Glossary
Breather hole
The round hole at the end of the nib slit.
The breather hole is the small round opening where the slit terminates. It helps air exchange as ink flows and — just as important — stops the slit from propagating into a crack, the same way a drilled hole stops a windshield chip from spreading.
On vintage flex nibs it earns its name, breathing air in as big flexed strokes pull ink out fast.
Related terms
