Pen Selection & Features

Beyond personal taste, choosing a writing instrument depends on your writing preferences and habits.

• Fountain Pen: Liquid ink and a fluid writing experience. The nib responds to the pressure and movement of your hand. It requires some ongoing care, including cleaning and refilling.

• Rollerball Pen: Liquid ink, like a fountain pen, combined with a ballpoint tip. It offers a smooth, effortless writing experience without the sensitivity of a nib, and requires less maintenance.

• Ballpoint Pen: Thicker, oil-based ink that dries instantly. Ideal for quick writing and those seeking maximum practicality in everyday use. Unlike the rollerball pen, which features a removable cap, the ballpoint pen has a twist mechanism that extends and retracts the tip.

If the line width of your chosen nib does not fully meet your preferences, you can have it replaced free of charge, provided it is returned in perfect condition within six weeks of purchase. For more information on return procedures and general conditions, please refer to the Orders, Shipping and Returns section of our Frequently Asked Questions.

If the nib size does not fully meet your preferences, it can be replaced free of charge by our service team, provided it is returned in perfect condition within six weeks of purchase. To request a nib replacement, you must complete the Product Assistance form on our Contact us page and attach:

• A photo of the purchase receipt, till receipt, invoice or warranty certificate, provided it shows the purchase date.

• A photo of the nib currently fitted to your pen, so that we can correctly identify its grade and finish.

Our After-Sales team will provide you with all the necessary instructions, including the return procedure. For more information on return procedures and general conditions, please refer to the Orders, Shipping and Returns section of our Frequently Asked Questions.

For rollerball and ballpoint pens, you can choose a refill with a different tip size. The various types of Montegrappa refills are available in the Inks & Refills section of our website, on the Refills page. For more information on refill compatibility with your pen, please refer to the question How can I find out which refill or replacement is compatible with my pen? in our Frequently Asked Questions.

EF – Extra Fine. Produces a very thin, precise line. Ideal for those with small handwriting or who prefer a fine, understated line.

F – Fine. Produces a fine line suitable for everyday writing, particularly for those seeking precision and legibility without an overly pronounced stroke.

M – Medium. Produces a medium-width line, fuller and more visible than EF and F. It is a versatile choice for everyday writing and is also recommended for those using a fountain pen for the first time.

B – Broad. A nib with a broad, rounded tip, ideal for those who enjoy a bold, fluid and clearly defined writing style.

ST. 1.1 – Stub. 1.1 mm. A flat-tipped nib designed to create natural variations in line width. Vertical strokes are broader, while horizontal strokes are thinner. It offers a subtle calligraphic effect that is also suitable for everyday writing.

ST. 1.5 – Stub. 1.5 mm. Follows the same principle as the 1.1 mm version, but features a wider tip that creates a more pronounced contrast between vertical and horizontal strokes. It is particularly suited to expressive and calligraphic writing. The 1.1 mm and 1.5 mm measurements indicate the nominal width of the nib; the thickness of each line also depends on the orientation of the nib, the paper and the ink used.

The availability of nib types may vary depending on the pen model.

Calligraphy nibs are available for selected pen models, offering a more expressive writing experience:

• ST. 1.1 and ST. 1.5: Flat-tipped nibs that produce broader vertical strokes and finer horizontal strokes without the need to apply additional pressure.

• Flex: Gold nibs designed to flex under gentle pressure, allowing the line width to vary naturally with the movement of the hand.

To choose the right nib, it is important to consider the tip size, the nib material and your personal writing style.

Nib sizes are identified by the following abbreviations:

• EF (extra fine).

• F (fine).

• M (medium).

• B (broad).

For flat-tipped calligraphy nibs, the abbreviations indicate the nominal width of the nib:

• ST. 1.1 (1.1 mm).

• ST. 1.5 (1.5 mm).

A fine nib is ideal for small handwriting and note-taking, a medium nib for everyday writing, and a broad nib for a fuller, more expressive line. The flat tip of a Stub nib is particularly suited to calligraphic and expressive writing.

As for materials, steel is stiffer and more robust, while gold (14 or 18 karat) is softer and offers greater sensitivity to writing pressure. The pressure and angle at which you write also play an important role, influencing the resulting line on the page. For example, those with a lighter touch may find a fine or medium nib more comfortable.

All nibs feature an iridium tip, a small, exceptionally hard-wearing insert applied to the point that glides across the paper. It reduces wear, contributes to the nib's longevity and enhances the smoothness of the writing experience.

Hold the pen between your thumb and index finger, resting it on your middle finger, with a light, relaxed grip. Hold the grip section approximately two to three centimetres from the nib, without positioning your fingers too close to the tip.

Angle the pen at approximately 45 degrees to the paper, ensuring that both tines of the nib rest evenly on the surface. There is no need to apply pressure: the nib glides across the paper under the weight of the pen itself. Excessive pressure could affect the nib tip and the quality of the line. For smoother writing, move your entire arm together with your fingers.

The cap can be removed or posted on the back of the pen, depending on your preferred balance.