My 5 Favorite Fountain Pen Nibs

In this video I talk about my 5 favorite fountain pen nibs + I name 2 honorable mentions!
Favorite Nibs (all steel):
#1 - #6 JoWo Broad
#2 - Hongdian Fude
#3 - Lamy 1.5 Stub
#4 - #5 JoWo Broad
#5 - #5 JoWo Medium (on the Ecos)
Honorable Mentions:
1. Lamy Broad
2. Lamy Fine
Specific Pens and inks used in this video (nib holders lol):
1. Jinhao 159 orange/gold trim - B JoWo - Noodler's Golden Aspen
2. Hondian Forest Rainbow - Fude - Noodler's Cactus Fruit Eel
3. Lamy Safari Dark Lilac - 1.5 Stub - Noodler's Purple Mountain Majesties
4. Moonman Mini Wancai - B JoWo - Vinta Makopa
5. TWSBI Eco Lilac - M JoWo - Monteverde Birthday Cake
6. Lamy Safari Terra Red - B - Robert Oster Antelope Canyon
7. Lamy Safari Pink - F - Pilot Iroshizuku Tsutsuji
I'd love to hear about your favorite nibs! Let's carry on this conversation in the comments! I know there are many more interesting nibs out there ... most of which I have not yet tried. All the nibs mentioned here in this video were steel nibs.
My Instagram: / snowball7470
My pen email: [e-mail]

[@kikaykrafts]

I love the chattiness of this video! I’m going to go ahead and try the Fude nib soon. Thank you for sharing this collection of yours. Very helpful! 🌟 🌟 🌟

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi - it's great to "see" you here!!! I've been writing with a Brause Ornament size 4 and unless I'm mistaken (which I could be because I mix things up at times) I got the idea to purchase one from one of your videos. That nib is a lot of fun!!! Fude nibs are great ... they just really put the ink down and somehow complement my writing since I write big to start with!!!! :)

[@kikaykrafts]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Brause ornament nibs are fun. They seem to coax out funky features more than other dip pens. I got my fude and it should come in by today. A little excited to try it. 🌟

[@peterharris5387]

That was fun. Surprised that you had 3 Lamy nibs. From memory, you always express fondness for your TWSBI Go and the Moonman mini when they get into the monthly inked pens rota. My writing doesn't suit stub nibs but have recently got some Lamy compatible "architect" nibs from China and love the way these add line variation and shading.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Peter ... yes it's a real mind twister for me too because I had to make sure I was talking about nibs and not pen bodies .... nib holders .... and so anything that holds those #5 nibs I love (the broad ones especially) could be the pen but the specific nibs (JoWo) represented were #5 M (in TWSBI Eco) and #5 B (in Moonman Mini). That is interesting about the "architect" nibs ... those come up a lot in pen conversation and I've still yet to try one. :)

[@Flexperiments]

I quite like standard IPG nibs with flex modification! Great video!

[@lynnhayes5514]

All my favorite nibs! I love the HongDians, and my go tos are TWSBI B and stub as well as the Lamys B and stubs. I have several favorite mediums as well.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Lynn -- sounds like we have several favorite nibs in common! :)

[@johntaylor2054]

Hi Chris. Great to hear you love a broad nib, my Lamy 2k Oblique double broad is Just wonderous. Cheers

[@JannyHaak]

My most favorite nibs are Lamy B, M and F, Jowo #6 1.1 and 1.5, TWSBI Jowo #5 B and M. And my Visconti M. Not yet tried a Fude nib, but I would love to! Thanks for sharing, Chris! 😊

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Janny! Oh we do have some favorite nibs in common!!! :) I think you'd like the Fude nib if you like brush lettering ... in my opinion it's very easy to achieve a nice looking lettering with this nib!

[@JannyHaak]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Yes I do like brush lettering! Not very good at it, but I do like it! 🤣

[@jamesaritchie1]

