Gold nibs vs steel nibs vs steel with iridium

[pennut]

I have always made the assumption that 14 karat or 18 karat gold nibs make a pen worth more and also write better than steel or steel with iridium. After learning more I am certainly questioning my long held assumption. I know flexibility of any type of nib can vary and influence how one might like it as well whether the nib is F M or wide. When buying a new pen I seem to reject buying a pen if it is doesn't have a gold nib with the exception of the Waterman Philias pens which are iridium tipped steel. So I am just wondering how much the gold vs steel issue is really an "issue" with folks on this site.

Edited February 20, 2009 by pennut

[Titivillus]

I've had amazing steel nibs and I've had bad gold nibs so I'd take it as a case by case trial.

 

[Chazzozz]

I've had amazing steel nibs and I've had bad gold nibs so I'd take it as a case by case trial.

 

This is very true. Nibs can be as individual as the hands that write with them.

[ebwatt]

Ultimately the major differences between nibs will be the result of the initial manufacturing quality combined with the care they've received. However, the material a pen is made of obviously makes a difference. Many people feel that gold is more responsive than steel. Specifically, they find that solid gold nibs 'learn' the writing style of their user thus becoming easier to use over time. Steels nibs don't tend to have this reputation.

 

The other advantage of gold nibs is that gold is relatively non-reactive metal and therefore much less likely to corrode as a result of contact with ink. This is true of both solid gold nibs and goldplated nibs. For users who take good care of their pens, this really isn't a big issue because the nib isn't left to rot in a puddle of ink.

 

As for iridium, this mainly impacts the longevity of the nib. I don't think any gold nibs are NOT iridium-tipped. This is because gold is too soft and would quickly wear away if it was in direct contact with paper everytime you wrote. Almost all modern steel nibs are iridium-tipped and many vintage ones too. If the nib doesn't have iridium it will wear down more quickly.

 

For a more in depth and informed discussion of this subject check out this page on Richard Binders web site - Nib Materials

Edited February 20, 2009 by ebwatt

[John Cullen]

I like steel nibs and if given the choice would probably sometimes opt for that. When Kevin was selling the raw ebonite Danitrio pens he was nice enough to sell me two with steel nibs. The steel nib price made it easy to afford two pens. I do not regret the purchase. Dani trio medium steel nibs, in my experience, are very nice, though firm. I guess I would say they are somewhat like the Phileas nib.

 

If Stipula offered their Etrurias with steel nibs that were excellent and one hundred dollars or so less than the price of that model with a gold nib, I would probably get one with a steel nib.

 

I have never tried the Visconti Pericles (sp?) steel nib, but supposedly it was excellent.

 

j

[someonesdad]

I would hazard a guess that the mechanics of a nib could be made as a person likes, whether the material is gold, steel, or another metal. They are all used (or should be!) in the regions of nice linear elastic behavior. Given the incentive, I'd think a mechanical designer could construct a nib of a given material to respond a particular way. This, of course, could be a lot of work with modeling software and then trial and error. Thus, from a first-order physics standpoint, I suspect the material isn't important. Gold was probably chosen more for its corrosion resistance than its mechanical properties. Now gold is probably chosen because customers think it's better because it costs more and manufacturers probably like it because they might be able to get higher margins from it.

 

The rare-earth tipping is a different consideration. I've never worked with the particular rare earths used, so I don't know if attaching them to gold is any easier or harder than to steel. I would imagine not, at least with the right equipment. For example, in very clean high vacuum conditions, it can sometimes be difficult to keep different metals from sticking together (I mean permanently sticking together!) -- I've seen aluminum and stainless steel gall together. Clean stainless to stainless is a well-known no-no to high vacuum engineers.

 

Thus, my engineering judgement (yep, that's the way I spell it even though I'm not British) says that the nib material isn't terribly important (from a feel/elasticity perspective). I've found this borne out in practice -- my favorite pens have steel nibs and the fancy, expensive pens with gold nibs sit in the drawer... Of course, YMMV...

[gyasko]

I will say one thing in defense of gold: it's much easier to work with in the event of nib-bending accident. It's well-nigh impossible to get a kink completely out of a steel nib, but it's not that hard to do with a gold nib.

 

Then again, it's cheaper to replace a steel nib...

[wykpenguin]

For the same reason that plastic is more expensive when call precision resin, nibs are more expensive in gold.

