Calligraphy Nib Guide
Whether you're an experienced calligrapher or a beginner, this guide will provide essential information on each nib, helping you make an informed choice that suits your calligraphic style and preferences. Tom's Studio offers a wide selection of high-quality nibs, designed for various calligraphy techniques. Here’s a quick overview of the nibs available in the Studio...
Nikko G
The Nikko G nib is a highly versatile and durable tool, widely popular among calligraphers. With its medium flex, it offers excellent control while still providing enough responsiveness to create expressive strokes. Carefully crafted, the Nikko G delivers consistent lines and is suitable for a variety of calligraphy styles. Its moderately sharp point ensures excellent ink flow, allowing for smooth, uninterrupted writing. Due to its forgiving nature and ability to handle different inks with ease, the Nikko G is a favourite choice for both beginners and intermediate calligraphers.
Tachikawa G
The Tachikawa G is one of the three manga nibs used in the Studio, and it stands out for its smooth flow and ease of flex. It holds slightly more ink than both the Nikko G and Zebra G, allowing for longer writing sessions without frequent re-dipping. The nib produces very fine upstrokes, making it particularly well-suited for intricate, detailed work. Its ability to deliver consistent, delicate lines also makes it an excellent choice for drawing as well as calligraphy. Whether you're creating expressive lettering or precise illustrations, the Tachikawa G offers a high level of control and versatility, making it a popular choice for calligraphers and illustrators alike.
Zebra G
A firm favourite here in the Studio, the Zebra G nib is crafted for smooth and consistent performance. Its fine point allows for intricate detail work and controlled letterforms. With a firm flex, the Zebra G strikes an ideal balance between resistance and responsiveness, giving your strokes a precise, deliberate quality. Whether you're working in Copperplate, Spencerian, or modern calligraphy styles, this versatile nib effortlessly produces clean lines and graceful curves. Available in both titanium and chrome finishes.
Leonardt Steno 40
The Leonardt Steno 40, often referred to as the 'Blue Pumpkin', is a highly flexible nib, ideal for creating expressive downstrokes. In comparison to the Nikko G, it requires much less pressure to achieve thick, dramatic swells, making it perfect for bold, impactful lettering. However, this flexibility means it can be more challenging to achieve very thin upstrokes. The Steno 40 is an excellent choice for large fonts, where its dramatic swells bring letters to life with a sense of movement and flair.
Gillott 303
The Gillott 303 is a flexible, sharply pointed nib that produces fine, elegant hairlines. While it is commonly used for Copperplate, it is also well-suited to modern calligraphy styles. With its delicate flexibility, the Gillott 303 allows calligraphers to create intricate letterforms with exceptional control and precision. Its fine point and responsive flex make it a favourite for those seeking to achieve refined, detailed strokes in their work.
Gillott 404
An excellent intermediate nib with a sharp point that glides effortlessly across the page, allowing for intricate details and delicate strokes. With moderate flexibility, the Gillott 404 enables smooth transitions from hairline-thin lines to bold swells, making it ideal for Copperplate, Spencerian, and other pointed pen scripts.
Leonardt EF Principal
The Leonardt EF Principal is a highly flexible nib, perfect for expressive downstrokes. Its extra-fine tip allows for exceptional precision, making it a favourite among intermediate and advanced calligraphers.
Leonardt Index
The Leonardt Index nib is a moderately flexible nib, suitable for modern and Copperplate calligraphy styles. Not only is it a gem of a nib, but its iconic pointed finger shape also adds character to any nib collection!
Brause EF66
The Brause EF66 is a highly flexible nib, perfect for pointed pen calligraphy. While it offers an exceptionally smooth writing experience, it is not recommended for beginners. We suggest starting with a Nikko G and progressing to the EF66.
One Dip Wonder
This little reservoir is a game-changer, and I always recommend it. It attaches to the back of your nib, holding extra ink so you can write longer between dips—more time practising, less time dipping!
"Absolutely amazing! I love it so much I ordered a second. It takes away the hassle of re-dipping and breaking your rhythm. Small but mighty, and easy to clean as well!" Ciara L.
Handy Extras & Shiny Things
Not essential but these pen rests and accessories are a great addition to your calligraphy tool chest.
