Question about Eversharp nibs

[Margana]

Recently I "won" two Eversharp Skylines on eBay. The second arrived today and I was surprised to see how small the nib is. I'd only seen the larger nibs before and with a little research learned that Skylines came in two nib sizes.

 

This got me wondering why there were two nib sizes. Also, are the two sizes of Skyline nibs of similar quality and comparable functionality?

[jaytaylor]

The Skylines came in 3 sizes - the executive being the largest, then a standard size, and the smallest a demi size, the different size nibs would correspond with the different model sizes.

 

I own standard and demi skylines, the demi models have the smaller nib.

 

I am no expert though, these are my observations.

 

http://www.vintagepens.com/skyline.shtml

Edited November 5, 2006 by jaytaylor

[Margana]

Right about the pen sizes. I was curious about the sizes of nibs. Were they tied to the pen model?

 

I have two Standards though one is a sixteenth of an inch shorter than the other. The larger nib is on the larger pen and is the usual Skyline nib. The smaller nib is significantly smaller and has a heart shaped vent. It does say "Eversharp," 14k and "Made in the USA." Maybe someone swapped the nib on it.

 

http://margana.com/fpn_images/skyline_nib.jpg

[Maja]

I'm no expert, but I recall a Pentrace article on the Skyline nibs...Oh, here it is :

 

"The Everysharp Skyline Nib"---article on Pentrace.net by Jim Mamoulides

 

Here's a quote from that article:

Wahl had always offered an array of silky smooth nibs, and the Skyline was no exception. Nibs were offered in a full range from extra fine to broad, from Manifold to flexible, and in at least three sizes, to match the Demi, standard, and Executive size pens. Though available in a wide range of styles and flexibility, they generally aren't marked with size or flexibility.

(Note: words in bold typeface are my emphasis)

 

I'm guessing that smaller nibs were chosen for the smaller pens, in order for the pen and nib to look proportional....

 

Thanks for the article, Jim!

Edited November 5, 2006 by Maja

[Margana]

Thank for the article, Maja. Just what I was looking for.

 

It looks like this Skyline is an early Modern Stripe with a visulated section and a small heart shaped nib that is disproportionately small for this Standard model. Maybe someone swapped things around. The barrel is closer to a Demi in size but the cap is a Standard. It threads fine and the color matches so it could be original.

 

It has a flex nib and it's a pretty green. Probably just right for some Diamine Umber once it gets repaired.

[Maja]

Thank for the article, Maja. Just what I was looking for.

Glad to be of some help, Margana

[Michael Wright]

As well as the nibs sizes for the different sized pens, the moire/ or modern stripe pens had a smaller nib than other full size pens. Astonishing as it seems to me (and others), back in the day the moire/ pens were economy models, and the smaller nib goes with that.

 

I discovered this the hard way when I asked a distinguished nib specialist to put a superb flexy nib from a boring standard Skyline onto a lovely moire/. It took two goes to get it right, because of the different size nibs (and possibly feeds, though I'm not sure about that).

 

I guess it's possible the moire/ had the nib and feed from the standard demi, so there are only three sizes, but I don't *know* that, at all.

 

Congratulations on your beautiful pen.

 

Michael

[Margana]

Thanks, Michael. I can't tell yet whether this Skyline will be a good one or not since the sac is dessicated and the lever is disconnected. The nib has some damage but nothing that would prevent it from writing well. It does have some flex to it so maybe it will turn out well. Unfortunately it's got a bit of wear around the clip, etc., so it only looks good from a distance.

 

I very recently acquired a brown with a striped cap that also needs a sac. I didn't give it much attention until last night and and, as it turns out, it has stub nib that has some flex to it. It does have one of those large banner nibs and I am really looking forward to giving it a thorough workout once it is repaired.

 

Hope that Wahl forum gets started soon...

[Michael Wright]

Hi Margana

 

I'm told that the plastic on Skylines is a bit more fragile than normal for the period, so although I normally re-sac lever fillers myself, I leave Skylines to the well experienced.

 

What a pity Wahl kept on having problems with their celluloid.

 

Best

 

Michael

[Wahlnut]

There is some more data on these nibs that I don't have time to add fully right now, but maybe tonight? The well written article by Mr. Mamoulides is pretty acurate as far as it goes. OTOH, The early Skyline nibs were a direct carryover from prior pen models and not a new Skyline specific feature. The Moire pens came in more than 1 size (Standard and Executive). And the the replacement aftermarket, dealer/service center installed nibs were frequently the ones that just said EVERSHARP in an arch. Anyway there is A LOT of information to add to or refine/clarify the information in Jim's fine Article.

 

As for the "hope" that that Wahl Forum gets up soon...I am doing whatever I can to promote it to get the Admins to recognize its value, but they tell me that is is all up to the poll results. So...if that is what you want too, please tell all your friends who might be interested in a Wahl-Eversharp forum to vote for it in the poll.

