{"id":5207,"date":"2021-08-20T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=5207"},"modified":"2024-01-15T14:06:27","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T19:06:27","slug":"nib-mini-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/nib-mini-reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Nib Mini Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

I picked up five nibs at the 2021 DC Pen Show<\/a>. Of those, one was a standard Jowo #6 with a horned skull engraved on it from Carolina Pen Co<\/a>. While it’s a fun nib, since it doesn’t have any modifications beyond the engraving, I’m not including it in this review. But here’s a fun picture. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Skull<\/a>
Such a great combo. \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cursive Italics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before the DC Pen Show, I sent Damien of All in the Nib<\/a> two #6 Jowos, one F, one M, to grind down to cursive italics. The plan was for me to pick them up at the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, all went according to plan. Damien had my nibs ready for me, and I installed the M in my new Mythic Pens<\/a> Aeschylus and the F in the Opus 88 Demonstrator that got left without a nib when I moved the Spencerian to my new Iron Feather Creative<\/a> pen. They’re great nibs \u2014 a little different than whoever did the Sailor cursive italic I bought secondhand, but that may be the difference between gold and steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Medium<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Damien’s M cursive italic is wet without being sloppy, and crisp without snagging paper. What I especially love is the large, flat surface on the reverse that’s perfect for underlines or coloring in areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fine<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The F cursive italic seems to be even wetter, showing some good shading. The flat surface on the reverse, however, is significantly drier than the medium. But, since this is hardly a nib made for reverse writing, I can’t complain. UPDATE: Turns out the angle for the F reverse is just lower than the angle for the M reverse. See the writing samples below. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Honestly, they’re both 10\/10, would 100% recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cursive<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Spencerian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Spencerian\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back in the mists of time \u2014 maybe 4.5-5 years ago \u2014 I discovered the Zebra G dip nib. That was the start of my search for a similar-performing fountain pen nib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tried many over the years, but it wasn’t until the 2020 Baltimore Pen Show that I tried the Stylo Suite<\/a> Spencerian nib that I found what I wanted. It was love at first flex. But, I’d already expended my budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“No problem,” I thought, “I’ll buy one at the 2020 DC Pen Show.” Humans make plans, and the gods laugh. *sigh*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But now, 1.5 years later (ish) I own one of Les’ Spencerian nibs. And it is EVERYTHING<\/strong> I wanted it to be. It’s perfection. The line variation is magnificent, going from hairline to about 1.5mm with ease. It’s also surprisingly smooth considering how fine the point is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even writing quickly, the nib keeps up, both without pressure and flexing some. Granted, it’s virtually impossible to flex much when writing at my normal speed, but take a look at the writing sample. I like it so much, I’d 100% buy another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spencerian<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Extra Fine X Wing Harpoon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"X<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After writing with my Spencerian and fondling my ARTUS<\/a> a bit on Pen Show Saturday evening, I decided I wanted a nib that was more special than the standard 14K it came with. So, I went back to Les, and re-tested his nibs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Extra Fine X Wing Harpoon was my favorite after the Spencerian. The line variation isn’t as impressive, but it’s still pretty good, ranging from about a Japanese EF to about 1.2mm with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a better nib for lighter colored inks, since it’s a bit wetter. The X Wing is capable of keeping up with fast writing, and more easily offers light flexing. It’s a tad softer than the Spencerian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a teensy bit of feedback, but nothing uncomfortable, or anything close to what I’d consider scratchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the Spencerian, I think the X Wing is proof that Les is a genius. 10\/10, would recommend to flex nib lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"X<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mini reviews of the nibs I picked up at the 2021 DC Pen Show. Really just a chance to extol the virtues of a couple of nibmeisters.<\/p>\n

Keep ReadingNib Mini Reviews<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5334,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[195,264,221,325,335,265],"class_list":["post-5207","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fountain-pens","tag-2021-dc-pen-show","tag-all-in-the-nib","tag-carolina-pen-co","tag-nib-reviews","tag-nibs","tag-stylo-suite","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/nibReviews-IGSm.jpg?fit=288%2C288&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-1lZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15610,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/nib-appreciation\/","url_meta":{"origin":5207,"position":0},"title":"Nib Design Appreciation Post","author":"Rachel","date":"July 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I'm long overdue to give you a nib porn post. 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