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Smitty37

Passed Away Mar 29, 2018
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For those who write often with fountain pens. Other than looks - is there an advantage of a larger nib - say a #6 over a #5? Assume the same nib manufacturer and quality.
 
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duncsuss

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Jun 29, 2012
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In my experience, it's aesthetics (and only the tip of the pen is in contact with the paper anyway!)

A big fat pen with a small nib just looks silly to me. A narrow gauge pen with a huge nib will be difficult to manufacture -- the internal clearance in the cap has to be large enough that the wings don't scrape the walls.
 

OKLAHOMAN

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While I agree with Duncan that the "tip" is the only thing in contact with the paper, in a 6MM nib your front section is slightly larger giving you a much better feel and control when using therefore a better writing experience. Also it just looks so much better on the new versions of component sets that are being offered such as the George,Aaron,Panda etc.
 

BigNick73

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I go for the 6mm because it has a larger grip. I find writing with a full sized grip to be more comfortable than the skinny 5mm like the barons.
 

Jontello

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I prefer writing with a 6. They look better and feel better when writing. This is why I love the jr Morgan and Aaron/Anthony.
 

Hubert H

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LeRoy, For me, they both write the same after the nib has been tuned. However, I like the larger nib. I don't know if it is the looks, the feel or maybe the distance between my thumb/finger and the paper. Sometimes we humans like or dislike things without any real reason other than our personal human nature. My 2 cents.
 

Mr Vic

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My thought is the nib size (not tip) is pen body dependent. I have a sterling silver Americana that would look silly with a #6 and of course a Jr Gent or Panda would look silly with a #5 or smaller. My Century Classic from Cross is even smaller then a #5 and I like the way it writes. Put a #5 & #6 side by side and you'll see the #6 is not only much wider but also longer which would give it a different feel as well. I really boils down to trying both and choosing for yourself. I've had ladies with small hands that like a large pen with a #6 and gentlemen with large hands who prefer a slender pen. All about taste...
 
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