Nib size?

[LetheAren]

I'm looking to get a fountain pen... probably a Lamy Safari or Al-Star since it seems to be a pretty good brand I can pick up really cheap (I have a 10$ off coupon from Paradise Pen). But I was wondering what nib size should I get - fine or medium? I'd only really be using it for letter-writing.

The only fountain pen I've ever owned was cheap job I got from Wal-Mart several years ago... no idea the brand, just that I tossed it when it ran out of ink. I don't recall the size of the nib, just that it seemed too broad.

When using my calligraphy pens, I tend to use the fine nib more often, so I was thinking I should probably go with that size...

[Semi-Constant Gardener]

If you have expressive (yet readable) handwriting, a medium nib would probably allow you the most artistic freedom and would make a great visual impact. You won't be able to write too small however, or else it will be a big blob. If you can, visit a pen shop and experiement to get a feel for what each size will do for you. I generally prefer a fine nib, but then I use it for tiny writing in my Day Timer. I have a separate pen, however, for my signature and that has a medium nib.

[Austin]

There is only one way to tell which works for you and that's to try both of them out. Good luck.

[glennz]

Keep in mind that areas of origin impact nib size. As the most general rule, European sizes run wider than the equivalent North American sizes, which run wider than the Asian sizes. And of course there are manufacturer differences as well, i.e. to me, a Waterman fine nib is more like the Pelikan medium. The Lamy medium quite broad, gauging from a couple of colleagues' Al-Stars, so if you can dip test them in person before your purchase, I would recommend it.

[tortswon]

+1. Just like shoes, size is variable. Try it on before you buy. Best, Sam

[ravkesef]

If you have expressive (yet readable) handwriting, a medium nib would probably allow you the most artistic freedom and would make a great visual impact. You won't be able to write too small however, or else it will be a big blob. If you can, visit a pen shop and experiement to get a feel for what each size will do for you. I generally prefer a fine nib, but then I use it for tiny writing in my Day Timer. I have a separate pen, however, for my signature and that has a medium nib.

The above is really the best advice you can have. My experience with the Lamy Safari and Al-Star, (I have three of them,) is that the medium is just too wide for my rather small handwriting, so I tend to stick with fine nibs, as these allow for most of the writing that I do. However, I do have a couple of medium nibs that I use for signatures, and also for some letter writing when I want to write larger than I customarily do. They are indeed more expressive than a fine nib because they will show the thicks and thins of writing far better than a fine nib can. I also have a couple of italic pens that I use when I want something to be really expressive. Lamy is a great pen, inexpensive but not cheaply made. You'll get a lot of writing satisfaction out of it. By the way, a gold nib is even more expressive because of its flexibility. Lamy nibs are steel, and hence not nearly as flexible. (By the way, I keep several spare Lamy nibs on hand, because they are extremely easy to swap back and forth, so I can vary my handwriting even using the same pen.)
enjoy your new pen!

[Intruderdriver]

I'll echo some of the above comments. I use a fine nib 90% of the time for most writing, and I use a medium nib for signatures.

There's something about a fountain pen signature, visually and psychologically satisfying.

I use mostly Pelikans, Watermans, and Parkers.

[mneblung]

While I love my broad nibs, most of my day to day writing is with a med. For some reason I'm not a big fine nib fan. What was mentioned about writing small is true, for that you will need a fine nib.

Dip and try both, and move forward with what feels right.

[TimmyBoston]

I like fine and extra fine. But my writing is very small.

[DeaconKC]

I generally prefer a fine nib for general purpose work.

[superbleu]

The disposable pen you had was most likely a pilot varsity which in the us only comes in Medium. You can find the same pen made for the asian market called the Vpen in specialty shops which has a Fine nib.

In any case if you found that to be too broad I would suggest a fine or even Extra find as the Lamy nibs are known to be fatter than most other pen brands for equivalent nib sizes ( a lamy fine is probably equivalent to the line put down by disposable pen varsity fountain pen)

If it's a Brick and mortar store ask if they have any pens you can dip test.

[TickTock]

I have a Lamy All Star and it's a very nice pen. The nib is smooth with a bit of give that makes it fun to write with. I have the fine nib, which I'd call middle of the road fine--not anywhere near needlepoint (which some asian pens can be) but not fat or too wet either. I think it would be a good letter-writing pen unless you have the kind of big handwriting that needs a fatter line.

The Lamy also has a triangular shaped section, so it is little different from ones with round sections (where you hold the pen). If your hand is very large or small I'd make sure to try one before you buy to make sure it is comfortable.

It takes cartridges or a converter so you can go either way.

Another cheap pen with a nice nib is the Rotring Core, if you can stand how they look. The fine I have is narrower than the Lamy, so try it if you can before you buy.

[whitecrane7]

I use a broad nib for items that need a signature, but use medium or fine for everything else. As above, note that European and US sizes are bigger than Japanese sizes (ie a medium Japanese nib is more like a fine US nib)