I own a Sonnet, but not a Frontier. But I have read and heard that the Frontier nib is very similar to the Sonnet nib (some have explicately stated that they're pretty much the same ).

First Question: Are they really the 'same'? (ie: Do they both write just as smooth, just as wet, just as springy, just as nicely?) Thus is the only thing that separates the two pens purely aesthetic and status?


Second Question: If indeed the two nibs are very similar, can they be interchanged? Does the Frontier nib unscrew from the section like the Sonnet does?

I ask this because since if the nibs of the two pens are indeed of the same quality level and are interchangeable: When the situation arises for me to replace a nib on my Sonnet, buying a Frontier nib to fit it instead would be saving money, right?

[EDIT NOTE]: By Sonnet nib, I am referring to the Stainless Steel nibs, not the 18K Gold nibs. And speaking of which, I think the Stainless Steel sonnets feel more springy to write with than the 18K. Does anyone else feel the same about them?

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What do I know

Hi Kissing,

I have a Frontier (red marbled, made in U.K., with a M nib) and a Sonnet (black lacquer model, with factory 18K M Italic nib) so I tried swapping nibs...just for you

I found that my Frontier nib fits the Sonnet (it was a friction fit---ie. it did not screw into the Sonnet's section), but the Sonnet nib did not fit my Frontier (it was too loose).

The nib & feed on my Frontier just slides into its pen (ie. it did not screw into it), where the Sonnet nib & feed definitely have to be screwed into the Sonnet's section.

The Sonnet nib I have is very nice (it's a great factory italic nib) and a bit springy, whereas the Frontier's is very stiff. Both write well, but it's hard to compare their wetness since one is a round nib and the other is italic.

Hope this helps.
~Maja

Thank you so much for helping me out

So I guess from this we can say that the Frontier nib was not designed to be interchanged with the Sonnet nib.

My Sonnet is made in France, btw (I wonder if this makes a difference in nib compatability)

How do you know if a Sonnet nib is gold or steel? (I don't have either, so if it's obvious, forgive my question!) But are the engravings on them different?

Yes, the engraving is different.

The stainless steel (and gold-plated steel) ones have less engravings which are simple and don't intertwine with eachother.

The 18K gold ones have more engravings that overlap eachother like a cross-stitch pattern. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the gold ones actually have the words "18k" engraved on the nib?

You're very welcome
Oh, and my Sonnet is made in France too (and it's the only Sonnet I have...)

Externally the Frontier nib looks much the same as the Sonnet - have not removed them to check the feed. One thing I have noticed though is the gold plated Frontier nibs seem much smoother on the more expensive versions of the pen and are close to the Sonnet in performance.

Hi,

The Frontiers long long time ago had nibs that interchanged with the Sonnet. They screwed in and out.

Dillon

Thanks Dillon, I thought there would be something like that.

Perhaps the brick n mortar shops that sell the nibs might have the old Frontier nibs. I'll have to try it in the store.

At present, I don't need a new Sonnet nib at all

Hi Rabbit!

The engravings on the Sonnet gold and steel nibs are quite different. My Sonnet's gold nib has a more elaborate 'criss-cross' pattern engraved on it, and is marked '18K-750' It also has a diamond-shaped hallmark, but I'm not sure what that signifies.

If I remember correctly, the 18K Sonnet nibs may have changed over the years. I'm sure that I've seen others that have different patterns engraved on them. I think that they all have the '18K-750' marking though. I'm sure that there are others here who could tell you more about this than I can!

Hope this helps.

Bernie.

Came across this post while searching for information on frontier nibs. I would like to share my experience while interchanging nib units between my frontier old style steel nib(Made in USA date code E) and my 18K nib sonnet. The answer is No they do not interchange.

Both the nibs units are screw fit types into respective sections, but the screw OD on the frontier feed is slightly less than the screw OD on the sonnet feed. This allows a loose fit of the frontier nib unit in a sonnet section but not vice versa. Also the way the nib is fitted to the feed is different in both the nib units. On the sonnet the nib sides are significantly folded which holds the feed and nib snug. OTOH there are protruding tabs on the sides of the frontier feed that engage corresponding cutout slots on the sides of the frontier nib in order to hold nib and feed together.

Also the feeds are slightly different in construction with the frontier feed having matching vents under the rectangular nib cutouts at the base of the nib. There are circular cutouts at the base of the sonnet nib and the vents on the feed do not exactly line up in the sonnet. It would be very nice if anyone sheds light on the purpose of these cutouts at the nib base.

Regards,
Hari

Hi Kissing

Having tried the above myself I totally agree with Hari.

However, if you are looking for a cheaper source of (gold plated) nibs for your Sonnets
you may want to keep your eyes peeled for the Parker Insignia.

The nibs are identical and they usually sell cheaper than Sonnets.

Hope this helps

Regards
Paul

Hi baz666,

Looking at the picture you posted, that pen does have a Sonnet nib. Does it? Coz' based on my knowledge Insignias have this "diamond" pattern engraving. Just curious. : )