About nine months ago, I reviewed the Wacom Bamboo Stylus duo for iPad. It remains one of two favorite styluses for the iPad, and I use it almost every day. (The other one that I really like is the Adonit Jot Pro.) One of the best parts about it is the tip, the “nib” of the stylus. It feels great against the iPad screen and is a little smaller than traditional stylus tips, which makes it a little more precise.
About a month ago, West Virgina attorney Roger Lambert asked if I had tried out Wacom’s new firm replacement nibs, posting the following comment on this website:
Have you tried the new firm replacement nibs for the bamboo stylus? I think that they might be the perfect solution to the mushy/durability problem people have been complaining about. In my opinion, the firm nib feels more like a real pen when writing than the soft nib that comes with the bamboo. I’ve seen some reviews saying that the firm nibs are not as responsive when using the stylus to tap icons, but I have not had this problem and am, in fact, typing this post on my iPad mini with the firm nib.
On February 12, 2013, Amazon was selling them for $10.58. (I see that the price has now dropped to $8.08. Who knows why.) They come in a pack of three nibs. So I decided to buy a set of three firm replacement nibs to try them out, and over the last two weeks I’ve been going back and forth between the original nibs and the firm nibs.
The nibs look exactly the same. You can only tell the difference by touching the top. The original nib gives more easily. The firm nib is more… well, more firm. In the following pictures, the original nib is on the left, the firm nib on the right:
Lambert is correct — the firm nib is less mushy that the standard tip. With the firm nib, you have to push down a little bit harder for the stylus to work. When I am writing in a program like GoodNotes I find that I feel like my writing is slightly more precise as a result of my exerting more effort into writing. However, the need to push extra hard makes my hand a little more tired when using the firm nib, and I also find that it slows down my writing. Also, when I want to tap on a button on the screen, I often find that the button doesn’t respond when I am using the firm nib, so I have to go back and push down harder.
It may just be that I am too used to the feel of the traditional nib. Perhaps if I had started with this firm nib I’d be used to the need to apply extra pressure. But switching back and forth between the original nib and the firm nib, I always find myself preferring the original nib.
Lambert also mentions the “durability problem.” I had heard about this and noted the rumors that nibs are fragile in my original Wacom stylus review. And it must be true that nibs crack for some people because Wacom sells replacement nibs. But in my own experience, after nine months of regular use, I’ve haven’t yet seen any problem with the original nib that came with my Wacom Stylus duo. Indeed, I purchased replacement nibs nine months ago just in case I needed them, and now I’m not quite sure where I stored them — which means that when the time comes that I do need them, I’ll need to go hunting in my office.
If you like the Wacom Bamboo Stylus but find the tip too mushy, follow the advice of Lambert and buy the firm replacement nibs. But I prefer the feel of the original nibs, and now that this review is written, I’m removing the firm nib and storing it in my desk. (And, in nine months, I’ll probably forget where I put them. Note to self: top drawer, left side, in the back.)
Click here to get Wacom Bamboo Stylus Firm Replacement nibs from Amazon ($8.08)
I agree. My Bamboo Stylus Pocket came with two nibs. I was about to toss it in the trash when I realized the second nib in the package was not a replacement but rather a different, softer nib. I immediately switched to the soft nib, which works extremely well. I tossed the hard nib into the trash, but thankfully not the Bamboo Stylus Pocket.
I was at a local grocery store last week, and they had a bowl of styli for $5 each. The stylus fit nicely in my hand, it was just the perfect length, light weight,so I decided to try it. By far it’s the best stylus I’ve tried–somewhat firm, but not so firm that I have to push hard, and very precise. For $5! I’m going back to buy a bunch more.
I am more of a fan of the mushy stylus tip. What really drives me crazy is how the instructions do not let you know right away the difference between the provided stylus tips. I thought that I was the only thinking “oh this is just more of the same kind” but from reading this thread and other ones, I realize that it is not as obvious to realize that they are different. Manufacturers should put more attention in bringing this up, what do you think?
Good read. Firmer nib seems to have disadvantage that may discourage some users. Thanks for sharing.
hi
I just purchases the bamboo solo. and while the tip is very smooth, it is so short that the rim touch the screen. I am so DISAPPOINTED. I write notes at work all day long on my ipad and was anticipating going right to work. Unfortunately, I will go far as to say the bamboo stylus is not usable.
solution. I think that the casing in which the nib rests is too long and the nib “sinks” too deeply. Question are there new versions of the bamboo stylus? I bought mine through amazon. please advise. I know there are few on the market to pick from.
Amelia
Is there any reasonable way to test out the firmness of a stylus before buying? Even the manufacturer descriptions seem unreliable. I will give you suggestion a try, though – I hate the “mushy” variety.
I think this company should provide a set of nibs with each pen if they don’t last more then 6months like all mine are. Bab boo product need extra Free nib for my stylus
How do you change the nib? I have unscrewed the end but can’t work out how to remove the soft nib itself. Don’t want to rip it off for fear of damaging it. Thanks.
It just pulls off, once you unscrew the end. Not sure how else to describe it.
-Jeff
Remove the end cap of the pen , Grab the nib firmly and tug it. It’s a small lip that the nib secures to. And it should come loose.hope this helps.