All my favorite nibs are soft gold nibs. When writing from five to fifteen hours per day for decades, this is the only real choice, if you want to prevent hand fatigue, cramping, carpal tunnel, etc. That said, I do use several steel nib pens, and my favorites there are simple and easy All are as close to Japanese medium as I can find, and all are standard nibs. Even when using steel nibs, I don't use stub nibs, fude nibs, or any of the fountain pen nibs designed to change my writing. I might if I didn't use dip pens, but dip pens work so much better than anything found on a fountain pen that it's just better to use them. That said, I own some steel nibs, and have fun using them. I bought a lot of them because I was bored to death during the Covid lockdown, but I'm glad I did. The FPR ultra-flex with a matching feed is as good as it gets for fountain pen flex, and makes calligraphy fun, rather than torture. I still reach for a Crow Quill for some types of writing, but the FPR with a matching feed is a wonderful nib. Definitely a favorite. IF I HAD to use only one steel nib, the FPR Ultra in medium, with a matching feed, would be it. Cross would be my second favorite steel nib. Almost any Cross steel nib writes perfectly. Some are pretty expensive. I have one Cross steel nib on a five hundred dollar pen. The nib does have gold inlay, but it is still a steel nib. But even the cheap steel nibs on Cross pens are great. Many don't like Cross pens because almost none of them post, but this is actually the sign of a quality pen. Fountain pens write better with as much weight as possible down near the nib, and posting takes away from this, pocket pens, and pens made in Japan for the Japanese users, excluded. If it weren't for the American market, I doubt any pen would be made to post. Most Americans grow up using ballpoint or gel pens, and many of these have caps. Don't want to lose the small cap, post it. This habit carries over to fountain pens. Third in steel nibs would be TWSBI. I like the larger nib on the TWSBI 580 ALR more than the nib on the ECO, but the ECO nib still writes very well, and both are my have fun nibs. Medium is my favorite, but I have a couple of 580 fine nibs I can switch out. If TWSBI would put a soft gold nib on a pen, I'd buy a dozen of them in a second. Jowo makes wonderful nibs, and Jowo makes poor nibs. You kind of get what you pay for, and TWSBI pays for quality steel nibs. I assume they would do the same for gold Jowo nibs. Pilot comes next. Pilot makes all nibs in-house, from the cheapest steel nib up to the Namiki nibs, which are as close to perfect as a nib can get. I've only got a rough Pilot nib a couple of times out of a couple of hundred pens. Both on their cheap pens. While as a group, Cross and TWSBI beat out Pilot just slightly, I love most of the nibs that come on the Metropolitan. I have five Metro nibs that are as good as steel nibs get. The problem is that I had to buy more than Twenty-five Metropolitans to get these five perfect nibs. The other twenty or so had good nibs that I liked, which is why I use them for art pens, but these five are just spectacular. Pilot almost always gets it right, but sometimes they get it perfect, as with these five nibs. This last nib would be my favorite, but I have only two of them, and will likely never own another. Well, I have four, but two pens don't count because I put soft gold nibs on them. I did save the two nibs I removed, so I guess four really is correct, after all. I stopped buying Pens, and as much else as possible, from China a long time ago. I gave all I had away, or donated them to Goodwill, but I did save four Hongdian Fountain Pens with fine Nibs two with a green barrel, the other two with a blue barrel, and all with Cloisonne Flower Paintings on the barrels. These are heavy pens, which I love, they have screw on caps, which I prefer because they usually help keep the pens wet, and have spectacular steel nibs that are both smooth, and very soft for steel nibs. I love writing with these pens. I bought mine way back when they first came on the market, so I can't guarantee the nibs are still this good, but I love the nibs on mine. You can look at them here: www.amazon.com/dp/B088LLXQ62/?coliid=I2P9K0TSAXEJG&colid=2GS00KNA3HSX3&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1 But I'm not really a fan of steel nibs. They're all too stiff, except for the FPR Ultra and the weird Hongdian nib, and this makes hours long, day in and day out writing a lot less than pleasant. When you write twelve hours or more per day, stiff nibs, whether steel or gold, just don't make the grade. Even now that I write only five hours per day, plus three types of journaling in the evening, I NEED something other than a stiff nib. When I sit down to do lengthy, serious writing, I have to use a soft nib, and this means soft gold nibs. All my favorite nibs are soft gold nibs. This is pretty much a must when you write for a living, and your weapon of choice is a fountain pen. I was lucky enough to start using a soft gold nib when I was only seven, thanks to my grandpa and his old pen collection. He taught me the basics, and then I had another course on how to properly use a soft gold nib after I turned twenty-one, and it took some serious time to learn, even after all my grandpa taught me. But I have no doubt learning this saved me from a lot of hand pain, carpal tunnel, cramps, etc., and allowed me to write all those hours for decades. The easy part of using a soft gold nib, or a flex nib, is learning how to let the nib do the work. The hard part is learning how to write using your whole arm, meaning no fingers or wrist movement, and only touching the paper with the tip of your little finger. The longer you write with the side of your hand on the paper, the harder it is to learn how to write with only your little finger touching. The short of it is, all my favorite nibs are soft gold, starting with Namiki/Pilot first, Scribo second, Visconti third, Montegrappa fourth, and lastly what might be an odd choice to many, but it's Conway Stewart. Regardless of brand, regardless of whether it's steel or gold, I always want a standard nib that's as close to a Japanese medium as I can get. Think of a wet Pilot Metropolitan. Once I know I can get the kind of nib I want, I buy pens because I love something about the pen itself. With Namiki the reason is obvious. I carry the Bronze Age, and bought it, because I think it's the most beautiful business class pen on the market, and I love the fact that it's infused with lava. The Feel is perfectly named and feels like no other pen I've used. I love writing with it. On and on. A soft gold nib is essential, but after that comes beauty of the pen, or feel of the pen. when using it.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi James! I know I don't write anywhere near as many hours as you ... it's interesting to me that soft gold nibs are your nib of choice. I've long wondered if my habit of writing too fast may be what makes the springy/softer gold nibs difficult for me ... but I'm NOT at all sure about that half formulated theory of mine. I'm trying to write slower ... mostly when I need to write a ton very fast I type. But I greatly prefer hand writing for almost everything! I "catch" myself writing very fast and I think that's why I like super wet flowing inks/nibs but again I never slow down long enough to really look into this. I'm always onto the next letter or the next project. Those Hongdian pens you linked look very beautiful! I don't dare hope but do they have a #6 nib? I really enjoyed reading about your nib preferences and I will refer back to your post many times!!! Thank you!!!!

[@alsowentmyth]

I've been surprised at how much I keep returning to my Kaweco double broad nib.

[@ichirofakename]

Love mine too. Juicy.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi alsowentmyth -- actually I am writing with a new Kaweco Sport BB sent my a pen friend and I would not be surprised if that nib makes my top list eventually -- it's great. The only thing that stops me now is that I have another Kaweco BB that isn't a good nib! But I'm ecstatic about how the new one writes!

[@Elisabeth-bl1wi]

This was a great idea for a video. I enjoyed seeing your favorites. Thank you! I have a Narwhal #6 steel medium that makes me happy every time I use it.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Elisabeth! Many people have suggested Narwhal pens to me ... I need to look into them. :)

[@Deboraha5903]

Chris, I’m new to your channel. I love your approach and studies of nibs and inks. I’ve also found that you can get very different performance on different paper. I’ve heard you reference your CVS PAPER several times. I recently was on a quest for pen and ink that would not feature on checks’ crappy paper. Then for ink that would not dry out so quickly in my Lamy Dialog cc. Sailor Manyo Kakitsubata was the winner there. Lasted until I ran out of ink in the pen ( 1 month) instead of drying out daily. This might help with the pen you’re having trouble with. Thanks again!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Deborah -- thank you so much for the ink recommendation!!! And welcome to the channel!!!! :)

[@forgotMyUsername100]

fude is a lot of fun, they don't get enuf shout-outs :) My favorite nibs are all flex tho. If you're looking for something where you don't have to slow down as much, Pilot Falcon is fairly firm but still has a little line variation.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

hi forgotMyUsername100 -- cool I will look into Pilot Falcon ... I think pen friend Marilyn Darling has one of those ... I can't remember.