 

Thanks

Syd the Wahlnut

[Margana]

Hi Margana

 

I'm told that the plastic on Skylines is a bit more fragile than normal for the period, so although I normally re-sac lever fillers myself, I leave Skylines to the well experienced.

 

What a pity Wahl kept on having problems with their celluloid.

 

Best

 

Michael

This is the first I've heard of them being especially fragile. I reckon I'll have to check around for someone with experience to repair mine. Thanks for the tip.

[Wahlnut]

Eversharp Skyline Plastics were not particularly fragile. If someone has had some difficulty with breakage, I would think it was a pen specific problem. OTOH, rough/improper handling a repair person can of course ruin a pen and blaming the plastic is an easy out. Also, Wahl did not use "Celuloid" brand plastic. They used Dupont brand plastics and the quality was industry standard or better. So, if you know what you are doing, and use proper heat, you should not have a higher than usual risk of damaging the pen during repair. But if you are not sure about it, the Wahlnut does repairs reasonably for "Whal People". Contact me back channel if you wish.

 

Syd the Wahlnut

wahlnut@pensburymanor.com

 

Syd

[Margana]

There is some more data on these nibs that I don't have time to add fully right now, but maybe tonight?  The well written article by Mr. Mamoulides is pretty acurate as far as it goes.  OTOH, The early Skyline nibs were a direct carryover from prior pen models and not a new Skyline specific feature.  The Moire pens came in more than 1 size (Standard and Executive).  And the  the replacement aftermarket, dealer/service center installed nibs were frequently the ones that just said EVERSHARP in an arch.  Anyway there is A LOT of information to add to or refine/clarify the information in Jim's fine Article.

 

As for the "hope" that that Wahl Forum gets up soon...I am doing whatever I can to promote it to get the Admins to recognize its value, but they tell me that is is all up to the poll results.  So...if that is what you want too, please tell all your friends who might be interested in a Wahl-Eversharp forum to vote for it in the poll.

 

Thanks

Syd the Wahlnut

Your description of the early moire pen fits. That means it is a Standard since it is closest to that size and it has the earlier nib. The brown Standard has the banner nib picture on Jim's article on Pentrace but it looks like a factory stub to me. It even has some flex to it.

 

http://www.margana.com/fpn_images/skyline_brn_nib.jpg

 

I voted within minutes of the poll being posted so count me in!

[Michael Wright]

Eversharp Skyline Plastics were not particularly fragile. If someone has had some difficulty with breakage, I would think it was a pen specific problem.

I stand corrected. I've read at least a couple of people, who seemed like they knew what they were talking about, who've said that the Skylines aren't as robust as some pens of the era, so I've shied away from doing anything myself. Maybe I should be braver.

 

Best

 

Michael

[Margana]

Eversharp Skyline Plastics were not particularly fragile.  If someone has had some difficulty with breakage, I would think it was a pen specific problem.

I stand corrected. I've read at least a couple of people, who seemed like they knew what they were talking about, who've said that the Skylines aren't as robust as some pens of the era, so I've shied away from doing anything myself. Maybe I should be braver.

 

Best

 

Michael

Well, Michael, maybe it's time to get your hands dirty.

[Michael Wright]

Well, Michael, maybe it's time to get your hands dirty.

Oh, my hands are quite dirty -- steeped, you might say. I was just worried about having to pick out a few shards of plastic

 

Michael

[Margana]

Well, Michael, maybe it's time to get your hands dirty. 

Oh, my hands are quite dirty -- steeped, you might say. I was just worried about having to pick out a few shards of plastic

 

Michael

Can't have that certainly, but if you do decide to work on a Skyline, let us know how it goes. Your success just might encourage others.

[Vintagepens]

Skyline plastic is in general more brittle than the celluloid found in comparable pens of the same era. Do warm up the section joint before disassembly, or you will run the risk of either cracking the barrel mouth or breaking off the barrel behind the threads. This is yet another example where heat, not soaking, is what you need to do.

[Wahlnut]

Skyline plastic is in general more brittle than the celluloid found in comparable pens of the same era. Do warm up the section joint before disassembly, or you will run the risk of either cracking the barrel mouth or breaking off the barrel behind the threads. This is yet another example where heat, not soaking, is what you need to do.

Wahlnuts, I recommend you do what David suggests. You never know what type of life these vintage pens have led. And if David says that in his experience the plastic used in Skylines is more brittle than other pens from the same era (which from someone with David's credentials, I accept categorically), who would want to disagree and find out the hard way how right he is.

 

General rule on all pens, let alone Wahl-Eversharps, is if you cant get a section out with your bare (or latex gloved) fingers alone using non- herculean effort, USE HEAT. Put another way of you need to use section pliers of any kind, use heat first. It only take about 140 degrees to get things moving easier in most cases.