As you probably don't know I have a broad VP and a broad levenger TW which are really the only two pens I use. I use the TW most of the time and only use the VP when i really want that click-convenience. The reason is that the TW lays down a smooth, wet line that is significantly wider than the VP line so that the VP line looks rather puny to me. well, that and the complete lack of an ink window on the VP so i have to guess when it's near empty or risk running out.

the question is, what's my best option for widening the VP? I had thought of getting a binder stub nib but nixed this idea when I tried a pilot 78g broad that I didn't like. Should i send it to somebody for broadening? stick something in the tines? pray to the pen gods for their blessing? drop it nib-first onto concrete and cross my fingers? play with sand paper?

I want to like my VP more, it was about 2X as expensive as the TW and the click is great compared to the screw-off cap of teh TW.

I think that you are going to have to get a custom nib. As far as I know, you can't make a nib any larger than it originally was without getting it re-tipped. Pilots and other pens from that area of the world generally have nibs that are the equivalent of a size smaller in the west (E.G. Pilot Broad=Western medium)

If you aren't really thinking in terms of a broader nib but a fatter line created by more flow, then there are a number of articles on the forum that talk about increasing flow. I am rushing at the moment but a search on "increasing flow" or "increase flow" should yield several threads. flow can be increased fairly easily and safely on most pens. If you read those and don't feel comfortable with doing it yourself, a nibmeister can do so for a relatively low cost.

If you really want a broader nib - then fpfanatic5 is right - the only way to get it larger is retipping. Pretty expensive answer.

good point. I think i will need a broader nib because the line is already fairly wet. boo.

Part of me just wants to sell of the pen and stick with the one TW but I like having more than one pen, and have i mentioned the click? oh, that click.

edit: so tine-spreading is looking more like the way to go after having read about it. But i'm too nervous to go shoving razors or knives into my shiny pen nib. I feel bad for the poor thing, it's not doing anything wrong, it's just not as big as I'd like.

I ordered a broad cursive italic and a broad oblique italic for my VP from Richard Binder and find they seem much broader than the regular broad nib -- particularly the oblique (because it's cut on the bias). If you get a nice wet oblique italic, you might find you'll never want to write with anything else. The other bonus is: because you have to rotate the pen counter-clockwise (assuming you're right handed) to write with an oblique, you don't have to deal with the clip being in the way (a drawback of the VP design, in my view). Instead, your index finger rests right next to the clip.

For the price, I think buying extra customized nibs for the VP is the best bargain in pendom. Buy as many as you can stand and use a different one every day. You will be glad you did.

Mike

Aww, I love the clip! It's so thin i barely notice it but it keeps the pen in the right position. I've never used an oblique nib though, I'm not sure I'd like it. Thanks for the input.