The purpose of the Esterbrook Project is to generate a complete list of dip pen nibs manufactured by The Esterbrook Company over the years. Contributions of information to further this are greatly appreciated.
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FURTHER TOPICS

PARTS OF A DIP PEN NIB

BEING FAMILIAR with the terms used to describe the different parts of the dip pen nib helps tremendously when wading through any discussion about nibs. Familiarize yourself with the diagram below. Refer to it as often as you need.

NIB DIAGRAM

PARTS of the dip pen nib:
NIB TIP
  1. The nib tip is the part that touches the paper and deposits ink on it
HEEL
  1. The heel of the nib is inserted into the pen holder
  2. Usually gently rounded
TINE SLIT or MAIN SLIT
  1. A very thin slit running between the nib tip and the vent hole
  2. An ink delivery channel that uses capillary action to deliver ink from the supply to the nib tip
  3. Some models such as music nibs may have two, three or even five main slits (very uncommon nibs)
  4. Straight (There is one known model from another manufacturer with a curved or serpentine tine slit)
NIB TINES
  1. The two sections of the nib tip separated by the tine slit
  2. Independently flexible
  3. Alignment crucial for proper operation
    1. Can be misaligned due to accident or mishandling
    2. Inspect with strong magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe
VENT HOLE
  1. Two purposes
    1. Serves to prevent or minimize cracks or splits from propagating due to flex
    2. Serves as an ink reservoir using surface tension
  2. Various shapes, some decorative, some plain
  3. May not exist on some nibs
    1. Red ink nibs
    2. Some stubs
  4. May have multiple holes on some nibs
    1. Usually lined up along main slit
    2. Music nibs have a vent hole for each main slit arranged in a lateral arc
SHOULDER
  1. The point where the nib body either breaks sharply or tapers towards the nib tip
  2. Some nibs have no definable shoulder but taper in a gentle curve all the way to the nib tip
SHOULDER SLITS
  1. Usually found between the shoulder and the nib tip
  2. Usually one slit on each side
  3. Increases flex by decreasing cross section area of metal
SIDE SLITS
  1. May be found behind the shoulder on sides of the nib body
  2. Straight, curved, "T", or "L" shape
  3. May be very wide compared to tine slits
  4. Increases flex by decreasing cross sectional area of metal
  5. Adds some difficulty level when trying to clean nib
WAIST
  1. Area between the vent hole and the imprint area
  2. Normally plain and unremarkable
  3. Some decorative wasp waists made
  4. Balance spring wasp waist intended to give softer feel to writing experience
EMBOSSING
  1. Usually decorative and found between the vent hole and the imprint area if present
  2. A raised relief surface (embossing)
    1. This could be in the form of a letter such as "J" or "G"
    2. Could be a decorative design, such as a rose, a swan, or William Shakespeare
    3. Could be a rolled line in the waist area
    4. Decorative scroll, leaves, etc. in the area of a wasp waist
IMPRINT AREA
  1. The area between the waist and the heel where letters and numbers are stamped onto the nib body
    1. Manufacturer's name
    2. Nib number and name
    3. Trademark
    4. City and/or country of company
    5. Some imprints, such as the nib number, may be located further forward, as far as the waist or the vent hole
    6. Many nib manufacturers contracted with businesses or schools to put the customer's name rather than the manufacturer's name in the imprint area for advertising purposes
      1. This is a significant area of collecting
      2. Identifying the manufacturer can be problematical without good reference sources
NIB GRIND (not shown)
  1. The top or nose of the nib tip may show lateral grind marks
  2. Later production nibs may show crimped rows
  3. Intended to increase flex by decreasing thickness of metal in nib tip area

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