Formula for Selecting a Nib Size

[jonro]

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

[JimStrutton]

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

 

The nearest thing that I know of to a formula is the nibs selection section of Richards Pens There are loads of samples to download that give some good writing examples.

 

Jim

[vreeves]

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

 

 

No formula can be applied to this. Different pens have a different feel in different nib sizes. The only way is to try out pens in different nib sizes and then decide. M nib is the safest option, though it's a little wide for most people, while F nib is closer to most people's natural handwriting size but is not as smooth. B nib is mostly for signatures and short notes or letters.

[kubalai]

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

 

 

No formula can be applied to this. Different pens have a different feel in different nib sizes. The only way is to try out pens in different nib sizes and then decide. M nib is the safest option, though it's a little wide for most people, while F nib is closer to most people's natural handwriting size but is not as smooth. B nib is mostly for signatures and short notes or letters.

 

Interesting point on a B nib being mainly for signatures etc. I was thinking of an OB starwalker over the OM starwalker.

 

[yachtsilverswan]

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

 

Maybe you mean this:

 

Write out the alphabet in small case letters, using your normal sized handwriting - the size in which you write most often. Miniscules are small case letters without ascenders or descenders: a,c,e,m,n,o,r,s,u,v,w

 

Carefully measure the height of each miniscule in millimeters and average the series.

 

Divide the average height of your miniscules by 5 to get the line width (not nib width) of the nib that should produce classically proportionate handwriting without filling in your loops.

 

If you like a bolder handwriting, add 0.2 mm to the calculation. If you like a finer look, subtract 0.2 mm.

 

Remember this calculation applies to line width, not nib width - because nibs of the same width but differing shapes can lay down lines of differing width. I prefer a 0.9 mm broad line for daily writing.

Edited March 12, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[Gran]

Ray, this is interesting. Making up phrases out of the miniscules, it's easy to test the nibs to see what's comfortable. Thanks much.

[jonro]

Thanks, Ray. That's exactly what I was looking for. Now to pull out my calipers to do some precise measuring.

 

Jon

 

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

 

Maybe you mean this:

 

Write out the alphabet in small case letters, using your normal sized handwriting - the size in which you write most often. Miniscules are small case letters without ascenders or descenders: a,c,e,m,n,o,r,s,u,v,w

 

Carefully measure the height of each miniscule in millimeters and average the series.

 

Divide the average height of your miniscules by 5 to get the line width (not nib width) of the nib that should produce classically proportionate handwriting without filling in your loops.

 

If you like a bolder handwriting, add 0.2 mm to the calculation. If you like a finer look, subtract 0.2 mm.

 

Remember this calculation applies to line width, not nib width - because nibs of the same width but differing shapes can lay down lines of differing width. I prefer a 0.9 mm broad line for daily writing.

 

[Robert Hughes]

Wow. People measuring the length of their descenders. Sounds like a porn site!

 

Actually Ray's nib size determination sounds pretty reasonable to me. But I'm more empirical - if I can't read it, either I'm writing too small or I've had too much coffee. Which brings up another crucial question: should I go with a broader or narrower nib after 3 cups? Jitter is, after all, another form of noise...

[ruud2904]

The formula works out for me. I ended up with 6mm size letters and I like bold writing, in conclusion that should be a 1.4mm width, matching a BB nib. That is exactly my favorite nib size.

[openionated]

OK, somebody translate all this for me.

 

I did the formula that yachtsilverswan posted and came up with an approximated 0.6mm line width. How do I translate that to a cursive italic nib width if I wanted to order one?

[scrawlysteve]

I thought there was a thread on this topic a while back. Is there a formula based on the number of letters you write per inch, or something along those lines, that will tell you what size nib is best for your typical handwriting?

 

 

No formula can be applied to this. Different pens have a different feel in different nib sizes. The only way is to try out pens in different nib sizes and then decide. M nib is the safest option, though it's a little wide for most people, while F nib is closer to most people's natural handwriting size but is not as smooth. B nib is mostly for signatures and short notes or letters.

 

I agree totally with first 3 sentences...not so sure about the rest...some of us with.. how shall I say...."undistinguished" handwriting find a broad, a stub. an italic, whatever ... helps with the aesthetics.

BTW--are you Vic ?