Every fountain pen user should be aware of the fact that the nibs on these pens will eventually wear out. Although their design is meant to last a long time, several factors may affect longevity.
A fountain pen nib wears out at different speeds. It depends on the pressure you write with, paper coarseness, frequency of use, nib material, and the type of ink.
Below, we’ll explore the most common reasons that fountain pen nibs wear out. We’ll also dive into which factors can speed up or slow down this process. Keep reading to get the full picture.
Table of Contents
Why Do Fountain Pen Nibs Wear Out?
We mentioned above that a variety of factors cause fountain pen nibs to wear down. We’re looking at those reasons in detail, including:
- How often you write with your fountain pen
- The quality and lubrication of the pen ink you’re using
- The type of nib on the tip of the pen
- How much pressure you use when you’re writing
- How coarse or smooth the paper is
Frequency of Use
First off, any pen will wear out faster if you use it frequently. Fountain pens are no different. The nib on the tip of the pen can wear out within a couple of years if you use it on an everyday basis.
For example, if you’re a writer by occupation and use the same fountain pen 5-6 days a week, the nib will wear down a lot faster than if you rotate several pens throughout the week. And vice versa – a fountain pen nib could last you a lifetime if you only use it for special occasions.
The Type of Ink
Your ink choice also affects the longevity of the pen nib. Most fountain pen inks have some lubrication to them.
This is why they write so smoothly and seemingly glide across the paper. But not all inks have this waterproof or oil-based quality. Some are water-based, meaning they may not move the pen as smoothly and cause the nib to wear out faster.
Other inks contain particles or carbon; this ink tends to clog the nib faster than other inks. This can take a toll on the nib and cause it to wear out faster.
Some inks are considered “bulletproof”, and these are very high-quality. They will not affect your pen or nib as much and help maintain the longevity of a nib.
- 100% made in the USA from cap to glass to ink
And some inks have iron salts or tannic acid in them. These inks are naturally corrosive to most pen nibs and can clog them faster. So watch out for these types of inks.
The Type of Nib
The material of the nib and the shape of the tip also affect how quickly it wears out.
Higher quality metals won’t wear out quite as fast as cheaper materials will. Gold is a popular nib material since it’s quality and lasts a long time. Smoother tips on the nib also last a lot longer.
Eventually, though, the nib may wear down with repeated use, and if it does, you can rework the tip. Some people even get multiple nibs for pens where you can switch them out.
Over time, as you rotate the nibs, you keep them alive and strong a lot longer.
Writing Pressure
Of course, even if you maintain your pen carefully, your writing style could ultimately take a toll on the nib. Some people are naturally tense writers who hold a mean grip and push hard on the paper. This will quickly wear down the nib, especially if you write like this on a daily basis.
This is something you can work on, though. You can practice loosening your grip and putting less tension on the pen. And if you get high-quality ink for your pen, it will glide a lot more smoothly.
The Paper Texture
And finally, the type of paper you’re writing on is going to have a small effect on the pen nib. Some people like to use coarse or textured papers for their fountain pen writing. On the other hand, you might be using an ultra-smooth paper variety for your work.
The latter will help maintain the nib quality a lot longer than the former.
Final Thoughts
Many fountain pen users wonder, do fountain pen nibs wear out?” The short answer is that they can wear out over time, even though they generally have a long lifespan. Some of the factors that cause a fountain pen nib to wear out include the type of ink, type of paper, type of nib, writing pressure, and frequency of use.
If you want to make your nib last longer, you should try to write with low pressure on smooth paper with high-quality ink. Most of the time, a nib can last you at least several years. But for many recreational fountain pen users, your nib is going to last you decades, or even a lifetime.