Why you may love a stub-nib fountain pen (even if you hate your handwriting)

My grandfather, George W. Knock, was a high school penmanship instructor from the 1920s through the 1950s. When his students graduated, he wrote out their names, with his expert hand, on their diplomas. I inherited a number of his fountain pens when my grandmother was cleaning house in the 1980s. She gave me several Esterbrook pens, including a plain black one still new in its mailing box from the company. Of all the pens in my grandfather’s cache, my favorite is a Moore fountain pen with a squared-off nib—what’s known rather inelegantly as a stub nib.

The Moore pen startled me with its writing—or rather, with my writing when it was in my hand.

Fountain pens give strokes of different thicknesses—down strokes are wider, sideways strokes are thinner. Ball pens, by contrast, produce a more machine-like, uniform line. A stub-nib fountain pen like the Moore accentuates the feather-like style of fountain-pen writing, yielding a graceful look sometimes approaching calligraphy. Even bad handwriting looks good with a stub nib.

How True Writer got its stub nib (it may surprise you)

We decided we wanted to give this writing experience to our customers in our most popular line of pens, our True Writers. But to tool up for a new nib is expensive, and stub nibs are such a special item. We thought we would be unlikely to sell the 10,000 we’d have to order from our German manufacturer.

One of our Levenger pen mavens, Frank Weissman, suggested we hire a skilled artisan to make stub nibs by converting our medium nibs through a delicate grinding process. This, actually, is how some of the finest nibs were made during the golden age of fountain pens in the 1920s. Fortunately, there are still a few artisans practicing this rare art.

After finding the right one, we ordered a small quantity and without much fanfare, introduced the stub nib True Writer into our line.

The enthusiasm of our customers for the nib (with the ugly name but the beautiful writing) delighted us. We quickly sold out and had to ask our nib converter to work like Rapunzel and spin out more stub nibs fast.

While we install the stub nib only in a black True Writer, what many customers don’t know is that you can easily unscrew any True Writer nib and screw it into another True Writer fountain pen.

This interchangeability of nibs, incidentally, was a major selling feature of the popular Esterbrook pens. We made this a design requirement when we launched our True Writer series back in 1999. (To read the whole story, click on True Writer History in the How-To section.)

 So we now also sell the stub nib separately. In addition, it’s one of the four nibs in our True sampler set.

What you’ll see in this photo (and others when you click through on the photo set) is my own stub-nib True Writer.

Rediscovering the joys of the handwritten note

Pictured here is some writing I’ve done with my stub-nib True Writer on the Oasis Pad that sits on my desk. Notice the variation in line thickness. As you’ll see, I only print, yet it manages to look pretty nice because of the pen.

People often compliment my handwriting, but the stub nib is my secret. It rewards slowing down and luxuriating as you form letters. Try one yourself. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, even if you think your handwriting—like John F. Kennedy’s—is terrible.

I reach for other pens for intensive note-taking, but every workday I try to take a few minutes in the afternoon—like a rewarding coffee break—to write personal notes to customers and friends. I slow down, take up my stub- nib True Writer, and try to make an art of delighting people—including myself—with that old-fashioned communication of one hand to another.

 How about you, dear reader? Is this an art form worth preserving? And can you think of a better name than “stub nib” for the magic this pen performs? (The gift of a True Writer stub-nib pen awaits the reader who has the best suggestion.)

Just click on the Comments link below. (If you’re reading this as an email, click here and you’ll connect to Comments).

Comments

[Christine Levchuk]

I look forward to and enjoy all of your Well-Read Life columns and I am an aficionado of the fountain pen. This looks like something I would like to use. Thank you for personalizing all of your columns, it makes for very interesting reading.

[Kristin LiBretto]

Some 35 summers ago, I was privileged to study calligraphy under the great Lloyd Reynolds at Reed College. Being left-handed, the usual slanted tips for calligraphy did not work for me. Instead, it was necessary for me to write with a nib that had a small additional crook to it. Though I was never able to rise to a satisfactory level of artistry, this nib allowed the parts of letters that were supposed to be thin to be so, and the thick parts, thick. Your stub nib is intriguing -- I wonder whether it works for left and right handers alike?

[Paul]

I agree with your comments regarding a stub nib. With very little practice, ordinary handwriting seems to become so much more. Even printed letters and numerals come alive.

I truly enjoy Levenger's pens but wish your Company would bring back the option of purchasing a kt. gold nib.

I look forward to your receiving your "Well Read Life" musings. Keep up the great work.

Paul

[David Froment]

Why not call it an Artisan Nib. This reflect the artisan craftsmanship it requires to create it. This really appeals to our Maslow need for Self Actualization. We can feel better about ourselves and our connection to the creative arts be it writing or the artisinal creation of a stub nib.

[Robert Ferguson]

My suggestion for the re-naming of the stub-nib is the block-nib.

[Patrick Rhone]

I actually own one of the stub nibs from one of your first test runs (I wont reveal how I got it for the sake of the giver). If the final product is anywhere as good, smooth and a delight to write with as the one I have, any price one might pay is a bargain. It is by far my favorite pen.

I often tell people that they will know how thankful I really am by the pen I use to write the Thank You Note. I only use the True Writer Stub if I am particularly indebted.

[Sandy Carlson]

How about the "magic" nib for what it can do for your penmanship?

[Sallie]

I am reminded of the treasured letters from my grandparents when I read about the stub nib and see its results. So my suggested name would be the True Writer Nostalgia nib, bringing back the elegance of the past for today's writers.
Love reading your blog!

[Pat McDermott]

Re the rather inelegant term for the nib, how about calling it a script nib, being short for inscription nib - I could envision Hemmingway or Faulkner penning a note to a friend or admirer on a leather bound first edition with just such a pen-

[Luise]

Dear Steve,

What about naming the pen Old Faithful?

