Write Now - Ep.116: Extra-Fine Nibs with Whitney!

[@caomhan84]

Whitney is....a treasure. Oh god, I laughed so much.

[@Gouletpens]

Just what we need on a Monday! - Colin

[@randy-9842]

@@Gouletpens-- actually, I was thinking she'd be fun to watch on any day of the week with a T in it: Tuesday, Thursday, Today, Tomorrow, Taterday and Tunday, ... you get my drift. More Whitney humor, opinions and mannerisms please!! Oh, and Drew's OK too. ;-p

[@taintedcrimson]

Thanks for the extra fine love, and for the laughs at Drew and Whitney embodying all of us on Monday mornings!

[@Julian-bq9qv]

*Whitney is a Rockstar!!! Totally!! MORE Whitney please!!!*

[@FantomLightning]

Whitney is an absolute gem. We need more of her.

[@ellenkatehis5880]

See... this what happens when you forget to "clink"! LOL

[@richardsyt33]

I love that look Whitney gave the camera when Drew told her she is a normal human.

[@randy-9842]

Thatguy3481 -- Yup! I caught that too. Her expressions and body language are well, full of expression. Gotta love them and her! Team: "More Whitney" here!

[@WendysPlans]

I’m definitely team extra fine! I’m new to fountain pens but I love the fine or extra fine nibs. I tried a medium nib this weekend and immediately put it aside. I will eventually use it, however I really prefer a fine nib. Thanks for this video.

[@Gouletpens]

I've seen my nib size tastes change over time, from EF to Stub to Broad. You never know when that Medium will be your go-to! - Colin

[@NGMonocrom]

Yes! I love Extra Fine nibs! Especially Japanese EF nibs. You guys know what I mean. Major Kudos to Colin for helping me awhile back in finding out about the Platinum #3776 Century variation with the Ultra Extra Fine nib sold on Goulet Pens. You'd think it would be as scratchy as a rusty nail. But the nib is surprisingly smooth!

[@Gouletpens]

For the thinnest line width around, it is surprisingly smooth! - Colin

[@NGMonocrom]

@@Gouletpens Oh yes. Must admit, I was surprised the very first time I inked it up. Thanks again, Colin. *:)*

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

For my writing style: UEF, EF and F nibs work best for me. As usual, great video and great team up.

[@StephanieMayfieldDIG]

How many mugs does Drew own? I picture him carting boxes of mugs around to ensure he never uses the same one twice.

[@Gouletpens]

The amount of mugs in our office is astronomical. We are very mug motivated. - Colin

[@giacomoboffi9394]

@@Gouletpens Mugtivated!

[@TheFourstring]

Whitney needs to have more airtime. She is a delight

[@manuelsalazar3938]

I love to know that somebody understands us F, EF and EEF users!!!! For me not even a medium works (well, a very few times some do) and down here in Mexico it's difficult to get F or finer nibs, but there's always hope. 😆

[@franksugameli1164]

Whitney is the best surprise!

[@FantomLightning]

Also I want to steal the handwriting of basically anyone that works at GPC... It's all so pretty and legible!

[@regifra1215]

I just love F & EF. I could write with any size but I will chose a finer line everytime, I sacrifice some properties like sheening or even shading on some inks but I think thats just natural.

[@nrstooge]

I have small hands/writing and do not post my Kaweco sport, it is long enough as is, and yes.. I LOVE Pilot Fine and EF - loved the Write now!

[@UniversalEngineer]

As an EF writer, I really liked the shared experiences!!! Really liked Drew’s comment to expect SOME feedback is normal. NICE!

[@GeneralPanDeBer]

Extra fines are my life. I tend to have very small hand writing and extra fines accomodate that. I also am surrounded by cheaper paper at school and work so I need the finest pen I can have to be able to write on them. While I prefer japanese extra-fines for its smaller width, I am not a fan of the feedback it tends to have.

[@DavidLinn]

someone please tell me what super inexpensive pen i can get that writes the finest. i'll give you like a max budget of $30. i can make my letters 1/4 inch or smaller without really trying. and i would like them to look thin, not like i tried to do it with a dry erase marker.