[@jamesaritchie1]

The Falcon nib really isn't a flex nib, and isn't called one by Pilot. It's an easy nib to ruin, if you aren't careful, but it can be fun. Flex nibs simply don't work in many types of writing such as I do, so the only flex nib I use is the FPR Ultra. If I want flex, I use dip pens. Dips pens can do things no fountain pen nib can do, and they're a lot of fun.

[@forgotMyUsername100]

@@jamesaritchie1 I love dip nibs, especially for flex. I suppose I should've called the Falcon a firmer semi-flex. It's definitely not my go-to for line variation, but nice for when I want to write fine with a dash of variation available.

[@ichirofakename]

Here's my FAVORITE 5 NIBS. Those who don't know me, note that I draw rather than write with my pens:: 1. Sailor 21k . My best. 2. Lamy . Unbelievably smooth. 3. Kaweco . Broadest round nib so far. Anybody know where I can get a NON-STUBLIKE or ? Any custom nib-tippers? 4. Sailor . For expressive and versatile drawing. Needn't be Sailor as all fudes are great. 5. Pilot Parallel ground to quarter circle. Best for filling in an area solid. HONORABLE MENTIONS. All these could become favorites with some more use: 6. Franklin-Christoph . Best for tiny details. 7. Sailor . Expressive and versatile in a dfferent way from a Fude. More precise, less flamboyant. 8. Franklin-Christoph . Only pen I have specifically for writing, though in fact I draw with it. 9. Pilot 14k . Second best, right behind Sailor, even though I don't particularly use the flex. DIP NIBS. Why did I feel compelled to add this?: 10. Hanabi Earth Glass Dip Pen . Exceptionally fine and dry, usable for drawing. Breathtakingly expensive. 11. Speedball C-0 Dip Pen. When you need a super broad, crisp, even, line. 12. Automatic Pen

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ichiro -- I'm glad you added the dip nibs!!!!!! I still plan to try a Kakimori nib eventually. I will not look up the "breathtakingly expensive" one. LOL unless that's a joke. I have 2 Automatic pens I have yet to really use enough to evaluate. And, I've not tried a C-0 Speedball nib. Nice for my wishlist. I'm so glad I did this video ... the ideas and variety of stuff I've never heard of it fun!!!!!!

[@ichirofakename]

@@ChrisSaenz13 The Hanabi glass pen is on the order of $400. I did not pay for it. I am now looking at their less expensive models ($90).

[@jamesaritchie1]

I'm not a fan of Sailor nibs, but it's a personal thing. Every Sailor nib I've owned or tried had too much feedback. I like some feedback, but both Sailor and Platinum have more than I like. Just me, but I wouldn't put any Lamy nib in my top one hundred. Probably not in my top five hundred. I'd sooner have a Jinhao. I'm not fond of steel Kaweco nibs, either. Smooth is easy, and I can find smooth nibs anywhere, but there should be more to a good nib than smoothness. I do like the Kaweco gold nib, and have two on the Brass Sports. But I really use them because I love the pens. Pretty much any e n with a soft gold nib is intended for long writing sessions. Those who listen to the wrong people on KZbin, including too many pseudo-experts, try to flex then, which is the worst thing you can do. It will damage, and eventually destroy, a soft gold nib. I love dip pens, which is why I don't use stub nib, fude nibs, or any other kind of specialty nibs, on fountain pens, other than the FPR Ultra, which is remarkably good for a steel flex nib. I probably use a Crow Quill more than anything else, but there are many dip pens I love. I also love using quills made from turkey, goose, and crow feathers. It's fun cutting them and seeing the results. They're even remarkably cheap already cut. Often two dollars or less each. Lately I've been using pens made from bamboo or river reed. I primarily use the river reed pens on papyrus, and I'm trying to teach myself hieroglyphics, but my old memory is making it take longer than I hoped. I did manage to write my wife a lo0ve letter in hieroglyphics for Valentine's Day, but for all I know it may have read "I hate you and love turkey droppings". Fortunately, she can't read hieroglyphics, either. Anyway, it's been a lot of fun. I simply love writing, and every writing instrument ever made. I can go months using mechanical pencils, months using just dip pen, months using feather quills, and so on. I prefer fountain pens for serious writing where money is to be made, but I have written articles, short stories, and poems, using a goose feather quill, and with a tallow candle or kerosene lamp. If I'm going to write by hand, I may as well have fun and explore the history of writing.

[@ichirofakename]

@@jamesaritchie1 So you don't like feedbacky nibs and you aren't impressed by smooth nibs - so what do you look for in a nib and who provides it?

[@ichirofakename]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I broke my wonderful glass pen (won on a giveaway) on the third day. They are far too fragile for this gorilla.

[@jacobus57]

The TWSBI is Lilac :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you Jackie - I had a complete brain freeze!

[@lizcolton9936]

Enjoyed this so much! I've never tried a fude nib - it looks intriguing especially to show off ink colors.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Liz -- it really is amazing - especially if you happen to have fairly big handwriting like I do!

