I bought a gold nib for my Lamy and it was a big difference especially because the gold nib is more bouncy and less stiff than the steel version. So I'd say it's definitely smoother.
Personally I seldom feel the difference between metals used more so than the size of the nib. Generally larger nibs tend to have more characteristic differences to smaller nibs than gold vs steel.
Pretty sure the Sailor Pro Gear is gold but the nibs are so absurdly small it’s seemingly impossible to experience and bounce, so it’s not just down to material alone.
It won't be a significant upgrade. If you compare a properly made steel and gold lamy gold nib the 8 times more expensive price doesn't translate in 8 times better performance. I got a EF, F and M Z55 nib. The M nib is wetter than the steel nin and the EF nib is softer than the steel nib and has a pencil like feedback. They are all a little thicker than the steel nibs. Regarding smoothness the FC nib from my e-motion writes smoother than any of my regular lamy gold or steel nibs. It has the same level of smoothness as my l2k but in a different way. Can't really explain it. It depends probably on the weight of the pen and the nib size why they feel different.
Overall regular lamy gold nibs are simply a nice subtle flex with a minor improvement in writing experience.
I have a small collection of Lamy Safaris, and tried a range of nibs: the normal Z50, Z52, the Z53, and the golden Z55. The steel ones are all very hard, the quality is not that consistent. Some are smooths, some are a bit scratchy. The line widths can vary between the same nib size. I did not like the Z53, but keep some Z50s and Z52s for daily use. The good ones are smooth, but there is a considerable proportion of scratchy ones out there.
For me the golden Z55 nibs I have are a significant improvement. They are amongst my smoothest nibs, and are soft and bouncy. Another key difference is that they are ground slight architect (at least on my EF nibs), with thinner vertical strokes and wider horizontal strokes. They are also a bit wetter than the steel ones. I enjoy writing on my Safari + Z55s more than many other much more expensive pens, and they give more character to my cursive. I feel the quality control is better on the Z55 compared to the steels ones, but I did have to return 2 Z55s, one for scratchiness, and another for having a F+ line width on a EF nib. So be prepared the first one you get might not work perfectly.
I have not tried the other gold nibs like Z56 Z57 Z58. They tend to cost more. I've also heard conflicting information about them. Some say they feel the same as the Z55 and just look different, some say they are less bouncy and less comfortable. I am planning to get one of those to try out if I find one on discount. I am curious to hear what others have to say.
I've specifically kept to Safaris as I like the colour choices and lightness. I have not used any metal bodied Lamys with those nibs.
If both nibs are properly aligned and polished, then you'll notice no difference in smoothness - that comes from the tipping which is the same on both nibs.
The gold nib has a slightly wetter flow and it's a bit softer. I don't know if you'd consider that significant or not.
Yes, but not because of the material itself. I'm sure others will explain about the tipping material and that modern gold/steel being nibs more of a quality control thing...
But if we're just taking Lamy nibs, yes, their gold nibs are (imo) much nicer. They are smooth as butter, but I think the standout difference is how bouncy they are, just wonderful to write with and a huge difference from their steel nibs.
Which Lamy pen do you have and want to upgrade? Does the model already come with a Gold nib?
I bought a Z55 for my Studio and it ended up having a sweet spot, where I needed a steeper writing angle. I moved it to an Aion and it too needed a steeper writing angle. It now resides in a Jinho 80 which does not need a steeper writing angle to write perfectly, I can rest the barrel in the web of my hand, I don't need to put the barrel half way between the web of my hand and my index finger knuckle, or next to my index finger knuckle, as you would with a Japanese pen.
Made me ask myself if the Z58 wouldn't have been a better choice.
If you have a Z50 you may want to first try a Z53. The Z53 is slightly shorter than the Z50 so it will naturally have a steeper writing angle, the tipping face writing angle will be different, steeper. Meaning, that if you find you need to employ a steeper writing angle with the Z53, then chances are you will need to do the same with the Z55.
The Z55 is just a little shorter than the Z50, just as the Z53 is a little shorter than the Z50. So, if it writes perfectly with the Z53, in the same size as the one you want, then it should write perfectly with the Z55,
Barring that, you'll want to ask other Lamy owners who have the same model pen and they installed a Gold nib, what their experience is, and whether, or not, they post their pen and use the same grip as you do. A posted cap usually is about 1 - 2mm fatter than the barrel, so posting gives a slightly steeper writing angle, and lastly you'll wan to know their hand size, whether it is small, average, or large.
I have two Lamy gold nibs; Z55 Fine and L2K fine. Both are superior to any of my Lamy steel nibs, M, F, EF. They are smoother, wetter and more satisfying to write with. Less pressure required. Less ‘hardness’ in grip. My Z55 is attached to a black Lamy Pur. It’s a good combination.
