Osmiroid has been a well known value brand for calligraphy. Their italic points are excellent for practicing calligraphers and are still available many years after the company closed down. A large variety of nibs (points) exist all of which also fit into the Esterbrooks. Today I post photos and writing samples from the Osmiroid sketch nib - which is one of the less known nibs. It exists both in modern nibs (one part with the section) and in older (removable) lever filler (65) or piston filler (75) models. Here it is shown in a 65 lever filler.

The nib is difficult to describe because it is unusual. It has a round edge which provides a well defined thin line in horizontal strokes and has sufficient amount of "flex" to provide adequate line variation. The original purpose of the nib is to provide sufficient line variation and good rich flow (because of the "second" overfeed reservoid) for sketching. Definitely an interesting nib.

Hi Antonios,

Thank you for sharing this interesting information, not to mention your marvelous writing sample and pics.

This just reminds I have to find back my complete set of Osmiroid nibs again. I have 10 or 12 of the little beasties, but can't remember where I put at least half of them when the flooding started here two months ago.

Anyway, thanks again!

Warm regards, Wim

Great pix and info antoniosz!

I've been using one of those nibs for 25 years! It's my best drawing nib. My Osmiroid pen needs some help now but I still have it.

I had a Rapidograph piston fill fountain body that I had bent the 3x0 tip in, so I put the Osmiroid Sketch nib in it, and it's my best drawing pen today.

I call it my "Frankenpen". The Osmiroid and nibs were designed to handle India Ink which I've used plenty of in the past, but I try to take it easy on the old Frankenpen, and now run Winsor and Newtion Calligraphy Black for Fountain pens in it.

I hope I can get another 25 years out of it!

All the best,

Very interesting, Antonios. That's one Osmiroid nib I've never tried. I have a number of the 2 tined music nibs as shown on your chart, and have always liked them a lot. I've never heard anyone comment on the sketch nib until now.

Thanks, Ann

I've been looking for one of these nibs for some time. My life drawing tutor suggested I try one out for expressive linework. It's good to hear positive reports from someone who's used the Osmiroid Sketch nib.
I'll continue my quest.

Pete

So happy to find this info regarding Osmiroid pens today! Just purchased a calligraphy pen with three nibs and one ink cartridge. The ink converter is missing. Writes so well! No date for this- not on the container. The original sticker price reads- OS Basic calligraphy set- $16.75. I am not sure which other cartridges will fit this!!! Any suggestions? Thanks.

Hi Treet,
I am an Osmiroid fan and there are mainly 3 types of Osmiroid calligraphy pens (plus dip pens).

1. One pen type has two gold colored bands on the cap or one bold painted line on cap. This type uses "easy-change nibs" & you can purchase "extra capacity squeezefills" (for bottle ink). Usually you can find on EBay. My daughter is using such a set presently, but she simply pushes "universal ink cartridges" on & they seem to do fine. I am very new at all fountain pen collecting & there are professionals on this site that could answer you questions better. But I hope this helps a little !

The two other pens are: 2. Osmiroid 65 (a lever filler) & 3. Osmiroid 75 (a piston filler) which use bottle ink. If you google the three types you might get a better idea of the type of pen and the many nib sizes & cartridges.

Pen Pixie

P.S. the "easy change" nibs look very different from the nibs for the 65 & 75 pens. n

Good Luck Osmiroid pens are great pens to work with!

Takes me back to my school days. We had to use only fountain pens with Parker Blue washable ink. I had a 75 with medium italic..ahh those were the days.