what do those numbers on the nibs mean?

[manilaboyscribe]

hi everyone

i was just wondering what those numbers on the nibs mean?

doeas anyone have a picture or guide to show the differences in the differently numbered nibs?

thanks:)

[Richard]

hi everyone

i was just wondering what those numbers on the nibs mean?

doeas anyone have a picture or guide to show the differences in the differently numbered nibs?

thanks:)

In general, the numbers on vintage nibs indicate the physical size of the nib and have nothing to do with tip size, style, or shape.

 

Other numbers such as 14K, 14Kt, or 585 indicate the gold content.

[LBpens]

To complicate matters further, the numbers vary from maker to maker so you have to know what Wahl 4 means as opposed to say Waterman 4.

[manilaboyscribe]

thanks for enlightening me, richard and lbpens:)

so the higher the number on the wahl nibs, the bigger the nib is, right?

[LBpens]

thanks for enlightening me, richard and lbpens:)

so the higher the number on the wahl nibs, the bigger the nib is, right?

 

right

 

[mandragoru]

thanks for enlightening me, richard and lbpens:)

so the higher the number on the wahl nibs, the bigger the nib is, right?

 

And, speaking about pens, size does matter!

[manilaboyscribe]

haha

i wish there was a guide somewhere

i kinda like big nibs:)

[Wahlnut]

The question of Wahl nib numbering has come up before. The Wahl nib numbers run from smallest to largest "0" "2" "3" "4" "5" and "6" The "0" went on the mini pens (the smallest purse pens, ring tops and later the and bantams. The odd numbers (#3, and #5( seem to bo more often found on the All Metal Wahls and corresponded with the commensurate, in-between pen sizes in that era.

 

Whilea wide range of nibs was probably available in all but the "0" size, the complete array of nib styles was probably only available in the sizes shown below (#2, @4, and #6) There may also be some #8s out there, but they were usually on Warranted nibs.

 

Here is a copy of the early Wahl nib line-up from the early late teens and into the early20's.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/wahlnut/scan0001.jpg http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/wahlnut/scan0002.jpg

 

Here are pages from 1925-27

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/wahlnut/P1220270.jpg http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/wahlnut/1925WahlCatalogNibs2.jpg

 

And here is the Personal Point page from 1929. Note that there were no "Personal-Points" in #2 size...only #4 and $#6. Also note that the nib size numbers that were always there in the earlier days are not put on the Gold Seal nibs.

 

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a75/wahlnut/1929PersonalPointsand2nibs.jpg

 

I do not know if these will come up large ebough to read on the forum, but you can copy them to whatever image viewer you have that can blow them up for closer inspection

 

These pages demostrate that in each nib size there are a wide variety of nib styles from extra fine to stub.

 

The sizes run pretty true from one major brand to another during these eras. A Sheaffer or a Waterman #2 is the same size (or at least so close and they are interchangeable). That is, a Wahl #2 will fit a Waterman#2 application and vice versa. Seems to be true for #4, and #6 also.

 

Later nibs, like the wide variety of "Eversharp" nibs (nibs put on pens after the Wahl Company was absolutely sure that the "Wahl" branding name was no longer necessary to separate/insulate their pen line from their Eversharp Pencil line). Even later nibs like the late Doric and Coronets with the slot breather hole that carried over with some minor design modification to the Skyline era (and which inaccurately has gotten the hole gamut of these nibs labelled "skyline " came in 2 or 3 sizes pnly with many styles. Some of these nibs did carry size numbers but only on the shank where they are not visible when in the section. Much more info is available, but maybe this will help some.

 

I hope this helps

Syd

Edited December 23, 2008 by Wahlnut

[manilaboyscribe]

wow!

thanks syd:)

very informative:)