Editing Fountain pen (section)

==Nibs==
[[File:Visconti-detail-1.JPG|thumb|Detail of a Visconti stainless steel nib and feed with a finned ink buffering structure at its rear half]]
[[File:Tip of filler.jpg|right|thumb|Tip of a fountain pen nib]]

The modern fountain pen [[Nib (pen)|nib]] is a direct descendant of the iridium-tipped gold dip pen nibs of the 19th century. The earliest attempts at adding a hard and long-wearing tipping material to a gold nib utilized materials such as ruby.<ref name="books.google.co.uk">{{cite book |first1=P. |last1=Mathur |first2=K. |last2=Mathur |first3=S. |last3=Mathur |title=Developments and Changes in Science Based Technologies |isbn=978-1-4828-1398-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2mCEAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA128 |access-date=27 July 2016|date=2014-03-06 |publisher=Partridge }}</ref> A more successful approach exploited the discovery of the [[platinum group]] of metals, including [[ruthenium]], [[osmium]], and [[iridium]]. From the mid-1830s gold [[dip pen]] nibs tipped with iridium were produced in rapidly increasing quantities, first in England and soon thereafter in the United States.<ref name="books.google.co.uk"/> The first mass-produced fountain pens used gold nibs sourced from established makers of gold dip pen nibs, some of the most prominent being Mabie Todd, Fairchild, and Aikin Lambert. 
Today, nibs are usually made of [[stainless steel]] or [[gold]], with the most popular gold alloys being [[Carat (purity)|14 carat (58⅓%)]] and 18 carat (75%).<ref name="www.richardspens.com materials" /> [[Titanium]] is a less common metal used for making nibs. Gold is considered the optimum metal for its flexibility and its resistance to [[Galvanic series|corrosion]], although gold's corrosion resistance is less of an issue than in the past because of better stainless steel alloys and less corrosive inks.<ref name="www.richardspens.com materials">{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=To the Point: Nib Materials|url=http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/ttp/materials.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820151729/http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/ttp/materials.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Palladium]] alloys have been used occasionally in the past, usually as a money-saving alternative to white gold. As long as palladium remains more valuable than gold, however, it is unlikely to see much use for nib manufacture.

===Nib plating===
Further gold plating provides favorable [[Wetting|wettability]], which is the ability of a solid surface to reduce the [[surface tension]] of a liquid in contact with it such that it spreads over the surface.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.penheaven.co.uk/blog/steel-vs-gold-fountain-pen-nibs/|title=Steel vs. Gold Fountain Pen Nibs|website=Pen Heaven|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124043551/https://www.penheaven.co.uk/blog/steel-vs-gold-fountain-pen-nibs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Nib tipping===
[[File:Pilot Parallel 2.4.jpg|thumb|The Pilot Parallel, an example of a type of an italic nib used in fountain pens, often used to create art and calligraphy. This pen has two flat plates that meet in the center in place of a traditional nib.]]

Gold and most steel and titanium nibs are tipped with a hard, wear-resistant alloy that typically includes metals from the platinum group. These metals share qualities of extreme hardness and corrosion resistance. The tipping material is often called "iridium", but few if any nib manufacturers have used tipping alloys containing iridium since the mid-1950s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nibs.com/article4.html|title=Where's the Iridium?|website=The Nibster|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801132835/http://www.nibs.com/article4.html|archive-date=1 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The metals osmium, [[rhenium]], ruthenium, and [[tungsten]] are used instead, generally as an alloy, produced as tiny pellets which are welded onto the nib's tip prior to cutting the nib slit and grinding the tip into its final shape.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.nibs.com/article5.html|journal=The PENnant|volume=XIII|issue=2|date=1999|title=How can we talk about Iridium?|author=Mottishaw, J.|access-date=2016-12-05|archive-date=2016-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205042055/http://www.nibs.com/article5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Untipped steel and titanium points will wear more rapidly due to abrasion by the paper.<ref name="www.richardspens.com materials"/>

