Tomahawk Nib By Artsnibs

[TheGreatRoe]

A couple of months ago a had Art (ArtsNibs here on FPN) work on a couple of nibs for me. The results were good enough that I decided I had to give the Tomahawk stub a try. For those unfamiliar, this is a modification where the nib is made into a stub, but portions of the nib are ground away leaving the nib a little flexier. It's not intended to result in real flex, but it's supposed to give a little springiness to the nib.

I decided to take the plunge with my Visconti Van Gogh. Based on looks, and feel, it's one of my favorite pens, but the nib was just a plain old Fine, and I found myself not using it very often because the nob wasn't very interesting. As a bonus, the nib and section on this pen are interchangeable with that of my Rembrandt, so it's sort of like getting 2 pens worked on. Here's a picture (by Art) of the pen before work began:


And here's the pen, after:


Visually, the nib is stunning. The cutouts give the nib a little extra flair. I've seen pictures of several of the Tomahawks, and the patterns are all a little different. I don't know if Art makes the cutouts based on an aesthetic, or if there is some physics involved in the specific patterns.

 

Visuals aside, the stub, is the whole reason for getting the nib modified, and I'm very happy with the results. It started as a Fine nib, so I knew that the final result would be a narrow stub (Art told be the final dimensions, but they've gone from my mind). The stub is very--VERY--smooth, and when I can be bothered to hold the pen correctly, the variation is nice without being extreme, so it's suitable for everyday writing. The image below compared the last thing I wrote with the nib before I set it off (on the left) with a new writing sample (on the right).

 

The bonus to this whole endeavor is the added spring. While knew to expect some, I had no real expectations as to what I might get. I send Art a Visconti Steel Fine nib, and I got back a nib that feels a heck of a lot like one of the Visconti Palladium nibs during regular use. Obviously the Pd nibs have a degree of flex that I'm not going to try with this nib, but it's now a little more forgiving for a heavy hand, and the springiness is a little less tiring on my hand. This added flex increased the wetness just a touch, but it's still not a gusher--although with a little too much pressure it will leave a little more ink than I like.

 

All things told, I'm very pleased with this, and I may have have Art do the same to my Custom Edison pen when it comes in.

 

[Jeff_H]

I've had Art work on several of my pens that needed various adjustments and several that I screwed up working on myself. I've also had him do a stub, but not a tomahawk, which is exceedingly smooth. All of his work is top notch and every pen has come back just as I would have hoped. From bent tines on Naginata Togi nibs to simple flow adjustments, Art does high quality work.

 

When he returned my last batch of pens, he included a Jinho pen that had his tomahawk stub treatment. I was shocked at how smoothly it wrote and how nice the nib felt, and were talking about a $3 pen. It is as smooth as can be and the line variation is great. But it's the springy feel and the very smooth nib that impress me most. I'm positive I'll have him tomahawk stub one of my nicer pens at some point....I'm just not sure which one.

 

Glad you enjoy the one you have from Art. It's very beautiful. I've always loved the way the Visconti pens look.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Jeff_H

[TheRealScubaSteve]

That's a nice looking nib. I've used 5 or 6 of his pens now from Tomahawks to stubs to cursive italics and all have been great.

[ScienceChick]

Art has Artified quite a few pens and nibs for me, too, including a Tomahawk. I've been thrilled with every nib he's had his very talented hands on (a Nussbaum Phoenix, a Delta, an Edison, a Sheaffer and a load of Estie nibs). The Edison went from being a horrible EF (what was I thinking?) to an F stub that's wonderful. My favorite thing about all of them is that they are glassy-smooth - exactly how I like them. The spring of the Tomahawk is an added bonus.

 

His web site is www.artsnibs.com No affiliation, just a very happy customer.

[PaperQueen]

It breaks my heart to ask this, but....

 

Since Art's obviously no longer taking new business (and is several months behind with pens people sent him way-back-when), is there someone else who mods nibs in a similar fashion to the Tomahawk or Phoenix? I'd love to do this with a couple of pens, having test driven one owned by Amberlea.

 

:::bummed:::

 

Anyone? Anyone?

 

[TheGreatRoe]

It breaks my heart to ask this, but....

 

Since Art's obviously no longer taking new business (and is several months behind with pens people sent him way-back-when), is there someone else who mods nibs in a similar fashion to the Tomahawk or Phoenix? I'd love to do this with a couple of pens, having test driven one owned by Amberlea.

 

:::bummed:::

 

Anyone? Anyone?

 

 

I wish I had a good answer for you. Art actually had one of my pens right now, and has had it for much longer than is normal for him. I have a local nib lady, and while I like her work very much, I don't think she offers anything like the Tomahawk.

[PaperQueen]

I wish I had a good answer for you. Art actually had one of my pens right now, and has had it for much longer than is normal for him. I have a local nib lady, and while I like her work very much, I don't think she offers anything like the Tomahawk.

