G. Crown Nibs

February 4, 2015

Hello, I recently received a Jinhao x450 from China via eBay. This particular pen has a calligraphy nib. The funny thing is that once I took a closer look at the nib, instead of the "MADE IN CHINA" script that was shown on the listing's picture, it reads "GCROWN 22KGP."

As far as I can tell the Shanghai G.Crown Fountain Pen Co., which I assume manufactured this nib, makes Duke pens and not Jinhao. Please correct me if I'm wrong. And on Duke pens I've only seen the nib script says "DUKE 22KGP." So I'm wondering whether G. Crown supplies Jinhao with calligraphy nibs or if it's simply that the seller just put a spare calligraphy nib of a random brand on a Jinhao pen. I'm guessing the latter.

I know it's trivial, I'm just curious if anyone knows. I've asked the seller this, but I don't know if they understand what I'm asking.

April 28, 2015

I'm not sure, but I have one of those nibs in my Morrison Tourist, and it's really pretty nice. I've picked up four of them for about $3. I also have a Duke pen coming, and I believe the nib on that has the crown emblem.

April 29, 2015

When I saw the picture I though to myself 'Looks like a Duke nib'. Maybe they are branching out - their nibs are pretty good.

Regards,

Richard

April 29, 2015

I would think that there are companies in China who make nibs for others the way Bock and Schmidt do.

April 29, 2015

I would think that there are companies in China who make nibs for others the way Bock and Schmidt do.

I can this as a possibility, though the difference is that I don't think Bock or Schmidt has their own lines of fountain pens, they only make parts -- maybe I'm wrong. Whereas G. Crown makes Duke pens.

Edited April 29, 2015 by jaysongo

April 29, 2015

I can this as a possibility, though the difference is that I don't think Bock or Schmidt has their own lines of fountain pens, they only make parts -- maybe I'm wrong. Whereas G. Crown makes Duke pens.

That is true. I also think the link is more complicated. I wouldn't be surprised to see pens made by one company using nibs from another company for one lot of pens, and using nibs and feeds from the supplier for the next lot. Then they may make their own nibs and feeds the following time. I think they go with whatever is cheaper and delivers in less time.