===Capillary action===
The nib usually has a tapering or parallel slit cut down its centre, to convey the ink down the nib by [[capillary action]], as well as a "breather hole" of varying shape.<ref name="Binder Nibs I"/> The breather hole's intended function is to allow air exchange with the ink reservoir through the channels of the feed, though some modern authorities believe this is a misconception and such venting is unnecessary. Some fountain pens come without a breather hole such as the Camlin Trinity, Monami Olika, Pelikan Pelikano, and Platinum Preppy. The breather hole's other main function is to provide an endpoint to the nib slit and an indexing point for slit cutting. The breather hole also acts as a [[Stress concentration#Prevention|stress relieving point]], preventing the nib from cracking longitudinally from the end of the slit as a result of repeated flexing during use.<ref name="explain" />

The nib narrows to a point where the ink is transferred to the paper. Extremely broad [[Western calligraphy|calligraphy]] pens may have several slits in the nib to increase ink flow and help distribute it evenly across the point, but such designs are more commonly found on dip pens. Nibs divided into three 'tines' are commonly known as music nibs. This is because their line, which can be varied from broad to fine, is suited for writing musical scores.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=To the Point: Making Music with a Pen|url=http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/ttp/music.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514013226/http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/ttp/music.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Types of nibs===
Although the most common nibs end in a round point of various sizes (extra fine, fine, medium, broad), various other nib shapes are available. Examples of this are double broad, music, oblique, reverse oblique, stub, italic, and 360-degree nibs.<ref name="Binder Nibs I">{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=Nibs I: The Basics|url=http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/nibs/primer.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=18 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718094031/http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/nibs/primer.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Broader nibs are used for less precise emphasis, with the benefit of a greater level of ink shading, a property wherein ink pools in parts of a stroke to cause variations in color or sheen &ndash; where dyes in ink crystallize on a page instead of absorbing into the paper, which leads to a different color being seen on less absorbent paper due to thin film interference. Finer nibs (e.g. extra fine and fine) may be used for intricate corrections and alterations, at the expense of shading and sheen. Oblique, reverse oblique, stub, and italic nibs may be used for [[calligraphy|calligraphic]] purposes or for general handwritten compositions. The line width of a particular nib may vary based on its country of origin; Japanese nibs are often thinner in general.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-28 |title=Personalizing a Fountain Pen: Nib, Filling Systems and Maintenance |url=https://www.jcccw.org/nikkei-news/2023/2/22/personalizing-a-fountain-pen-nib-filling-systems-and-maintenance#:~:text=As%20a%20general%20rule,%20Japanese,fine%20or%20medium%20fine%20nib. |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington Seattle |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Nib flexibility===
[[Flex nibs|Flexibility]] is a function of several factors. One is the nib material's resilience; another is its thickness. Finally there is the nib's shape, with longer tines offering more flexibility than short tines, while greater curvature increases stiffness.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grading Flex Nibs|url=http://www.vintagepen.net/grading-flex-nibs.html|website=VintagePen|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427121120/http://www.vintagepen.net/grading-flex-nibs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Contrary to common belief, material alone does not determine a nib's flexibility. Gold alloys of greater purity (18K, or 750/1000 gold) will on average be softer and less springy than alloys of lower purity (14K, or 585/1000 gold), but whatever the alloy its resilience can be altered considerably in manufacture by means of controlled work-hardening.<ref name="www.richardspens.com materials" />

[[Image:Swan nib.jpg|thumb|Mabie Todd Swan flexible 14k nib]]

