Let me start by saying that when it comes to nibs, my preference normally runs towards medium to broad, because I need a little meat to my writing. I like to see the ink, and I think that medium or broad nibs really showcase the shading and versatility of ink in a way that I can appreciate. That doesn’t mean I dislike fine nibs, I have a couple great ones that I use for bullet journaling. But my experience with extra fine, has been somewhat shaky. I like being able to use all my inks, and what I’ve found is that extra fine nibs need dark colors, maybe even . . . black ink.
Nooooooo . . . I hate black ink!
Even so, I like variety in my fountain pens and when I saw the Needlepoint nib on the Franklin-Christoph website, you got it! I knew I had to have one. But I did hesitate for like . . . one minute. If I don’t particularly like extra fine nibs, was I going to hate the needlepoint nib?
I ended up choosing the Model 65 in Solid Ice, which is very cool looking (waiting, waiting, waiting, for a model 66 in antique glass, just like everyone else I’m sure). It really does look a bit like ice. And as a demonstrator and eyedropper pen, it showcases inks in a unique eye-catching way.
I was also pleasantly surprised and delighted to receive my pen in a small leather zippered pen pouch instead of a case. Because that little case is very functional, and I do take it back and forth to work with me.
Honestly I thought I wouldn’t have any use for this needlepoint nib, other than to use it occasionally to draw, maybe. I didn’t really think I would enjoy writing with it. I mean, if I don’t particularly like using an extra fine nib to write with, than it stands to reason that I would like a needlepoint nib even less, right?
Wrong.
I can’t express how much I LOVE this nib . . . well I guess I can, since I’m writing an Ode to it. Because yes, this nib deserve an ODE. I don’t know what kind of magic Franklin-Christoph and Michael Masuyama are putting in this nib, but whatever it is, it’s amazing. All the things I thought I would hate about this nib, are the things I love most about it. I even went so far as to buy a black ink just for this pen and nib. Me! Buying black ink! What has the world come to?!
Yes, the nib is slightly scratchy on paper, all paper, but that’s a given considering how fine the tip is. I find it comparable to calligraphy nibs without the flex, and maybe that’s why I love it so much. The line is so thin, it really is almost like writing with a needle, and the flourishing that can be done with this pen! Oh, the flourishing!
I honestly think that this nib has helped my flourishing progress.
It writes on all paper, with no bleed and no feathering.
It flourishes like a dream.
I can use it for bullet journaling and doodling at the same time.
The lines although very thin, are still easy to read even with ink other than black. I tried the Noodler’s Dostoyevski ink with this pen and it worked just fine. (Not too sure about Apache Sunset, that one might not show up, but I haven’t tried it)
Whatever my preconceived notions were about this nib, they were blown away. I take this pen to work with me now. I never leave home without it. And if I had to pick one pen out of my entire collection to take with me at the last minute. It would be this one.
I’m very glad I took a chance on this nib, because I found my white rabbit.
Thank You For Reading!
The Pentastic 