[@miguellorenzosingian1562]

David Linn Wing Sung 698.

[@GeneralPanDeBer]

@@DavidLinn pilot Kakuno Japanese extra fine, 15$. Platinum Preppy extra fine, 5$. You can put the Preppy nib on the Platinum Plaisir (10-20$) to have a nicer looking pen with an amazingly fine nib. I personally reccomend the Preppy, Plaisir combo.

[@CreatingCuteArt]

I miss these!

[@althepal6989]

Lovely format. Like you two guys.

[@wittwittwer1043]

This was an amusing Write On episode. Regarding the "slight" Drew made on the Kaweco Sport pens: I have three of them. I have medium-sized hands and rarely post the Kawecos when I write. My favorite Sport is the aluminum "stone-washed" blue with a F nib. I don't have the patience to write slowly, so I don't "do" XF nibs.

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely don't need to post Kaweco Sports! They do just fine on their own. :) - Colin

[@wittwittwer1043]

@@Gouletpens: Hey, Colin! Good to hear from you. I enjoy the Write Now videos, even when I'm not particularly interested in the subject matter, because they are always thoughtful & entertaining. I enjoy meeting Goulet staff via these videos, and I think that the Goulet outfit has a unique way of interacting with your existing customers and attracting new ones. I always recommend your site whenever I'm asked questions about pens.

[@randy-9842]

Whitt and Colin - I agree. I think I tend to post my AL Sport simply because I use it often "on the go" and don't want to lay the cap down and forget it. Super video by the way. Gotta love Whitney and Drew even if I prefer broader nibs.

[@dragonboy123000]

3:35 Drew: "You should go work for Honda or Ford in their crash factory and you can just go to town on those vehicles. So rather than showing vehicle crashing into the wall, they'll show..." Me: "Whitney slowly crashing into the wall?"

[@frankbruno7122]

I have to admit it.. I thought I was a broad, medium, stub guy.. recently I got a Estie cobalt EF as a present.. realized, I only really love using EF's .. Great video you two! Frank from Boulder, Colorado

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Old post, but in case anyone revisits this who also uses an EF nib I wonder if you use any different grinds that allow creative writing like a stub nib. Most are too huge for my handwriting. Thanks.

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Drew and Whitney.

[@13.tsuki_]

I have a pretty small hand writing (my upper case letters are like 4mm lol) and I found out that the MOONMAN M2 is like a FANTASTIC EF nib. It's a Japanese EF so it's REEEAAALLY fine and it' actually pretty smooth. And being an eyedropper I use it to take notes in class and it lasts me like an entire week. 🤷‍♂️

[@stargazer1359]

Whitney is certainly a treat

[@experienced.novice]

Thanks Whitney, my wish list just got longer. Had to add the Lamy CP1!

[@greyareaRK1]

I prefer f/ef nibs as well. My fav pen is unvarnished ebony(?), so the feedback travels through the pen into my fingertips for great feel and control. A good flex nib will also give a very fine line with no pressure. Whitney is enchanting, sniffles and all.

[@anguswhite8233]

Great pairing + extra relevant vid for me - I love Japanese EF’s: favourite combo is Platinum 3776 EF in Chartreuse w Rhodium trim paired with J Herbin Eclat de Saphir :)

[@MD-wk3gj]

👍 If you are a member of the No Post Club

[@chrislj2890]

I have a #3776 Bourgogne with the UEF nib and it's fun to see how small you can write, especially if you use a magnifying glass. I would say Whitney won that little contest. In general I prefer a fine over all else.

[@randy-9842]

CHRIS LJ -- t'would have been fun to have Drew whip out his jeweler's loop to read Whitney's itty bitty teeny tiny writing. It's so perfect too!

[@jeremykhoo5127]

This episode is so calm I like it

[@CaptainWumbo]

I have the Posting nib for Pilot. I always wonder if Platinum UEF or Sailor Saibi Togi are the same, or if I'm missing out on a slightly finer nib. So hard to get the Saibi Togi though, and Platinum UEF, while easy to find, I'm not sure would be any better than the PO. Also these two are great together lol.

