Determining Nib Size

[tat2drn]

Thinking about trying out different types of nibs on my two kit fountain pens. Is there a way to determine the size without taking the feed apart?

[dneal]

When you say size, do you mean #5 or #6? Post a link or a pic.

[tat2drn]

Yes, that is what I am meaning. The two toned is my medium and the silver one is my fine tip.

[dneal]

I can't be sure based on the pics, but I'll hazard a guess and say they're #5.

 

If you have a set of calipers, measure the nib width at the base (where it meets the section). Measuring 3 different #5's, I get 5.27mm, 5.31mm and 5.64mm (each nib is shaped a little differently). A #6 nib will have a 6mm feed, so the results would be a similar range but 1mm wider.

[dcwaites]

I measure the diameter of the feed at the base of the nib.

Most nibs are either 5mm across (#5) or 6mm across (#6).

 

At one stage Jinhao was using feeds of about 6.3mm which didn't sit into the section as far, and so the nibs looked larger. However all the nibs in the Jinhao 6mm and 6.3mm feed pens have the same dimensions.

[tat2drn]

thanks guys

[tat2drn]

Ok, after reading your replies, I looked closer at my pens. On the feeds, one has a 5 printed on it and one has a 8, is that significant?

[dneal]

Ok, after reading your replies, I looked closer at my pens. On the feeds, one has a 5 printed on it and one has a 8, is that significant?

 

Not necessarily.

 

Can you take them apart? If it's a standard Bock/Jowo/Schmidt nib and feed, they should unscrew from the section and pull from the feed case. Then you can measure the feed proper to see if it's 5 or 6mm. It should be simple to do. Your hesitancy has me concerned.

 

If you can't pull them, and want to swap the complete nib unit, you need to know that Bock and Jowo don't necessarily use the same threads and the feed case isn't interchangeable with the section.

[tat2drn]

I am able to take it apart just as a nurse, it is ingrained in me to the least invasive thing first. And being new to fountain pens, I was trying to pull as much knowledge as I could between here and reading articles prior to working on them.

[tat2drn]

Thanks for the help guys. I broke down and took them apart and they are both 5 mm at the base. And now I can add a small skill to my bag. Also, while disassembling/reassembling, I made my one pen a tad wetter and it is writing much better.