The reason I ask is because my new CS Drake Vermeil has a different nib style from traditional CS nibs with the diamond shape in the middle. This one has 'Conway Stewart' engraved on it, then '18k 750' as the nib's gold content, then 'Germany' engraved underneath. The diamond logo is not engraved.

I also looked everywhere on the pen, but there does not seem to be a hallmark anywhere, nor is there any '925' stamp on either the barrel or the cap. I'm quite disturbed by this.

Send a msg to Mary Burke, she'll know.

That seems very strange - the picture on the website indicates a completely different nib. The thought of a Conway Stewart having a German nib on what is I suppose a metal LE Churchill pen would be rather odd as well! As it is a Drake, at least it isn't Spanish! I suppose the question has to be asked - where did it come from? My CS Doctor's pen has the hallmark on the band around the lid.

My SS Drake has the standard two tone nib. I had it swapped in Feb and it came back with the standard type.

Thinking about it, where are the nibs made? Are they all Bock nibs anyway and hence German? Where were the vintage nibs made? I suppose naively I had thought that Conway Stewart made their owns nibs - but looking through the forum, this would seem to be not the case. Seems a shame for "The pen with the marvelous nib". I am clearly a romantic!

The fact that they don't do their own fabrication needn't mean that the nibs are the same quality as some no name $5 FP. CS nibs are made to their specifications and design at a plant which happens to be contracted. You are not getting the same nib on a Pelikan and CS, they are made to varying specification and price points.

As I understand it, no doubt Mary will correct, Bock make modern CS nibs in Germany to modern CS specifications. These will be different to any nibs made by Bock to other's specifications. The quality of Bock nibs, in my limited experience, are suitably matched to CS's position at the high end of the market, they are simply superb.

Also, as I understand it, perhaps someone else will comment (Andyr7?), the vintage CS nibs were made by CS in their pen factory in London.

I suppose that to make high quality nibs needs a substantial investment in plant etc which is ok for high volume production but not at modern CS levels. The cost of this would make the unit cost of each nib even higher. Also I would imagine that as Bock manfactures in high volumes they are able to source the matrerials more cheaply and the expertise is readily available.

Not quite the same, very English pen but with a German nib, bit like Pelikan nibs being made in Manchester. Or (maybe worse) Rotring nibs being made in China by Parker.

I don't suppose Yard-O-Led make their own nibs and I wonder what nibs are used by Onoto and Mentmore?

Greg

Well, the new style nib performs very well and is very smooth, but it just isn't the old one with the diamond shaped logo. And I agree that having 'Germany' inscibed on it is rather offputting! Maybe Mary can clarify.

Hi George,

Conway Stewart is not changing the nib graphics, it is a case that there was a batch made a few years ago and it appears that this is the nib that you have on your pen.

If you prefer to have the nib with the diamond and CS logo, then please contact me by email and I will be happy to help with the nib exchange.

With kind regards,

Mary Burke
maryburke@conwaystewart.co.uk

I knew Mary would have the answer.... because she always does! Nobody represents their pen company with the same enthusiasm and customer service as Mary does for Conway Stewart.

No affiliation... just a satisfied CS owner who enjoys knowing that, behind my CS pens, stands a person with a stong personal commitment to excellence.

Hi Mary,

No that's fine. I actually like it now, because it makes the pen more unique.

By the way, I did find the hallmark, but inscribed incredibly small! I needed a magnifying lens to even see that it was there, let alone read it. I will need a microscope to read it.