Calligraphy is a hobby that needs a lot of patience. It would be best to have the best calligraphy nibs, calligraphy pens, calligraphy ink, and paper for excellent outcomes. In this guide, we will discuss more on the calligraphy nibs. Unfortunately, it is a bit tough to choose the right calligraphy nibs. This is because, in the market, they are available in different types of calligraphy nibs and a multitude of brands.
Luckily, you are here. We will make your shopping task hassle-free by providing a review of the top 7 calligraphy nibs you can choose for your needs with confidence. Besides, a buying guide is provided to help you make the best choice if what you need is not in the reviews. Take your ample time to go through them keenly, to see what is ideal for your new hobby.
Top Picks: 5 Best Calligraphy Nibs
Types of Calligraphy Nibs
To choose the perfect calligraphy nibs, you have to know the types of nibs available in the market today. In general, they are categorized into two different major shapes. They include the pointed nib and the italic nib.
Italic Nibs
These come in varying sizes. Nevertheless, they are set apart from the point nibs due to their blunt edge. They are mainly used to create italic scripts. As a beginner, you might face challenges in using them because they are not that flexible.
Point Nibs
Point nibs are characterized by their rounded tips. They have two lines that meet at the end to create a point. The split lines can help you to create different lines variations. On the other hand, they can create wider lines once they separate.
You can also separate them based on their mount sizes. A regular nib has a 9mm diameter, while the Mary has a 3 mm diameter.
Top 7 Calligraphy Nibs Reviews- 2022
1. Trustela Office Dip Calligraphy Pen Nibs
If you want an inexpensive nib that will do calligraphy and other purposes like drawing, the best calligraphy nib you can have is a Trustela calligraphy nib set. It has impressive features that will guarantee you exceptional outcomes for your artwork. A pack contains 18 varying kinds of nibs. Nevertheless, it is only a handful of them are perfect for calligraphy. You can use the others to do your drawings. If buying for calligraphy purposes, these can be a great letdown.
In addition, these nibs are available in standard sizes to ensure they fit into all holders. For example, if you use an oblique pen holder, you will be amused to see that all the 18 nibs can fit in it perfectly. Besides, you can use the nibs on the fountain pen.
You will also be amazed by how great these nibs look. Besides being beautifully crafted, they come with sturdy packaging. You can stay organized because the nibs are placed in an individual slot. Therefore, you can move with them from one place to another.
Moreover, you do not have to keep on dipping the nib in ink to do calligraphy. The Trustela calligraphy nibs are designed to hold a lot of ink. Luckily, you will experience no clogging with this nib. Besides, you can use varying kinds of ink.
Pros
- Durable.
- Good packaging.
- Holds enough ink.
- A lot of nibs’ options.
Cons
- Most of the nibs in this set are for drawing.
2. LAMY Joy Calligraphy Nib 1.5
LAMY Joy Calligraphy Nib 1.5 is the best calligraphy nib you can get if you want to get thicker lettering and excellent control over your penmanship. You can use it to write beautiful calligraphy on welcome placards, do big lettering on cards, and make posters. It is not the best for your daily writing. At first, you will not like the design of this pen. It has an industrial look that makes people mistake it for a tool or something.
The most impressive thing about this nib is how smoothly it writes on paper. It does not chafe the paper surface or collect fibers. A pack contains 10 types of nibs.
Thanks to the manufacturer, it is compatible with numerous pens. Hence, it would be best if you did not mind using it with your available pens. Furthermore, these nibs can withstand a lot of users because they are sturdy. The stainless material used to make them is invulnerable to damage.
Unfortunately, these nibs are not very flexible. Therefore, as a beginner, you may find it too stiff for your necessities.
Pros
- Can make thick strokes.
- Crisp and beautiful penmanship.
- Writes smoothly.
- Fits with standard calligraphy pens.
Cons
- Industrial look.
- Not very flexible.
3. MyLifeUNIT Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib
A pack contains 5 different nibs you can use to create varying line types and weights. They come in different sizes and have flexibility. You can use the flexible ones for calligraphy while the harder ones to ink your pen.
Even though this set has stiffer nibs, the great thing about them is that they are not brittle because they are a bit flexible. These nibs are also durable. Hence, they cannot break despite having a heavy hand.
Luckily, you will be impressed by how smooth they are when writing. Even though they are made of fine points, they glide effortlessly on a paper surface. Some of the nibs in this set feel like you are using a ballpoint pen. As a newbie, you will realize that using these pens is quite easy.
