One of the first questions almost every customer asks me is: "which nib should I choose?" It's a fair question — and a slightly confusing one, because "nib size" can quietly mean two very different things.
Burak Şahin · Vanagas Workshop
When people say "nib size," they're usually reaching for one of two separate ideas without realizing it. The first is the nib unit size — a number like No.5, No.6, or No.8 that describes the physical dimensions of the metal nib and the feed underneath it, and therefore how it fits into the pen body. The second is the line width — letters like EF, F, M, or B, stamped on the nib itself, which describe how thick or thin the ink line will actually be on paper. A pen can carry a large nib unit with a fine line, or a small unit with a broad one. They're independent choices.
In reality there are more than the three sizes people usually mention. No.4 turns up in small vintage pens and compact modern ones like Kaweco. No.5 is a standard choice for smaller or lighter pens. No.6 is what I'd call the golden ratio for handmade fountain pens — balanced in size, in flow, and in how it sits in the hand, which is why it's what most independent makers reach for. No.7 and No.8 show up in larger, more collector-oriented pens, and No.9 or No.10 are rare today, mostly seen on older Montblanc or Pelikan models.
At Vanagas, I work almost exclusively with the German Jowo No.6 nib. Partly for compatibility — it's the most widely used nib unit among independent makers, so swapping between Fine, Medium, Broad, or Stub is simple — and partly for proportion, since it sits beautifully on a handmade body without looking oversized or thin.
This is the choice that actually shapes your handwriting on the page. Extra Fine (EF) lays down the thinnest, most precise line — good for small handwriting and dense notes, though it can feel a little scratchy on rougher paper. Fine (F) is close behind it, still crisp but a touch smoother. Medium (M) is the most common choice for a reason: wet enough to feel alive, controlled enough for everyday writing. Broad (B) and Double Broad (BB) put more ink on the page and suit larger, looser handwriting, where you want to feel the pen glide. A Stub or Italic nib is a different animal altogether — it's ground flat rather than round, so your line changes thickness depending on the direction of the stroke, giving even plain handwriting a calligraphic rhythm.
If you've shopped for pens from both Western and Japanese makers, you may have noticed the same letters don't always mean the same thing. Sizing conventions differ between the two: a Western Medium tends to write closer to what an Eastern Broad would, and a Western Fine sits closer to an Eastern Medium. It isn't a flaw in either system — just two separate scales that grew up independently. Worth keeping in mind if you're comparing a nib width across brands and regions.
If your handwriting runs small and tight, or you write a lot on thinner paper, start with a Fine. If you're not sure, Medium is the safest first pen — it's forgiving, versatile, and what most people end up loving. If your hand is looser, or you simply enjoy a wetter, bolder line, go Broad. And if you already know you like a bit of line variation in your writing, ask me about a Stub.
Every Vanagas pen is made to order, so the nib is one of the details we talk through together before I start turning your pen. If you're still unsure after reading all this, that's exactly what the "Very Online Shop" video call is for — I can show you a few widths live and let you see the line for yourself before you decide.
