Question 1

What’s the difference between Western Fine and Eastern Fine fountain pen nibs?

Accepted Answer

In this video I separate my writing samples into Western Fine and Eastern Fine because they don’t behave the same in practice. Even when the nib says “F,” the line width and feel can vary a lot depending on the brand and region. That’s why I kept the ink and paper consistent—to make the differences easier to spot.

Question 2

Which Fine nibs did you test in this Fine nib comparison?

Accepted Answer

I pulled Fine nibs from across my collection and did side-by-side writing samples. On the Western side I used Retro 51 with a Jowo #6, Kaweco, Tacray with a Schmidt nib, Esterbrook JR with a Jowo #5, and Montblanc. On the Eastern side I tested Cypress, Wancher Puchico, Sailor (MF), Nakaya, and Platinum 3776.

Question 3

Do you talk about nib anatomy and parts in this video?

Accepted Answer

Yes—I have a whole section where I deep dive into nib parts and the basics. When you’re comparing Fine nibs, small things matter, so I wanted to slow down and talk through what we’re actually looking at. It’s fountain pen basics, but with my usual “let’s zoom in and overthink it” energy.

Question 4

How did you keep the Fine nib test fair across different pens and brands?

Accepted Answer

I used a consistent setup for the exploration, specifically calling out the ink and paper I used before the writing samples. That way, the differences you see are more about the nibs and less about changing variables. I also measured line widths later in the video to add a more objective layer to the comparison.

Question 5

Did you compare Jowo #5 vs Jowo #6 Fine nibs?

Accepted Answer

Yes—I used both sizes in the lineup, including a Jowo #6 and a Jowo #5 on the Esterbrook JR. It’s a nice way to see how “Fine” can still vary even within the same general nib family. I also included bonus nibs at the end, including another Esterbrook/Jowo #6 option.

Question 6

What is a Fine Cursive Italic nib and did you test one?

Accepted Answer

I included a Fine Cursive Italic as a bonus nib in this video. It’s still in the “fine” neighborhood, but it gives you more character in your writing than a standard round Fine. I show writing samples so you can see how the line variation looks in a journaling context.

Question 7

Do you measure fountain pen line width in this video?

Accepted Answer

Yes—after the writing samples, I do line width measurements. I wanted to back up my impressions with actual measurements, especially because Fine nibs can be surprisingly different across brands. It’s part of why this video is both a basics guide and a comparison rabbit hole.

Fountain Pen Basics: Fine Nibs | Montblanc | Jowo | Cypress | Kaweco | Esterbrook | Cursive Italic

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