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Flexible Lamy Nib

fenriz

By fenriz
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fenriz Rare

fenriz

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It just occured to me how cool it would be to add an extra fine flexible nib to my arsenal of Safari nibs. Is this possible? I know their nibs are all rigid, and that Lamy doesn't offer anything like a flexible nib for these pens. But I remember seeing on Richard Binder's site that he can make nibs flexible; how is that done? New Lamy nibs cost me about $10, so I'd be willing to sacrifice one or two in the hopes of getting a nib flexible enough to do a little calligraphy. Thoughts?

-F

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stevlight Antique

stevlight

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I believe only 14 K nibs can be made flexble. Does Lamy make a 14K nib that fits the safari? I am not too familiar with the complete lamy line.

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AltecGreen Antique

AltecGreen

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You can add flex to 14k nibs but even then it will not have enough flex to even be considered vintage semi-flex. The limitation is the nib design itself, i.e. you cannot make the tines longer. You can get some line variation but it's frustrating for calligraphy. I have several modified nibs. They are softer and have some line variation but too hard to use for calligraphy. Also, you really want a very fine nib so you can get hairlines as well as thick lines.

 

If you want to do calligraphy buy a vintage pen with a vintage flex nib or use a dip pen.

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The Grim Sheaffer Extremely Rare

The Grim Sheaffer

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I tried, totally wrecked the nib. Not enough spring in the steel for flex. I don't think it is real steel, just a hard iron alloy.

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fenriz Rare

fenriz

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Right-o. Nah, no gold nibs for the Safari, the whole trip with that line is no frills, form after function, etc. I wondered about flexible steel because the dip nibs are flexible steel, plus I know there's an Estie nib or two that flexes (9788?). I've got vintage flex- a couple of Watermans, a Skyline and an old Diamond Point that's a real wet noodle. I've also got excellent dip pens- Gillot's 604s and a cheapie oblique holder. The Safari's just so comfortable, and I love how you can change out the nibs so easily. It's a great pen, and it would be neato to have a flexy nib to go along with the rest. But alas, I'll just have to settle for my other awesome pens- :)

 

Thanks for the responses!

-F

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fenriz Rare

fenriz

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I heard of someone getting a dip nib adapted for use on a FP. Anyone ever get that to work? It would be rad to have one of those Gillot's on an eyedropper body.

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MT4 Rare

MT4

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I heard of someone getting a dip nib adapted for use on a FP. Anyone ever get that to work? It would be rad to have one of those Gillot's on an eyedropper body.

 

Might be, though quite difficult. Most dip pen nibs are not stainless, so there is always an indication to "rinse and dry after use". Threy are also untipped, and not prepared to be used with feeds.

 

I believe only 14 K nibs can be made flexble.

 

There are certainly some steel flexible nibs. The only drawback I can find is that they are easier to bend permanently when overflexed.

 

Flexible nibs are made that way by their shape, materiales, and by selectively thinning some straight sections near the breather hole. You can certainly work on a nib to make it more flexible (with some limitations).

 

You can check this link: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43717 but unfortunately, the drawings have gone! If you have seen the underside of a 303 flexible dip nib you can easily say where the material have been removed.

 

Rgds.

 

Martin

In case of emergency: Just shout loud and run as fast as you can.

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lafeyplumas/ group for enthusiasts in Argentina. Subscription is moderated, messages aren't.

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Kurtorius Near Mint

Kurtorius

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Right-o. Nah, no gold nibs for the Safari

 

The 14k ones that come with some studios and accents (and I think the dialog 3) will fit the safari. The only modern Lamy nib that wont fit is the 2000 nib.

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wykpenguin Vintage

wykpenguin

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This brings us back to the soft Vs flex issue. Apart from material, the nib geometry is also important. Lamy nibs are flat on the top. Even if you made them with the most springy material, they would only be soft (move upwards under pressure) but wouldn't spread much. Try cutting a slit on a piece of paper and pushing on it. Then curl it a bit and push again to see the difference.

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MT4 Rare

MT4

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This brings us back to the soft Vs flex issue. Apart from material, the nib geometry is also important. Lamy nibs are flat on the top. Even if you made them with the most springy material, they would only be soft (move upwards under pressure) but wouldn't spread much. Try cutting a slit on a piece of paper and pushing on it. Then curl it a bit and push again to see the difference.

 

Though I haven't modified any nib this way by myself, I don't think this is exactly like this. If you weaken the nib's sheet (thin it selectively) in a V shaped pattern with the vortex in the breather hole, as the ones for dip pens, you get the tines to open when they flex.

 

Again: This is THEORETICALLY feasible, but I haven't tried it.

 

HTH

 

Martin

In case of emergency: Just shout loud and run as fast as you can.

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lafeyplumas/ group for enthusiasts in Argentina. Subscription is moderated, messages aren't.

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fenriz Rare

fenriz

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Thanks for the feedback- wkypenguin, I hadn't heard the distinction between nib softness and flexibility illustrated that way before. I did, in fact, cut a piece of paper here at my desk and try the simulation you described, and now I get it. Thank you!

 

Kurtorius, I didn't realize those nibs would fit the Safari. Come to think of it, I had noticed that the shape was the same. Cheers.

 

-F

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