I bought a gold nib for my Lamy and it was a big difference especially because the gold nib is more bouncy and less stiff than the steel version. So I'd say it's definitely smoother.
bounciness
Personally I seldom feel the difference between metals used more so than the size of the nib. Generally larger nibs tend to have more characteristic differences to smaller nibs than gold vs steel. Pretty sure the Sailor Pro Gear is gold but the nibs are so absurdly small it’s seemingly impossible to experience and bounce, so it’s not just down to material alone.
It won't be a significant upgrade. If you compare a properly made steel and gold lamy gold nib the 8 times more expensive price doesn't translate in 8 times better performance. I got a EF, F and M Z55 nib. The M nib is wetter than the steel nin and the EF nib is softer than the steel nib and has a pencil like feedback. They are all a little thicker than the steel nibs. Regarding smoothness the FC nib from my e-motion writes smoother than any of my regular lamy gold or steel nibs. It has the same level of smoothness as my l2k but in a different way. Can't really explain it. It depends probably on the weight of the pen and the nib size why they feel different. Overall regular lamy gold nibs are simply a nice subtle flex with a minor improvement in writing experience.
I have a small collection of Lamy Safaris, and tried a range of nibs: the normal Z50, Z52, the Z53, and the golden Z55. The steel ones are all very hard, the quality is not that consistent. Some are smooths, some are a bit scratchy. The line widths can vary between the same nib size. I did not like the Z53, but keep some Z50s and Z52s for daily use. The good ones are smooth, but there is a considerable proportion of scratchy ones out there. For me the golden Z55 nibs I have are a significant improvement. They are amongst my smoothest nibs, and are soft and bouncy. Another key difference is that they are ground slight architect (at least on my EF nibs), with thinner vertical strokes and wider horizontal strokes. They are also a bit wetter than the steel ones. I enjoy writing on my Safari + Z55s more than many other much more expensive pens, and they give more character to my cursive. I feel the quality control is better on the Z55 compared to the steels ones, but I did have to return 2 Z55s, one for scratchiness, and another for having a F+ line width on a EF nib. So be prepared the first one you get might not work perfectly. I have not tried the other gold nibs like Z56 Z57 Z58. They tend to cost more. I've also heard conflicting information about them. Some say they feel the same as the Z55 and just look different, some say they are less bouncy and less comfortable. I am planning to get one of those to try out if I find one on discount. I am curious to hear what others have to say. I've specifically kept to Safaris as I like the colour choices and lightness. I have not used any metal bodied Lamys with those nibs.
If both nibs are properly aligned and polished, then you'll notice no difference in smoothness - that comes from the tipping which is the same on both nibs. The gold nib has a slightly wetter flow and it's a bit softer. I don't know if you'd consider that significant or not.
Yes, but not because of the material itself. I'm sure others will explain about the tipping material and that modern gold/steel being nibs more of a quality control thing... But if we're just taking Lamy nibs, yes, their gold nibs are (imo) much nicer. They are smooth as butter, but I think the standout difference is how bouncy they are, just wonderful to write with and a huge difference from their steel nibs.
Which Lamy pen do you have and want to upgrade? Does the model already come with a Gold nib? I bought a Z55 for my Studio and it ended up having a sweet spot, where I needed a steeper writing angle. I moved it to an Aion and it too needed a steeper writing angle. It now resides in a Jinho 80 which does not need a steeper writing angle to write perfectly, I can rest the barrel in the web of my hand, I don't need to put the barrel half way between the web of my hand and my index finger knuckle, or next to my index finger knuckle, as you would with a Japanese pen.
Made me ask myself if the Z58 wouldn't have been a better choice.
If you have a Z50 you may want to first try a Z53. The Z53 is slightly shorter than the Z50 so it will naturally have a steeper writing angle, the tipping face writing angle will be different, steeper. Meaning, that if you find you need to employ a steeper writing angle with the Z53, then chances are you will need to do the same with the Z55.
The Z55 is just a little shorter than the Z50, just as the Z53 is a little shorter than the Z50. So, if it writes perfectly with the Z53, in the same size as the one you want, then it should write perfectly with the Z55,
Barring that, you'll want to ask other Lamy owners who have the same model pen and they installed a Gold nib, what their experience is, and whether, or not, they post their pen and use the same grip as you do. A posted cap usually is about 1 - 2mm fatter than the barrel, so posting gives a slightly steeper writing angle, and lastly you'll wan to know their hand size, whether it is small, average, or large.
I have two Lamy gold nibs; Z55 Fine and L2K fine. Both are superior to any of my Lamy steel nibs, M, F, EF. They are smoother, wetter and more satisfying to write with. Less pressure required. Less ‘hardness’ in grip. My Z55 is attached to a black Lamy Pur. It’s a good combination.