Two Pens "made" By A Friend

[Charles Skinner]

I have a friend who is into "pen making," or Pen Turning, I guess it is called. ---- A question: He has made two pens for me, one from plastic and one from wood. BOTH are great writers, and I guess that has to do with the quality of the nibs. The words on the nibs are: ---- "Iriduim Point Germany" On the underside of the nib, one pen has an I (the letter i --- as "I" love to write.) and the other nib has an H.

 

I am not interested in "pen turning" myself, but I want to make it known that these two nibs are great! I would put them up there with the most expensive pens I own. Great, great writers!

 

I would like to learn more about these nibs. Who makes them ---- in Germany? ---- Are they made only for "pen turners?"

 

Thanks.

 

C. S.

[Charles Skinner]

Many folks have read my "post" about these nibs, but nobody has responded! How come? Have I gone into "no-no land? C. S.

[Barkingpig]

When I read your post I couldn't comment since I am not a "pen turner" & therefore had no experience to answer your question.

 

I did wonder why you wouldn't just ask your friend about the nibs he used for the pens you have? I would think he would know the story behind the nibs & be better able to answer your questions about the particular nibs you are enjoying.

[mariom]

There's an interesting article about IPG nibs by Brian Gray of the Edison Pen Co here.

[duncsuss]

The chances are high that your friend made the pens using kits, that's the usual starting point for people who make pens. Nibs that say "Iridium Point Germany" might be good quality or might not -- it depends on the source of the kit, and to a large extent it depends on the luck of the draw. Some IPG nibs are great, some need to be worked on to make them smooth, and some never seem to get better no matter how much effort I've put into them.

 

Read the article that Mariom linked to above -- but then consider that some years have passed since Brian Gray wrote it, at least one manufacturer of kits now sources their nibs from JoWo (one of the two major German nib manufacturers, the other being Bock).

 

Not all kit pens have atrocious nibs (and it's nearly always possible to retro-fit a much higher quality nib if desired.)

[duncsuss]

By odd coincidence, I just got a message about this video by the Goulet Pen Company discussing "what makes a good nib?" -- you might find it interesting:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwP-uxrWFsM

[corgicoupe]

Yes, they were probably made from kits, and different kits use different nibs. Most are JOWO or Bock; but LazerLinez uses Schmidt. My recipients have also made comments about the quality of the nibs on the pens I have made for them. The kits I use are in the $25 to $35 range.

[duncsuss]

... different kits use different nibs. Most are JOWO or Bock; but LazerLinez uses Schmidt ...

 

I'm not sure where you got this information, can you point me to a source please? I thought that PennState Industries used nibs made in China, which of course say "Iridium Point Germany" on them even though the nib wasn't made in Germany, and the point isn't made from Iridium!

 

Also, to the best of my knowledge, Schmidt is not a manufacturer of nibs. I think I got that from a blog written by Brian Gray (Edison Pens).

[corgicoupe]

https://www.schmidttechnology.de/en/schreibgeraete/produkte/fuellhaltersysteme/c_1_3.htm

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/328617-schmidt-nib-advantages-and-disadvantages/

 

Ron Zorn, 3rd post,

Edited July 27, 2018 by corgicoupe

[duncsuss]

https://www.schmidttechnology.de/en/schreibgeraete/produkte/fuellhaltersysteme/c_1_3.htm

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/328617-schmidt-nib-advantages-and-disadvantages/

 

Ron Zorn, 3rd post,

 

Ron is a good source -- but several posts after his allege that Schmidt do not make their own nibs -- this one, for example, just two posts after Ron. And this one, a few after that.

 

It's not easy to know what to believe when "reliable sources" have 180 degree opposing views!