DISCLAIMER UPDATE (6/24/22): TWSBI and Narwhal have released a joint statement which I cover in my most recent TWSBIgate post. While not completely satisfied with TWSBI’s response to the situation, I no longer feel the need to dissuade people from purchasing their products.
DISCLAIMER (5/1/22): Since writing this post, TWSBI has been involved in some unsavory actions, and I am currently boycotting them. For more information, refer to the #twsbigate tag page.
After the fun I had with The Fountain Pens Tag post, I decided to jump on the round 2 version that’s been going around. Except this time I’m just focusing on nibs.
This post is inspired by Heather Austin‘s video THE PALETTE TAG ROUND 2 | ALL ABOUT EYESHADOWS! In that video, she credits Samantha March and Allie Glines with coming up with the idea.
1. All Time Favorite Nib
Hands down, my Spencerian Nib from StyloSuite. I love how smooth it is for such a fine point. I plan to buy another one at BWIPS this weekend. Les, keep up the amazing work!
2. New Favorite Nib
I loved an oblique dip nib I had, and tried making my own. I got the angle a bit wrong, and never bothered making another. Finally, last month, I had Damien of All in the Nib grind a Jowo F into an oblique. The angle is much better suited to me, and I love writing with it — so much so that I put it in one of my “always inked” pens. It provides a more obvious character to your writing than cursive italics, without the width of stubs.
3. Nib You Keep For The Memories
I’ll admit, this one is cheating a bit, but the Stipula T-flex on my Etruria Rainbow Prisma 88. I say cheating since it’s not a nib I could choose to get rid of, as it belongs to a pen. But, I can’t get rid of that pen, it means so much. If you don’t know that story, I suggest you check it out.
4. Underrated Nib
I don’t know that it’s truly “underrated,” but I love the President nib on my Platinum Izumo Kurikara Ken, and it doesn’t seem to get very much recognition. The F I have is, as one would expect, roughly equal to a western EF. There’s a teensy bit of feedback, just enough to give you a bit of traction. There may be times when I want zero feedback (see #7), but there are also times I enjoy the slight bit of tooth.
5. Not A Favorite But Can’t Get Rid Of
I received my Esterbrook J Dubonnet Red as a gift three years ago at BWIPS. It “came” with a 9668 nib. While perfectly fine, it didn’t do much for me. I ended up swapping it out for a 1461 nib, which is much more in line with my preferences. But, as the 9668 was part of the original gift, I can never get rid of it.
6. Fave Nib Grind
As of now, my favorite grind is the cursive italic. I enjoy the crispness, the bit of personality, it gives to my writing. However, I think the oblique may overtake the cursive italic. I’ve put it in an “always inked” pen, after all.
7. 2021 Favorite Nib
Honestly, the Spencerian is my true 2021 favorite. But to give a different nib a nod, I’m going to go with the nib on my Namiki Yukari Rock Garden. I don’t think it has a special name, but, if it does, let me know in the comments. Like I said in #4, sometimes I enjoy zero feedback. This particular nib skates along the page, almost seeming to magically deposit ink without touching the page.
8. Didn’t Expect To Love
Anyone who’s been here for a while know what I think of the nib on the Pilot Custom 74. The short version is that a pen I bought to fill a “hole” in my collection (the orange Custom 74), turned out to be a favorite.
9. Nib That Sparks Joy
You didn’t really think I’d get through a nib post without mentioning the TWSBI 580 nib, did you? I’ve mentioned, many many times over, how much I love those nibs. They’re wet & smooth, my idea of perfection.
10. Newest Nib In Your Collection
After seeing one on the Goulet Nation Facebook group, I bought a ZT5E from Flexible Nib Factory, a TWSBI housing for a Zebra G flex dip nib. I really enjoy the Zebra G, so I look forward to using it. It only arrived a couple of days ago, so I haven’t had a chance to really use it yet.
11. First nib used in 2022
I’m not 100% certain. However, I have only one item in my notebook dated 1/1/22, and it was written with the TWSBI Diamond Mini Black, so I’m going to go with that.
This was a lot of fun. If you decide to answer these questions, tag me, because I’d love to see. Or, answer in the comments. What do you think of my answers? Let me know!
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