[@pamelamoniz608]

I have the x same Fude nib and like it a lot. I tend toward fine nibs and I am quite pleased with my Lamy and TWBI fine nibs. Ink definitely makes a difference as well. I will have to try shimmer ink in a Lamy medium. Thanks!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Pamela! The fude nib has really added a lot of fun for me in my writing!!!!

[@cferracini]

My favorite nibs are EF. The finest thinest possible. So far, in my experience, those are Platinum and Pilot. The most different one I tried, I grind it myself: a fine stub Chinese Lamy imitation nib I keep in my original Lamy Safari. It was a broken nib that I made it work. But i'm planning to test a few others soon. One of them is a fude. I have tried 2 different M nibs before but it really doesn't suit me. I enjoy drawing with stubs :) Up to 3.8. But, to be fair, Lamy is a wet writer. There are probably wetter feeds in other brands and models but Safari is a wet writer.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Carla -- I think that's fantastic that you did a custom grind!!!! I have saved all my old nibs that I took off and put Goulet replacement nibs thinking one day I might get brave and try to learn nib grinding!!!!! :) Not sure if the bravery will arrive. I love Lamy nibs and I noticed that some of the WingSung 3008s when I put the Lamy nib on them they write even more flowy than the Lamy feeds. But I like the Lamy Safari's very much just as they are. :)

[@cferracini]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I think you would be able to grind a nib well if you tried. It's a lot of testing, experimenting and trying again. So the most important is to be patient

[@sathishrao7926]

Surprisingly, my most favorite nibs happen to be the steel nibs on ‘Click Aristocrat’ pens which are $5 pens and Made in India.. I do have many pens (with about a dozen gold nibbed ones) from major international brands !

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Sathish -- oh wow that's great --- to find a nib you love on a $5 pen. I wonder if those are available in the US I will check into it!

[@sathishrao7926]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Incidentally, a popular FP enthusiast/KZbinr from India uploaded this video on Click pens just y’day: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHmYd4esZ9Sbpck

[@davidscott8457]

What a great topic Chris, I enjoyed this so much! I am going to have a think about my own favourites but my first thoughts are amoung the Jowo 1.1mm stub (on naerly all my twsbi ecos), Jowo 1.4mm (on my Opus 88s), Jowo EF (on my othe twsbi ecos), Platinum EF, & Pelikan F on the m1005. I am sure there are many others, and I must try the Lamy 1.5 stub, and the Fude. Thanks for the thought provoking topic. 🙂

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi David -- I'm glad the topic was of interest to so many of us --- this is making for great conversation here in the comment section which is one of the things I love most about the You Tube channel. As I read your favorites I realize I do not have an EF in the JoWo nibs ... I do have a Lamy EF which is a great nib but just not a go to for me.

[@kaylogterman3554]

What a great video, Chris! I am just now starting to dip my toe in the water of different type nibs. To date I have been partial to Fines and Mediums. I have just ordered a Lamy Broad nib and next want to try a 1.5 Stub. Hopefully, by this time next year I will have had fun and inspiring experiences to collectively help determine my top 5 favorites!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Kay! Oh I think you will really enjoy the B and 1.5 for showing off ink attributes especially!!!!! :)

[@TheDormousesDesk]

Hi Chris! I love the Hongdian Fude nibs too. I tried a shimmer in there once. I wouldn’t recommend that. I’m not sure if it was the ink or the pen, but I’ll not be trying shimmers in those pens again. Otherwise I love them. Even the Hongdian Fine nibs are nice.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Brenda -- oh I wonder if the small feed might be the issue? Although some other #5 feeds seem to work okay depending on the ink. That is good to know as I would not want to have a mess to clean out if the experience was less than good. :) I usually don't care for metal pens but the Hongdian's are an exception ... I love them and see them as a great value for great quality!

[@sielfaid]

Good video, I Will check myself the Lamy 1.5 mm stub nib.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Sielfaid -- awesome -- I hope you will like the Lamy 1.5 as much as I do!

[@MrG0CE]

MY FAVORITE NIB IS THE FPR EF-UF NIB ! I HAVE IT IN A NAHVALUR ORIGINAL PLUS LOVINA BLACK WITH A PLASTIC OVERFEED ! SOMEDAY I'LL REPLACE IT WITH THE GOLD VERSION AND THE MATCH WILL BE UNMATCHABLE !

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Ah yes the FPR EF- Ultra Flex nib is pretty amazing! I need to practice more with mine. :)

[@tattooedcat]

Hi Chris! I really love your lineup! I’m a big fan of the Jowo #6 also! My preference is fine or medium. And the TWSBI Eco in fine and medium also. And a Pelikan fine nib is great too. I have a preference for steel but gold is okay too. Thanks so much for sharing! 🧡🖋

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Casey -- I too have a preference for steel nibs! :)

[@cherylclough4309]

I started out being a very fine nib snob, but you inspired me to try a broader nib. I tried a 1.1 stub and I love it. I just purchased a TWSBI mini 1.1 and I’m really enjoying it a lot. I am just getting into various nib sizes so I can’t say I have favorites yet, but I’m so surprised I like a wide nib. In a ballpoint or a lead pencil, I like a .38 point! That’s itsy! So weird. Fun video. Thanks.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cheryl! One of my favorite non-fountain pen pens is the Mach 3 Morning Glory 0.38 I'm not sure if they are still selling them at Jet Pens. Odd too since I love Broad and Stub nibs. LOL

[@jackivaltrades]

