Interchanging Nib Unit On Hero 616

[Cal_D]

I broke down a Hero 616 the other day (In the most literal sense, seeing as the section cracked.) and I found that the nib unit is the same size as an Esterbrook Lithographic crows quill nib. I tried in an a couple Hero 616 feed/collector units, and the fit seems to vary just a bit, some were really snug, while others were were loose enough to fall out. The crowsquill is too long to have the feed reach it correctly, but removing about a cm off made it the right length. Use the existing Hero's nib to scale it. I used a fine hacksaw and cleaned it up with a diamond pad. The Hero, being a hooded nib does not allow the full flex offered by the Esterbrook, but its more then the Hero, and offers simple line variation. Obviously its an untipped nib, so it will wear out after a while, and you have to watch for rust, as the nib is in contact with the inked feed. Filling is a bit more of a struggle as well, as the breather hole is covered by the new nib. As the feed was not designed for the ink delivery needed, a wetter ink is helpful, I added a little vodka and a speck of soap to my ink to try it out, but made it too wet.

Your mileage may vary, but no permanent modification needed, besides trimming the dip pen nib. Other crows quills might be a better or worse fit, or work better or worse.

 

 

[Zookie]

Great idea! What is the length of the crow quill? I have a couple of pens that I can experiment with.

I almost forgot to welcome you, so WELCOME!!

 

Doug from the Twilight Zone

[Cal_D]

After being cut, my new nib is about 21 mm long. Normal Hero 616 nib is about 20 mm. Uncut pen was around 38mm long. After cutting halfway though, I just snapped it cleanly and polished the cut/break. I attached a "writting" sample, with the greatest hesitation given for the word. I have no idea how to write "flexy". You can see some railroading when the pen was first getting started, but the feed seemed to keep up just fine after that. This is normal Heart of Darkness, nothing added, on printer paper. It seems like the feed can fit in two diffrent ways, 180 degrees from one another. If you put it in the wrong way, then the hood on the section is the wrong way.

 

[Sasha Royale]

Which brand of Vodka ?

[Cal_D]

Svedka

[Cal_D]

Just a little update, I have been using this combo off and on for a bit, and I kinda like it. The feed seems to do its job pretty well, and its not too wet or too dry. The main issue is that it dries out if the pen is stored nib up, but if it stored nib down, then its all right. I have not seen any sign of rust either, despite being inked for a few weeks. The nib has gotten smoother with time, as I have broken it in. I dont know why its been drying out though, but it could be that the inner cap of the pen is not great, or that the steel in the crows quill has less tendency to hold ink. Either way, its been a fun little project.

 

The nib of choice, when used in my default handwriting, gives a spidery look. Looks like something a dying man might write in a horror movie. Its a neat effect.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Cal_D