Anatomy of the fountain pen
Anatomy of the fountain pen
The fountain pen has evolved a great deal since its inception, becoming more and more complex over time. Four main parts have remained since its invention:
- the body or barrel
- the cap
- the filling mechanism (built-in converter, free converter, cartridge)
- the nib
As well as other parts: anatomy of the fountain pen
- the trims, which serve as ornaments such as rings or a filigree; the clip is used to attach the fountain pen to a jacket pocket or a notebook
- the section, which is the part you hold when writing
- the feeder, which brings the ink from the reservoir to the nib
Fountain pen Professional Gear Sapporo by Sailor
Although at first glance the nib appears to be a very simple piece of equipment, it is much more complex than it seems when you take a closer look. It is composed of 7 different parts:
Sailor 14-carat gold nib
- the body: part of the nib on which engravings can be found (brand name or logo, thickness of the line, degree of purity of the gold
- the base: the upper part of the nib (hidden in the section)
- the shoulders: the two wider sides of the nib, between the body and the tine
- the tine (teeth): the upper part of the nib that joins the tip
- the breather hole: a round, heart-shaped or teardrop-shaped hole at the end of the slit, which is involved in the flow of ink (ink-air exchange)
- the slit: an ultra-fine notch that runs from the nib to the breather hole in order to circulate the ink from the reservoir to the nib and at the same time ensure a good flow of air (the pressure of the pen opens a space that allows the ink to flow)
- the tip: the end of the nib to which a tiny amount of iridium (a platinum group metal) has been soldered, to ensure its longevity. After soldering, this small round tip is flattened and then hand-ground into its final shape. Some manufacturers prefer to use an alloy of osmium and iridium (osmiridium). Other brands use an alloy of precious metals whose composition remains confidential.