Another fascinating thing about these modern calligraphy nibs is that they create thin lines quickly and uniformly. You can use them to create miniature illustrations as well as calligraphy. With the help of a magnifying glass, these nibs can help you to draw tiny details.
Despite the fantastic features of these nibs, you might not like them because they are not as flexible as others made solely for calligraphy.
Pros
- Write smoothly.
- Create fine and delicate lines.
- Firm nibs but not brittle.
- A set has 5 different nibs.
Cons
- Suitable for illustrations and not calligraphy
- Not flexible like other calligraphy nibs.
4. Coneedy 11 PIECES Comic Pen Nib Set
Inside the package, you will find 10 comic pen nibs of 5 varying models and two for each model, plus a comic pen nib holder. They are made of thin stainless steel material that is durable and non-resistant. On the other hand, the holder is made of quality wood that is non-toxic and offers a comfortable grip.
When buying them, the nibs come protected with anti-rust oil. Therefore, you have to wash them with toothpaste water several times until the ink on the nib is even.
In addition, these calligraphy pen nibs are easy to use. The 5 models of G-pen nibs can be used in different situations. Luckily, you can use them with the wooden holder included in the package. This is practical and offers full play to your artistic atmosphere.
If you wonder what gift you will offer to a painter or a painting lover, Coneedy 11 PIECES Comic Pen Nib Set is a perfect choice. They are ideal for creating textures, lines, and many more. Additionally, they are easy to use.
Unfortunately, many customers complained about the wooden holder not holding small tips securely.
Pros
- Durable.
- Not easy to bent.
- Easy to use.
- 11 pieces comic pen nib set.
Cons
- The holder is not suitable for small nibs
5. Jinhao Fountain Pen Nibs
If you are looking forward to buying perfect calligraphy nibs that will not require you to dip your pen constantly into an inkwell, the ideal ones we can recommend you to buy are Jinhao Fountain Pen Nibs. In a pack, you will get five replacement nibs for fountain pens.
These nibs turn any regular fountain pen into a fude pen. Gladly, they fit excellently into jinhao fountain pens. In addition, they work perfectly with other pen brands. For example, you can use the nibs to convert your Lamy fountain pen and have a guarantee that it works excellently.
If you have a cheap and costly fountain pen and want to transform them into a perfect one, the best you can do is replace its nibs with Jinhao fine nibs. They make thicker lines and allow the ink to flow immensely.
Fude nibs should be flexible enough to allow them to create the lines you expect. Happily, this is exactly what these Jinhao nibs do. They are flexible and can bend to an impressive degree without deformed or breaking.
Despite the amazing features of these nibs, they are made from cheaper materials. Additionally, they do not have a special case.
Pros
- Enhances the ink flow even on cheaper fountain pens.
- It can fit into most fountain pen bodies.
- Easy to use.
- Turn regular fountain pens into a fude calligraphy pen.
Cons
- Not thick like costly brands.
6. Zonon Comic Pen Nibs
If you are a beginner in calligraphy, Zonon Comic Pen Nibs is the perfect calligraphy nibs we can recommend you to buy. A pack contains 10 identical nibs. You can use them for a couple of projects.
Another great thing about these calligraphy nibs for beginners is that they are flexible. Therefore, you can blend them to a scary degree without having them break. Afterward, they snap back to their original shape. With this quality, you can perfectly practice thick downstrokes.
In addition to calligraphy, you can use these nibs for illustration and drawing. Nevertheless, if you want uniform lines, you should be careful not to make the tip bend. They work excellently when making thick lines.
Depending on their price, you might think they are scratchy. But, this is not the case. They flow smoothly on any writing surface. As a result, you can make long flowing lines easily. These are the ideal nibs to consider if you love adding flourishes when doing calligraphy.
One of the issues about these nibs is that they have a small ink reservoir. Hence, you will be required to keep dipping your pen after writing two letters.
Pros
- Has 10 nibs.
- Highly flexible.
- Durable.
- Writes smoothly.
Cons
- Has a small ink reservoir.
7. NC, 17 Calligraphy Pen Nibs
If you are looking forward to having the best nibs for calligraphy whose set has several nibs, NC, 17 Calligraphy Pen Nibs is the real deal. As the name implies, a set contains 17 quality dipping nibs. They are made of stainless steel. You can use them with feather pens, fountain pens, ink pens, calligraphy pens, or quill pens.