 

From a utilitarian standpoint, gold and gold plated do seem to be more corrosion resistant. After all, stainless steel does eventually rust.

 

As for gold nibs "adapting to the writer's hand" faster than steel nibs. That's just ---- ----. Nibs were tipped very early on. Any 1960s pen would be tipped with "iridium" so unless manufacturers were consistently putting softer "iridium" onto gold nibs, it is unlikely that gold nibs would adapt faster. What might be true was that gold nibs put on more expensive pens and might be designed to be more springy than steel nibs which were designed for daily use. Hence the myth that gold nibs write better.

 

I have yet to see an answer for the million dollar question "what is iridium tipping?" I have been told that initially pens were tipped with pure iridium (element no.77), then manufacturers changed to alloys of iridium. As alloy science progressed hard, inert alloys became cheaper and the iridium in iridium tipping diminished, but the name stayed. Personally, I don't think there is any iridium in iridium tips anymore. I would be happy to sponsor some nibs from different decades should anyone want to conduct a elemental analysis of tipping material over the century.

 

 

[downwiththepc27]

I've used gold and steel nibs, and tend to prefer the gold nibs. It's not because they're more "flexible". Gold nibs really cannot be that flexible. Gold is a very malleable metal, but that's not the same thing as springiness. A malleable metal like gold would just bend and stay bent went subjected to pressure. It wouldn't flex, and I doubt that the alloying materials can provide much flex either. Also, if you think about it, almost all nibs today are tipped - meaning that only the tipping material comes into contact with the paper and provides feedback and the overall writing experience. I believe that gold and steel nibs, at least from the same manufacturer, have the same tipping material, meaning the same thing touching the paper. The one reason I prefer gold nibs is because they are of higher quality. Not because of the materials, but because of the workmanship. Gold nibs are generally on more high end pens, and are either hand made or hand finished, resulting in a nib superior to a machined nib. The material isn't what makes the difference. The workmanship does.

Edited February 20, 2009 by downwiththepc27

[Titivillus]

Many people feel that gold is more responsive than steel. Specifically, they find that solid gold nibs 'learn' the writing style of their user thus becoming easier to use over time. Steels nibs don't tend to have this reputation.

 

I will tone down my language of this reply to prevent another PM from a moderator about my language even though the board software censor was working in full force so no bad language was being seen

 

I believe that this is urban pen myth number 1 and a pile of fetid dingoe's kidneys

 

It's a feeling only since if a pen's nib learned or formed to a writer's style over time then lots of vintage nibs would be useless for present day writers as they would be molded to another's hand. I find this to be untrue as vintage nibs are amazing.

 

The feel might be more the person adapting to the pen or maybe some manufacturer dross & oil being flushed out over time.

 

 

K

 

 

 

[Pendragon]

I have yet to see an answer for the million dollar question "what is iridium tipping?" I have been told that initially pens were tipped with pure iridium (element no.77), then manufacturers changed to alloys of iridium. As alloy science progressed hard, inert alloys became cheaper and the iridium in iridium tipping diminished, but the name stayed. Personally, I don't think there is any iridium in iridium tips anymore. I would be happy to sponsor some nibs from different decades should anyone want to conduct a elemental analysis of tipping material over the century.

You might find this article informative.

[hamadryad11]

Personally, I think gold nibs are overrated and inflate the price of pens needlessly, especially the 18K nibs. I tend to like pens with steel nibs, although I don't reject gold nibs out of hand.

[Inked]

Hello

I own a number of different pens from different mnfg's as many do.

In my early days of learning about Fountain pens I was attracted to Lamy as I have always admired their simplistic /purist design. I signal out this brand as I have had both stainless steel and gold nibs from them.

I started with a stainless steel CP with a s/s nib. Then I moved on to a Persona with a medium 18kt and fine 14kt nib. Finally I could not resist the ceramic and gold fusion and said yes to a Lamy Lady with a 14kt medium nib.

 

I definetly loved my s/s CP and still have it and use it. The nib is as good and intact as it was when it came across the counter 20yrs ago? Even though me and my friend have spent much time together, it is much less forgiving when pushed and shoved on paper than my gold nibs from the same house. The 18kt medium is wonderful with nice flex.

I prefer the 14kt nibs though, as I am a light writer and they seem to find the middle ground between me and the page.

 

I am sure it all comes down to individual style and taste, but that is my perspective and experience.

