Nib size and ink colour

[AimlessWanderer]

Over time, I have found that I tend to prefer the darker inks in a fine nib, and less dark ones in a medium nib.

Putting the less dark inks down in a fine nib can leave the writing looking weak, whereas a dark ink in a fine nib (being drier than my mediums), lifts out the colour from them more, as a medium nib can leave them looking "nearly black, but not quite" and lacking character.

Am I alone in this, or is it quite common?

 

[Claudel Xerxes]

Respectfully, I don't share the same mentality. Often, I don't see the point of having a dark ink and a fine nib because it loses the quality of the color, and can many times just look like almost black ink. Granted, this is fine if you're trying to write something professional, but want a bit of character to the writing. I think the true color of a dark ink comes out more in a broader nib.

I like less dark inks in almost any type of nib, as long as it can still be noticeable. A light yellow ink in an extra fine Japanese nib would more than likely be hard to read in most instances.

Paper properties and color can have an impact on all this as well.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Respectfully, I don't share the same mentality. Often, I don't see the point of having a dark ink and a fine nib because it loses the quality of the color, and can many times just look like almost black ink. Granted, this is fine if you're trying to write something professional, but want a bit of character to the writing. I think the true color of a dark ink comes out more in a broader nib.

I like less dark inks in almost any type of nib, as long as it can still be noticeable. A light yellow ink in an extra fine Japanese nib would more than likely be hard to read in most instances.

Paper properties and color can have an impact on all this as well.

I think my fine nibs, especially in my Parkers, tend to run a little drier than the mediums, but you are certainly correct that paper makes a difference too. Not that I want those fine nibs any wetter, for the reason you mentioned. I'm not keen on shading, as the inconsistency can strain my eyes when trying to read it, but if you imagine a shading ink, my mediums tend to put down the darker tones with maybe the occasional light spot, and my fine nibs the lighter tones with maybe the occasional dark spot.

 

[maxman]

I've never considered this before. I just use whatever ink feels right that day. Even at work I'll be saucy and pull out a green ink if the mood strikes me.
I'll have to think this over and see. I only have a few fine nib pens. Most of mine are medium and even one is a bold for signature work.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

I've never considered this before. I just use whatever ink feels right that day. Even at work I'll be saucy and pull out a green ink if the mood strikes me.
I'll have to think this over and see. I only have a few fine nib pens. Most of mine are medium and even one is a bold for signature work.

I have roughly twice as many medium nibs as I do fine nibs, but that works out just fine. One fine nib for a dark ink, and two mediums for a secondary mid-tone ink, and a contrast ink. I've never had a broad nib, but I don't think my handwriting would benefit from it.

 

[Claudel Xerxes]

I think my fine nibs, especially in my Parkers, tend to run a little drier than the mediums, but you are certainly correct that paper makes a difference too. Not that I want those fine nibs any wetter, for the reason you mentioned. I'm not keen on shading, as the inconsistency can strain my eyes when trying to read it, but if you imagine a shading ink, my mediums tend to put down the darker tones with maybe the occasional light spot, and my fine nibs the lighter tones with maybe the occasional dark spot.

That's a good point you make about drier nibs. Thinking about it, I generally prefer wet, juicy nibs. That makes sense with your ink preferences in terms of shading as well. I absolutely love shading and sheen. Now that you've explained it a little more, I can see where you're coming from with your assessment and preferences.

 

[KW Driver]

I prefer darker, muted inks and XF/F nibs. I primarily use ESS Registrar’s that dries to a deep Navy most of the time, paper dependent. My primary pen is a Pelikan 200 XF that’s the wettest, yet tight, clean line of any XF I’ve had. I prefer XF to any other nob size.

I’ve also got a 1.1mm stub that I’ll use to church up a letter to a pen pal.

 

[Doc Dan]

I just use whatever fits the mood. I have been mostly using Sailor waterproof inks lately and even more recently I have started mixing their blue waterproof with Diamine Iris and Beethoven. The fine nibs give a darker line and broader nibs show more color. Both are cool.

 

[blethenstrom]

I feel like I am all over the place when it comes to ink colors and nib sizes. Now I do not have stubs nor broad nibs, but I am a big fan of cursive italic nibs. Anything from a small 0.7mm cursive italic up to 1.5mm. All good to me. For work I can really only use XF, F and M once in a while if it is not too wet of a writer. We have crappy paper to write on and it is what it is.

As far as inks go I do like a shading ink, but I have to be careful since if you want to draw full benefit of that you need a juicy nib and I cannot use that at work. I do not like shimmering, nor really low saturation inks. R&K Alt-Goldgrun is probably as low saturation that I would go. It is funny because in all my engineering notebooks at work, the last page is my ink/pen test page. there I test for bleed through etc and if it is suitable to use in the notebook.

 

[Doc Dan]

I feel like I am all over the place when it comes to ink colors and nib sizes. Now I do not have stubs nor broad nibs, but I am a big fan of cursive italic nibs. Anything from a small 0.7mm cursive italic up to 1.5mm. All good to me. For work I can really only use XF, F and M once in a while if it is not too wet of a writer. We have crappy paper to write on and it is what it is.

As far as inks go I do like a shading ink, but I have to be careful since if you want to draw full benefit of that you need a juicy nib and I cannot use that at work. I do not like shimmering, nor really low saturation inks. R&K Alt-Goldgrun is probably as low saturation that I would go. It is funny because in all my engineering notebooks at work, the last page is my ink/pen test page. there I test for bleed through etc and if it is suitable to use in the notebook.
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Not for work, but in regular use elsewhere, try a TWSBI Diamond 580 1.1 stub. I have two and they are so smooth and so very expressive that all other pens I buy are disappointing.