[huy3825]

Parker Urban is affordable and very stiff, it's a Lamy stiff nib.
http://www.petersofkensington.com.au/Public/Parker-Urban-Premium-Black-Fountain-Pen.aspx

[Ana_]

The Inoxcrom iridium stainless steel tip is the hardest fountain pen tip I have written with yet. I find it very smooth and it really suits me because I tend to press down quite firmly on my paper, this pen handles that smoothly without parting the tines or pooling ink in some areas. I find it to be substantial and really, like writing with it. I like writing with it more than my Parker 51. Happy Hunts

[zap210]

List of pens that can have stiff nibs:

Pelikan - their old manifold nibs will screw into a few of the modern pens bodies. They are totally rigid but hard to come by. Their steel broad point nibs are quite stiff. The souverain 1000 nib is also stiff.

Sheaffer - all triumph nibs are totally inflexible. Their pre-white dot lever fill nib will not flex at all and is massive and extremely rare.

Parker - 51's usually have very stiff nibs.

Aurora - the old 88's can be fitted with a very stiff nib.

Waterman - the larger ones fitted to old eyedroppers can be nails but are rare these days.

 

The sheaffer's are the easiest to find. Some manufacturers have produced 'manifold' nibs in the past. Some, like Pelikan, made glass manifold nibs that broke before they flexed. Not good writers though.

[georges zaslavsky]

vintage sheaffer triumph, inlaid and lifetime nibbed pens

Edited January 1, 2014 by georges zaslavsky

[BMG]

Don't leave out the old "durchschreiber" (literally "hard writer") nibs, which were intended for making carbon copies. I have picked up a couple of DEFs on vintage MBs and Pelikans and have found them to be great.

 

I'll second those who have mentioned steel nibs, both vintage and contemporary, as well as vintage Sheaffer (esp. the Triumph-type) and Parker gold nibs, which I have found to be on the hard side.

 

Funny about hooded nibs: my one flex nib is on a Lamy 2000. It's an EF and still I struggle to use it.