Oooh. That question for us is a tough one. My favorite nibs... hmmm... There's a ton of factors for the nibs like versatility, usability, comfort, whether or not the nibs are always a set size or have variance, etc. So, I'm going to speak strictly about the nibs on the pens I've used and appreciated. Smoothest and most enjoyable writing experience is a Kaweco #2 medium nib. Of course, it's stuck to the pen (or at least within the brand) and isn't quite versatile, but I just love using it. I know these nibs all vary and one medium is another person's extra fine on a bad day, but mine turned out lovely. Most enjoyable nib was a 1.1 stub #6 Jowo that came on a Retro 51 Tornado. I had only used a 2.0 italic nib before, and hadn't realized how scratchy it would be. The stub solved that issue and brought a new kind of experience. I also don't write beautiful spencerian script with stubs or italic nibs, but the experience is fun and that's more important than anything. Being able to read it is another story. LOL Similarly, the broad #5 Jowo branded by goulet was a lifesaver for the wancai mini. It's actually my favorite broad nib. Can't use that pen without a broad nib because I'd hate using the same ink over 4 or 5 months in one pen with a fine nib. ICK Lastly, I really appreciate an extra fine TWSBI Eco nib. They're still juicy, but they write fine enough that I don't stress too much when using them on cheaper paper. They're also criminally smooth. I always have it inked. I'm not sure how well I answered that, but that's what I've got! Haha. I could dissect a lot more of the nibs and how much I appreciate them, but I'm still learning their personalities even now. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to think about our nibs a bit! 🙂

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi JackivalTrades! I just recently got a BB Kaweco Sport ... and it's such a good nib ... the other BB I had from Kaweco was not so I'm realizing the experience can vary. It's funny because for this video I really had to think about isolating the nib from the nib holder lol. But it was sure fun. I'm glad I decided to make the video. Sometimes I talk my way out of ideas but this subject/topic seems to be of interest to all of us!!!!! :) I believe I have not tried an EF TWSBI nib at all ... I do have a F on one of my Go pens. I have a Lamy EF which is very nice just not often my go to nib. It's so fun hearing what the favorite nibs are for everyone commenting!!!!!

[@lju5001]

Great topic. My five 1. Pilot Custom 283 Medium (in-house grind) 2. Aurora Optima M (also in-house) 3. Jowo #6 B 4. Pilot Falcon soft-fine for drawing 5. Lamy 1.1 stub Three of these are gold nib but I have found that I have some steel nibs that I like just as well as the golds. A gold nib does not necessarily mean a better writing experience. Of course this is always up to individual likes and writing styles.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi lju5001 -- I see we have one nib in common the #6 B! :)

[@jamesaritchie1]

Well, a soft gold nib is an absolute necessity, if you're going to put in hours every day, and don't want to encounter hand fatigue, cramping, carpal tunnel, etc. You do, of course, have to learn how to use a soft gold nib properly, and this is pretty difficult if you've spent years writing with fingers, wrist, or with the side of your hand on the paper. It really isn't up to individual likes when you have to write for hours and hours every day. The pen is up to the individual, to a degree, but a soft gold nib is always the best choice for this kind of writing, and by far. Even with the pen choice, KZbin has some terrible advice. Primarily that a very light pen is better for long writing sessions. This is true only if you write with your fingers or wrist, and often not even then. A light pen needs gripped harder, and it needs more control. A heavier pen takes a very light grip, and just needs guided. But steel or gold, a very stiff nib is a very stiff nib.

[@paulherman5822]

Hmmm... Favorite nibs... Let me think... 😁 I have about half vintage pens, so... First would be the fine in my early production (has an ink window, so, first two years) Wahl-Eversharp Skyline. Flex? Not a bit. But it's wet and just a joy to write with. Second would be an Esterbrook 2668 firm medium. For nostalgic reasons. Was the type in my first good fountain pen. Though I have smaller handwriting, I got used to it, and it's like slipping into something old, familiar and comfortable. Just feels good. 😁 Third would be one that started out extra fine, a "Bobby" nib in several of my hooded nib Jinhao pens. Very similar to a Sheaffer's "dolphin" nib. Smooth and nice. I could finish the 5 with Esterbrook, but I won't. Sheaffer's Junior nib in a 1930s Sheaffer's Balance Junior. Just enough flex to be interesting is number 4. Fifth is another vintage one. (Did you expect different? 😂) Another stiff one, the probably medium in my 1930s Parker Challenger. Another wet writer that's just enjoyable to use. Honorable mentions: Esterbrook 2968 firm broad, Esterbrook 2284 broad stub, and Esterbrook 2442 Falcon. In their dip pens it's a 442 "Jackson Stub." Another one! Seldom used because it's an antique, my lovely "wet noodle" Mabie Todd number 2 in a Swan C2 from 1912. Interesting to compare what others are using, and to choose which one that you'll use, isn't it? Hope you have a great week, Chris!

[@paulherman5822]

Should probably mention that with vintage, you generally get what you get. Most tend to be fine or extra fine, unless you get into vintage Esterbrook nibs. Then you have 33 options. Easily available, for a lot of them, with exceptions. Run between $10 and $50+ without the pen, and the same with the pen. (You're just really paying for the nib, though I love my old Esterbrook pens. Well made, easier to clean than other lever filler pens.) Getting an Esterbrook, unless the seller offers nib options, you get what is in it, and you can replace as needed. In my experience, generally 4 options in a lot of them: 2668 seems almost universal (was what the government tended to use in desk pens), 1555 firm medium for students, and 1551 and 2556, both fines. Like I've said, not a lot of variety with most vintage pens.

[@elenatarasova2039]

My favorite nibs are: #5 Moonman EF, Lamy F and A, #6 Noodler's flex (tipped) #6 FPR flex and #5 Hero395 semi-flex nibs, although I do regular writing more often with them than flex writing because flex often goes along with feathering; Lamy M and 1.1 nibs.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Elena! I'm getting inspired to take out my FPR Ultra Flex EF again and give it another try! I believe I need to pay special attention to the ink I'm using. :)

[@elenatarasova2039]

@@ChrisSaenz13 The Diamine Midnight worked well for me with flex nibs, but then I ran out of it. If you know other good-for-flex inks, I would like to hear about them

[@genedavid4873]

I was looking away for a bit and then I hear "nice and wet and juicy". For a second I though my cat pressed another video. 🤣

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Ha ha ... keeping you on your toes.

