I'm feeling particularly stupid today, but after shoveling snow for too long, I came inside to do some work and my Pilot Fermo flew out of my hand while the nib was extended. Of course the nib is now bent, and I think I need a new one. I purchased this pen after reading reviews on FPN last summer, and it's since become my favorite writing instrument. I ordered from a store in the UK, and after doing a search on the Web, I've not been able to find a place where I can purchase a new nib/twist converter for this pen. I tried using a nib from a standard Vanishing Point and found that it doesn't seem to fit.

If anyone has advice or suggestions, I'd appreciate them. Thanks.
Frostbitten and frustrated in Durango, Colorado.

Sorry to hear about your accident. These nib units are available from Richard Binder (www.richardspens.com. Just specify that it's for a Fermo and he'll make the necessary adjustments to the nib unit. You could also use the opportunity to get a more exotic grind. No affiliation, blah, blah, blah. Regards,
David

Ouch! I almost dropped my Fermo when I read your post. Actually, it uses the same nib/converter assembly as the Vanishing Point (unless you have a real oldy, one of the plastic ones I think). You can get the nib assembly direct from Namiki, or from various other vendors. I have a .5mm italic cursive that I got from Richard Binder, but he also stocks the regular nibs. I'd create links but I'm in a big rush. Will return later if no links have been posted...

Doug

Sorry about your accident. I've noticed that the nib units from the VP don't seem to fit as well, making for a tighter fit. They still work though. The funny thing is that the Fermo nib unit fits the VP with no problem. This could mean several things, but what is likely is that there is enough of a variation in the manufacture of these units that you could still find a VP unit that would fit the Fermo. If you can, try as many units as possible from vendors who carry them. You might get lucky.

You should also compare the nib unit from the Fermo side-by-side with the VP unit. It's very possible you can do some very minor work to get it to fit.

Or, you can have the nib straightened if the damage is not severe, or you can simply replace the nib only since it is friction fit.

If all else fails there's no reason why you can't order a Fermo nib unit from a Japanese or other website that can bring in a non-U.S. unit. The U.S. VPs are all 14kt and the Asia/Europe units I have seen are 18kt, just like the Fermo.

Good luck with your pen. I am sure you will not need to go through extraordinary steps to get it fixed.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I've purchased nibs from Richard Binder before, so I'll probably either buy one from him or see if he can repair this one. I didn't realize these were friction nibs so that might be the easiest thing to do. I tried a VP in the fermo and it didn't work, but it was one of the older "squeeze" type converters so maybe that's the problem.

Interesting. I have used several VP nibs from Richard in both my VP and Fermo and have never noticed any problem with fit. Personally, I prefer the squeeze converter because it holds so much more ink than the standard convertor. I will have to try my Fermo nib in my VP when I get home.

Update: I just tried a regular VP twist converter (with a Binderized nib) in the Fermo, and it worked just fine. Must be some slight difference in the squeeze converter and the twist converter.

Just a point of clarification regarding the friction fit. The nib is fitted very securely and to remove it use a wide rubber band or flat piece of rubber on the flat part of the nib holding it with your thumb and your forefinger beneath it. Use a gripping type motion and pull straight back (almost like taking the nib off a Safari). Of course this is assuming you absolutely need to remove the nib, say to straighten it because one dropped one's pen.