Fountain Pen Nib Size Overview

If you’ve gotten into fountain pens even a little bit, you know that one of the best and most confusing things about them is the ability to select different nib sizes. You can personalize your experience which is amazing, but there is an inherent challenge in that just about every company has a different standard, like shopping for women’s dress sizes. It’s different from every brand, and even across pen models within a brand!

So, what are the differences between Japanese and Western nibs? There are a lot of comments online about what the difference actually are, or that Japanese nibs write finer, but this video is here to help clarify.

Timestamps:
Where Nibs Come From - (0:35)
Japanese Companies - (0:48)
Japanese Nibs - (0:59)
Western Companies - (1:29)
Non Specific Brand Nibs - (1:42)
Other Countries That Make Their Own Nibs - (2:09)
Comparing FP Nibs - (2:15)
Nib Nook - (2:43)
Shopping For A Fountain Pen? - (2:57)
Outro - 3:30

[theresehoney]

I'm so glad to learn that you have a chart that compares the nib width! I like a wide nib, but didn't want to make an investment in a nice pen until I could learn more.

[chemikalfluffy]

For anyone curious about what he write at 1:17-
"きょう、としょかんにいきました。” = "kyou, toshokan ni ikimashita" = "today, I went to the library"

[bronaghmurphy]

I love the editing of this video it makes it much easier to watch then the most recent videos

[davideselmin]

With your videos you are doing great. This is one of the most useful.

[francoisbelangerboisclair]

Interesting that explain why I prefer Japanese fine nib. For me Lamy fine is what I consider a medium nib. But it could be better if the company use a standard.

[MarcellHobbs]

Wonderful information! I find myself owning too many (and still growing) pens as experience different nib sizes in different brands. Currently TWSBI, Lamy, Sailor, Pilot, BENU, Kaweco, etc. 🖋 Thank you!

[Ken-wzvy]

The Nib Nook is a great idea, along with being a great reference tool. THANK YOU!
Great video.

[CeloCipolla]

Always useful, always very easy to catch! Thanks'lot Brian/ Goulet Team!!

[c.l.]

I'd been wondering about that, thank you Brian! I was thinking of getting one of the Goulet nibs for my Jinhao X750... now I know what to get on my next order.

[The-Growroom]

the nib nook is SO helpful thank you so much for it!!

[TonyThimble]

"Today, I went to the library."
Nice handwriting on that! Not textbook, like my sensei wanted us to write but nice overall.

[kk]

I've been slowly building my collection for about six months now, and I have a total of ten. I have the Pilot Varsity set, a ZenZoi bamboo pen that I got for Christmas, a Pilot Metropolitan (my favorite), and I just got a Lamy Safari gift set for my birthday. I prefer a fine nib for taking notes in class (it doesn't bleed through standard notebook paper as much), but the medium is great for journaling and various art projects.

[kaziiqbal]

I find it interesting that German nibs are a bit broader than Japanese nibs. I was doing a writing sample with my X750 (yeah, it’s Chinese but it falls into the general rule) and I was writing the lyrics to Ode to Joy and I was having a lot of trouble writing the umlauts because of the broadness of the line and it weird because that would be a fine in something like a Pelikan or a Lamy. Maybe it’s my writing speed or just how small I write.

[TarantulaStore]

one of the best useful video .
thanks very much .

[LOVEGODFEARSIN]

Can you please guide me as to where can I buy a spare extra nibs. I am from India and a new fountain pen enthusiast

[yourpalcal]

"Finer point questions" - i see what you did there Brian

[ivinbabu]

The nib nook is very helpful. Thank you

[LOVEGODFEARSIN]

Your channel is superb and very informative

[baegcikny]

Not addressed here, but I would also like to know about nib size numbering systems. For example, I see discussion about #5, #5.5 or #6 nibs (and Noodler's makes a pen that takes a #2 nib). I'm guessing this is a measure of diameter of the curve, and you can't put a #6 nib into a pen that takes a #5 nib, but I can't find info on this with my google searches so far.

[lisa]

I bought a Pilot pen in 82 fro. FAHRNEYS IN DC. Could never use it, now I know why. Still have it. Need to swap it out.