Craft · 6 pages · 12 min

How a nib flexes

Pressure spreads the two tines of a slit nib, widening the line, and the metal springs back.

I understand the following: I can download a file of this brief, and I can also read it in the library on this browser. Clearing the cache or cookies deletes the library copy. The file must be downloaded for access to be retained.

When the purchase is complete, return to the original window. It will refresh.

From the opening

A nib flexes when writing pressure bends its two tines apart around the slit. The gap at the tip opens, more ink flows, and the line grows wider until the spring of the metal pulls the tines together again. The opening covers the slit splits two tines, pressure opens the tip, and the spring closes it again.

The rest of the brief — the later sections and the reading notes — opens after Stripe confirms payment.

Inside

The slit splits two tines
Pressure opens the tip
The spring closes it again
Overflex leaves a splay
Where the idea stops applying
A distinction worth keeping

Sources

Slit nib tine flex
Pointed pen line variation

06The short physics of sourdoughCraft24 min$12 14How a library decides what to keepCraft24 min$12 0510How paper is made from fiberCraft12 min$20

How a nib flexes

From the opening

Inside

Sources

Also on the desk