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Re-Tipping Vintage Steel Nibs

siamackz

By siamackz
in Repair Q&A

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siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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Is the process of re-tipping steel nibs very different from gold nibs? The re-tipping experts that I have contacted refuse to retip steel nibs.

 

I have a friend who re tips gold nibs and is willing to take a shot at steel nibs. But, is there something specific I should tell him to be cautious of?

 

Thanks!

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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BamaPen Vintage

BamaPen

Posted
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I know this is vague...Some time ago, I asked someone in Spain about retipping steel nibs and they said they could do it. I did not have it done, and now I can't tell you who it was. Goldnibs.com is one possibility, and FPnibs.com is the other.

The Moonwalk Pen - honoring Apollo lunar landings
4-x-2-advertisement-copy-reduced-size.jp

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siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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Let me ask them again, because they said no to my last request. FP nibs has more that one year wait now so no point

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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EdwardSouthgate Rare

EdwardSouthgate

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Probably steel need higher temperatures than gold to melt, and this might complicate the tipping.

 

 

What would be the purpose of melting the steel ? Don't they usually just solder on new iridium tipping and then regrind to correct shape ? Temp would depend on on the type of solder used and how hot the two metals needed to be for the solder to bond them to each other . I don't repair nibs so I could be wrong and would be glad to hear about it if I am .

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BaronWulfraed Collectors Item

BaronWulfraed

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If solder is used, it is probably jewelry grade silver solder (not to be confused with electrical "silver-bearing solder").

 

However, it is possible that tipping may be welded and not soldered.

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siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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Let me ask them again, because they said no to my last request. FP nibs has more that one year wait now so no point

Gold nibs said no - they're too busy :( I guess I will just pray for my friend to figure it out! I've sent him two MB steel nibs from the 1940s Edited by siamackz

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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fabri00 Vintage

fabri00

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What would be the purpose of melting the steel ? Don't they usually just solder on new iridium tipping and then regrind to correct shape ? Temp would depend on on the type of solder used and how hot the two metals needed to be for the solder to bond them to each other . I don't repair nibs so I could be wrong and would be glad to hear about it if I am .

For what I have seen on youtube tipping is welded, not soldered.

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siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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I am very impressed with the work he did, especially considering the fact that none of the other nibmeisters agreed to retip a steel nib:

fpn_1548085353__ed29a4b0-01cd-44ba-a2a7-

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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tuesmepr New

tuesmepr

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I am very impressed with the work he did, especially considering the fact that none of the other nibmeisters agreed to retip a steel nib:

fpn_1548085353__ed29a4b0-01cd-44ba-a2a7-

 

Hmm... These before-and-after photos don't seem to be of the same nib.

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siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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Hmm... These before-and-after photos don't seem to be of the same nib.

Oops!!! You are actually correct!!! And I too was wondering how the imprinted line on the right was misaligned!! Here is the correct before and after. Thanks for correcting me

fpn_1548123233__88711b7c-316b-4d74-a813-

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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  • 4 weeks later...
siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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Heres another steel 136 (if I remember correctly) he did for one of our UK members. Its not the finish of the top 5 nibmeisters in the world but its tough to complain when no one else is willing to work on steel nibs.

PS - he replated the whole nib by mistake :)

fpn_1550541218__1950ac6b-be80-4fd0-b5da-

Edited by siamackz

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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Stylomeister Mint

Stylomeister

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Received the nib earlier this week and re-plated it back to its original two tone - side by side with a 136 14ct I re-plated at the same time. The chrome nickel nib has some oxidation and pitting - not too much to be done there but they are quite similar. The tipping style is somewhat closer to a more modern 146 I'd say.

 

fpn_1551625086__mbnibs.jpg

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siamackz Collectors Item

siamackz

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Received the nib earlier this week and re-plated it back to its original two tone - side by side with a 136 14ct I re-plated at the same time. The chrome nickel nib has some oxidation and pitting - not too much to be done there but they are quite similar. The tipping style is somewhat closer to a more modern 146 I'd say.

 

fpn_1551625086__mbnibs.jpg

Nice! Glad it worked out for you!

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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