Broad Nibs?

[maxman]

Anyone here use Broad nibs?
I have never used one and I'm curious enough to start looking for a cheap pen with one.
I imagine they'd be pretty sweet for a signature.

Would they be cooler (20% cooler) if they were italic?

 

[PFP_Dad]

I've used one broad nib and to be honest will go out of my way not to buy one. I typically write very small, so to me it was like using a marker. My co-worker however loves it, so like everything else YMMV. I managed to find a working Esterbrook J series with one for around $10.00 if your willing to look around.

 

[chuckr9]

Broad and italic nibs are quite different - I like both, but it is entirely a personal choice. Broad, or medium, might be best for starting out. Cursive Italic nibs are fun to use, but take a little getting used to.

 

[maxman]

Broad and italic nibs are quite different - I like both, but it is entirely a personal choice. Broad, or medium, might be best for starting out. Cursive Italic nibs are fun to use, but take a little getting used to.

I have a crisp italic and I really like it. I feel like i'm writing with a pen that's much older than it is.
(if that makes any sense).

 

[cvac]

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/224171-pelikan-future-broad-review/

^ My first try with a broad nib.

I also got a Lamy 1.5 Italic nib for my Al-Star which I suppose would be close to a broad Italic. They also make a 1.9 Italic if you really want to go broad.

Italic and broad nibs are fun. With either my average sized writing is fine if I block print. If I write in cursive, I find I need to make the writing bigger than I usually do in order for it to look right.

 

[Gruder]

I prefer a broad nib in most pens, the exception being my Lamy 2000 (there's broad, and then there's the Lamy!). I figure it's just a matter of personal preference.

 

[bald1]

I've been using broad nibs for decades. Especially OB, OBB, and Stub nibs. I simply love the powerful flair they give my handwriting strokes.

 

[Doc4]

Would they be cooler (20% cooler) if they were italic?

Yes.

A broad nib is just a broad nib, but an italic nib or a music nib, or any of the other oddly-shaped nibs out there, really can add some flair. (Sailor makes a whole range of oddly-shaped special nibs that are a great and expensive rabbit hole to go down.)

IF you have one of the recent B&B LE pens (memory fails, but I suspect you do) you can get a specially-ground nib from Brian Gray to swap in & out of your pen ... it just screws in. Kaweco makes similar screw-in nib sections for their "sport" pens, although Goulet is stopping carrying them and selling them off.

Pilot Plumix is a great way to start with an italic cheaply.

 

[maxman]

I do have the LE's. Both of them. They are wonderful indeed.
I didn't think of the extra nibs.
That might be the thing to do then.

 

[acesn8s]

I prefer a broad nib in most pens, the exception being my Lamy 2000 (there's broad, and then there's the Lamy!). I figure it's just a matter of personal preference.

My Lamy 2000 is my only Broad nib. I got it before I realized that the Lamy Broads are larger than most others. I find it too large to journal with (Rhodia Webbie), but it's great for marking up draft copies at work!