Fountain Pen Nib and Tipping Materials Explained (and Gold vs. Steel myths busted)

Where it all began: Fountain Pen Nibs vs. Dip Pen Nibs

Fountain pen nibs are the metal tips that deliver ink from a pen’s internal reservoir onto paper. They evolved from dip pen nibs (the interchangeable metal nibs you dip in ink), but with significant improvements in convenience and durability. Unlike dip nibs, fountain pen nibs have a continuous ink supply via a feed and are often tipped with hard metal alloys for longevity. Dip pen nibs, typically untipped steel, offer great flexibility for calligraphy but wear out quickly and can scratch paper.

Early fountain pens solved these issues by adding an extremely hard tipping (like iridium) to soft gold nibs, dramatically improving durability. This tipping forms a hard, smooth ball or wedge at the nib’s tip that contacts the paper. In short, dip pens are wonderful for pointed-pen calligraphy or broad-edge scripts but require constant re-dipping and nib replacement, whereas fountain pen nibs are built for sustained writing with a refillable ink supply. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll focus on fountain pen nibs – their materials, standard tip sizes, and specialty grinds – to help beginners and intermediate users navigate the wide world of nib options.

Fountain Pen Nib Materials

One of the first things to know about nibs is what material they’re made of. The material of a nib influences its flexibility, feel on paper, durability, and cost. Most modern fountain pen nibs are made from either stainless steel or gold alloys, with a few other materials used by certain manufacturers.

Importantly, almost all nibs have tipping material (often made of iridium-family metals) fused to the tip – this is what actually touches the paper and affects smoothness and wear resistance. The exception is stub nibs, which often don't have tipping, to give you that dramatic line variation (thin in one direction, thick in the other). Let’s explore each common nib material and dispel a few myths along the way.

Stainless Steel Nibs

Stainless steel is a common nib material, especially in beginner and intermediate pens. Steel nibs are typically firm (stiff) and very durable. Modern steel resists corrosion and damage, making it ideal for daily use or for writers who might apply heavier pressure. Modern steel nibs can be manufactured to very high quality – a well-made steel nib can write just as smoothly as a gold nib if it’s properly ground and polished.

In fact, smoothness is mostly a function of the nib’s tipping and grind/polish, not the base metal. Steel nibs usually provide a consistent line without much “bounce” or flex (unless specifically designed as flex steel nibs). This consistency and robustness make them excellent for regular writing, note-taking, and use on the go. They tend to be less expensive than gold, so many newcomers start with steel-nib pens.

One thing to note is that some steel nibs are plated to look like gold – a gold-colored steel nib will write the same as its unplated counterpart. Overall, stainless steel nibs are valued for their reliability, affordability, and toughness.

One note on older steel-nibbed fountain pens: older steel alloys (think 1950s and earlier) were much lower quality than modern ones, so you should take care with iron gall inks. An iron gall ink is acidic - it might not corrode a modern high-quality steel nib, but it could cause heavier wear on a vintage steel nib.

Gold Nibs (14k, 18k, 21k)

Gold nibs are the hallmark of many higher-end fountain pens. Typically made from 14 karat, 18 karat, or even 21 karat gold alloy, these nibs are prized for their slight softness and luxurious feel. Gold is more malleable than steel, so a gold nib will often have a bit of natural “bounce” or springiness when you write. This can act like a tiny shock absorber, giving a smoother, cushioned writing experience – one reason some say gold nibs feel “softer” on paper.

For example, if a steel and gold nib have the exact same tip shape and polish, the gold nib’s flexibility might make it feel smoother or more responsive, even though both can be equally smooth in tipping. Gold nibs are also highly resistant to ink corrosion (one reason they were adopted in the 19th century when then-common iron gall inks corroded steel nibs).

A 14k gold nib (58.5% gold) is generally a bit stiffer and more durable than an 18k (75% gold) because the higher gold content of 18k makes it softer.

However, not all gold nibs are super soft or flexible – it depends on the nib’s design and thickness. I personally think a lot of this is subjective, though, and the difference is very slight in practice. For example, Sailor’s 21k gold nibs, despite the even higher gold content, are engineered to be fairly firm, though still with a pleasant springiness.

Many enthusiasts consider 14k gold an optimal balance between softness and strength for a nib. Keep in mind, gold nibs do not automatically write smoother than steel – the tipping material and craftsmanship determine smoothness. In fact, a well-tuned steel nib can outperform a poorly finished gold nib. Gold nibs also come at a premium price, often adding significantly to a pen’s cost due to the precious metal content and additional hand-tuning many gold nibs receive. They’re often found on pens in the higher price tiers and are sometimes seen as a status feature.

While gold nibs can offer a delightful writing experience (many describe it as bouncy or expressive), they are not a necessity for a great-writing pen. Beginners are usually advised to try a variety of steel nibs first; you might be surprised how fantastic some steel nibs feel.

 

Myth Debunk – “Gold Nibs Write Smoother”:

A common myth is that "gold nibs write smoother than steel." In reality, the tipping material (usually an iridium alloy ball or wedge) and how it’s ground and polished determine smoothness. Both gold and steel nibs use similar hard tipping metals, so the actual contact point on the paper is virtually the same. A buttery-smooth feel comes from excellent nib polishing and nib tine alignment, not from the gold itself. Gold’s softness does give a different feedback or cushioned feel, but if you take two nibs with identical tipping shape, one steel and one gold, and write normally, both can be equally smooth. Thus, don’t assume a gold nib will fix scratchiness or make your pen magically glassy – a well-made nib of any material will be smooth, and a poorly-made one will scratch, regardless of gold or steel.