[@mathurinkerbouchard8931]

Same here! I have the Posting nib in my Pilot 912 and I keep wondering if the Platinum UEF is similar or even finer. Have you experienced the Platinum UEF at this point?

[@kimlindseyOH]

(Morning after St. Patrick's Day, eh?) I have a Platinum 3776 Soft Fine that is really, really fine. At a pen show, I tried all the 3776es, and even on their demo pen the Soft Fine was finer than the Ultra Fine. I'd be interested to know if Whitney has investigated this & what she thinks. :-)

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

My 3776 in SF is not as fine as my UEF. Ink may play a difference. I used a Noodlers 54th Massachusetts in a UEF and it feathered quit a bit. Then I tried the Noodler's Ottoman Azure and it wrote to the nibs ultra thin line quality (thinner than the SF). In the SF I use the Noodlers Walnut and it writes thin but not as thin as the UEF (which I have not tried using the Walnut in it.....yet).

[@cmac1100]

I love videos with Whitney... and MAYBE have a small internet crush on her haha

[@Julian-bq9qv]

She IS really terrific. I hope that someday if I keep ordering stuff from Goulet, maybe I will get one of those 'thank you' notes signed by Herself.

[@alextaplin7354]

Haha, same, she should get her own KZbin channel

[@flocondeneige4549]

I don't post the Kaweco Sport...

[@Quade235]

I love EF pens, and now my wallet cries because you've made me aware of Ultra Extra Fine. I write small, and slow-ish, so ink tends to pool when I use wider nibs. I also really dislike bleed/show-through. Thanks for the vid. I love it when Whitney's on screen, she's absolutely hilarious.

[@louizelimepips3517]

I love feedback. I also need it to write pretty 🤗

[@veronical8103]

I, too, am on Team Colin when I use heavy fountain pens! :)

[@herrkeks8509]

Hey Collin, I‘m with you :D I also don’t post my pens (I also don’t my TWSBI Mini AL Blue).

[@Gouletpens]

Have the Vac-Mini and don't post it either! No pen is small enough. - Colin

[@albertocarranco7491]

I only ever buy extra fine, especially paired with one of the Noodler's Bulletproof inks. Feels so crispy and the lines are thin, which is what I like out of my writing.

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely a good combo, especially for everyday writing on less-than-ideal paper! - Colin

[@stphnchnr]

ok, officially my favourite video from GPC! (Favourite with a 'u' from Canada)

[@LordCinnamon]

Thank you Drew. I have been planning on buying a VP for a while now and always see people click it very slowly. I wondered what would happen if you click it quickly. Personally, I love a Fine nib because it works well on most all paper and feels pretty smooth if you have a good pen. Love your videos. Also Whitney is very funny.

[@manuelsalazar3938]

Well, I know that it's rather because in an office environment the click of the VP is annoying for others, especially in meetings, same for snap caps that snap loudly. I have 2 VP and none of them suffer anything for quick clicking.

[@carolinhesse8169]

Well... I use my KawecoSport unposted all the time😬

[@CyaneInkArt]

Extra-Fine nibs! Yay! It is my go-to nib size and almost all my fountain pens have EF nibs.

[@TheMarkRich]

It's my default too. Fine is the max for me. Extra fine is where all the fun can be found.

[@ahuman9860]

I'm curious what brand of EF/EEF/UEF nib that can produce the thinnest line with the same ink/paper combo? Also do you ever tried to measure the line width with a microscope? I'm using EF nib on kakuno and I like it very much especially because there's so many cheap quality paper on my country

[@Gouletpens]

Brian has said in a past Q&A that the Platinum UEF is the thinnest line width he's used outside of crazy custom grinds. I think the Platinum EF tends to be finer than even the Pilot EF. So something like the Preppy or Desk Pen are great value EF options. - Colin

[@ahuman9860]

The Goulet Pen Company thanks collin

[@40isfab87]

I’m a school teacher and want a good pen that I won’t cry if it gets lost or stolen. I write a lot at work and love fountain pens. I just got my first one last week. I currently have a Lamy Al-star in Vibrant Pink. Since the pink pen MUST have pink ink, I need one for blue ink and one for red. I like fine points. If using a normal pen, I use .5 mm . Also, what red and blue ink do you recommend that won’t smear when highlighted and isn’t crazy expensive, like less than $20. I would spend up to $40 for the pen.

