Fountain Pen Nibs

Hand-Tuned Fountain Pen Nibs – Individually Adjusted for the Best Writing Experience

Every fountain pen nib I sell is carefully inspected, hand-aligned, tuned and tested to ensure an exceptionally smooth and enjoyable writing experience.

Unlike many standard factory-supplied nibs, which can vary considerably in quality, each of my nibs receives individual attention. I personally check and adjust the nib’s alignment, smoothness and ink flow and feel when writing. I use adjustment by hand and careful sanding to ensure the nib writes beautifully at every position and angle.

This meticulous process typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes per nib, depending on the nib’s characteristics and the adjustments required.

Quality That Goes Beyond Factory Standards

I only dispatch a nib when I’m completely satisfied with how it writes. Every nib must feel smooth on the page, deliver consistent ink flow and provide the quality of writing experience.

Occasionally, a nib simply doesn’t meet my standards, even after careful adjustment. When this happens, I reject it and start again with another nib rather than compromise on quality.

My priority is simple: every nib should be a pleasure to write with from the moment you receive it.

Why I Started Tuning Fountain Pen Nibs

My interest in hand-tuning fountain pen nibs developed through years of servicing, repairing and working with fountain pens.

One thing that consistently surprised me was the variation in writing quality, even among nibs produced by highly respected manufacturers. I’ve encountered relatively inexpensive pens that write beautifully straight out of the box, alongside considerably more expensive pens whose nibs needed substantial improvement.

I came to realise that the price of a fountain pen or nib doesn’t necessarily reflect how well it writes.

That’s why I began individually tuning nibs: to take the uncertainty out of purchasing a replacement or upgraded fountain pen nib and give customers a consistently excellent writing experience.

Buy with Confidence – Satisfaction Guarantee

I take pride in the quality of my work and want every customer to be delighted with their purchase.

If you’re not completely happy with how your nib writes, I’m happy to accept a return and offer a replacement or refund.

Need Help Choosing the Right Fountain Pen Nib?

Choosing the correct replacement nib isn’t always straightforward. Different fountain pen manufacturers use different nib sizes, housings and fitting systems, and compatibility can sometimes be confusing.

I’m always happy to help you find the right nib for your fountain pen, whether you’re looking for a replacement, an upgrade or simply a smoother writing experience.

I can help you check nib compatibility, sizes and available finishes before purchasing.

Please feel free to get in touch with any questions. I’d much rather help you choose the right nib first time.

A beautifully writing fountain pen starts with a beautifully tuned nib.

I sell the following kinds of fountain pen nibs:

(Click the link to view in my ETSY store – or contact me for lower prices direct)

Contact me here for help with compatibility with your pen and for the best direct prices.

FUDE fountain pen nibs

“Fude” is the Japanese word for “brush,” and this distinctive nib is designed to create beautifully expressive writing and artwork with minimal effort. Its signature 45-degree bent tip allows you to vary line width naturally by simply changing the angle of the pen against the page—producing anything from broad, dramatic strokes to delicate, precise lines.

Unlike a traditional fountain pen nib, the Fude nib is made for creativity, experimentation, and character rather than strict uniformity. It is especially popular with calligraphers, illustrators, artists, and anyone who enjoys adding flair and personality to their writing or sketches. With a Fude nib, even the simplest marks can become bold, dynamic expressions.

Click here to view Fude Nibs for sale – or contact me direct for best prices once you know what you want.

Here is an interesting video about how you can use Fude nibs for sketching:

ZOOM fountain pen nibs

A Zoom nib is a distinctive style of fountain pen nib designed to produce different line widths depending on the angle at which the pen is held. Originally popularised by Japanese makers such as Sailor Pen Co., the Zoom nib offers an unusually expressive writing experience that appeals to enthusiasts who enjoy experimentation and character in their handwriting.

At a low writing angle, the nib lays down a broad, bold line with generous ink flow, making it excellent for dramatic signatures, expressive journaling, and shading inks. As the pen is raised to a steeper angle, the line becomes progressively finer, allowing for more controlled and precise writing. This means a single nib can mimic several writing widths simply through changes in hand position.

Unlike a traditional broad or medium nib, the Zoom nib is not intended for perfectly uniform lines. Instead, it encourages variation, personality, and a more dynamic connection between writer and page. Many users describe it as feeling almost brush-like in character, particularly when paired with highly shading or sheening inks.

Because of its smoothness and wet ink delivery, a Zoom nib often performs best on higher-quality fountain pen paper. It is especially appreciated by collectors, artists, sketchers, and writers who enjoy unconventional nibs that provide a more tactile and expressive experience.

For fountain pen enthusiasts, the Zoom nib occupies an interesting middle ground between standard writing nibs and specialty calligraphy nibs — practical enough for daily use, yet distinctive enough to feel genuinely different from a conventional fountain pen.

#6 Kanwrite Zoom Nibs – Bock #6 compatible
#6 Kanwrite Zoom Nibs – Jowo #6 compatible

Cursive Italic fountain pen nibs

A cursive italic nib offers a distinctive writing experience that blends expressive line variation with everyday practicality. Unlike a standard round nib, the tip is carefully ground to create crisp horizontal strokes and broader vertical lines, giving handwriting a refined, calligraphic character even during normal note-taking. Compared with a sharper formal italic, a cursive italic is slightly softened at the edges, making it smoother and more forgiving while still retaining excellent stroke definition.