And thanks for reminding me about the interchangeable nibs on Esterbrook pens, a staple of my childhood. I really enjoyed those pens. Wonder why they haven't come back. $$$ Usually the reason, yes?

[Pat McDermott]

On the name for the stub nib, with my earlier comment in mind (because I write before I think, sometimes...okay, most of the time), Author's nib would be an appropriate term for the modified nib.

[Ryan S.]

Steve, I've been a fan of the True Writer stub nib ever since Levenger first introduced it. I use it every day. Unfortunately, my stub never made it into my favorite pen - the Kyoto True Writer (incidentally, I lost this pen during my own wedding). I see that your stub nib pictured above is fashioned from a bold, whereas Levenger stocks medium stubs only. Will we see stub nibs of different sizes in the future?

This was a wonderful and insightful post. Your grandfather's pen is beautiful, and very well cared for. You are fortunate to have such personal and historic items in your family.

Best,
Ryan

[Nate Hess]

New name for the stub nib:

Expressive

Thanks and hope I win,
--woodstock

[Chad Brokaw]

The True Writer Snub.

[Nikita Ferrell]

In an increasingly digital world, a handwritten note is a powerful way to show someone how important they are to you. Decent penmanship only adds to the charm and luxury of such a letter, so it makes sense to use a pen that enhances the writer's personal style. Stub-nib pens should be called legacy pens to make the name match the job it does. One can truly develop a trademark and leave a lasting impression with a legacy pen.

[Luise]

Repeat of comment I thought I left earlier.

What about naming the pen Old Faithful?

And I liked being reminded of Esterbrook's interchangeable nibs. A more than fond childhood memory.

[Rick Dobrowolski]

How about "silk nib" to emphasize the smoothness of the writing?

[Jan]

Here are some ideas for a new "stub nib" name:

The Swoosh
The Flourish
The Wave
The Surf
The Flow

[Dave Moore]

Hi Steve,

Because great, passionate, and stirring speakers are called "stemwinders," that is what I propose as the new name. My take: "This pen provides the writer the opportunity to write with pathos, precision, and profundity."

Best,
Dave

[Suzanne Hogan]

Steve...THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I began writing with a fountain pen when I was in 4th grade after viewing my grandfather's farm journals, which he wrote with a fountain pen. His farm journals looked more like a work of art than a permanent business record of his yields. Since then...I have fully embraced my intrigue and affection for fountain pens. I am proud to say, I was one of the early and fortunate Levenger clients who purchased the great black True Writer with the stub nib, as soon as it was offered. I love my pen and can't wait to experience what Levenger may offer for speciality nibs and fountain pens in the near future.
EUREKA! After learning that I could simply unscrew the stub nib and transfer it to my other True Writer fountain pens I can now write elegantly for any mood or fashionable note taking environment - board room to post-cocktail party - the art of expression is alive and well. Here's a tip for all true hearted writers --- mix up your stub nib-based writings with rich, fun, and luxurious fountain pen inks (also offered by Levenger), and you can create beautiful and memorable notes for the special people in your life. The stub-nib is not to be feared...it has an easy way about it and certainly it is a VERY reasonably priced investment. It will not disappoint. I should know...I own likely more than 100 fountain pens and the True Writer stub nib...is truly my special treasure.

[Laurel Dabbs]

Okay, "blunt nib" and "snub nib" are just as ugly as "stub nib". "Art nib" seems maybe too specialized. "Nub nib" is just too silly. How about "1920s nib" in honor of the time period? A point of reference and a little history, all in one......

Laurel

[Nick]

Hello -

I'd suggest the name "BeautiForm" to replace the harsh 'stub-nib' name.

My suggestion is partly based on what you imply from your article, and from the artistry of the True Writer pen itself.

The first part of the name originates from your article, where you wrote that the pen rewards slower writing and 'luxuriates' handwriting, thus making it beautiful.

The second part echoes the artistry of the pen itself, as well as the art that it creates. The art form, of course, being handwriting.

Hopefully this suggestion will be considered!

BeautiForm True Writer fountain pen

Thanks,
Nick

[Steve Leveen]

Thanks for all these great responses from fellow fountain-pen lovers!

Ryan, as you mentioned, our stub nib is a medium, as we think that best shows off the magic this nib performs. Kristin, the stub nib does, indeed, work for both left and right hands.

Cheers—
Steve

[Chris]

I vote for Artisan Nib!

[Tim Aughenbaugh]

Steve,

Great post, looks like a great product.

I would simply call this pen/nib the 'Signature'.

I am a big believer in the power of the handwritten note. While deemed 'old school' by some, the handwritten note is actually more powerful than ever, as its rarety amidst the deluge of today's modern digital communication makes it stand out all the more.

What gives a handwritten note is impact is the fact that it is inherently personal. Beyond being written in one's own personal style, the fact that it actually 'took some time' to write serves to enhance its personal nature. We are all still human, and we inherently recognize this personal attention for what it genuinely is.

I've always said that I get as much personal satisfaction out of writing a personal handwritten note as the recipient does in receiving it. And none of us - no matter how bad the author's hand - has ever not appreciated a handwritten note.

One's signature is the most personal thing you have. I remember scanning the signature of my late grandfather and placing it on his funeral announcement under his picture. It seemed like just the right touch.

A signature signifies the person as much as anything else - just like a handwritten note speaks to a personal moment in time, captured on paper.

So my suggested names would be:

The Signature.
Tru Writer Signature.
Tru Writer Signature Edition.
Tru Writer Signature Series.
Tru Writer Signature Nib.

Best,
Tim