So, I realized something today: I really, really like two-tone nibs. I don't have a single pen with one, but if it came to paying a $50 premium from one model to another just to get one, I would.

Bottom line: I have fallen for the hype. Or is that, "I have fallen for the marketing strategy"? I don't know. But here's my question: What pens/manufacturers have two-tone nibs?

Can we list pens in different price tiers? For example, "Pen X can be found for $60, while Pen Y is slightly pricier at $120 but also has one," etc.

Okay, I'll start: The Waterman Phileas has a two-tone nib, and can be found for under $50.

I appreciate your help!

The Reform 1745 comes with a rather attractive two toned nib, and can be had for $6.75 ($11.75 with a tuning). Pelikan also makes a number of beautiful two-toned nibs (M400, M600, M800, M1000, and all the associated models). M400's, new, start in the $150 neighborhood (but can be had around $120-130 used). M600's generally flirt with $200, M800's around $300, and M1000's around $400+.

Bexley nibs are two-tone and the creme de la creme of nibs. I believe they are manufactured by Bock, but Howard Levi at Bexley gives them his own special tweak.

The first and second generation Parker Vacumatics came with tow-tone nibs (silver with a golden arrow down the center.) Apparently they're duo tip nibs too--both the upper- and underside of the nibs are tipped/polished to be writing surfaces (the upper surface writes a size narrower than the under, I believe.)

Sheaffer Feathertouch nibs are two-tone. So are the gold Triumph (conical) nibs.

The gold nibs of the palladium Lamy Studio are two-tone.

Hurrah for the Sheaffer Feathertouch and Triumph! Examples of both can be found in working condition for as little as $30.

(The new) Conklin has some pens with two-toned nibs, though rather boring ones (IMHO).

Last, but certainly not least: many Mont Blanc fountain pens have a two-toned nib and can be had for far too much money. Sorry, couldn't resist! MBites feel free to chime in with details.

The Rev's Award for the Excellence in Two-Toned Nibbage goes to... The Parker Vacumatic! When dipped, the lines around the arrow fill with ink, making two lines parallel to the slit. Looks way cooler than a bunch of curlicues.

Regards,
Aaron

Another huzzah for Sheaffer. My Touchdown and Snorkel Sentinel both have two-tone nibs (the Touchdown is open). I wouldn't pay an extra $50 for them (hardly pay $50 for the pens themselves!), but they do provide some nice contrast.

Vacumatics have really impressive nibs, if they are in good condition. The mirrored platinum mask with a shining, streaking golden arrow across it. May eventually buy one with such a nib, but don't have the cash do so at the moment.

Still prefer the good ol' 14k Ideal No.2 nib.

Marlen, Stipula, and Visconti 18k nibs are two-tone, at least the ones I've seen of each.

My Laban Mento has a two tone.

Retro 51 Tornado! The standard models are in the $30s range; the LEs are higher. The huge 2-tone steel nib is chrome-coloured, with copper-colored edging. The chrome part is embellished with vertical stripes and “Retro 51” is spelled out in a column down the middle, under the breather hole. Very cool nibs, you should take a look!



http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=63694

Nakaya offers both gold nibs and dual tone nibs. I prefer their two tone nibs.


The Pilot Custom 845 also has a two tone nib.


So has the Montblanc Charlemagne.


Ruud

My Cross Townsend in silver has a two-tone gold nib; so too does my Montblanc 145 Chopin. The two-tone certainly makes the nibs attractive to my eye. I also have two Sheaffer Valiant pens with two-tone Triumph nibs, one is a thin snorkel and the other is a fat touchdown.

Chris

Ditto

Among my pens a Parker Doufold Centennial, some Pelikan (different pens), a Montegrappa 300 and a very nice vintage Eversharp Skyline have two tonned nibs.

I have a Krone that has a beautiful 18K duotone nib.

Way too many to list, and pictures worth a thousand words.... here are few for you.

Danitrio


Loiminchay


Namiki


Nakaya


Conway Stewart


Visconti


Pelikan


Parker


MB



Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Just wanted to say 'Thanks!' for sharing some of your nibs with us. They're absolutely gorgeous!!

Soki

Don't forget the Chinese --

One of many by Jinhao



and Leonardo

One of the cheaper pens with two tone 18k nib is the Pelikan new classic Europa P390(silver) and P395(gold plated).
Discontinued models.
Should be able to get on the net for around $75 to $80 for the silver pen.
The gold plated one is slightly more expensive.
Both use the same 18k two tone nib.

I may have missed it but Pelikan also, I didn't see it mentioned. Off the top of my head I would have to say I have several with two-tone nibs, M200, Waterman's...

I certainly enjoyed the pix. Thank you.

I think the very large two toners are great - I'm thinking of Pelikan's M1000 and the even bigger two-toner on the Monthblanc 149.

But if you are looking for an unusual two-tone nib, go for the Stipula 22 with the gray nib decorated with the discreet gold markings and gold numerals.

Lovely smooth writer too

Solitaire

Just curious...technically what's the point of two-toned nibs? Or is it primarily aesthetics appeal?

Depends. The point could be iridium or some other hard alloy.

Just kidding. I believe that two-toned nibs are there for the aesthetic appeal. I mean, the only difference between a two-toned nib and a regular, not-two-toned nib is the fact that the two-toned nib is, well, two-toned.

And maybe this too: the monotone nibs only sing one tone--as in "Doe". The dual-tone nibs can sing two tones--"Doe" and "Re". At least with two tones you can make music. With one tone, you make noise.


*guffaw*

I wonder what monotone music nibs do.

Well...monotone music nibs are called what they say in American English, "wannabes". Or, also known as "poseurs".

I've got one vintage Sheaffer Triumph nib that two tone.

The De La Rue Onotos had two tone nibs in some of their pens - I have a two tone No.5 nib as well as the No.7 in an Onoto Magna. Click to view attachment

My Omas Arco has a two tone nib also - no idea on cost.

my two man 100s have two tone nibs, my modern duofold has a two tone nib, my pel 800 has a two tone nib, my three mb 149s have two tone nibs and my omas arte italiana paragon ht has a two tone nib.

Don't say you have fallen for the hype.. say you have a preference based on aesthetic principles

I have my suspicions about some of the Chinese two tone nibs. I have a Leonardo pen where the 'gold' accents all over the pen (including nib) were actually gold coloured transparent laquer over silver coloured metal. After a short while the laquer peeled off, and I now have a monochrome silver nib and a pen with silvery highlights.

I do not want to find that my Jinhao has the same problem.

Regards

Richard.