Nib Exchange Compatibility

[Inarahk]

I think this is my second post here on FPN.

 

I was having some issues with my diplomat magnum and Faber Castell, and with exams looming over my head, I decided to play around with my pens and just try tweaking and swapping some nibs around (a perfect way to destress ).

 

It may not be completely useful or helpful to everyone, but I started when I was having issues with diplomat magnum and FC ambition nibs.

 

Bottom line is if anyone is having issues with FC Ambition nibs and want a cheaper replacement, a diplomat magnum is perfect or if someone has an extra FC nib lying around (like I did) and wants to try it out, switching it onto a magnum is perfect. Although it requires some work to get the nib off of the magnum. The FC nib even performed better on the magnum than it did on the Ambition in my case (less scratchiness, and it was an EF nib, but after the switch to magnum, it writes wonderfully and surprisingly with more of a fine wet line.

And writing on Tomoe River paper with a smooth writing nib and a beautiful Pelikan Turquoise ink does not necessarily require a reason

Edited February 25, 2019 by Inarahk

[ygv]

Welcome to FPN!

[Inarahk]

Welcome to FPN!

Thank you

[carlos.q]

There is a very useful thread on possible nib substitutions which, unfortunately, is not pinned. I would suggest you repost on that thread to bump it up:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/216388-list-of-possible-nib-substitutions/?st=0

[Inarahk]

There is a very useful thread on possible nib substitutions which, unfortunately, is not pinned. I would suggest you repost on that thread to bump it up:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/216388-list-of-possible-nib-substitutions/?st=0

I have reposted it in the link you provided (which already seems to have quite a list of nib subs).

 

Thanks.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Any nib may become miss aligned........a slight bump..........being mailed.

95% of scratchy is....a miss aligned nib and or holding your fountain pen before the big index knuckle like a ball point rather than behind the big index knuckle like a fountain pen.

 

Just after the big index knuckle would be 45 degrees, at the start of the web of your thumb would be 40 degrees.....and if the pen is very long, or very heavy, it can...could or should rest in the pit of the web of the thumb at 35 degrees.

The key is the word 'rest', to force a pen to be at a certain angle, requires excess pressure something you don't want.

Held after the big index knuckle, the ball of the nib skates in a small puddle of ink.

 

Held before the index knuckle like a ball point, means you are making small grand canyons in the paper and the tip delivers much less ink than the ball of the nib under the tip.........you can twist your tines out of alignment, you have less ink...so that feels scratchier.

 

You do need a good 10X glass loupe Belomo for @ $35 would be a life time buy............a cheap $4.00 40x Chinese loupe would do....but it may cost more to buy a battery for it, than buy new. That you need to see if the tines are aligned.

 

Good pens, like you have are not going to be improved with cheap Knox or other cheap nibs.

Sounds to me that when you changed nibs, you accidentally aligned them.

[Inarahk]

Hi Bo Bo, I did look at the nibs to see if the problem was with the tines. The main reason my nibs felt scratchy was that most of the nibs I was messing with were EF nibs. I am not exactly saying that the pens would improve, I was just playing around to see if I could swap nibs around with my pens, so that if I ever need a replacement nib for pens like the pilot customs or the sailor 1911 series and don't want to spend a lot of money on getting a new pen, I could just go for compatible replacement nibs.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Better paper, wetter/more lubricated (not always the same thing) inks will make your nibs smoother.

I'm not heavy into EF even in Western.

 

Well, one could always write FC, explain you are having a problem with EF and would like to buy F or M replacement nibs from them. It wouldn't hurt...............

I don't know how long you have had them but would think your 5 or 6 week nib swap time is up.

 

A good nib will do you better, first by being better.....and if you were to get a cheap Knox nib, it would always be at the back of your mind.

I don't/didn't buy pens where a Knox nib might be an improvement...........bought old German pens '50-60-70's era. Still do chase vintage....or modern major brand....used of course....I have a mean wallet.

 

I really don't know how good a Knox nib is....somewhere I read they are made in Germany....But at $6-7.00 I....from the sideline, don't expect much.