[@bryanchoy3012]

Hi Chris I read somewhere that the twsbi ecos use number 4 size niba and not number 5. I think it was on goldspot I read that. So you do have three sizes of jowo nibs. 😊

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you @bryanchoy3012 -- I am endlessly confused by some of the nib sizes ... more research is needed for me to upgrade my understanding! I put a TWSBI nib onto a Jinhao 992 which takes a #5 and it fit and wrote good but that might have been a weird thing to do ... I'm now wondering about it. :)

[@ramonafirehorse]

I just purchased a Lamy Broad nib but we couldn’t get the Fine nib out of my pink Al-Star. Finally switched it with the Fine in my Turmaline Al-Star but that isn’t the one that was giving me problems. Looking forward to inking it up

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi ramonafirehorse -- I wonder if the F nib in your pink Al-Star might be sort of stuck on by ink trapped under ... hmmm... I would probably try soaking it a bit in warm water and then using a gripper or a lobster band. Although you may have already tried such tactics. That's discouraging to have a Lamy nib stuck on. The best part about them is that generally they come off for swapping so well. :) I hope you like your B nib!!!!!

[@ramonafirehorse]

That’s a good idea. It’s been sitting in a box for awhile. I’ll try soaking it. Thanks for the tip

[@fountainpenandpaper1379]

I also loooove my Lamy nibs! I have a Pilot Vanishing Point, but I honestly think my Lamys beat it out.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi noop5 -- oh I agree on that ... my Pilot Vanishing Point has a medium nib and I like the pen style but I'd rather have a different nib on it. My Lamy's are more agreeable to me in terms of how they write!!!!! :)

[@jamesaritchie1]

Only once have I found a good Lamy nib, and this out of many tries. I've had far more people ask me to smooth or straighten the tines on Lamy nibs that any other brand, including Jinhao. Lamy broad nibs are usually pretty good, but I don't use broad nibs. Lamy medium nibs are, at best, hit and miss, and nine out of ten smaller Lamy nibs I've seen just weren't good at all. I even hate the nibs of the 2000. Stiff as steel, and with a tiny sweet spot. Might as well save a hundred dollars and buy a pen with a steel nib. I'll take any Pilot nib over any Lamy nib. I don't like the Vanishing Point pen, but the nibs on the ones I've used were as smooth as butter on glass.

[@gadgetstop321]

I enjoyed this video, Chris! It's really got me thinking about what my top 5 would be. My #1 would have to be a Pilot 14K Fine, but ranking the next 4 is tough. 🤔

[@aksela6912]

Agree on the Pilot 14K Fine. Amazing that a nib can be that fine and that pleasant. Only used it with fairly standard inks though, might have to try it with a thick KWZ ink some day

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cathy -- I'd love to hear/see you do a video on your favorite nibs sometime! I know it's like trying to choose 5 favorite pen lol so it can be challenging!

[@kimberly3706s]

Chris, your energy and enthusiasm gets me every time….I just had to order the Hongdian rainbow with Fude nib - and I don’t even know how to use a Fude nib! I am sitting on my fingers so as not to order the Rickshaw Sinclair (I love all of the Rickshaw products, but it’s extra expensive for me with exchange rate and import fees to Canada) - I already have two Coozies, plus the A5 bag (purse) and A5 zip case; so I am telling myself that I don’t need a Sinclair…but it’s likely that I am just delaying a future purchase, lol. As for now, do you have any tips or advice for writing with a Fude nib?

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Kimberly -- I've found the fude nib to be really easy to write with because I just align it vertically (I don't use a side to side or horizontal angle just stright up) and then to control the thickness it's like all you have to do is rock the nib up or down along a vertical to make it change ... but to me it looks pretty even when I don't fuss at all and I just find the thickness I like and hold it steady. I hope that doesn't sound complicated because it's actually easier (to me) than a stub nib. I hope you will love yours!!!!!!

[@beccacarrillo]

With my handwriting, a medium nib seems to work the best. I have tried a broad because I wanted to see how it would handle a heavy shimmer ink. The ink showed well, but my writing looked bad. I have tried a 1.1 stub (on a TWSBI) and I do like that. As for anything else...even though I have lots of pens, I'm afraid to change anything as I think I'll just mess something up. I just buy the nib I want to use on the pen when I get it. That IS pretty boring because I don't have a clue how my writing would look with a fancy or unusual nib and I'm afraid to buy it to just have it sit in a drawer. A special grind I want...and am also afraid to buy...is an architect nib. I love the way writing samples look with that pen and, when I print, it is always in capital letters so I think I could really like that nib. Side note: Because there's always confusion for me when I watch different videos, between how to say "Jowo" (Yo-woh or Yo-vo), I tried to look it up to see if there was an answer. Found on Goulet Pen's blog, "JoWo (pronounced Yo-Vo) makes nibs for many of the brands you likely enjoy, including our very own Goulet nibs". I guess that's because JoWo is a German brand...and the "w" is pronounced like a "v" in German. Just thought I'd share the information. 🙂

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Becca ... uh oh ... I wonder if I'll ever be able to edit my pronunciation of JoWo ... it has now had 5 years to solidify. LOL But thank you for the info!!!! It might actually be easier to say the way it is supposed to be said so if I put an index card up at the pen desk I might have a chance. That is very good when we can figure out which nib our handwriting looks best in!!!! Truly!!!! I like mine best in a Broad nib. But for notetaking I seem to enjoy a M best. And printed writing M suits me best. :) I too have been chicken to try an architect nib ... I wonder if I'd be having to hold it "just so" to get the results. I'm just not sure. I wish I could try one at a pen show one day before purchasing.

