Irridium Life

[rosebute]

I have a nice like new 1945 major vacumatic. Does anyone know how long the irridium nib would last in steady everyday use? Back when it was made i would think many people would only have one pen, so i wonder what the usable life of the nib would be? Just curious.

Thanks Brian.

[perth]

There shouldn't be an issue, since even now the used pens still have generally intact nibs and tipping.

[KBeezie]

A long long while it seems. I'd also suspect that the worst case scenario (baring the tipping falling off), is that the tipping was simply worn down to the writing preference of the previous user, and that a minor adjustment with some micro-mesh should not take much off the tipping for it to be enjoyed for years to come with your own writing style. (Or you could just learn to hold the pen the same way the previous owner did).

 

The only vintage pen I came across where I had a serious issue with the tipping being worn down, were esterbrooks that had nibs that had no tipping to begin with (2xxx series nibs basically just rolled over I think). Since I think those may last at best 5 to 10 years depending on heavy it's used with a lack of hard material tipping.

 

Your milage is definitely going vary on how often you use it and the manner in which you use. If you do try to smooth or adjust yourself, make sure the nib is aligned first.

[Florida Blue]

The usable life of a nib is probably indefinite since a nib can be re-tipped. However, the tipping material that Parker used, which changed pretty often with the production of the Vac, was very high quality and probably would last an owner's lifetime. The tipping can be reshaped as well.

[FarmBoy]

What do you write on?

[rosebute]

What do you write on?

Anything from cheap hilroy school type pads(which I seem to be shying away from lately) to clairefontaine. Im not worried about my pen, I was just curious. But as a couple of people have pointed out, most of the old pens still seem fine so the tipping must last a long time.

[Legal Eagle]

Dude.... Sorry about your pen. The cat knocked it off the table and it landed nib down.

 

[rosebute]

Dude.... Sorry about your pen. The cat knocked it off the table and it landed nib down.

 

Its a good thing You are kidding. Otherwise I can picture the coroner asking " is that a Parker Vacumatic sticking out of his chest"?

[Ron Z]

Tipping wear is determined by a number of things. Type of paper used (and therefore abrasiveness), pressure applied by the user, frequency of use being the main ones. I have seen nibs worn half way through the iridium, but it's rare. With all of our other modes of writing I'm not sure that anyone can give a definitive answer these days. Most likely longer than any of will live.

[Beechwood]

I seem to remember from one of David Shepherd's books and an article on nibs.com that the last time Iridium was used by Parker was back when Adam was a lad and much before the first Vacumatic.

 

 

Perhaps the answer is a bit like bore wear inside an engine, it all depends on its used and looked after.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2014 by Beechwood

[Ron Z]

It has indeed been a long time since iridium has been used as tipping material, but it's still a generic term used to describe the stuff on the end of your nib. Rather like saying Kleenex when we mean a tissue.

[dave-]

I have many pens that are worn right down but I got them used on the net. Some 51`s, a vintage pelikan, a MB 149 that is fairly worn also. I found it very annoying and it reminds me of those pigs who run a car into the ground and then sell it when its rubbish.