Nahvalur Nautilus Fountain Pen Nib Comparison

Much like its mythical marine namesake, the Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal) fountain pen hides a bit of mystery and intrigue beneath its surface—especially when it comes to its growing selection of nib sizes.

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the current Nahvalur nib lineup and show you how each performs in terms of line width, smoothness, and ink flow. Whether you're a precise note-taker, a bold signature-maker, or someone looking to try out specialty nibs like a stub, this guide will help you pick your ideal match.

A Quick History of the Narwhal... er, Nahvalur

The brand first made a splash in 2019 under the name Narwhal, delivering piston-filling fountain pens at impressively accessible price points. Since then, they’ve not only refined their designs but expanded their nib offerings significantly. What began as a single nib size has now grown to a pod (that's what a group of Narwhals is called) of six distinct options—each with its own writing character.

For the video comparison above, each nib was inked with Waterman Inspired Blue and tested on Rhodia 80gsm dot grid paper, with no adjustments or tuning.

Updates Since the First Nib Comparison Video

Since the posting of the above Narwhal nib size comparison, not only did the company change its offical name, it also modified the its nib range. So, we felt an update was needed. What better way to show you than on the new Nahvalur Nautilus 2025 limited edition Cape May Diamond.

Each pen with its unique nib size was inked with Waterman Serenity Blue. We conducted the test on the Colorverse Nebula Notepad with Tomoe River 52gsm paper.

The Nahvalur Nib Lineup

Here’s a breakdown of each nib size we tested, including actual measured widths and writing characteristics:

To measure the line widths, we used the nifty MM Pad accessory from Dominant Industry. It's a clear acrylic block with lines that you can match to your nib's writing width. While it's less precise than using a pair of digital calipers, for the purposes of getting a approximate idea of the nib's width, this tool is quite handy. For this comparison, it was instrumental in understanding the differences throughout the Nahvalur Nautilus nib offerings.

What to Expect From Each Nib

Much like selecting the right tool for carving into ice—or, say, writing a heartfelt letter—the nib you choose should match your intent. Here are a few takeaways from the test:

• Line Width: The EF through B nibs step up in subtle 0.1mm increments, making the range extremely approachable for beginners.

• Smoothness: Medium and Broad nibs glide across paper like skaters on fresh ice, while the EF and F provide a satisfying pencil-like feedback.

• Ink Flow: All sizes delivered consistent flow, though broader nibs naturally laid down more ink and revealed more shading and saturation.

• Flex Factor: None of the standard nibs are flexible, but they do offer some bounce. The Stub nibs are firm but expressive due to their flattened tip shape.

Specialty Nibs: Stub & Architect

If you want your handwriting to stand out, a Stub nib might be worth a closer look:

• Stub Nibs (1.1mm): These are cut flat across the top to deliver a beautiful mix of thick and thin strokes, perfect for adding flair to your everyday handwriting - print or cursive.

You’ll typically find the Nahvalur stub on most of their models, including the Nautilus, Original, Original Plus, Horizon, and Voyage.

Which Nib Is Right for You?

Here are a few points to consider when choosing your Nahvalur Nautilus nib size:

• Love detail and write small? Go for EF or F.

• Need an everyday writer? You can’t go wrong with Medium.

• Want to see your ink in all its glory? Try Broad or BB.

• Craving calligraphic flair? Stub’s your best bet.

A Note on Nahvalur Nib Swapping

The updated 2025 Nahvalur Nautilus fountain pen has a few new upgrades over previous editions. One important element that effects the writing experience is the in-house ebonite feed, which delivers a wetter, more consistent flow of ink than the original plastic feeds.

However, it's noteworthy to mention that these new nib units are not compatible with the previous Nautilus screw-in nib units. In order to swap nibs, you would have to follow the instructions in the Nahvalur nib swap quick tip video below. This is an older video, but the principle is the same.

To swap the new Nautilus nib and ebonite feed, you would have to pull the nib and feed straight out of the section, making sure that you replace the nib in the correct position on the feed.

Final Thoughts

Nahvalur has come a long way from its early days—and with a nib range this robust, there's something for every writer, doodler, or journaler in the pod. Each nib size offers a unique experience, and now that you’ve seen them side-by-side, you’re better equipped to find the one that fits your writing style.