Nibs manufacturers

[mafiablues]

I have read that making a nib is very technically difficult, therefore usually many pen companies outsource their nib: Bock, Schmidt, Namiki, and probaly others I don't know.

 

Here is the question: Who makes nib for who ?

(everyone knows that Bock --> Pelikan , but how about the others ?)

[woodwindmaster06]

Not sure: originally though Montblanc made the Pelikan nibs.

[tryphon]

I have read that making a nib is very technically difficult, therefore usually many pen companies outsource their nib: Bock, Schmidt, Namiki, and probaly others I don't know.

 

Here is the question: Who makes nib for who ?

(everyone knows that Bock --> Pelikan , but how about the others ?)

Schmidt and Bock have practically merged. Mutschler went out of the nib business. Win operates in the former East Germany. There is one independent nib maker in France.

90% of all nibs for western made pens come from Bock. Pelikan nibs used to be made by Pelikan, then they shifted to Bock. Now Pelikan is about to revert to making its own nibs. MB make their nibs, so do Waterman-Parker-Rotring, Aurora, Ancora and the Japanese.

Levenger, Visconti, Stipula, Conway-Stewart, and most other penmakers get their nibs from Bock/Schmidt.

The Chinese make their own nibs, as do Taiwan and India.

Japan has at least three nib makers.

[mafiablues]

thank you for information

 

When you get a "non name" fountain pen with written on the nib "Iridium Point Germany", what is usually the real manufacturer of the nib ?

[inkyfingers]

China.

 

Just kidding, I have no idea. :ph34r:

[woodwindmaster06]

Wow great info there, I did not know a lot of that, so are you saying that currently pelikan still doesn't make their own nibs, and probably still training people on nib making for the future models??? Because I always thought pelikan made their own nibs.

[Apollo]

China.

 

Just kidding, I have no idea.  :ph34r:

Hey, Inky you never know. I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in China.

 

The worst IPG (Iridium Point Germany) pen I've ever owned was a cheap "Sterling Kelt" fountain pen I picked up at a Target store. The pen was made in China and felt like it too. It cost $8 bucks so I never expected much, but the quality didn't even come close to a disposable Pilot Varsity. I've got a Monteverde Invincia that has a generic IPG nib, but it's surprisingly smooth. Monteverde pens are also made in the Orient despite their Italian/Spanish moniker. I sometimes wonder what the deal is with Taiwanese pens sporting Latin names.

 

Regarding Pelikan nibs. I always assumed Pelikan made their own nibs as well. How can you tell the difference between Pelikan nibs and those said to be made by Bock?

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

IPGs are made in various places. I ground one specially and it became my favourite.

 

Dillon

[Sidney]

I've heard that Namiki/Pilot make the nibs for Cross.

[tryphon]

thank you for information

 

When you get a "non name" fountain pen with written on the nib "Iridium Point Germany", what is usually the real manufacturer of the nib ?

Iridium Point Germany (which, incidentally have no iridium in the point and are not made in Germany) come from many sources, mainly from China and India. Quality varies: some are nails, some are good writers. The ones with the clover logo are made in Shanghai by Hero.

[kathywc]

The worst IPG (Iridium Point Germany) pen I've ever owned was a cheap "Sterling Kelt" fountain pen I picked up at a Target store. The pen was made in China and felt like it too. It cost $8 bucks so I never expected much, but the quality didn't even come close to a disposable Pilot Varsity.

Actually, I picked one of these up too. Mine's not bad. I did have to floss the nib some, but it seems to do really well for a cheapo nib. The pen is a little heavy for me, but otherwise I do tend to use it in my rotation at work. It gives me a cheap option to take to meetings where I can't be certain that my more expensive pens will be safe.

 

kathy wc

[Johnny Appleseed]

Levenger, Visconti, Stipula, Conway-Stewart, and most other penmakers get their nibs from Bock/Schmidt.

 

As I understand it, Levenger pens are made by a variety of manufacturers - some by Sheaffer, etc. They custom order the pens with their name on them, but they don't make any pens themselves.

 

J. Appleseed

[tryphon]

Levenger, Visconti, Stipula, Conway-Stewart, and most other penmakers get their nibs from Bock/Schmidt.

 

As I understand it, Levenger pens are made by a variety of manufacturers - some by Sheaffer, etc. They custom order the pens with their name on them, but they don't make any pens themselves.

 

J. Appleseed

Levenger pens are made by companies such as Stipula, Sheaffer and Gutberlet.

With the exception of the Sheaffer-made pens, all Levenger pens are supplied with Schmidt/Bock nibs.

[Kaweco]

removed

Edited April 2, 2007 by Kaweco