Osmiroid - where can you get more of these?

[FP_Lover]

Some time ago, I won a cheap Osmiroid calligraphy/italic pen off ebay. It was from a seller in England. The body is not much to write home about (cheap plastic) but the nib is just so smoooooooth. I was using it earlier today and thought how if only if had a nice body, this might be my favorite (for now) pen.

 

Does Osmiroid make "nicer" pens? There were some vintage Osmiroids on ebay but I have no idea what I'm looking at. Also, they did not have italic nibs. I'd like a modern pen, so it could use cartridges.

 

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

Janine

[wdyasq]

Janine,

 

If it is a screw in nib, all I have seen interchange with Esterbrook (Somebody correct me if I am wrong here). I think Esterbrook made some cartridge pens with intechangable nibs.

 

If you could stand using ink from a bottle, freshly resaced Esterbrooks or even Osmiriod pens are usualy not too expensive. Personally, I am an 'ink in the bottle' user now and could care less about most cartridge pens. I do have several in colors I use.

 

Ron

[Oxonian]

Hi Janine,

 

Osmiroid are no longer in the pen business as far as I know, I think they went out of the business in the 1980's.

 

They were always pretty basic pens that wrote well for the money and I haven't seen anything other than the run of the mill pens, except for perhaps the 105 which seems to be a 75 with a metal cap, I haven't seen one of these close to in 30 years and don't remember whether the nib was any different.

 

The 75 is the piston filling version from the 1960's and from what I have seen over the years is the better and more stable of the older pens, the 65 barrel tends to deform around the lever. There are more modern models that are cartridge fillers where the nibs are fixed to the section and don't screw fit like the earlier pens.

 

From time to time you see NOS Osmiroids for sale on e-bay UK, they seem to fetch better prices than they used to. I get them passing through my hands from time to time in job lots, drop me an e-mail and I will see what I can do to find one for you. Cheers John

Edited October 12, 2006 by Oxonian

[meanwhile]

I tried researching Osmiroid company history. The most interesting things was this:

 

http://www.berol.co.uk/about_berol_history.asp

[wimg]

I can still get NOS Osmiroid nibs, if you like, for the last models Osmiroid pens...

 

warm rregards, Wim

[WillAdams]

The newer Osmiroid nibs don't work in Esterbrooks though AFAIK they're specific to those newer pens.

 

The older nibs for the 65 and 75 fit very nicely in Esterbrooks though (and I've seen some other Osmiroids on eBay using these nibs in various colours and plastics which seemed nicer), I've got an Italic Broad Straight in my blue J. It's almost as nice as my 9312.

 

William

[Dawn]

I got an Osmiroid italic pen from ebay too, it had been sitting in the sun for so long that the barrell has gone banana shaped the nib is so smooth though so I still use it. I have tried to use a sheaffer barrel but its too big.

 

Dawn

[Ann Finley]

I can still get NOS Osmiroid nibs, if you like, for the last models Osmiroid pens...

 

warm rregards, Wim

Janine, if you decide to take Wim up on his kind offer, do be sure that the newer cartridge pen barrel model # matches what Wim can get.

 

Unlike the older model 65 & 75 Osmiroids that had nibs that could all interchange with each other & use Esterbrook nibs and vice versa, the various cartridge models do not all have interchangeable nib units.

 

Best, Ann

[antoniosz]

Esterbrooks are the best solution

I do have many Osmiroid nibs. They are tricky but their result is great.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/DCP_1279.jpg

Edited May 6, 2007 by antoniosz

[Nihontochicken]

Some time ago, I won a cheap Osmiroid calligraphy/italic pen off ebay. It was from a seller in England. The body is not much to write home about (cheap plastic) but the nib is just so smoooooooth. I was using it earlier today and thought how if only if had a nice body, this might be my favorite (for now) pen.

 

Okay, you got to me, I just bought a NOS Osmiroid six nib calligraphy kit. I understand this is essentially the same as the current Manuscript calligraphy kits that have received a fair amount of positive comment on FPN. When it arrives, I guess I'll break out the old Sheaffers and Higgins and see how badly my calligraphy has deteriorated (never was all that much to begin with).

Edited October 15, 2006 by Nihontochicken

[caliken]

Some time ago, I won a cheap Osmiroid calligraphy/italic pen off ebay. It was from a seller in England. The body is not much to write home about (cheap plastic) but the nib is just so smoooooooth. I was using it earlier today and thought how if only if had a nice body, this might be my favorite (for now) pen.

 

Does Osmiroid make "nicer" pens? There were some vintage Osmiroids on ebay but I have no idea what I'm looking at. Also, they did not have italic nibs. I'd like a modern pen, so it could use cartridges.