[@beccacarrillo]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Trying it at a pen show would be great...instead of investing in it when you've no idea if you can make it work or if you'd like it. I've never been to a pen show though...so if I decide to do it I'll just have to cross my fingers that it works. As for JoWo...I think it is easier to say Yo-Vo than Yo-Wo...but we do get used to what we get used to. :)

[@tiantuatara]

I'm not sure of my top 5 but two that come to mind right now are the 1.1 stub in my TWSBI 580 Mini and the broad nib in my Opus 88 Demo. I guess they are both Jowo nibs? This is leaving out those Pilot nibs I love so much - even the steel nibs on my Explorers. I do have one architect nib. It's fun but I pretty much just use it for headers or titles.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Terri -- I have a 1.1 stub for my Opus 88s in #5 size but not my TWSBI ... hmmmm. Something to consider! I would like to learn if the 1.1s on the Mini are smoother than the Eco 1.1s although I think they may be the same I am just not sure.

[@tiantuatara]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I don't think I have an Eco with a 1.1. Are the other size nibs different between the Eco and the Mini?

[@ironmic9244]

What an interesting idea. We are always ranking our top pens or inks, never thought about the nib itself. Very cool as well that you recording it down for your own history and journey. Have you tried the Lamy 1.9mm? I am going in the opposite direction. I am liking the

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Iron Mic -- I have yet to try the 1.9 ... in Lamy ... I do have a handful of Pilot Parallel nibs which I love to use in the Opus 88 Demonstrators. Those range up there over 2.0 mm lol. I think I will add the 1.9 Lamy to my wishlist for the next ad $ channel purchase. :) I've not yet tried a OMAS, Pelikan or Delta. :) So many various ways we can explore in the hobby with just a new nib!!!!!

[@neilpiper9889]

Jowo 1.1in a matt black Jinhao X750, Bock 1.1in a Jinhao X750 shimmering sands , Lamy 1.1 in a Jinhao 80. number 8 f nib in my blue and gold Jinhao X159, and a Naginata nib that I swapped into my two tone Jinhao 166, very interesting and unusual writing experience. Honourable mention is the Falcon flex nib in my Pilot Custom Heritage 912. I have a love /hate relationship with flex. Most used nib is my Pilot B Stub nib in a clear demonstrater Pilot Kakuno. I have the same B stubnib in a blue and gold Pilot 78g + pen.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Neil -- oh I hear you about Flex nibs! :)

[@fountainpeninsanity3344]

I was surprised that the TWSBI medium nib won out for you over the TWSBI broad nib. I like both, but I think I usually prefer the broad. Thanks for the video!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Yes! Me too initially ... but I was realizing that the 2 Broad Eco nibs I have are totally different from the B Go nibs (which seem wider and nicer) ... so the #5 nibs I count on most are the Goulet ones which have been consistent ... but it's the same nib manufacturer so I guess luck is all it is ...! So my Broad #5 nib that made the top 5 is the Goulet ones - including the one on that Pink Moonman Mini. I absolutely love that size and width when it's nice and juicy and broad like it's supposed to be lol. Somehow, my Medium Ecos have been so consistent. I wonder sometimes if it's just me or just inky choices but I've done a lot of experimenting and it always comes up the same. LOL :)

[@jamesaritchie1]

@@ChrisSaenz13 It's really not luck. Jowo makes nibs according to what the pen company asks for, or is willing to pay for. A difference in feeds and nib size also matters. Jowo makes wonderful nibs, both gold and steel, and they make some fairly poor nibs. With Jowo, a company gets what it asks for, what it's willing to pay for. TWSBI nibs are infinitely better than Conklin nibs, even though Jowo makes both.

[@pdtrubber]

For now it is my Esterbrook Journal nib. I'm a printer so spacing of my letters takes much thought for me.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Pennie -- this is a nib I had not heard of before! :)

[@MarshaLove0723]

My favorite 7 (can't do 5) fountain pen nibs - *in no particular order*, as it changes depending on the current ink: - Franklin-Christoph F (S.I.G. grind) - Pilot 14k SFM - Pilot 14k F - BENU F - Edison steel F - Leonardo steel F - Pilot steel F (Sizes 5, 6, etc are not important, but all the non-Pilot nibs are #6, except FC, which is 5 & 6)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Marsha -- oh this is awesome -- I can ask you -- what inks do you prefer since F nibs are your favorite? I always wonder if it's my eyesight or the ink I'm using why I feel as if mostly when I write with F nibs (with the exception of the Lamy ones) I can't enjoy the read back. I've always speculated that F nib people must like dark inks? Am I anywhere near the truth?

[@ann-ingridhelik3056]

Hi Chris. I’ve watched twice, kept getting interrupted the first time! It’s hard to say my absolute favourite, it all depends on what I’m writing on.first off, I’m a left handed writer, that changes things sometimes .my favourite lamy is the left handed nib.it changed my whole experience in writing. It’s a gusher with most inks which I love. I own 2 conklin omniflex (jowo)nibs that were a bit disappointing in the beginning, but I’m getting used to it. When I’m doing calligraphy i use the 1?5 stub, but i use my 1.1 all the time , diplomats and ecos.after my LH nib, those would be my favourites. As for fudes, i draw with the 45* angle and use the 30* angle more for filling in. I have a hongdian fude and a lanbitou which ,before the 1.1 were well loved ! On cheaper paper (mostly graph ) i will use a M nib but my only fine nib is my pilot desk pen. I loved this video, it made me look and be conscious of what i write with and how much I’ve changed over the years! Have a good day

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ann-Ingrid -- I have seen those Pilot desk pens and thought about how handy they look!!!! With the pen holder. I'm so glad you liked the topic! I was so enthusiastic about it myself but I'm never sure if it's "just me" having an experience lol. :) The amount of comments has made me realize this topic is definitely of interest to many of us!