Fountain pens dating from the first half of the 20th century are more likely to have flexible nibs, suited to the favored handwriting styles of the period (e.g. [[Copperplate script]] and [[Spencerian script]]). By the 1940s, writing preferences had shifted towards stiffer nibs that could withstand the greater pressure required for writing through [[carbon paper]] to create duplicate documents.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=Rethinking The Value of Steel Nibs|url=http://www.richardspens.com/xf/2011/05.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=26 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426190014/http://www.richardspens.com/xf/2011/05.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Furthermore, competition between the major pen brands such as Parker and Waterman, and the introduction of lifetime guarantees, meant that flexible nibs could no longer be supported profitably. In countries where this rivalry was not present to the same degree, such as the UK and Germany, flexible nibs are more common.<ref name="gentleman">{{cite web|title=Fountain Pen Guide|url=https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/fountain-pen-guide/|website=Gentleman's Gazette|date=8 May 2015|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015410/https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/fountain-pen-guide/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nowadays, stiff nibs are the norm as people exchange between fountain pens and other writing modes. These more closely emulate the ballpoint pens most modern writers are experienced with. Despite being rigid and firm, the idea that steel nibs write "horribly" is a misconception.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=To the Point: Steal the Steel|url=http://www.richardspens.com/?page=xf/2011/05.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820172945/http://www.richardspens.com/?page=xf/2011/05.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> More flexible nibs can be easily damaged if excessive pressure is applied to them. Ideally, a fountain pen's nib glides across the paper using the ink as a lubricant, and writing requires no pressure.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Good quality nibs that have been used appropriately are long lasting, often lasting longer than the lifetime of the original owner. Many vintage pens with decades-old nibs can still be used today.<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Collect and Buy Vintage Fountain Pens|url=http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/11/19/writing-with-history-how-to-collect-and-buy-vintage-fountain-pens/|website=The Art of Manliness|access-date=27 July 2016|date=19 November 2015|archive-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312064300/https://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/11/19/writing-with-history-how-to-collect-and-buy-vintage-fountain-pens/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Hero329nibsgal1.JPG|thumb|Hooded nib of a [[The Shanghai Hero Pen Company|Hero]] pen]]
[[Image:Parker 50 (falcon) nib.jpg|thumb|The Integral Nib of a Parker 50 (Falcon)]]

===Different nib styles===
Other styles of fountain pen nibs include hooded (e.g. [[Parker 51]], Parker 61,<ref>{{cite web |title=Parker 61 |url=https://parkerpens.net/parker61.html |website=ParkerPens.net |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730165204/https://parkerpens.net/parker61.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 2007 Parker 100,<ref>{{cite web |title=Parker 100 |url=https://parkerpens.net/parker100.html |website=ParkerPens.net |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027074540/https://parkerpens.net/parker100.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamy 2000,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen |url=https://unsharpen.com/pen/lamy-2000-fountain-pen/ |website=Unsharpen.com |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-date=31 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731141819/https://unsharpen.com/pen/lamy-2000-fountain-pen/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Hero 329),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=To the Point: Nibz 'n the Hood|url=http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/ttp/hood.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820174817/http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/ttp/hood.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=What is the Purpose of a Hooded Nib?|date=11 October 2017|url=https://blog.gouletpens.com/2017/10/what-is-purpose-of-hooded-nib/|access-date=27 February 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125071628/https://blog.gouletpens.com/2017/10/what-is-purpose-of-hooded-nib/|url-status=live}}</ref> inlaid (e.g. Sheaffer Targa or Sheaffer P.F.M) or integral Nib (Parker T-1, Falcon, and Pilot Myu 701), .<ref>{{cite web|last1=Binder|first1=Richard|title=Design Features: Integral Nibs|url=http://www.richardspens.com/ref/design/integral_nibs.htm|website=Richard Binder's Pens|access-date=27 July 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820155146/http://www.richardspens.com/ref/design/integral_nibs.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Users are often cautioned not to lend or borrow fountain pens as the nib "wears in" at an angle unique to each individual person.<ref name="gentleman" /> A different user is likely to find that a worn-in nib does not write satisfactorily in their hand and, furthermore, creates a second wear surface, ruining the nib for the original user. This, however, is not a point of concern in pens with modern, durable tipping material, as these pens take many years to develop any significant wear.<ref name="gentleman" />