 

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

Janine

 

 

Edited May 7, 2007 by caliken

[k2graphics]

Hi Janine,

 

Osmiroid are no longer in the pen business as far as I know, I think they went out of the business in the 1980's.

 

They were always pretty basic pens that wrote well for the money and I haven't seen anything other than the run of the mill pens, except for perhaps the 105 which seems to be a 75 with a metal cap, I haven't seen one of these close to in 30 years and don't remember whether the nib was any different.

 

The 75 is the piston filling version from the 1960's and from what I have seen over the years is the better and more stable of the older pens, the 65 barrel tends to deform around the lever. There are more modern models that are cartridge fillers where the nibs are fixed to the section and don't screw fit like the earlier pens.

 

From time to time you see NOS Osmiroids for sale on e-bay UK, they seem to fetch better prices than they used to. I get them passing through my hands from time to time in job lots, drop me an e-mail and I will see what I can do to find one for you. Cheers John

 

Oxonian,

 

A friend recently gave me multiple nibs that had belonged to a member of her family, including some older style screw in Osmiroid ones. Searching the internet, I've not been able to find an inexpensive holder for these nibs. Usually I use Pelikan or Speedball nibs, which have different type holders than the Osmiroid nibs. Eventually, I happened upon this site and your post. Would you please help me locate an inexpensive pen/holder for these Osmiroid nibs?

Thank you!

 

k2graphics

[Alohamora]

Oxonian,

 

A friend recently gave me multiple nibs that had belonged to a member of her family, including some older style screw in Osmiroid ones. Searching the internet, I've not been able to find an inexpensive holder for these nibs. Usually I use Pelikan or Speedball nibs, which have different type holders than the Osmiroid nibs. Eventually, I happened upon this site and your post. Would you please help me locate an inexpensive pen/holder for these Osmiroid nibs?

Thank you!

 

k2graphics

 

Do the nibs have screw threads like these?

 

The nibs in the picture fit Osmiroid 65 and 75 pens and they also fit the Esterbrook J series pens. (Perhaps others as well, but those are the ones I know about)

[Bo Bo Olson]

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Some time ago, I won a cheap Osmiroid calligraphy/italic pen off ebay. It was from a seller in England. The body is not much to write home about (cheap plastic) but the nib is just so smoooooooth. I was using it earlier today and thought how if only if had a nice body, this might be my favorite (for now) pen.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

Okay, you got to me, I just bought a NOS Osmiroid six nib calligraphy kit. I understand this is essentially the same as the current Manuscript calligraphy kits that have received a fair amount of positive comment on FPN. When it arrives, I guess I'll break out the old Sheaffers and Higgins and see how badly my calligraphy has deteriorated (never was all that much to begin with). <img src="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

 

 

Just use regular ink, no need to use dip pen ink, it's not a dip pen.

I have a set, I have the Osmiroid inked with an DA Sahara Gray. It fits my DJ Esterbrook.

 

My 65 is some ten or more years younger than my '48-52 Estie, who's sixty year old sac is on it's last legs. It hardly sucks ink any more. Got a '70 P-75 with an old rubber sac too.

But I'm stubborn, see if the sac can make it to 65 years.

Two years ago it was still drawing good.

 

 

My 65 is a cheap plastic pen, but it works and it was never intended to be any thing but a cheap school pen, with nibs for calligraphy.

 

You now have a reason to buy a nice refurbished Esterbrook.

Edited November 2, 2011 by Bo Bo Olson

[dragon2java]

Osmiroids are indeed wonderful! They are the starting point of my FP obsession..... They work wonderfully despite the cheap plastic body, and I still have them. Yes, you can find NOS nibs on the 'bay for reasonalble price. Enjoy, and I hope you have fun in your use and growing interest! Cheers!

[Hex]

Thanks guys for pointing this out to me.

I found this at a mall about 6 months ago and promptly stuffed it into a cigar box.

Based upon this thread, I hauled it out, dipped it in an open bottle that was close by, and it was really fun to write with.

This will definitely go into my rotation after a bit of cleaning.

What a pretty line it makes, with Lamy Turquoise.

[k2graphics]

Oxonian,

 

A friend recently gave me multiple nibs that had belonged to a member of her family, including some older style screw in Osmiroid ones. Searching the internet, I've not been able to find an inexpensive holder for these nibs. Usually I use Pelikan or Speedball nibs, which have different type holders than the Osmiroid nibs. Eventually, I happened upon this site and your post. Would you please help me locate an inexpensive pen/holder for these Osmiroid nibs?

Thank you!

 

k2graphics

 

Do the nibs have screw threads like these?