[@ameliabuns4058]

It's kinda funny to me that two of your fav nibs are on a 20$ pen. I recently bought my first 59$+ pen at 200$ but then I realized that the nib was only amazing because the store used Claire fountain paper . ...

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi AmeliaBuns -- lol -- it is kind of ironic right! I found out early on thanks to a pen pal ... that the nib is such an influence over the writing experience ... I mean she told me the ink, paper, and feed also matter but that the nib would be the one thing that could be a complete game changer and allow a great experience with much less money spent .... both of us were on rigid spending limits back then. :)

[@ameliabuns4058]

@@ChrisSaenz13 yeah :) tbh I realized you don't really get much more nib wise after 80$~ I think. Do you agree? Nibs are very important to my writing experience, but I also feel more attached to my pretty pens. A good nib on a pretty pen is just so good

[@jamesaritchie1]

Well, quality paper doesn't make a nib any better. It's just that fountain pens, all of them, are designed to be used with good paper. Clairefontaine is very good paper, but not the best. But using pretty much any nib with cheap paper is asking for trouble down the road. The whole point of fountain pens is to use fountain pen paper. If a nib works on Clairefontaine, or Ehodia, or any other fountain pen paper, but doesn't work on the paper you use, the problem is with the paper, not the nib. Paper matter with any nib, and while quality paper is an investment, that's just part of using a fountain pen. Black n' Red and Apica both make sopme pretty inexpensive fountain pen paper than works just as well as Clairefontaine. Better, to me. Walmart's Exceed brand notebooks and journals cost under ten dollars, and work very well with fountain pens.

[@AlexD12345]

Jowo fine nibs are just terrible!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Alex - I have to agree. But I know so many people who love them that I always wonder why I can't generate even a neutral opinion of them!

[@jamesaritchie1]

Mo, they can be the best out there. Jowo gives any company what that company asks for, and is willing to pay for. I have a number of Jowo fine nibs that are as good as any nibs on the market. And I have others from cheap companies that just aren't any good. It's always bad to generalize.

[@jamesaritchie1]

@@ChrisSaenz13 You just haven't tried the right Jowo fine nibs, which really means you haven't tried the right pen brand. This said, I have two 580 ALR fine nibs that are smooth as butter, have perfect flow, and are just perfect. I'm not as fond of the ECO fine nib, but it's not terrible. The ones I've owned just had a little feedback, but I like a little feedback, so it didn't bother me.

[@theworkspace753]

Love it! I too have been on a nib hunt lately! Broad nibs both from jowo and lamy. Although I have had better luck with the 1.1 stub v. 1.5. I do also have the 1.9 in Lamy as well… not a fan haha! that x159 is just a bute! I got the same one but with the silver trim! Haven’t put it down. Or changed the nib out! Happy writing! ❤

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Workspace! Would you believe I have the Orange 159 in both gold and silver trim? I love them both the silver seems nicer for spring and the gold for fall. LOL They are fun pens and I enjoy them a lot! I want to get along with the 1.1 Lamy stub and I do with some inks which are super flowy but I can't seem to use it with some of my inks so I seem much happier with the 1.5 although my handwriting admittedly looks slightly better with the thinner 1.1.

[@theworkspace753]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I know this vid is about nibs but I’ve been researching… Birmingham inks! Any reviews, suggestions, for these inks? I know you mentioned old formula v. New… thinking of pulling the trigger on a purchase from them! 🫣🫣🫣

[@MissMarilynDarling]

My favorite nibs You know me I love my Fountain Pen Revolution Ultra Flex nibs and my 14k jowo full flex nibs they are my favorite I wish they werent so expensive but thats ok their worth it .. I also love my broad jowo nibs I use it in my serindipity I've recently fallen in love with my pilot kakuno with a medium nib I just love the pen its so easy for doing reviews cause its so easy to just flush out I wish pilot came with a broad nib but sending away for one is like a month long process .. I love the Lamy Broad nibs and I love my xxxf jowo 14k semi flex nib it feels and writes just like a dip nib and its really sharp but it lets me flex a nib without wearing down like an actual dip nib would .. of course their 300x the price of a dip nib but in the long run I think its awesome for its price I need to buy like all of the jowo 14k xxf full flex nib is my next purchase I think that one will hit the middle of the road with smootheness and flexiness ... I'm not so much a fan of stub nibs I've been thinking thoughts about getting an architect nib just to see if I would like it or not we will see ... Talk soon

[@ichirofakename]

I was disappointed in my architect nib. I can easily get identical results with a stub, by turning my hand (or the paper) 90º. Partly my fault for choosing an extra-crisp architect, which I do not recommend. Wildly more and cheaper stubs available. Note my experience is with drawing, not writing.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Marilyn! I admire your dedication to handwriting practice -- yours is so beautiful! I'm going to try small dedicated writing practice times in a notebook (probably copying song lyrics or something) so that I can at least begin to slow down and improve my handwriting! I too wish Pilot had a Broad nib for the Kakuno and for the Metropolitan. I have yet to try the cursive stub on the Metropolitan.

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@ichirofakename Yeah I have the same when it comes to any line variation If I want a swell in my writing I might as well use a flex pen ..Unless I'm trying to do gothic calligraphy which useds a broad nib and I am no good at that

[@ann-ingridhelik3056]

@@ChrisSaenz13 hi, would the cursive stub fit on a metropolitan? I have a few mets but don’t use them much cause I’m afraid to switch the nibs., if you do swithces on the met, please make a video of it🙏

[@MissMarilynDarling]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I have looked at the goulet site and it says that the metro has a 1.0mm stuf :) so I'm thinking thoughts about getting one I'll let you know how that goes :)