Fountain Pen Nib Widths vs. Parker G2 Refill
Comparing 2 standards across 15 specifications. 15 key differences identified.
Fountain Pen Nib Widths are standardized tip grinding grades that determine ink line width, categorized from Extra Fine (EF) to Double Broad (BB) and Calligraphic Stubs (1.1 mm to 1.5 mm). Crucially, Japanese nibs (Pilot, Sailor, Platinum) write approximately one full step finer than Western nibs (Pelikan, Lamy, Kaweco) due to the dense stroke requirements of East Asian kanji characters.
The Parker-Style G2 Refill (standardized under ISO 12757-2 Doc G2) is one of the most widely adopted ballpoint and gel pen refill standards. Measuring 98.1 mm in length and 5.8 mm in body diameter with a stepped metal barrel and grooved plastic crown cog, it is used by hundreds of luxury pen brands and custom machined EDC pens.
Specification Comparison Table
15 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Extra Fine (EF)–Japanese
|
Approx. 0.20 to 0.28 mm line width (hairline precision) | — |
|
Extra Fine (EF)–Western
|
Approx. 0.35 to 0.40 mm line width (similar to Japanese Fine) | — |
|
Fine (F)–Japanese
|
Approx. 0.30 to 0.38 mm line width (standard everyday Japanese notebook writing) | — |
|
Fine (F)–Western
|
Approx. 0.50 to 0.60 mm line width (similar to Japanese Medium) | — |
|
Medium (M)–Japanese
|
Approx. 0.50 to 0.58 mm line width | — |
|
Medium (M)–Western
|
Approx. 0.70 to 0.80 mm line width (plentiful wet ink flow) | — |
|
Broad (B) & Stub (1.1 / 1.5 mm)
|
Broad: 0.9–1.0 mm | Stub: Flat rectangular tip with thick downstrokes and hairline cross-strokes | — |
|
Tipping Material
|
Sintered osmium/iridium/ruthenium platinum-group alloy sphere welded to gold or steel tines | — |
|
Overall Length
|
— | 98.1 ± 0.3 mm (3.86 in) |
|
Main Body Diameter
|
— | 5.8 ± 0.1 mm (0.228 in) |
|
Stepped Tip Diameter
|
— | 2.5 mm extending 18.0 mm from barrel shoulder |
|
ISO Standard Code
|
— | ISO 12757-2 Type G2 (Documentary permanence proof) |
|
Crown Cam Geometry
|
— | Molded nylon cog crown with 4 radial guide splines for push-button advance mechanisms |
|
Available Ink Formulations
|
— | Oil-based ballpoint (Parker QuinkFlow, Schmidt P900), hybrid low-viscosity (Uni Jetstream SXR-600), gel ink (Schneider Gelion+, Itoya) |
|
Pen Brand Compatibility
|
— | Parker, Pelikan, Faber-Castell, Rotring (600/800), Retro 51 Tornado, Tactile Turn, Karas Kustoms |