Has Anyone Put A Non-Pelikan Nib In A Pelikan?

[Kublai Khan]

Folks, I have a need for a replacement for my m215 ("rings") pen's steel nib. I want to try something other than a Pelikan nib. Has anyone any experience purchasing a nib and putting it in their Pelikan? Could you please tell me how I can do that for the m215 (nib number to buy, do I need a different feed as well, etc.) I've spent some time googling around and researching this on this forum but it's been futile so far - I've only seen people talk of replacing the entire nib unit with a new one or upgrading to the m400 nib unit. But what I want is replacement of the nib alone. Thanks in advance, and if this topic has been raised and solved in another thread, and I have missed it, please just point me to that. Cheers everyone!

[Joe in Seattle]

When I want to try a different nib I try a different pen. I have half a dozen Pelikans, some vintage, some modern. I like that I can swap one nib for another.

 

Some really fine nibs, for instance Jin Hao, come at a cost of only a few dollars - with a pen attached.

 

Do what you will. I don't know how to swap out the nib as you ask. I'll be interested to see how it works out for you. Let us know, please.

[Kublai Khan]

When I want to try a different nib I try a different pen. I have half a dozen Pelikans, some vintage, some modern. I like that I can swap one nib for another.

Some really fine nibs, for instance Jin Hao, come at a cost of only a few dollars - with a pen attached.

Do what you will. I don't know how to swap out the nib as you ask. I'll be interested to see how it works out for you. Let us know, please.

I like the Pelikan nibs too, nothing against them. I just want to try a different nib on my m215 - maybe something slightly larger and heftier than the standard nib it comes with. I don't want the m400 gold nib -too expensive, hence the search for another steel nib of another make.

[Berghain54]

Hej fpnat0,

 

you could remove the standard Pelikan nib from the feed (Only if you are really sure you want to beware of the use of brute force! See internet sources of a how-to).

... and then put like any other nib in there. There are quite many nib suppliers out there or on eBay.

 

Like a TWSBI nib:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/308974-pelikan-m120-vintage-disassembly/

 

M200 Feed

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1WTkyCJPeF8aEdvVU9KUFVDY2c/view?pref=2&pli=1

 

With TWSBI ECO nib.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1WTkyCJPeF8MWFQbXdpSC01bDg/view?pref=2&pli=1

 

Best regards

Berg

[Kublai Khan]

Folks! Many thanks for the replies. I am aware of the dangers of pulling out nibs and feeds. I've swapped out a few in pens of other makes. My question really boils down to this: for the Pelikan, what is the size number of the nib for the m215 or m200 or even m400. Is it equivalent to a #5 from the nib makers such as Knox/Nemosine/JoWo/Schmidt/Bock? Or a smaller number nib? If I am to order a nib online, I have to specify a number. Can someone help for the m215?

[Kublai Khan]

Berg: going through your links (thank you!), I think it is a #5 nib that fits the TWSBI and therefore the m200, and I'm guessing that it will therefore fit e m215 also. I will look into #5s and if it all works out, will post a resolution here in a few weeks. Thanks again for the help.

[pensuponpens]

I have used Senator nibs in Pelikan pens. They screw right in and are interchangeable with the Pelikan nibs. The question is, however, whether Senator nibs are still available.

[Kublai Khan]

I have used Senator nibs in Pelikan pens. They screw right in and are interchangeable with the Pelikan nibs. The question is, however, whether Senator nibs are still available.

Kaysguy: I think you're referring to the entire nib unit screwing out and being replaceable by the entire senator unit. That's interesting. I looked at an old metallic Senator I have and my Pelikan m215 and yes, the 'throats' where the nibs and feeds emerge out of the casing do seem to be about the same diameter in both (just viewed with the naked eye). I haven't tried unscrewing the Senator's nib unit though- I'm going to leave it be. However, the shape of the feeds in the two pens are quite dissimilar, as are the nib shapes, the Senator's being quite skinny and straight, while the Pelikan's has the usual 'flaring out' profile.

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, it may be that a standard #5 nib from Knox (for example) just might work. I'll get me one to try out.

[DougS]

I've used a lot of different nibs in my Pelikans. It's pretty easy once you make a nice knock-out block. The modern plastic feeds seem to work well and have a little less flow than the older 400 rubber feeds.

 

Knox 5 (26mm) are a good replacement on a budget. I prefer gold nibs from vintage pens -- Eversharp Skyline, Sheaffer Feather Touch, Montblanc. I've even used Skyline feeds. Just be careful that the diameters match.

