Fountain pens are a classic and traditional way to write and create elegant line art. The fine, flowing fountain pen ink across the page is a sensual experience that transforms thoughts and creativity into a tangible reality. But when we get new nibs for the fountain pens, they tend to be scratchy and rough.
A fountain pen nib will smoothen with use, over it will wear over time to set to the writer’s handwriting. When you use a fountain pen you will find it gets smoother over time, how long this process will take depends on the shape and material of the pen nib.
About Fountain Pen Nibs
Although this could be a desirable trait for art, it’s not such good quality for writing. If you bought some nibs and found they’re splotching your paper, you might wonder, “do fountain pen nibs get smoother with use?” Yes, they will. So don’t worry, you didn’t waste your money, but you will have to wait a bit before they get to your preferred smoothness.
Using your nibs as often as possible will make them smoother. How long this process takes will depend on the nib material, the nib’s length, and the type of paper or medium you use. It could take as little as a couple of weeks up to several months before you see a difference. There are some things you can do to speed up the process.
Does the Nib’s Material Make A Difference?
Yes, the substances that comprise a fountain pen nib will affect its flow and how long it will take to wear down. Steel and iridium-plated nibs are considerably harder and take longer to smooth out than titanium, a gold nib is the softest of the metals used for nibs and will smoothen the fastest, they can smooth out within weeks.
Can the Type of Nib Determine How Smooth It Flows?
The type of nib can determine how smooth the ink flows over a piece of paper. There are three main types (Regular, Specialty, or Calligraphy nib) spanning 16 variations; we’ve listed them from smoothest to scratchiest nib:
- Left-Handed are smoother and rounder than Rounded but designed for people who write with their left hand.
- Rounded are the most common and great for daily use because of how so very smooth they are
- Architect nibs are useful in drawing situations with a narrow tip that can create a thick line with good smoothness.
- Obliques are an angled nib with a broad, flat tip and write with a reasonable amount of smoothness.
- Reverse Oblique is another nib designed for left-handed people and has the same characteristics as the Oblique.
- Zoom nibs offer a variety of line widths with a bulbous tip that provides a smooth writing flow
- Accountancy nibs are for frequent use with lots of wear-and-tear and provide a fair amount of smoothness.
- Stub nibs are broad and flat with rounded edges that provide a somewhat smooth writing experience
- Fude nibs have a very long tip intended for use at an angle with a slight scratchiness.
- Music nibs are scratchy and specific for writing musical compositions on very smooth, fine paper.
- Flex tips are almost always used for calligraphy and are often scratchy to use
- Italic or Cursive nibs are the sharpest nibs with a broad tip that produce scratchiness
- Needlepoint tips are an incredibly fine nib with a very scratchy result and not recommended for beginners
Do Manufacturers Make Smooth Nibs?
Yes, some nibs are smooth right off the bat when you buy them. Generally speaking, nibs with rounded tips that are a size medium or larger will often be smooth right away. A new fountain pen should also d come with a nib ready to write with a nice, smooth flow. But of course, there are a few brands that boast producing nibs you don’t have to work at wearing down.
What Brands Offer Smooth Nibs?
There are quite a few brands out there that have several models fountain-pen lovers boast as some of their top favorites. Moonman, Lamy, Parker, Franklin-Christoph, Pilot, Faber Castell, and Sailor Cross, but this last one is very expensive and difficult to find. You will have to do a bit of your own research and compare what’s available on the market to your personal tastes and preferences in a fountain pen nib.
But if you’re new to fountain pens, try one from Pilot. These will be somewhat inexpensive and give you a good feel for how you want a fountain pen to write and function for your purposes.
Is There a Way to Smooth Nib Tips without Breaking?
Yes, you can make the smoothing process go faster in a responsible and mindful way that’s easy and simple. These ideas are more for steel and iridium-coated nibs rather than gold or titanium. This is because gold nibs should smooth within a matter of days. But, if you’re impatient, you can use these methods on titanium nibs. But ensure you take great care so as not to break them.
