Fountain Pen Nib Widths vs. Fountain Pen Cartridges
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 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.
Proprietary Fountain Pen Cartridges are brand-exclusive ink formats engineered with unique nozzle diameters and collar locking geometries that are incompatible with Standard International pens. Key proprietary systems include Pilot/Namiki (wide 5.5 mm bore), Lamy T10 (stepped collar), Sailor (flared collar), and Platinum (metal ball seal).
Specification Comparison Table
14 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 | — |
|
Pilot / Namiki Cartridge
|
— | Length: 59.0 mm | Wide 5.5 mm bore | Capacity: ~0.90 ml (IC-50 / IC-100 / Parallel) |
|
Lamy T10 Cartridge
|
— | Length: 68.0 mm | Stepped friction collar | Capacity: ~1.15 ml (Lamy Safari, 2000, Studio) |
|
Sailor Proprietary Cartridge
|
— | Length: 48.0 mm | Flared ribbed collar | Capacity: ~1.00 ml (Sailor 1911, Pro Gear) |
|
Platinum Proprietary Cartridge
|
— | Length: 65.0 mm | Metal stainless steel sealing ball | Capacity: ~1.20 ml (Century #3776, Preppy) |
|
Parker Quink Cartridge
|
— | Length: 76.0 mm | Stepped friction plug with reserve tank | Capacity: ~1.20 ml |
|
Cross Cartridge
|
— | Length: 38.0 mm | Narrow tapered mouth (Classic Century vs Townsend / Peerless) |