Nibs, Nibs, Nibs..?

[missuslovett]

Hello, there!

 

I seem to rapidly acquiring a little gang of vintage fountain pens, some in sparkling form, others in need of TLC. While things like re-sacking, polishing etc are fairly easily supplied from places like the Pen Workshop (other suppliers are available), I'm having an on-going problem finding age appropriate nibs for some of my old folks.

 

A lot of them aren't over posh, their damaged nibs aren't named. I'm just trying to find 1st Quality, or warranted nibs, something equivalent that's not necessarily even 14k but would still be the right thing to restore with. It seems there are very few places, certainly in the UK, that keep a supply of nibs that aren't specifically Watermans, Swans, Parker, what have you.

 

Can anyone here advise me, please? Is there a supplier I've missed? What would Brian Boytano do?

 

Ruth

[sombrueil]

nibs.com
not in the UK though.

Edited May 10, 2015 by sombrueil

[Cob]

First we need to know the sizes that you are seeking and the pens to which you wih to fit them; I am sure that a number of members hereabouts have nibs to hand; I have a few warranted nibs for example.

 

Best of luck

 

Cob

[missuslovett]

Cob,

 

Perhaps you can give me advise? I'm very new to this and keen to get my (ever increasing) clutch of pens into working shape. Forgive my ignorance, how do I tell the sizes of the nibs? They're not always marked. I've looked around for some general sizing indication but not had any luck. Is it a question of measuring? I'd be interested in any spares you have!

 

* - I've had a look at nibs.com and they're a bit limited on the generic side.

[jar]

Cob,

 

Perhaps you can give me advise? I'm very new to this and keen to get my (ever increasing) clutch of pens into working shape. Forgive my ignorance, how do I tell the sizes of the nibs? They're not always marked. I've looked around for some general sizing indication but not had any luck. Is it a question of measuring? I'd be interested in any spares you have!

 

* - I've had a look at nibs.com and they're a bit limited on the generic side.

I suggest you start by going to one of the meetings, shows and events on your side of the pond. Take a few of your pens to the meeting and it's likely the folk can advise you, maybe even have what you need.

[carlos.q]

I can recommend this UK seller. You have to check the site frequently as the nibs seem to change a lot.

https://vintagefountainpens.co.uk/

[Cob]

Cob,

 

Perhaps you can give me advise? I'm very new to this and keen to get my (ever increasing) clutch of pens into working shape. Forgive my ignorance, how do I tell the sizes of the nibs? They're not always marked. I've looked around for some general sizing indication but not had any luck. Is it a question of measuring? I'd be interested in any spares you have!

 

* - I've had a look at nibs.com and they're a bit limited on the generic side.

Nib sizes on vintage pens: a minefield!

 

Yesterday I sold two nibs on ebay: one was a Conway Stewart 5 and the other a Swan 4. The Conway measures about 25mm long by 6.2mm wide at its widest. The Swan 4 measures 30mm x 7mmm!

 

The best advice is that given my Jar above; if you are not sure about the pens, then someone more experienced can advise; perhaps your own nibs can be repaired if they are not cracked or missing their tips?

 

The Warranted Nibs I have are all small - I have five altogether three of which are pretty tiny. Apart from these I have five Waterman's Ideal nibs, from Canada, USA and England which could go and a couple of Swan 3s also. I tend to retain Mabie Todd nibs as Swans are my speciality.

 

Best wishes

 

Cob

Edited May 11, 2015 by Cob

[missuslovett]

Cob - those were your nibs were they? I thought about having a bid but I've already spent too much this month!

 

Unfortunately, my mobility is limited and so are my finances. I can't really get to any of the shows, which is why I've turned to wiser heads here. So I guess it's just a suck it and see situation, buy them and try them? Which I suppose is what I've been trying to do.

 

I shall re-double my efforts!

[Cob]

Cob - those were your nibs were they? I thought about having a bid but I've already spent too much this month!

 

Unfortunately, my mobility is limited and so are my finances. I can't really get to any of the shows, which is why I've turned to wiser heads here. So I guess it's just a suck it and see situation, buy them and try them? Which I suppose is what I've been trying to do.

 

I shall re-double my efforts!

Yes that was me. In fact £12.50 is very cheap indeed for a decent Swan 4 even for an Eternal.

 

Re-doubling efforts is usually a good move anyway!

 

Best of luck

 

Cob

[northlodge]

I image your best approach is to focus on "ebay tat" look for pens that are perhaps badly damaged yet have a decent looking nib. Here are a couple of my recent purchases:

 

201335082873 (waterman keyhole nib)

371314369912 (Good Conway)

 

I reckon the nibs were worth the price paid, yet I got decent boxes and other parts thrown in.

