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Thread: Extra fine nibs

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    Default Extra fine nibs

    I'm new the forum - first post! I just started back using fountain pens have three inexpensive pens, a Pilot Metropolitan with a fine nib, a Lamy Safari with a medium nib and a Lamy AL-Star with an extra-fine nib. I just got the AL-Star and ordered it primarily because I find the Safari a little light in weight (just a quibble - I still like the pen). One thing I noticed is that the Lamy extra-fine does not draw as thin a line as the Pilot fine nib. I was hoping for something a little finer.

    I'm wondering if anyone can point to a pen manufacturer that provides a finer nib than I can get with the Pilot. At this point I'd like to stay under $50 as I'm still figuring out what I like/don't like in pens.

    Thanks

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    Senior Member silverlifter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    As a rule of thumb, Japanese nibs write one point size smaller than western ones. So a western <F> would likely be equivalent to a Japanese <M>. If you want a finer point than a Metro <F>, you'll be looking at an <EF> from the far east.

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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    Thanks. I've been eyeing the Taccia Spotlight for myself for Xmas so it sounds like the extra fine nib will be what I'm looking for (yes more than $50 but it is Xmas...).

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    Four days ago I received from a pen pal a gift he described as a Platinum "pocket pen" that has a sticker on it 3,500 yen. Its stock 18k EF nib is a smooth(!) needlepoint. I am surprised and impressed by the nib. At the conversion rate, it should be well under USD$50.

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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    I think Parker 51s came with XXXF nibs, aka needle point. I don't know if they are still made, but I'm sure there must be equivalents avaiable. If I remember correctly, Pelikan has XXF nibs, but you have to seach a bit for them. I don't think these were custom made, but I am unfortuantely not sure. I am on the look for one of these my self.

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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    Quote Originally Posted by Veena View Post
    Thanks. I've been eyeing the Taccia Spotlight for myself for Xmas so it sounds like the extra fine nib will be what I'm looking for (yes more than $50 but it is Xmas...).
    Though mine has a medium and not an extra fine, I can vouch for the quality of the Spotlight pen. My clear one is very nice to use and hold, and it looks lovely.

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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    The Kakuno comes with an <EF> for twelve fiddy.
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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    Quote Originally Posted by Veena View Post
    I'm new the forum - first post! I just started back using fountain pens have three inexpensive pens, a Pilot Metropolitan with a fine nib, a Lamy Safari with a medium nib and a Lamy AL-Star with an extra-fine nib. I just got the AL-Star and ordered it primarily because I find the Safari a little light in weight (just a quibble - I still like the pen). One thing I noticed is that the Lamy extra-fine does not draw as thin a line as the Pilot fine nib. I was hoping for something a little finer.

    I'm wondering if anyone can point to a pen manufacturer that provides a finer nib than I can get with the Pilot. At this point I'd like to stay under $50 as I'm still figuring out what I like/don't like in pens.

    Thanks
    Why not a Platinum Plaisir, costs about as much as a Met, which also has proprietary carts but usually comes with one.

    Both the Met and Plaisir carts lend themselves to refilling via a pipette or crafts syringe.

    If you want really cheap, a Platinum Preppy even comes in Extra-Fine. That's pretty much a needlepoint. It's a plastic version of the Plaisir. Five bucks or so.

    Good luck and welcome aboard.
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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    Quote Originally Posted by Veena View Post
    I'm new the forum - first post! I just started back using fountain pens have three inexpensive pens, a Pilot Metropolitan with a fine nib, a Lamy Safari with a medium nib and a Lamy AL-Star with an extra-fine nib. I just got the AL-Star and ordered it primarily because I find the Safari a little light in weight (just a quibble - I still like the pen). One thing I noticed is that the Lamy extra-fine does not draw as thin a line as the Pilot fine nib. I was hoping for something a little finer.

    I'm wondering if anyone can point to a pen manufacturer that provides a finer nib than I can get with the Pilot. At this point I'd like to stay under $50 as I'm still figuring out what I like/don't like in pens.

    Thanks
    Hi Veena. Welcome to FPG!

    People are suggesting other brands, but if you're looking for finer than the F in your Pilot Metropolitan, you could try a Pilot EF nib. For what it's worth the Metropolitan, Kakuno, Explorer, Plumix, and Prera all have interchangeable nibs/feeds, so you could (for example) get a Kakuno with EF nib, and later decide to move it's nib to the Metropolitan and the F nib into the Kakuno. Some of those pens have different decoration than the Metropolitan: the Kakuno in particular has smiley faces. Also, the section on those pens is different: you'd be swapping the nib/feed, not the section.

    ETA: Ok, silverlifter beat me to mentioning the Kakuno.

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    Default Re: Extra fine nibs

    Thank you all for the informative responses and warm reception.

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