 

The nibs in the picture fit Osmiroid 65 and 75 pens and they also fit the Esterbrook J series pens. (Perhaps others as well, but those are the ones I know about)

 

Yes, the nibs have screws like your photos. Unfortunately, the printing on the black is not white, just chiseled in. From what I can make out, I've got:

• Italic Broad Straight
  
• Italic Fine Straight
  
• Italic Extra Fine Straight
  
• B2
  
• B3
  
• B4
  
• Copperplate
  
• This one, which looks like a sketching nib, is hard to read + says something like "Polatip Fine Soft"

I also have some other brands.

Edited November 3, 2011 by k2graphics

[k2graphics]

Oxonian,

 

A friend recently gave me multiple nibs that had belonged to a member of her family, including some older style screw in Osmiroid ones. Searching the internet, I've not been able to find an inexpensive holder for these nibs. Usually I use Pelikan or Speedball nibs, which have different type holders than the Osmiroid nibs. Eventually, I happened upon this site and your post. Would you please help me locate an inexpensive pen/holder for these Osmiroid nibs?

Thank you!

 

k2graphics

 

Do the nibs have screw threads like these?

 

The nibs in the picture fit Osmiroid 65 and 75 pens and they also fit the Esterbrook J series pens. (Perhaps others as well, but those are the ones I know about)

 

John,

 

Will you please keep me in mind if you get any no. 75 pens in good condition that are passing through?

 

Thanks!

 

K2

[Alohamora]

Oxonian,

 

A friend recently gave me multiple nibs that had belonged to a member of her family, including some older style screw in Osmiroid ones. Searching the internet, I've not been able to find an inexpensive holder for these nibs. Usually I use Pelikan or Speedball nibs, which have different type holders than the Osmiroid nibs. Eventually, I happened upon this site and your post. Would you please help me locate an inexpensive pen/holder for these Osmiroid nibs?

Thank you!

 

k2graphics

 

Do the nibs have screw threads like these?

 

The nibs in the picture fit Osmiroid 65 and 75 pens and they also fit the Esterbrook J series pens. (Perhaps others as well, but those are the ones I know about)

 

Yes, the nibs have screws like your photos. Unfortunately, the printing on the black is not white, just chiseled in. From what I can make out, I've got:

• Italic Broad Straight
  
• Italic Fine Straight
  
• Italic Extra Fine Straight
  
• B2
  
• B3
  
• B4
  
• Copperplate
  
• This one, which looks like a sketching nib, is hard to read + says something like "Polatip Fine Soft"

I also have some other brands.

 

The Osmiroid Italic nibs are fun to use. The Rolatip Fine Soft should be a good general writing nib. It's definitely worth getting a pen to use them in. You can find Osmiroid 65 pens for around $15 on ebay (give or take a few $). Or Esterbrook "J" series are easier to find, but a restored one will run a bit more (maybe $30 or so). The Osmiroid pens aren't as old as the the Esterbrooks, so you're more likely to find an unrestored one in working condition that just needs some cleanup. And also try the classified section here on FPN.

[k2graphics]

Oxonian,

 

A friend recently gave me multiple nibs that had belonged to a member of her family, including some older style screw in Osmiroid ones. Searching the internet, I've not been able to find an inexpensive holder for these nibs. Usually I use Pelikan or Speedball nibs, which have different type holders than the Osmiroid nibs. Eventually, I happened upon this site and your post. Would you please help me locate an inexpensive pen/holder for these Osmiroid nibs?

Thank you!

 

k2graphics

 

Do the nibs have screw threads like these?

 

The nibs in the picture fit Osmiroid 65 and 75 pens and they also fit the Esterbrook J series pens. (Perhaps others as well, but those are the ones I know about)

 

Yes, the nibs have screws like your photos. Unfortunately, the printing on the black is not white, just chiseled in. From what I can make out, I've got:

• Italic Broad Straight
  
• Italic Fine Straight
  
• Italic Extra Fine Straight
  
• B2
  
• B3
  
• B4
  
• Copperplate
  
• This one, which looks like a sketching nib, is hard to read + says something like "Polatip Fine Soft"

I also have some other brands.

 

The Osmiroid Italic nibs are fun to use. The Rolatip Fine Soft should be a good general writing nib. It's definitely worth getting a pen to use them in. You can find Osmiroid 65 pens for around $15 on ebay (give or take a few $). Or Esterbrook "J" series are easier to find, but a restored one will run a bit more (maybe $30 or so). The Osmiroid pens aren't as old as the the Esterbrooks, so you're more likely to find an unrestored one in working condition that just needs some cleanup. And also try the classified section here on FPN.

 

Thanks! I'd already checked the site's classified & nothing was available; but I plan to get a pen that fits.