Levenger Stub Nibs - An Alternative?

[corniche]

Hi all,

 

Does anyone know if there are any commercially available nib UNITS available that offer a stub that will fit in a Levenger True Writer standard model?

 

Or a nib by itself, that would fit in the Levenger unit with the Levenger feed? Btw, are Levenger nib units friction fit?

 

I'd like to convert a few of my True Writers to stub nibs, but Levenger stopped offering them years ago.

 

 

- Sean

[BaronWulfraed]

Closest is the Schmidt units found in my Benu pens... But still not usable.

 

I tried -- it bound up with about 1/8" to go, and then the nib/feed came out when I tried getting the unit back off.

 

Had to use a nylon-jaw parallel pliers to get the housing out (and may have created a small crack near the mouth from the pressure needed -- I should probably have put the nib/feed back in first -- which I hope won't be a source of ink-ooze).

[hari317]

Not knowing about the pen, Google led me to this blog

 

https://peaceablewriter.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/tale21/amp/

 

If your nib unit is identical, then it's a Schmidt FH341. Unfortunately the generic Schmidt ones come only in F/M/B.

[jekostas]

Levenger uses Bock nibs, so any Bock 180 nib will fit. A company called Online sells 0.8MM and 1.1MM stubs

[kestrel]

You can buy a Levenger Broad and send it off to Pendleton Brown for a grind. I did it with two of my Levenger boring broad nibs and the resulting 0.95 mm stubs are wonderful. It's more expensive than buying a Bock but you get a much better nib and you get to deal with Pendleton which is always enjoyable.

[corniche]

Closest is the Schmidt units found in my Benu pens... But still not usable.

 

I tried -- it bound up with about 1/8" to go, and then the nib/feed came out when I tried getting the unit back off.

 

Had to use a nylon-jaw parallel pliers to get the housing out (and may have created a small crack near the mouth from the pressure needed -- I should probably have put the nib/feed back in first -- which I hope won't be a source of ink-ooze).

Hi Baron,

 

I have those type of pliers, too; if I have to resort to them, (if the rubber grips aren't enough); I'll be sure to soak the unit in very warm water to soften the plastic and make it more flexible. It'll also soften any adhesives they might use - so thank you very much for the admonishment on the housing cracking.

 

 

 

Not knowing about the pen, Google led me to this blog

 

https://peaceablewriter.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/tale21/amp/

 

If your nib unit is identical, then it's a Schmidt FH341. Unfortunately the generic Schmidt ones come only in F/M/B.

Thanks Hari for taking the time to help. Maybe I'll get a Schmidt nib, just to cover all the bases. 👍

 

 

- Sean

[corniche]

Levenger uses Bock nibs, so any Bock 180 nib will fit. A company called Online sells 0.8MM and 1.1MM stubs

Hi Jekostas,

 

Thank you much; very helpful! I wasn't able to find Online, but I think these guys will be a good substitute:

 

https://www.beaufortink.co.uk/bock-fountain-pen-nibs/bock-standard-size-5-fountain-pen-nibs-type-180/bock-fountain-pen-nib-with-kit-housing-5-polished-steel-italic-point-1-1mm

 

 

 

You can buy a Levenger Broad and send it off to Pendleton Brown for a grind. I did it with two of my Levenger boring broad nibs and the resulting 0.95 mm stubs are wonderful. It's more expensive than buying a Bock but you get a much better nib and you get to deal with Pendleton which is always enjoyable.

Hi Kestrel,

 

Another excellent suggestion and why I didn't think of it is beyond me; I've recommended Pendleton to others myself!

 

Since the calligraphy style nibs are not available from Bock in gold tone; I've decided the pens I want to convert with gold trim, will go to PB and I'll try swapping the chrome trimmed pens myself.

 

 

- Sean

[BaronWulfraed]

I have those type of pliers, too; if I have to resort to them, (if the rubber grips aren't enough); I'll be sure to soak the unit in very warm water to soften the plastic and make it more flexible. It'll also soften any adhesives they might use - so thank you very much for the admonishment on the housing cracking.

 

It's not a fatal condition... Since I have another Benu that cracked along the line where the threaded insert fit the barrel. That pen is currently held together with a two-part Loctite "plastic bonder" (some form of cyanoacrylic). I've been leaving it on the desk for signing checks.

 

I'm pretty sure (given how easily the nib/feed came out the other) that I can swap nib units between pens, and then swap the friction fit feed/nib back to the original pens (the other is a gold-plated less than B size).

Edited September 7, 2020 by BaronWulfraed

[amberleadavis]

You can buy a Levenger Broad and send it off to Pendleton Brown for a grind. I did it with two of my Levenger boring broad nibs and the resulting 0.95 mm stubs are wonderful. It's more expensive than buying a Bock but you get a much better nib and you get to deal with Pendleton which is always enjoyable.

 

This is basically what I did (another person did the grind). Now it is one of my favorite EDCs.