 

The main point is take your time, shop off peak, and grab a bargain whilst it is going, the nib will keep

[Cob]

I image your best approach is to focus on "ebay tat" look for pens that are perhaps badly damaged yet have a decent looking nib. Here are a couple of my recent purchases:

 

201335082873 (waterman keyhole nib)

371314369912 (Good Conway)

 

I reckon the nibs were worth the price paid, yet I got decent boxes and other parts thrown in.

 

The main point is take your time, shop off peak, and grab a bargain whilst it is going, the nib will keep

That Waverley pen is extraordinary! A Waterman's nib? Certainly the lever box is Waterman's. Can you tell what the tie-up was between Macniven & Cameron and Waterman's? I know that Burnham made the late Civil Service eyedroppers, but Waterman's is a most interesting aside.

 

Best

 

Cob

[missuslovett]

I image your best approach is to focus on "ebay tat" look for pens that are perhaps badly damaged yet have a decent looking nib. Here are a couple of my recent purchases:

 

201335082873 (waterman keyhole nib)

371314369912 (Good Conway)

 

I reckon the nibs were worth the price paid, yet I got decent boxes and other parts thrown in.

 

The main point is take your time, shop off peak, and grab a bargain whilst it is going, the nib will keep

 

Wow! What lovely bargains. That's what I've been looking to do myself. Someone had a a knackered Kingswood out from under me the other day! Lovely Eversharp nib. I just keep spending to much though.

[carlos.q]

Another supply of vintage nibs is found at penboard.de

[northlodge]

That Waverley pen is extraordinary! A Waterman's nib? Certainly the lever box is Waterman's. Can you tell what the tie-up was between Macniven & Cameron and Waterman's? I know that Burnham made the late Civil Service eyedroppers, but Waterman's is a most interesting aside.

 

Best

 

Cob

 

Not a Waverley in sight.

 

The pen was mis-described based upon the box it came in.

 

The pen was a Waterman 5 with a nice keyhole nib (I did what in the USA would be called flipping and made an immediate 400% on this item, retaining a Waverley box that might come in handy)

 

The point I was trying to make was that by careful assessment of ebay listings it is possible to pick up what you want / good spares at a bargain price. ( eg If you want a DLR 22 nib, look out for a black chatsworth, etc)

[Cob]

 

Not a Waverley in sight.

 

The pen was mis-described based upon the box it came in.

 

The pen was a Waterman 5 with a nice keyhole nib (I did what in the USA would be called flipping and made an immediate 400% on this item, retaining a Waverley box that might come in handy)

 

The point I was trying to make was that by careful assessment of ebay listings it is possible to pick up what you want / good spares at a bargain price. ( eg If you want a DLR 22 nib, look out for a black chatsworth, etc)

Crikey that was a good one! Well spotted. I couldn't identify the pen from the picture.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

[AAAndrew]

If one should have a fine old pen without feed or nib, what are the considerations for finding one that fits?

Length of section? (determines that you need a feed at least this long for it to come out the end and still poke out the top enough)

Depth of cap? (must make sure the nib fits inside the cap, I would imagine)

Diameter of section? (to fit feed and nib)

What else?

[missuslovett]

If one should have a fine old pen without feed or nib, what are the considerations for finding one that fits?

Length of section? (determines that you need a feed at least this long for it to come out the end and still poke out the top enough)

Depth of cap? (must make sure the nib fits inside the cap, I would imagine)

Diameter of section? (to fit feed and nib)

What else?

This is something I'd be interested to know too. I've not tackled anything like this myself...

[Cob]

Within reason I do not think that the the length of the feed is terribly important - I should be interested to read of a contrary view and the reasons for it. I have worked on fountain pens where the feed hardly reaches halfway along the section and others where a substantial part extends into the sac!

 

Of course the radius of the feed must match the radius of the nib; and that the relative diameters of the section bore and feed must match is axiomatic.

 

Cap fit (technically speaking inner cap fit) is obviously important although except in extreme Frankenpens is unlikely to be a problem.

 

Cob

[northlodge]

I would only add the obvious...

 

The origin of the missing section, I would hope to find a correct replacement (and

in most cases these are available)

[AAAndrew]

Sometimes it's not possible. I have a really cool "celery stick" (green with thin stripes) celluloid flat-top pen with bakelite caps on the ends. It has no name and no section or nib. The body and cap material is gorgeous. One of these days I'm going to get it fitted with a new section and nib, but since I have no idea of manufacturer, and it doesn't look like anything I've ever seen, I'll have to put in something from another pen.