 

Here's a pen that's been in my pocket lately, an old-style M200 (W.Germany) with a 14K Skyline nib.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y119/pennemo/Pelikan/Pelikan%20M200%20Eversharp_zpsw7swcmx1.jpg

[DougS]

Knox nib from a few years ago:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y119/pennemo/Pelikan/KnoxnibforPelikan.jpg

[Kublai Khan]

Doug: That's a good looking m200 with a Skyline nib. My m215 is fully rhodium trimmed- there's no gold accent. If I go in for a gold nib in the future, I'll have to look for something that's a bit muted in gold tone or do a two tone or a 14k that's rhodium plated. Right now, my budget doesn't allow for gold, so I'll try a Nemosine or Knox that's all steel. Appreciate the input on the Knox number and size. That's what I've been looking for all along.

Edited July 5, 2016 by fpnnat0

[conib]

The nib from my Faber-Castell "Loom" swaps perfectly with the Pelikan M2xx nib.

[Namo]

I am using my 205 with a (flex!) Waterman Ideal #2.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Well, I don't see using a second class modern blobby, semi-nail 400's nib, gold or not as a replacement.

Actually, I went from being a semi-flex snob to liking 'true' regular flex nibs of the 200/215/W.Germany 200, Celebry (gold or steel) or the 38x/9x.

 

I keep saying 'true' regular flex in many modern pens are only nail or semi-nail because Ham Fisted Ball Point Barbarians keep bending regular flex.

Regular flex was standard or available on most pens before the mid-late '90's. So with Pelikan from '82-97 would be semi-vintage 'true' regular flex....like the 200 and 1/2 a width narrower than modern fat blobby 400/600 semi-nail nibs. The older true regular flex...and the modern still great 200's nibs write with a nice clean line.

 

Many folks coming over from nail and semi-nail actually think a 'true' regular flex's natural spring is semi-flex until told otherwise.

My 200's nibs are = to my semi-vintage 14K 400. It of course is better riding than the fatter modern semi-nail 400. (Which can be more butter smooth being fat and blobby semi-nail with nothing else to offer.)

 

Why do you want to replace a first class nib with a second tier nib?

 

What is it you don't like about your 200's nib? If you don't like the width it only costs @ $25-7.00 for a new one.

What width is it?

 

Could it be you are still a bit ham fisted and putting too much pressure on the nib, so it don't quite flow like a Butter Smooth Nail?

 

When I came back to fountain pens after 35+ years as a Ball Point Barbarian.....I was heavy handed my self.

 

I was once a semi-flex snob... ; then slowly really became a fan of the springy old 'true' regular flex....which can be a better shading nib in F or M than the wetter semi-flex.

 

What is wrong with your springy, true widthed, clean line 200 nib ????

Edited July 27, 2016 by Bo Bo Olson

[pajaro]

I didn't know the modern M215 had a flex nib.

[Bo Bo Olson]

It isn't it is a springy 'true' regular regular flex, like the rest of the 200's. Or the Celebry, 38x/9x, or the semi-vintage pre '98 400's. Or 120.

 

Sadly I know nothing of the post '65-82 era in they are spade nibs and I never took the risk to see if they were semi-flex or not.

[Christopher Godfrey]

To the OP and Doug, I really have nothing constructive to add to this thread, I admit; but I am absolutely with Bo Bo on this subject. If I want to use a Wahl Eversharp nib, I get out my Skyline; if I want to use a <big> nib, I get out my Waterman 58...but Pelikan nibs are so good, I would never meddle with them. (You also may need to consider whether a larger nib will fit inside your cap?)

 

If you really want a larger Pelikan nib, why not look at buying an M1000? BillP (with whom I have had no dealings) often has them for sale at very affordable prices!

[DougS]

To the OP and Doug, I really have nothing constructive to add to this thread, I admit; but I am absolutely with Bo Bo on this subject. If I want to use a Wahl Eversharp nib, I get out my Skyline

 

I had a trashed M200 steel nib and a Skyline with a badly cracked barrel and missing a clip so I knew what I had to do ... otherwise I'd have a couple junk pens in a drawer.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I've heard great things about the Skyline nibs. That made sense Doug.

 

I was just against putting something like a Knox nib on a 200 if the nib was still good and it only costs @$25-27 for a new one.....even if one wanted a different width or italic.

 

Once most pen companies made good 'true' regular flex nibs.... even Parker, I have a regular flex P-45.

[Christopher Godfrey]

Doug, I understand perfectly, now -- it seems that you did the most logical thing! Now, why on earth would ANYone question that?? (I cannot imagine...) (Says he, with a smile!)