The stainless steel material used to make these nibs prevents rust and oxidation. The quill nob set offers a series of ideal calligraphy nibs for newbies or experts.
Because the set contains 17 nibs, you can be sure they are multifunctional. They are available in different sizes and shapes. You can use them to practice varying words and different calligraphy writing styles. In addition, you can use the nibs to write letters, comics, invitations, and greeting cards.
These gorgeous nibs are manufactured and designed by professional craftsmen in terms of design. They have exceptional carved lines to ensure the writing experience is smooth. Besides, it ensures your writing is comfortable. Unluckily, they are less flexible.
Pros
- 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
- Multifunctional nib.
- Exceptional design.
- Rust-resistant.
Cons
- Less flexible
The Best Calligraphy Nibs Buying Guide
It can be challenging to shop for the right calligraphy nibs, especially if you have never done this before. However, this guide will help you make the best choice. Use them when shopping and you will never regret it.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a factor you cannot overlook when buying calligraphy nibs. However, note that this is dependent on the style of calligraphy you want to focus on or learn. The most common calligraphy styles many people practice require the use of flexible nibs. Some styles need unflexing nib.
With flexible nibs, you can create lines that differ in width based on the pressure you apply to the tip. A flexible nib can bend to a certain degree and return to its original shape when you have not applied any pressure.
Compatibility
A perfect calligraphy nib should fit in your holder. Make sure you buy a nib that is compatible with your pen. They should fit perfectly by not being too loose or tight. You cannot overlook this aspect when finding the best copperplate nibs.
Ink Reservoir Size
A calligraphy nib has small indents where the ink is likely to pool before applying it to the paper. Some of the nibs are known to hold more ink than others. The best nib to buy should hold more ink to ensure you can write with it for a long time without dipping it into the ink bottle.
Material
Stainless steel is the common material used to make calligraphy nibs. Such a nib resists corrosion better. Nevertheless, some use titanium which is more flexible and corrosion-resistant. The only disadvantage of this material is that it is more costly.
Durability
A lot of people do not know that calligraphy nibs are consumables. What this means is that you can replace them occasionally. Generally, the best nibs for copperplate you use daily can last at least one month. When you use a nib for a long time, it begins bending out of shape. Doing calligraphy with such a nib cannot draw consistent lines anymore.
How to Clean Calligraphy Pens
A calligraphy pen helps you to create stylized literature and artwork. Even though it was used in numerous cultures globally, it is still used nowadays. Typically, a calligraphy pen has a hollow metal tip, commonly known as a nib.
These pens might have an ink cartridge, a reservoir built-in, or you can dip it in ink. You might have ink or other foreign material clogging the tip in each use. As a result, it becomes difficult to produce a smooth script. The ideal solution is to clean the nib regularly to ensure the ink flows freely.
Things You Need
- Cup
- Towel
- Ammonia or dish soap
- Soft cloth
Step 1
Fill your cup with warm water and add 2 or 3 drops of dish soap. If your calligraphy pen has a large amount of dried ink, we advise you to use 1 tsp of ammonia.
Step 2
Place the nib of your pen down into the cup for it to soak. Leave the nib in the water for 5-10 minutes to help the ink inside to soften.
Step 3
Wipe the nib with a soft cloth to remove any ink leftover.
Step 4
Rinse the nib thoroughly with warm water.
Step 5
Dry the nib thoroughly using a soft towel or cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Nib in Calligraphy?
A nib is the part of a fountain pen, dip pen, quill, stylus, or ballpoint that comes into contact with the writing surface to deposit ink.
Are Calligraphy Nibs Universal?
Cork-tipped calligraphy pens have a universal insert. This means they can accommodate the same nibs range the manuscript pens can accommodate.
How Long Do Calligraphy Nibs Last?
The most delicate nibs can last for 40-60 calligraphy applications. But, some last for only 15-20 calligraphy applications.
Are All Pen Nibs the Same?
Pen nibs are available in different shapes and sizes for varying purposes. Nonetheless, you can split them into two major types: pointed nibs and broad nibs.
Conclusion
From the guide above, there are numerous brands and types of calligraphy nibs in the market. Therefore, you have to be careful when choosing the perfect ones. Hopefully, you have gotten the ideal one for your needs based on your budget from the reviews. Nevertheless, use the buying guide when making purchases if you fail to get the best from the reviews. Now, it is up to you to pick the best calligraphy nibs. Happy Shopping!