Replacement Nibs On The Auction Site

[Pentode]

Hello all,

 

I have several 3rd tier pens floating around that have damaged or broken nibs. Some don't have nibs at all.

I see that there are several sources of Chinese replacement nibs on Ebay that range from cheap to unbelievably cheap and seem like they would make good replacements in these not-very-valuable pens. In some cases, they're probably improvements over the originals anyway.

 

Do any of you have experience with these nibs, and are there considerable differences in the quality of some over others?

I have seen nibs branded Jinhau and 3 Wings, nibs that aren't branded but assure they are "luxury" and "new high quality" and nibs that say nothing at all except "Made In China"

 

I also see vintage replacement nibs on Ebay, usually sold in small lots and assume they are roughly equivalent to the gold-washed steel nibs that came on those pens. They're always more expensive than the Chinese nibs and I wonder if they are much better - or better at all.

 

Anybody have thoughts on this? I apologize if this has been covered before. My searches yielded nada.

 

 

[ManofKent]

Only experience I have is with a set of Jinhao no.6s - put one in my Konrad. Feels like most Jinhaos - stiff, needed 5 minutes polishing, but basically writes reasonably well.

[Chrissy]

Only experience I have is with a set of Jinhao no.6s - put one in my Konrad. Feels like most Jinhaos - stiff, needed 5 minutes polishing, but basically writes reasonably well.

 

This sounds interesting.

 

I have an old Jinhao Pearl Windows pen that needs a new nib. I assume it's the #6 size. I could never find a replacement before.

[ac12]

Yes the Chinese nibs do work, and work well.

To me the BIG improvement is the tipping. Many of the vintage pens had poor tipping to begin with, many not even round. And many have been damaged from use or abuse. The Chinese tipping is current technology, and the tipping is ROUND and smooth. So you get a nice smooth nib.

 

But here are the concerns:

• Some of the nibs have a tab that could interfere with mounting on the feed.

• The size of the nibs that I bought are all the same. And it may or may not fit/match the feed of the pen you are fixing.
  • The ones that I have match to the feed of an Esterbrook J series, Parker Vacumatic and Duofold Junior, and several tier 3 pens.
  • I think it is smaller than a #6. But I have not measured the diameter of the feeds that the nibs match.
• The thickness of the nib may be different than the nib it is replacing, so it may not fit snugly into the feed/section.

• • If it is too thick, you can CAREFULLY and SLOWLY sand the inside of the section to give you more clearance.
    But if you sand too much, you create the next problem, for which I have no answer.
  • But if it is too thin, I do not know what you can do to take up the excess space around the feed+nib.
• re Tipping size. As far as the nibs that I purchased, they is only ONE tip size, a Chinese M. I have not been able to find any other sizes. And I did ask the sellers.

 

Of course, now that I'm looking for it, I can't find the nib listings.

Edited May 20, 2017 by ac12

[Pentode]

Of course, now that I'm looking for it, I can't find the nib listings.

 

Isn't that the way it always goes?

Here are some examples:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/122164940691?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/401089324697?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pcs-fountain-pen-medium-nib-For-many-series-can-be-changed/141363308803?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Dcc38018b8a984c7abab566870ba2970d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401089324697

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pcs-fountain-pen-M-nib-Most-of-the-pen-can-be-used-Smooth-writing/141615096144?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Dcc38018b8a984c7abab566870ba2970d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401089324697

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Jinhao-X450-fountain-pen-medium-nib-iridium-tip-pen-nib-New-listing/141286417862?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df205737d484d40859f4bd1329fcfbcb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D9%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D282431524599

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Jinhao-450-fountain-pen-medium-nib-iridium-tip-pen-nib-New/142006792053?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Ddd2e54d729e545d4b8b955c897ae1728%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D141286417862

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JINHAO-159-Iridium-5pcs-nib-Medium-fountain-pen-other-pen-can-be-changed-New/222030410127?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df205737d484d40859f4bd1329fcfbcb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D282431524599

 

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The tipping is certainly a good point (pun only partly intended) to consider. Most of my 3rd tier pens have nibs that are only okay at best, so these Chinese nibs would likely be a step up.

 

As far as sizing goes, they're cheap enough that I might take the chance and see what I get.

[Chrissy]

 

Isn't that the way it always goes?

Here are some examples:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/122164940691?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/401089324697?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pcs-fountain-pen-medium-nib-For-many-series-can-be-changed/141363308803?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Dcc38018b8a984c7abab566870ba2970d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401089324697

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pcs-fountain-pen-M-nib-Most-of-the-pen-can-be-used-Smooth-writing/141615096144?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Dcc38018b8a984c7abab566870ba2970d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401089324697

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Jinhao-X450-fountain-pen-medium-nib-iridium-tip-pen-nib-New-listing/141286417862?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df205737d484d40859f4bd1329fcfbcb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D9%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D282431524599

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Jinhao-450-fountain-pen-medium-nib-iridium-tip-pen-nib-New/142006792053?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Ddd2e54d729e545d4b8b955c897ae1728%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D141286417862

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JINHAO-159-Iridium-5pcs-nib-Medium-fountain-pen-other-pen-can-be-changed-New/222030410127?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df205737d484d40859f4bd1329fcfbcb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D282431524599

 

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The tipping is certainly a good point (pun only partly intended) to consider. Most of my 3rd tier pens have nibs that are only okay at best, so these Chinese nibs would likely be a step up.

