Line Sizes Pilot/sailor/platinum

[mke]

There are lots of comments like "Japanese M is western F" or something like this.

If possible, please offer some exact measurements using a crack scale.

 

I checked my Pilot/Sailor/Platinum nibs using the same ink (Pelikan 4001 Brilliantschwarz-brilliant black), comparing identical characters. Hope it helps someone.

 

Pilot F: 0.40 mm

Pilot M: 0.45 mm

Pilot B: 0.50 mm

 

Sailor F: 0.40 mm

Sailor M: 0.45 mm

 

So, actually Pilot and Sailor are just a little bit different from Western sizes, Platinum, however, seems to be really different:

 

Platinum 細 (F): 0.30 mm (old 3776)

Platinum size chart attached

 

I would guess that Platinum M is like Sailor/Pilot F. I think I had that feeling when I wrote with that nib.

 

Unfortunately, I missed the chance to keep the writings which I had done at Itoya comparing all Platinum nibs.

 

But I also need to say that I didn't put any pressure on the nibs during writing. I just tested the Pilot B (my first broad nib) and with a bit of pressure I can write up to 0.6 mm lines.

I think this will be my last broad nib.

It might be useful for signing impressive (dud) cheques with lots of zeroes

Edited July 8, 2017 by mke

[Budzynski]

In my opinion, Platinum tips are smaller than ones from Pilot/Sailor but the flow is much heavier. My Pilot Custom Heritage 91 F wrote thinner than Platinum 3776 Century F using the same ink.

[Driften]

 

I checked my Pilot/Sailor/Platinum nibs using the same ink (Pelikan 4001 Brilliantschwarz-brilliant black), comparing identical characters. Hope it helps someone.

 

Pilot F: 0.40 mm

Pilot M: 0.45 mm

Pilot B: 0.50 mm

 

 

What Pilot nibs did you use for those measurements? I have found that a Pilot steel M Metro nib is much finer then a Pilot gold #5 nib. I would expect the ink also matters as you are using a more dry ink. For me I was using Pilot Iroshizuku in both cases. Also what paper were you using? That makes a difference to line width. I will have to pick up a crack scale like the one in your link.

[Bluey]

Typically, assuming all variables are equal,

Japanese EF < Western EF .... = Western F

Japanese F < Western F .... = Western M

Japanese M = Western M

Japanese B = Western B

 

 

Much depends upon wetness though.

Add 1 size for the very wet pen and subtract 1 size for very dry pen. Thus wet Pilot Falcon SEF = F. Very dry Platinum SF = EF

Edited July 10, 2017 by Bluey

[Driften]

I just did a check with some pens on Rhodia paper comparing to the Richard Binder stroke width chart using a AGFA 8x Loop.

Pilot 92 #5 nib FM 0.4

Pilot MR Steel M 0.4

Pilot Vanishing Point M 0.6

Sailor 14k 1911 MF 0.4

Platinum 3776 Century SF 0.3

 

Some western nibs

Franklin-Christoph steel #6 F 0.5 (matches factory specs)

Pelikan M215 F 0.5

Pelikan M200 M 0.6

Lamy 2000 F 0.5

Franklin-Christoph Masuyama custom #5 M stub 0.6 (spec is 0.7)

[FriendAmos]

There are lots of comments like "Japanese M is western F" or something like this.

If possible, please offer some exact measurements using a crack scale.

 

I checked my Pilot/Sailor/Platinum nibs using the same ink (Pelikan 4001 Brilliantschwarz-brilliant black), comparing identical characters. Hope it helps someone.

 

Pilot F: 0.40 mm

Pilot M: 0.45 mm

Pilot B: 0.50 mm

 

On what pen(s) was the test done? The B on my Pilot Custom 845 is way broader than that and pretty much like a "Western" B nib. Earlier I got a BB on the assumption that it would be like a "Western" B and then found it to be too broad.

[mke]

Pilot Custom 74 for the Pilots

[LostArk]

I would guess that Platinum M is like Sailor/Pilot F. I think I had that feeling when I wrote with that nib.

 

 

This is the reason I bought a 3776 in M rather than F. According to the actual nib tipping chart, Platinum M is like Sailor MF? I also saw this review where the person states it is very fine for an M. I owned a Sailor F once upon a time, and it gave me the impression of nothing special / too fine. I have high hopes for the Platinum M!

[jar]

Remember nib widths are each a range. At the extremes of each range there can even be overlap. It is very common for a fine and medium to put down the same line or for two of the same widths to put down entirely different line widths.

[Driften]

Remember nib widths are each a range. At the extremes of each range there can even be overlap. It is very common for a fine and medium to put down the same line or for two of the same widths to put down entirely different line widths.

 

Very true! Especially with some makers like Pelikan.

[Driften]

Pilot Custom 74 for the Pilots

Both my Vanishing point and Pilot Custom 74 M nibs are putting out a 0.6mm line. They are both very wet nibs and could be a 0.5 with a dry ink or if they were modified to be less wet.

[mke]

On what kinds of paper should I test?

What do you recommend?