The result is handwriting that appears elegant, controlled, and visually textured without demanding advanced calligraphy technique. Many fountain pen enthusiasts appreciate cursive italic nibs for the way they transform ordinary cursive writing into something more vibrant and intentional, rewarding proper pen angle and light touch with beautifully expressive lettering.

Italic fountain pen nibs

An italic fountain pen nib is designed to produce dramatic line variation by using a broad, flat writing surface rather than the rounded tipping found on conventional nibs. This creates broad downstrokes paired with fine cross strokes, giving handwriting a crisp, formal appearance strongly associated with traditional calligraphy and classic manuscript styles.

True italic nibs tend to have sharper edges than cursive italics, which allows for exceptionally clean character definition but also demands a more controlled writing angle and lighter hand. When used well, an italic nib can make even simple handwriting appear elegant, architectural, and highly expressive. Fountain pen enthusiasts are often drawn to italic nibs for their ability to showcase ink shading, elevate everyday writing into an art form, and provide a tactile, deliberate writing experience that rewards precision and rhythm.

Architect fountain pen nibs

An architect nib is specially ground to produce the opposite style of line variation to an italic nib, creating broad horizontal strokes and finer vertical lines. Originally associated with architects, draftsmen, and writers of certain East Asian scripts, this unique grind gives handwriting a bold, expansive appearance that can make print writing and block lettering look especially striking.

The effect becomes more pronounced when writing with a lower pen angle, rewarding users who naturally hold their fountain pen close to the page. Unlike many calligraphy-oriented nibs, architect nibs often remain remarkably smooth in their preferred writing position, gliding across the page with a distinctive feel that many enthusiasts find addictive. Fountain pen collectors value architect nibs for their unusual character, dramatic visual style, and the way they transform ordinary handwriting into something wider, sharper, and instantly recognisable.

Oblique fountain pen nibs

An oblique fountain pen nib features a writing tip cut at a slight angle, allowing the nib to better suit writers who naturally rotate the pen while writing. Originally developed to accommodate specific writing styles and hand positions, oblique nibs can provide a smoother, more comfortable experience for those who struggle with scratchiness or inconsistent ink flow from standard straight-cut nibs.

For many right-handed writers who rotate the pen clockwise, a left oblique nib often feels more natural and smooth, which is why left obliques are considerably more common in the fountain pen world. Right oblique nibs, by contrast, are rarer and tend to suit writers who rotate the pen counterclockwise or hold the pen in an unconventional orientation. When matched correctly to the user’s grip, both styles can improve comfort, ink flow consistency, and writing smoothness, while also introducing a subtle expressive character to handwriting that differs from a standard straight-cut nib.

Left and Right Oblique Nibs

Left oblique and right oblique fountain pen nibs differ in the direction the nib tip is angled, with each designed to complement different writing grips and pen rotation habits. A left oblique nib has its tipping slanted downward toward the left when viewed head-on, while a right oblique slopes downward toward the right. The goal is not purely stylistic, but ergonomic — the angled surface helps maintain smoother contact with the paper for writers who naturally rotate the pen in a particular direction.

For many right-handed writers who rotate the pen clockwise, a left oblique nib often feels more natural and smooth, which is why left obliques are considerably more common in the fountain pen world. Right oblique nibs, by contrast, are rarer and tend to suit writers who rotate the pen counterclockwise or hold the pen in an unconventional orientation. When matched correctly to the user’s grip, both styles can improve comfort, ink flow consistency, and writing smoothness, while also introducing a subtle expressive character to handwriting that differs from a standard straight-cut nib.

Stub Fountain Pen Nibs

A stub fountain pen nib is designed to provide attractive line variation while remaining smooth, forgiving, and easy to use for everyday writing. Like an italic nib, the tip is shaped to create broader downstrokes and finer cross strokes, giving handwriting added depth and visual character.

The edges of a stub nib are much more rounded and polished than those of a formal italic, allowing the nib to glide comfortably across the page with far less sensitivity to writing angle or hand position.

This makes stub nibs especially popular among fountain pen enthusiasts who want expressive, calligraphy-inspired writing without sacrificing practicality or writing speed. Stub nibs often enhance ink shading and handwriting personality, transforming ordinary notes and signatures into writing that feels richer, more elegant, and visually engaging while still being comfortable enough for daily use.

Titanium Fountain Pen Nibs

Titanium fountain pen nibs are prized for their unique combination of softness, responsiveness, and lively writing feel, offering a distinctly different experience from traditional steel or gold nibs. Unlike the firm precision often associated with steel nibs, titanium nibs tend to feel springy and cushioned on the page, subtly yielding under pressure to create a more expressive and dynamic writing sensation.

Many enthusiasts describe them as having a tactile “bounce” that brings personality and movement to handwriting without necessarily being true flex nibs. Titanium’s natural resilience also contributes to a smooth, slightly elastic feel that can make writing seem more organic and engaging.

While they may require a gentler touch and can sometimes feel less rigidly controlled than firmer nib materials, titanium nibs are highly valued by fountain pen enthusiasts seeking character, softness, and a writing experience that feels vivid and full of life.