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Thread: Some Nibs

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    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
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    Default Some Nibs



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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    I've read that 14k nibs were (and are) more popular in Europe than 18k as 18k or higher adds nothing to the ability of the nib in writing. In the US 18k are more popular as, well, it's the US.

    What do you think, Deb?

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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    I've read that 14k nibs were (and are) more popular in Europe than 18k as 18k or higher adds nothing to the ability of the nib in writing. In the US 18k are more popular as, well, it's the US....
    Where did you read that? History should show most gold nibs produced in Europe, Britain and North America (France being the notable exception) have been 14karat. 18karat nibs have been offered as a high-end alternative in the last several decades, but my experience has been that there's no performance advantage to the added gold content.

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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    Let me restate that. From Peter Tywdle's book (I'm paraphrasing).

    14k nibs are as good as 18k nibs. British pen makers almost exclusively used 14k. Continental makers used 14k knowing it was more than sufficient, but would make 18k for the high-dollar crowd. In the US 18k commands more profit for the perceived value but no actual writing value.

    Vintage pens made with 14k were as good as it could be. 18k cost more but does nothing. Today 18k nibs are merely brag, but are not better.

    That's the gist of it.
    Last edited by sgphoto; March 31st, 2020 at 06:55 PM.

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    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    I've read that 14k nibs were (and are) more popular in Europe than 18k as 18k or higher adds nothing to the ability of the nib in writing. In the US 18k are more popular as, well, it's the US.

    What do you think, Deb?
    Not good on modern pens, I'm afraid. All the ones I handle are 14k - well, almost all. There is the occasional French pen and they are usually 18k. I agree that the higher carat adds nothing to the nib. A little softer and more likely to be sprung.
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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    Let me restate that. From Peter Tywdle's book (I'm paraphrasing).

    14k nibs are as good as 18k nibs. British pen makers almost exclusively used 14k. Continental makers used 14k knowing it was more than sufficient, but would make 18k for the high-dollar crowd. In the US 18k commands more profit for the perceived value but no actual writing value.

    Vintage pens made with 14k were as good as it could be. 18k cost more but does nothing. Today 18k nibs are merely brag, but are not better.

    That's the gist of it.
    French nibs were (and, I suppose are) 18k because that's the legal definition of gold in that country. Anything less is just an alloy. For the rest of us, 14k is the ideal blend of luxury and durability.
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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    As far as Montblanc pens are concerned the 149 model is commonly supplied with 18ct nibs in Europe while being commonly supplied with 14ct nibs in the US.
    I always thought that was because France defined gold nibs as 18ct nibs. I don't think we can go into a boutique and buy one with a 14ct nib here in the UK.
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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    Thanks for the answers. Then, for me, a 14k nib is as good as it really gets and more than 14k is unnecessary for the writing.

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    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Some Nibs

    That's how I would see it too.
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