 

Inked

 

 

 

[pennut]

I really want to thank everyone who responded to my original question. This is just great information and I learned much that is so helpful. I did not realize that all or at least most all the nibs are covered (covered or tipped? - still a little confused about this) with iridium. I realize I really have had a bias for the 14 karat or 18 karat nibs and probably have overlooked some real gems because of this. Again, thanks so much.

[ebwatt]

I really want to thank everyone who responded to my original question. This is just great information and I learned much that is so helpful. I did not realize that all or at least most all the nibs are covered (covered or tipped? - still a little confused about this) with iridium.

 

Tipped. Just the little bit that actually touches the paper.

[georges zaslavsky]

I can't remember a single bad gold nib I have had neither a single bad steel nib with iridium that I had.

[Hugh200au]

I have gold nibs, gold plated nibs and steel nibs in varying quality and condition. To me steel nibs are "stronger" and seem better able to handle "rougher" times while still delivering an acceptable ( and at times a very good) writing experience. Gold plated, well are really just coloured steel and not worth any extra expense. Gold nibs seem "softer" to me, look better and I prefer them to write with... as well as the "snob" in me telling me gold!!gold!! gold!!......

Regards

Hugh

[Hugh200au]

Many people feel that gold is more responsive than steel. Specifically, they find that solid gold nibs 'learn' the writing style of their user thus becoming easier to use over time. Steels nibs don't tend to have this reputation.

 

I will tone down my language of this reply to prevent another PM from a moderator about my language even though the board software censor was working in full force so no bad language was being seen

 

I believe that this is urban pen myth number 1 and a pile of fetid dingoe's kidneys

 

It's a feeling only since if a pen's nib learned or formed to a writer's style over time then lots of vintage nibs would be useless for present day writers as they would be molded to another's hand. I find this to be untrue as vintage nibs are amazing.

 

The feel might be more the person adapting to the pen or maybe some manufacturer dross & oil being flushed out over time.

 

 

K

 

"fetid dingoe's kidneys"...this is heavy stuff!! The dingo, loved by "greenies", government officals and an Australian native animal protected by law !!! You do realize that to harm a dingo in Australia , especially it's kidneys, would land you in jail for years...far longer that shooting somebody or importing drugs and nearly as long as cutting down a tree . You have to be a mass murderer to spend more time behind bars than cutting down trees.... so if you come to Australia you now know the rules..... :roflmho:

A bemused Hugh!!

 

[EricB]

Many people feel that gold is more responsive than steel. Specifically, they find that solid gold nibs 'learn' the writing style of their user thus becoming easier to use over time. Steels nibs don't tend to have this reputation.

 

I will tone down my language of this reply to prevent another PM from a moderator about my language even though the board software censor was working in full force so no bad language was being seen

 

I believe that this is urban pen myth number 1 and a pile of fetid dingoe's kidneys

 

It's a feeling only since if a pen's nib learned or formed to a writer's style over time then lots of vintage nibs would be useless for present day writers as they would be molded to another's hand. I find this to be untrue as vintage nibs are amazing.

 

The feel might be more the person adapting to the pen or maybe some manufacturer dross & oil being flushed out over time.

 

 

K

 

 

 

 

 

I would think that it's more likely that a person is subconsciously "learning" the subtle nuances of the nib, and the nib is actually teaching you it's secrets. This seems like a more logical answer than the premature wearing of the tip of the nib, as it would eventually wear the nib down to nothing, like (bleep) more or less stated. I have no doubts about the gold being more responsive than steel, as our preconceived notions about the mystique of gold raises our expectations of the material to almost godlike status, capable of anything. Steel? Blah, it's just a plain dumb iron, can't do anything right!

 

After saying that, I have to say that the stainless steel nib of my Initial feels like it's strong enough to punch through a phone book, whereas my 14K nib of my MB 144 feels like I'm writing on fine crystal with a ball of mercury on the tip of the nib. Must be the spell of gold overtaking my reasoning and numbing my senses.

[Glenn-SC]

Stainless steel has a Young's Modulus (a measure of stiffness) over twice that of gold (190-200 GPa vs 78 GPa).

So with two nibs of about the same thickness, the SS Nib would be much stiffer than gold.

 

Hence, I prefer gold nibs as they are less stiff (call it softer if you want).

 

I, personally, have never met a flexible SS nib.

I have some SS nibs that write very well, hard as a nail, but smooth (enough) and with a good line.

SS nibs tend to be tiring to me (can't write a long time with them).