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Piston Fill

Glossary

Nib size

The line-width designation: EF, F, M, B, BB.

Nib sizes run extra-fine to double-broad, but the letters are conventions, not measurements. A Western M lays roughly a 0.6 mm line; sizes shift by brand, ink, and paper.

The rule that saves beginners money: Japanese nibs run about one size finer than Western. A Pilot F writes close to a Lamy EF. Buy accordingly.

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