Term · Nibs and how they write

Conical Nib

Companies began making cone-shaped nibs in the 1940s. The most famous conical nib is likely the Sheaffer Triumph nib. Unlike an “open nib,” which leaves its inkfeed totally exposed, a conical nib wraps around the inkfeed to minimize ink evaporation. Stylistically, they are quite attractive, but we don’t know if they minimized much ink evaporation. In our experience, these tend to be very firm nibs with a lot of feedback.

Explained by Nathaniel Cerf, who restores the pens sold here. Spot something wrong? Tell him.

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From Drippy Musings

May 19, 2023 · How Do I Start Collecting Pens?

A Nib by Any Other Number…Is Still Confusing

Even for experienced professionals, it is really difficult to gauge a nib by its number. We get calls and e-mail with some regularity asking for a nib of a certain number. The trouble is, we often aren’t sure what the customer really wants. If the nib brand isn’t specified it can be a really challenging…