[@Gouletpens]

How do you feel about Demonstrator pens? Something like the TWSBI ECO Blue (www.gouletpens.com/collections/twsbi-eco-fountain-pens/products/twsbi-eco-fountain-pen-transparent-blue-special-edition?variant=13572619272235 ) could be a good option. Pilot Metropolitan is also a great choice, here's the Retro Pop Red: www.gouletpens.com/collections/pilot-metropolitan-fountain-pens/products/pilot-metropolitan-fountain-pen-retro-pop-red?variant=11884885475371 . As for the inks, highlighters are tough with fountain pen ink, but the De Atramentis Document Inks are super permanent & quick-drying so that's one place to start! (www.gouletpens.com/pages/search-results?limit=24&q=document%20inks ) - Colin

[@40isfab87]

The Goulet Pen Company I’ve been binge watching all your videos to learn about fountain pens. My husband surprised me with the Lamy pen. And now I’m addicted. The TWSBI looks cool. I think I may get that one. Thanks for the advice. I will order some of the red ink also.

[@AlphineWolf]

Preppy or the plasir

[@40isfab87]

The Goulet Pen Company Just ordered 3 of the TWSBI pens in the special colors lol. And some samples inks, and a Rhodia dot pad.

[@Gouletpens]

The ECO is a fantastic pen, so I think you made the right call! - Colin

[@tammystover1205]

I like the feedback toothy feel too. I don’t like a buttery pen. Thought I was crazy and the only one. Love the videos

[@jeongminhyeong1938]

my favorite pens have UEF EF F and SF lol

[@serious_in_seattle6917]

Whitney is cute. Nice penmanship too. 🖊

[@allig.7367]

I would love to see a bullet journaling video from Whitney! and also anyone there that does journaling!

[@LucyLu_meztli]

This is a gem! P.S. I don’t need to post the E95S, my hand is that small. And yes, I’m a fully grown woman 😊✍️

[@Gouletpens]

Wow! - Drew

[@swaggytoast2747]

extra fine is my favorite too !

[@veronical8103]

I love Whitney! Please put her on Write On more often! I love writing in small fonts too! 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@barbarah-p8661]

I love extra-fine nibs. If a particular pen that I want does not come with an extra-fine nib, I'll buy it with a fine point nib.

[@carolbrozman1415]

Question on the ultra extra fine nib on the Platinum 3776. I am an artist looking to replicate the 0.25/0.18 rapidograph nibs. They are difficult to find and costly. I’m impressed by your demonstration and wonder how the line width compares to say a reverse writing line on the Pilot Metropolitan “F”. Are they similar?

[@Gouletpens]

I'd say it's pretty similar to the reverse writing. That's not something we have writing samples of but should be around the UEF/EF line width. Probably reverse writing on the Platinum Preppy EF is the best bang for your buck extra-fine writing experience at $5. - Colin

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

If you are into stippling (which I like to do), the UEF works great. I use a Noodler's American Black Eel for the black, for blue I use the Noodler's Ottoman Azure (I find the Noodler's 54th Massachusetts to be too lubricated for that nib). Point being, inks may be a trial and error process. I would have to whip out my Rapidograph nibs( I haven't used them since 1988) to compare an UEF but that UEF is definitely on the miniscule size for line width. Just my 2 cents.

[@carolbrozman1415]

Thank you both for your generous time and thoughts. I’m almost on board to purchase, it’s just the price...

