Fountain Pen Nib Sizes: Finding the Right Tips for Your Writing Style

Fountain pens are a wonderful writing tool to have around. Not only do they look elegantly classic, but they are also great for writing and signing documents. The fountain pen’s nib is the most remarkable part of the pen and determines how the ink will be delivered from the pen to the paper. Different fountain pen nib sizes and designs would result in different feels on how the ink will be deposited to the paper.

A fountain pen’s nib is a very important part of the pen since without it, writing will not be possible. They can be made with intricate designs or can be fairly simple, with varying tip sizes. There are also fountain pens that can be personalized with engraving such as the YSTUDIO Classic Revolve Portable Copper Fountain Pen which is a great portable pen that you can bring to the office or anywhere. Finding the right fountain pen with the right nib size that can work well for you and your handwriting type is a crucial step when looking for a fountain pen.

Since people have different handwriting styles, one pen nib size may work for one individual but may not feel good to use for another. Bigger nibs would produce a wider line while smaller nibs would produce finer lines. If you are left-handed, write small, or want your ink to dry faster, then finer nibs would be a great choice since they dispense less ink that can result in smearing.

On the other hand, wider or bigger nibs are a better choice for calligraphy or if you would like to write bigger letters. Since they dispense more ink, the letters are bolder and the writing is also smoother. However, bigger nibs also require a lot of hand control since there is more ink dispensed leading to smearing and ink blots. As such, 

Extra Fine (EF)

For light touch and precise writing, extra fine nibs are a great choice since they have a very thin point. This is perfect for very small handwriting or putting small details in drawings. One thing to note with extra fine tips, however, is that they can feel very scratchy when used since there is a very minimal amount of ink dispensed.

Fine (F)

Fine-sized nibs are great for everyday handwriting which is why a lot of fountain pens in the market have fine nib tips. They are suited for fast writing and taking small notes on the go. Since fine nibs dispense less ink, they dry faster compared to wider nibs.

Medium (M)

If you want an all-around pen but want a wider line than fine tips, then medium nib would be a great option. Medium nibs are also great for general writing since they produce just the right thickness and width of lines. They are less scratchy than fine nibs since they dispense more ink, but don’t cause smearing and bleeding when writing. However, compared to fine nibs, you would need good quality paper when using a medium nib fountain pen since cheaper papers tend to absorb ink too much which may cause blots on the paper.

Broad (B)

For wider lines that can be used for calligraphy, lettering, and journaling, broad nibs are the top choice. They deliver more ink which makes writing smoother and brighter due to the amount of ink dispensed. Since broad nibs use a lot of ink, you would need to use high-quality paper that won’t cause smudging or ink blotting. The key to using a broad nib pen is to make sure that you have the right ink and paper so your handwriting will be showcased effectively and beautifully.

Which Fountain Pen Nib Sizes Should I Choose?

If you can try out the different nib sizes before purchase, then that is the best way to check which one is the most comfortable for you to use. You can also consider the writing purpose that you have when picking out your pen. Are you going to use it for taking notes, journaling, or lettering? Different writing purposes would require a different type of nib size to produce the best results.

Another aspect that you can consider is your personal preference. Would you like thinner lines or thicker lines when writing? If you would like a cleaner and sleeker look, then fine nibs are the best option. However, if you want your writing to look bold and expressive, then medium to broad nibs would be a better choice.

Knowing the different fountain pen nib sizes would be a great way to know which fountain pen would suit your personal writing experience. Having the correct fountain pen nib size that would fit your handwriting style and preference would be a guarantee that you would love writing with your pen every time.