Wash And Dry The Nib Before First Use
The best way to smooth the nibs without breaking them is to rinse the pen nib with the teeniest spot of dish soap and lukewarm water. This will remove any shavings or dust incurred during production, along with any oiliness. Pat with a clean paper towel and allow it to dry completely; it is best to let it sit for an hour to be sure.
Use Paper with Fibrous Texture
Then, begin using your pen but use a coarser piece of paper like construction paper, notebook paper, or multipurpose printer paper. The point being, the paper’s surface should have a bit of fibrous texture to it. This acts as a weak sanding paper against the tip of the nib. Avoid using satiny smooth, and slick surfaces like high-quality stationery.
If your tip still doesn’t have that liquidity of flow, wash the nib again and wait for it to dry. Take care to remove all pulp shavings and dried ink that may have attached to the inside of the nib. Once you’ve waited for a full hour of air drying after patting dry with a clean paper towel, use a mild grinding tool.
Mild Sanding A Fountain Pen Nib
A word of caution. Whether you need to break in a fountain pen nib is a matter of debate. There is something to say about breaking it in naturally over some time. The processes described in the next steps will wear down your nib fast and there is a chance you will damage the fountain pen nib beyond repair. Then you will need to replace the nib and start all over again.
Take a piece of sandpaper, a smoothing stick, or some micromesh. Applying a GENTLE and LIGHT touch, rub the nib against the surface. Start by going up and down, then left to right, and finally in circles. When you can do these with fluidity, create other simple shapes like infinity or “8” and stars. It is important to be as gentle and light as possible.
The same warning goes for using sandpaper. Out of all the tools available to smooth your fountain pen nib, you must use extra caution with sandpaper to ensure you don’t break the nib or damage it beyond usability. Make sure the sandpaper is a fine grit, do not use a coarse grit as you may put an awkward angle into the nib. Ensure that you use even pressure across the nib’s tip to ensure a well-balanced finish.
Another method used to break in a fountain pen is to use a flat piece of marble and make the same infinity shapes while holding the pen in the preferred writing position. the new pen nib does not need to be inked for this process but it is good to rinse and clean the nib afterward to ensure there are no metal shavings left between the tines of the nib.
Test Your Nib And If Needed Repeat
When you’ve completed your exercise on the smoothing medium, then fill your pen with ink and test the pen out on different paper textures. See how the ink flows onto the page and if it meets your satisfaction. If not, you may have to repeat this process several times before you get to the smoothness you desire.
When Would You Want or Expect a Scratchy Nib?
There may be some instances where a scratchy nib is more desirable than a smoother one and some manufacturers intend to produce scratchier nibs. The type of nib will be a major factor in its scratchiness. Smaller and finer nibs will be more scratchy than larger, thicker ones. A scratchy nib can give you more feedback when writing. An example of a scratchy nib is a music nib and an italic nib.
Other things like a nib you’ve used for a long time or using a run-of-the-mill paper will make your nib scratchy, rough, and coarse. Misaligned tines, the two tips of the nib, will also result in rough writing. Misalignment can occur from faulty manufacturing, dropping the nib, and bumping the nib. If you try writing with misaligned tines, it will cause the effect to be scratchy.
Can You Realign Tines?
Yes, you can, but this is a very delicate operation. Even though many tines can withstand a bit of bending, you run the risk of breaking it when you realign once they bend it. Before messing with the tip of the nib this way, inspect it with a magnifying glass or photo/jewelry loop. If it’s bent beyond all recognition, throw it away.
When Shouldn’t You Try Smoothing the Nib?
If your nib is old and worn or misaligned with the tines, don’t bother attempting to smooth it out. Unless you’re some sort of nib wizard. Sometimes it is better to replace the pen nib with a new one if you are unhappy with the way it writes.
Last Thoughts About Nibs
Whether you decide to buy a smooth nib right from the start, smooth it out after your purchase, or intend to have a fountain pen nib that’s coarse, understanding the different aspects and designs will help you make a better choice. Remember that your paper will play a huge role in how well your pen moves across it. When you are new to writing with a fountain pen, you should always opt for a smoother nib to give you the optimal writing experience from the start. More experienced users can be more nuanced in their selections based on their preferences.
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