[@raelynnreffruschinni8802]

@@carolbrozman1415 I use the Platinum Carbon Desk Pen for sketching. It is waterproof and has a very thin line. It never seems to skip. Plus, it's cheap!

[@carolbrozman1415]

I purchased and tested the platinum preppy. I have to say I agree with the nib nook on Goulet Pens site. I own the Pilot metropolitan, Pilot kakuno, and tested them alongside the preppy. Hands down the Pilot Kakuno EF is the finest line. I also love this little pen. It reverse writes about the same line weight are regular writing and for a fraction of the cost of the 3776 I think I will obtain the truest line width I can get from a fountain pen in order to use for drawing. Please consider reviewing the kakuno sometime - it’s a little gem.

[@gordonbusseau9349]

I have one extra fine nib and I like it. I think I am going to put my baystate blue in it very soon

[@sanjinpetrovic]

Whitney, you definitely are a treat :)

[@richardsimms251]

Great

[@magnoliamike]

Two fair skined folks

[@thomasmorrison675]

EF or F for me, suits my writing style better. May be wrong but I feel EF and F use less ink than M and broad.

[@SilverSeaOT7]

What is the best truly ultra fine/extra fine pen for a beginner? I have been using the Platinum Preppy Extra Fine and to me it is more like a 0.7mm gel pen. Is there anything under $50 that would be more ultra fine that the Preppy?

[@neemancallender9092]

Preppy 0.2 is ultrafine

[@dtaggartofRTD]

Definitely sounds like a monday morning.

[@TimBlahkeks]

Thank you! Posting is so uncivilised. Just the thought of scratching my pens (even if proven to not happen on some I own by posting) is giving me nightmares. Watching someone post is like physically hurting me.

[@jillhoward1452]

Like Whitney I was kinda anti- TWSBI until I got my own. I won't say I am a total fan now, but they have their place.

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, I didn't like TWSBI when I first started working here because everyone who commented took them apart and couldn't put them back together! They sounded like such a headache... but then I got one. Now I understand. - Colin

[@MsPandaLilies]

I'm team "never post" !

[@burstangel]

You guys look like brother and sister. It's too cute.

[@Meatwadk6]

Drew, you should not clink a cup that has survived 411 years! You could break it. J/k 😎😃 Y’all are great together. I do not like EF pens, but loved this video. Also, I laughed WAYYYYY too much at “Wee-TWSBI”. 😂

[@ukgrant48]

You could do a great double act! Very entertaining and addictive - I am a lost cause.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Dry sarcasm. Great sense of humor. hahaha

[@DavidLinn]

someone please tell me what super inexpensive pen i can get that writes the finest. i'll give you like a max budget of $30. i can make my letters 1/4 inch or smaller without really trying. and i would like them to look thin, not like i tried to do it with a dry erase marker.

[@alexisc3658]

David Linn Any of the Japanese pens. My recommendations is the Pilot metropolitan in EF.

[@Gouletpens]

The Platinum Preppy EF nib is probably the best affordable option. Can eyedropper fill as well so it's a great value if you get a bottle of ink with it too: www.gouletpens.com/collections/platinum-preppy-fountain-pens - Colin

[@annestrasko7581]

Awkwardness FTW! I feel like you guys would be my people. Haha

[@CyberSkynet-o2b]

Whitney looks sooo fried right now. LOL

[@matthewbizelli4758]

Hey I’ve been eyeing the Lamy 2000 for a while now but people keep telling me that the nib is gold and that’s one of the reasons I want it but I can’t tell if it is gold it looks like a silver nib can you help me out

[@Gouletpens]

It's a 14kt gold nib that has Rhodium plating to match the trim/aesthetic! Definitely recommend the 2000, my favorite pen for sure. - Colin

[@Kyubi888Naruto]

I post all my pens.

[@cliffordbaker4930]

I only have one extra-fine: a Pilot Metro with a fine nib. It feels like l’m writing with a razor blade. I only use it for marginalia. It works well for that, but using a UEF nib is a horror I don’t wish to contemplate. Give me a Pelikan medium or everyone else’s broad.