 

As far as sizing goes, they're cheap enough that I might take the chance and see what I get.

 

How can you tell that they are #6 nibs? Is that what they call Medium?

[ManofKent]

 

This sounds interesting.

 

I have an old Jinhao Pearl Windows pen that needs a new nib. I assume it's the #6 size. I could never find a replacement before.

I'll stick one in the post. It might not fit but fingers crossed!

[ac12]

 

 

 

Isn't that the way it always goes?

Here are some examples:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/122164940691?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/401089324697?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pcs-fountain-pen-medium-nib-For-many-series-can-be-changed/141363308803?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Dcc38018b8a984c7abab566870ba2970d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401089324697

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6pcs-fountain-pen-M-nib-Most-of-the-pen-can-be-used-Smooth-writing/141615096144?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Dcc38018b8a984c7abab566870ba2970d%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D401089324697

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Jinhao-X450-fountain-pen-medium-nib-iridium-tip-pen-nib-New-listing/141286417862?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df205737d484d40859f4bd1329fcfbcb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D9%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D282431524599

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5PCS-Jinhao-450-fountain-pen-medium-nib-iridium-tip-pen-nib-New/142006792053?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Ddd2e54d729e545d4b8b955c897ae1728%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D141286417862

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JINHAO-159-Iridium-5pcs-nib-Medium-fountain-pen-other-pen-can-be-changed-New/222030410127?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3Df205737d484d40859f4bd1329fcfbcb0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D282431524599

 

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The tipping is certainly a good point (pun only partly intended) to consider. Most of my 3rd tier pens have nibs that are only okay at best, so these Chinese nibs would likely be a step up.

 

As far as sizing goes, they're cheap enough that I might take the chance and see what I get.

 

Be careful of the Wing 659, it has a little tab on the side of the back of the nib. You can barely see it on the 5th pix. I think that tab is an alignment tab to fit into a specific feed. I don't know how it will work on feeds without the indentation for the tabs.

 

I have the one on your fourth link. Also a similar one in 2-tone.

 

I would get several of them. Then you would have both the #6 Jin Hao and the smaller size.

What is also nice to have is; the silver/bare stainless, gold plated and 2-tone nibs. That way you can select the appropriate color/finish nib for the pen you are working on. Some pens look better with a stainless nib, others a gold plated nib.

[ac12]

 

 

How can you tell that they are #6 nibs? Is that what they call Medium?

 

Chrissy,

The "medium" refers to the tip size, not the nib/feed size.

 

I think the JinHao nibs are #6, but . . .

 

This is the problem with buying many of these Chinese nibs, you have no idea of what size they are.

When I first bought the nibs, I took a gamble and ordered the minimum size lot (I think 5 or 6 nibs). After the nibs arrived and I determined that, YES the nib size is what I need, then I ordered a larger lot.

 

The Jin Hao nibs are better as they reference a pen. So if you know the pen, you have a reference for what size they are.

I don't have any of the referenced Jin Hao pens, so I have no idea what size those nibs are.

[sidthecat]

Many of the vintage nibs you'll see are solid gold, and are usually labeled "14k". That's why they cost more. Some of them are ridiculously expensive - it's sometimes a better choice to buy a busted pen and extract the nib. They have different qualities than the plated nibs, like the possibility of flex. It's a drop straight down the rabbit hole, but one can find interesting things down there.

[kestrel]

 

 

Be careful of the Wing 659, it has a little tab on the side of the back of the nib. You can barely see it on the 5th pix. I think that tab is an alignment tab to fit into a specific feed. I don't know how it will work on feeds without the indentation for the tabs.

 

 

This is as good an excuse as any to invest in a Dremel or similar rotary tool. It makes short work of the tab. You might also be able to salvage some of those damaged nibs by grinding off some superfluous metal to make a stub. Dremel for the coarse work, micromesh for the rest.

[Pentode]

Many of the vintage nibs you'll see are solid gold, and are usually labeled "14k". That's why they cost more.

 

True, but I have also seen a lot of vintage nibs sold in lots of five or six that are just generic, gold-washed stainless steel replacement nibs from the 50s. I think one set I saw for sale recently had the name "Super Smooth". They've gotta be smooth if they say so right on it, right?!? These nibs are the ones I was referring to; they tend to run more expensive than the Chinese ones. Not by a huge margin, but by a few bucks.

 

This is as good an excuse as any to invest in a Dremel or similar rotary tool.

I'm pretty competent with metal work. I'm a reasonably decent machinist and I'm well set up with both a Dremel and a Foredom flex-shaft tool as well as files and abrasives in many variations. I certainly don't have any qualms about altering or modifying nibs to suit my needs - especially nibs in that price range!

 

You might also be able to salvage some of those damaged nibs by grinding off some superfluous metal to make a stub.

 

It's something I intend to try at some point. I've never ground a nib before, so I expect I'll botch it a few times before I get it right.

 

 

Again, thanks everyone for your input!