 

Myth Debunk – “Gold Nibs Adapt to Your Handwriting”:

Another saying is that gold nibs wear in or adjust to your hand over time. Modern tipping materials are so hard that it would take many years of writing to noticeably wear a pattern into the tipping. While vintage 14k gold nibs (especially untipped ones) did sometimes bend or wear slightly because of a heavy-handed owner, this usually isn't a good thing, just damage to the tines ("springing the tines").

Titanium Nibs

Titanium is one of the more exotic nib materials that some pen makers and nib manufacturers offer. A titanium nib is usually made from a titanium alloy and can be recognized by its darker grey color (unless plated). The writing feel of titanium nibs is quite unique: they are typically semi-flexible and bouncy, even more so than many gold nibs.

Writers often describe a certain springy “feedback” or tactile sensation with titanium – not scratchy, but a bit of natural feedback that gives character to the writing experience. Titanium nibs can bend a little with pressure, offering line variation, but they are not meant to be flexed to extremes (they can spring or warp if pushed too far, just like gold and steel). In normal use, a titanium nib provides a soft, cushioned feel and tends to be wetter (allowing good ink flow).

Titanium fountain pen nibs also resist corrosion very well – a plus if you use more acidic inks like iron galls – and are fairly durable. One downside is that titanium’s surface isn’t as glass-smooth as polished iridium tipping; combined with that slight flex, some titanium nibs can feel less smooth on paper than steel or gold (again, depending on tipping and tuning). Still, many enjoy the expressiveness and almost “brush-like” quality of writing with a titanium nib. They occupy a middle ground in price – generally more costly than steel, often cheaper than gold – and can be a fun upgrade for someone looking for a different feel without jumping straight to high-karat gold.

Palladium Nibs

Palladium is another less common nib material, most famously used by Visconti for their 23k palladium nibs (marketed as “Dreamtouch” nibs). These nibs are actually about 95% pure palladium (hence 23k, analogous to 23/24 parts), and they were introduced as a novel alternative to gold.

Palladium nibs are known for being very soft and flexible – Visconti’s Dreamtouch nibs in particular have a reputation for an almost effortless flex. In practice, a palladium nib can lay down a very wet line with minimal pressure, and it provides a super-smooth writing experience when tuned well. The flexibility allows for some line width variation, making writing feel expressive.

However, this softness can be a double-edged sword: some early Visconti palladium nibs were so soft that they were temperamental (hard to adjust or prone to babying for consistent ink flow). Modern iterations have improved reliability, but they still offer that signature soft feel. Palladium is a precious metal like gold, and pens with palladium nibs are quite expensive.

Outside of Visconti, a few other brands have dabbled in palladium or silver alloy nibs historically, but gold and steel remain dominant. If you come across a palladium nib, expect a writing experience similar to a very soft gold nib – great for light, flowing strokes and a “no pressure” touch.

Tipping Material and Why It Matters

Regardless of the nib’s base metal (steel, gold, titanium, etc.), nearly all fountain pen nibs have tipping material: a small blob or pellet of an extremely hard alloy welded to the nib’s tip. Historically, rare metals from the platinum group like iridium, osmium, and ruthenium were used in tipping alloys because they provided exceptional hardness. Today’s tipping is usually a proprietary alloy that might include tungsten, cobalt, ruthenium, etc. The key is that it’s very hard and wear-resistant, far more so than steel or gold alone.

Why tipping? Because when you write, the tiny point of the nib drags across paper thousands of times, creating friction. Without tipping, a pure gold nib would quickly grind down or form sharp edges (and an untipped steel nib would wear down too, albeit more slowly than gold). Tipping material ensures the nib can last for years or decades of writing. It also affects the smoothness: tipping is ground and polished to create the writing point’s shape. A larger, more rounded ball of tipping (like on a broad nib) can feel very smooth as it glides, while a smaller or sharper tipping (like on an extra-fine or italic edge) can feel crisper or scratchier depending on finish.

It’s important to note that the smoothness of a nib is mostly about how well the tipping is shaped and polished, not whether the nib is steel or gold. Both steel and gold nibs will usually have tipping made from similar hard alloys. This is why a smooth steel nib and a smooth gold nib can feel indistinguishable in terms of drag across the paper – the paper is touching the tipping material in both cases. So when someone says “this nib is smooth,” credit goes largely to the quality of the tipping and nib grind, not the underlying metal.

One more myth to bust here is the idea that all fountain pen nibs use iridium. While “iridium-tipped” became a historic mark of quality, actual iridium is very scarce and hard to work with. Many modern nibs use composites or other metals – for instance, Pelikan has mentioned a “wolfram-iridium” (tungsten-based) alloy for their tipping. But pen companies often still stamp “Iridium Point” on cheaper nibs as a generic term. The exact composition isn’t critical for users, as long as it’s hard and smooth.

I hope that's been a fun journey through nib and tipping materials!