 

I finally broke down and ordered another one of Pendleton's lovely nibs---this time, a medium Bad Boy with Angel Wings, with frosting (sounds like a wild weekend set up, doesn't it?). I adore the man's work, and think he's an absolute delight to work with.

 

Guess the Tomahawk and Phoenix return to the "Maybe someday" list....

[TheGreatRoe]

 

I finally broke down and ordered another one of Pendleton's lovely nibs---this time, a medium Bad Boy with Angel Wings, with frosting (sounds like a wild weekend set up, doesn't it?). I adore the man's work, and think he's an absolute delight to work with.

 

Guess the Tomahawk and Phoenix return to the "Maybe someday" list....

 

I tried a Pendleton once, but it didn't agree with me. I have no doubt that his work is high quality, but it just wasn't for me.

[ScienceChick]

 

I tried a Pendleton once, but it didn't agree with me. I have no doubt that his work is high quality, but it just wasn't for me.

This was my experience as well: the BLS was anything but buttery. To be fair, I didn't contact him or send it back to be made smoother. I gave the pen to a friend and she thinks the nib is perfection. Different strokes and all that.

 

Perhaps one could show another nib mechanic the Tomahawk or Phoenix and ask if he/she could replicate the grind.

[dcwaites]

This was my experience as well: the BLS was anything but buttery. To be fair, I didn't contact him or send it back to be made smoother. I gave the pen to a friend and she thinks the nib is perfection. Different strokes and all that.

 

Perhaps one could show another nib mechanic the Tomahawk or Phoenix and ask if he/she could replicate the grind.

 

Having made quite a nice stub from a Jinhao nib, you tempt me, you temptress you.

However, I am going to have to buy a dremel-style thingy to cut the grooves ( no, I am not going to buy a full Dremel set to cut a $2 nib...)

[ScienceChick]

 

Having made quite a nice stub from a Jinhao nib, you tempt me, you temptress you.

However, I am going to have to buy a dremel-style thingy to cut the grooves ( no, I am not going to buy a full Dremel set to cut a $2 nib...)

 

Awww, go on ... you know you want to. Tempting?

[dcwaites]

 

Awww, go on ... you know you want to. Tempting?

 

Speaking of tempting, have you been following this thread?

[Bo Bo Olson]

When you do send your nib in to be modified, do know the angle of where your pen rests best. I had a heavy pen modified to a CI, and it writes well at 45 degrees, but due to the weight it wants to sit at 40 degrees at the start of the web of my thumb. Posted in the pit of the web. There it seems to be a tad off; toothy.

Just now loaded it with a wetter ink....and absolutely no problems.

 

Yep, back to the golden rule, when in doubt, first try a dryer or wetter ink.

 

Though telling the nibmaster or showing him a picture of where you hold the pen can not be wrong.

Do let the weight/length of the pen determine where it wants to rest. Fighting it causes pressure, leading to hand fatigue. Death grip....

 

In most have nail and semi-nail nibs in they have modern nibs, the Tomahawk or Angel Wing/Ahab Mod is a good option.

 

Semi-vintage/vintage 'true' regular flex is also a bit more springy. Like the no ring M400 '82-97. Pelikan 120 or Geha school pens. I'm sure there are Parker and Sheaffer in that flex...it is I live in Germany and it was cheaper to chase German pens.

The German*** '50-65 semi-flex and maxi-semi-flex are very nice extra springy ++ nibs with out getting into super flex.

 

***There German nail makers too from that era, like Lamy or Tropen. Soenecken, MB, Pelikan, Kaweco, Geha are some of them that are made in semi/maxi-semi-flex.

 

I am glad there are modern options to modern pens for true springy, or springy ++ nibs. I very much enjoy them, so much more than nails and semi-nails.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Bo Bo Olson

[ScienceChick]

Just to update: I received all my pens from Art yesterday, with a very nice note. Delay aside, I'm very happy - all write exactly the way I like them to. When his life settles down I won't hesitate to send pens to Art for nib work. He does great stuff.

[ScienceChick]

 

Speaking of tempting, have you been following this thread?

I have. My ghouls might enjoy adding a squid to the cow eye/sheep brain/cow heart/pig uterus/shark dissection line-up!

[dcwaites]

I have. My ghouls might enjoy adding a squid to the cow eye/sheep brain/cow heart/pig uterus/shark dissection line-up!

 

Sheeps/lambs brains - my grandmother (who came from the Lakelands district in England) would do a nice lambs brains in white sauce.

 

Actually doing squid, octopus and cuttlefish would be a nice compare/contrast exercise.

 

Ask me sometime about the cannibal grandmothers of Yorkshire.

[snail]

Is he still in business? His website is about clothing now, in French...

[zaddick]

I don't think so. A fair number of folks were in his backlog and I think he stopped doing nibs before finishing thr queue.

 

If you want one, send me a PM.