Glossary
The two prongs of the nib, split by the slit.
Tines are the two halves of the nib created by the slit that runs from the breather hole to the tip. They flex apart microscopically under pressure, which is how a nib regulates ink flow.
Misaligned tines — one sitting higher than the other — are the single most common cause of a scratchy pen, and one of the easiest fixes in the hobby.
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