[@deadfr0g]

Ooh, marginalia is a fantastic word. Thanks for expanding my vocabulary today!

[@ainstolkiner2063]

I like her a lot

[@jen7662]

So far my fave extra fine is the pilot metropolitan. I feel like my cursive is better with that pen🙂

[@kephrarubin]

There should be a whitney series with durability tests lol

[@Gouletpens]

I like it! Might need to brainstorm more on this.... - Colin

[@kephrarubin]

@@Gouletpens nice, and then have people send in photos of their knockaround pens, like the lamy all black I always keep clipped to a notepad in my back pocket that's scratched up and barely has any finish on the clip, love that thing! It goes everywhere with me and still works. Got it from you guys I should have bought more when they went clearance.

[@genelo6890]

It would be great if Whitney, the art history major, have a art gallery video showing her art works / have a video showing her drawings to get her art creativity out.

[@kephrarubin]

@@genelo6890 I didnt know she was an art history buff, yeah that'd be cool, put the art on goulet products or something

[@andyclipperton5027]

It’s good to know I’m normal. I don’t think I’ll ever get a pen that’s not supposed to be posted.

[@vancitycanucks]

I hate extra fine Pens. To each their own!

[@willcresson8776]

Team Never Post! Not even my KaWeCo Sport (which is admittedly my least favorite pen).

[@anaerobic]

Girl, team no post ever. Sport, lilliput whatever. I do not post pens!

[@chair5728]

anarokr look at the Stipula Passaporto and tell me you won’t post that pen.

[@EndaliasTreasures]

Can we have more Whitney?

[@Gouletpens]

Maybe a Whitney video series? - Colin

[@hetul784]

I am ALSO on team Colin. I NNNNNEEEEVVVVEEEERRRR post pens ever! For multiple reasons, if it's a pen that needs to be posted and is a push to post like kaweco sport or pilot E95S, I don't buy it :)😂😂

[@Gouletpens]

Couldn't resist the beauty of the E95s despite it's small size! - Colin

[@hetul784]

@@Gouletpens I totally understand that! Ha! I don't buy the E95S cause of the useablity. I have no use of a small pen coming only in an EF nib, I use mediums it fines but I EASILY always prefer a stub or Italic or oblique or music. Haha, so I see no point in buying an E95S 😁

[@TheNightowl001]

Live on the edge! If you're writing with anything more than an EF, you're taking up too much space!

[@violet_titration]

😂 #TeamColin 👍

[@DavidLinn]

11:40 that wasn't awkward. you should reduce your boundries of what you consider awkward. it's those "silly" "awkward" moments that make these videos all the more precious and valuable because it shows how human you both are instead of sticking to a "perfect" script or plan.

[@Gouletpens]

You're totally right. Off-script is definitely what we're looking for with these Write Now videos and if it goes off course a bit or unravels, so be it! - Colin

[@ballersac32]

Will zippy be making any more appearances? Hope so

[@DavidLinn]

10:30 "oh whoa! yours is way smaller than mine!" "not really, it's about the same" "thank you, but no" that's funny. i agree with her. you both have about the same size but hers is more blocky while yours is more cursivey

[@omyogagal]

This review is not as helpful as I hoped. Would you please consider to make a comprehensive review on affordable quality extra fine nibs for users who prefer or even enjoy pencil-like feedback. Thanks!

[@MrGyges]

Quite, quite mad, both of them. Where’s Brian ? WHAT have they done with his body ? Quietly now folks - 911

[@inerlogic]

don't like my EF Vanishing Point..... it's like writing with a scratchy needle....

[@KIMNEE123]

Never ever post pens. It will ruin the finish on the barrel. Resist the urge, I know that it's tough.

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

The Kaweco Liliput may be the exception to the "rule". That is THE only pen I have to post.

[@Gouletpens]

It can ruin some finishes, but a lot of pens are designed to be posted. Either way, I'll never post! - Colin

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

@@Gouletpens I don't post my pens for the one exception of the Kaweco Liliput. Besides that one pen, I never post.