European Nibmeisters.

[Ondina]

I've read several times here at the forum Europeans stating they aren't any nibmeisters in the EU. Well, I know a few British ones, a couple Austrians, and a couple Spaniards. Specifically, there is a lady in Madrid whose reputation has deserved her a full coverage by German Televisions Julia Gusano and some german magazines, too: German weekly “Welt am Sonntag” (Issue from 28.9.2008, page 89, titled “Der elfte Finger” | “The 11th finger”).

Please add names and contacts to this thread so it can be used as future reference for others.

 

www.Julia Gusano.com (web seems to be presently under construction).

 

juliagusano***deletethis***@hotmail.com

 

Edited to add the other nibmeister is Teo Rodríguez, the official Sandfor group repair person that can also be contacted for any other brand privately. He can be reached at the email of Tech Serv. of Sanford Spain.

Edited March 7, 2009 by Ondina

[saintsimon]

Thanks, Ondina.

 

Really nice film. I like these kind of shops. But they look pricey.

 

Are these really nibmeisters or rather pen repair persons, whose existence was never questioned?

Edited March 7, 2009 by saintsimon

[AllWriteNow]

I have and will continue to highly recommend John Sorowka

Oxonian here on fpn.

Excellent nib work and incredibly fast turn around times.

ie 3 weeks with mailing time from the US.

 

j.f.sorowka AT google...Mail Dot com

sorry trying to avoid the mailbot stuff.

 

Contact John. He will take very good care of your pen and won't take 3 months to get it back to you.

 

Get your nib "OxoMIZED"...yes I made that up and John well if you know John you know what he said

 

Steve

Edited March 7, 2009 by luckygrandson

[QM2]

I've read several times here at the forum Europeans stating they aren't any nibmeisters in the EU. Well, I know a few British ones, a couple Austrians, and a couple Spaniards. ...

 

Which Austrians do you know? And are they specifically nibmeisters, or restorers? Many European restorers will not alter nibs.

[Ondina]

Thanks, Ondina.

 

Really nice film. I like these kind of shops. But they look pricey.

 

Are these really nibmeisters or rather pen repair persons, whose existence was never questioned?

 

I think it depends on your definition of a nibmeister. You can send them your pens for repair/substitution of pieces, complete restorations, nib tuning and adjusting, straightening of bent tines, etc, . As you know most Europeans in the trade that will not raise their eyebrows if you ask to adjust the flow or the softness of a nib, even make that generous M into a thinner F-M or even -some- grind it a bit, draw a clear line at altering the tempering or adding tipping to the nib. That is a generalized attitude based in their view of the pen's entity, or maybe a cultural thing. On the other hand, it has nothing to do with their metal skills, (I've seen broken tines repaired to perfection), but to their own perspective on pens. I have to state here that nib size variety is a common thing in Europe, so the availability of obliques, broads, italics, etc., may add up to the total, which is in my humble experience, if you dare mention making a broad stub from an XF, they look at you like they were going to spit on your face while their eyes clearly spell "heresy". And they are in their very own right, you know? Vive la différence....

 

I admire the work of nib specialist that can make your nib be the size that you like and the intention of my post is just to make a list, once for all of the very many skilled nibmeister, and small independent pen makers that exist in Europe. And I still consider them nibmeisters. Two of the best reputed ones in the planet are Mr. Nagahara and Mr. Mashuyama and I very much doubt they will add a gram of metal to your nib either, but what they touch writes like a dream. And for me they are nibmeisters no doubt.

 

The Spaniard mentioned in the article has gained an international reputation not only based on her repair skills but also on giving you back the nib of your dreams. And as for price is concerned I believe her rates start at 25€ with shipping, which is IMHO very reasonable given the quality of the work. I encourage you anyhow, to directly address her on the specific work/rates she may do or not, I believe her English is quite good although she rather use Spanish.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Ondina

[Ondina]

I've read several times here at the forum Europeans stating they aren't any nibmeisters in the EU. Well, I know a few British ones, a couple Austrians, and a couple Spaniards. ...

 

Which Austrians do you know? And are they specifically nibmeisters, or restorers? Many European restorers will not alter nibs.

 

I'm traveling right now, but as soon as I have a chance I'll PM you the addresses, I know you visit Austria often.

[Ondina]

I have and will continue to highly recommend John Sorowka

Oxonian here on fpn.

Excellent nib work and incredibly fast turn around times.

ie 3 weeks with mailing time from the US.

 

j.f.sorowka AT google...Mail Dot com

sorry trying to avoid the mailbot stuff.

 

Contact John. He will take very good care of your pen and won't take 3 months to get it back to you.

 

Get your nib "OxoMIZED"...yes I made that up and John well if you know John you know what he said

 

Steve

 

Thank you luclygrandson, oxonian is indeed one of the very many -some members of this forum- who is a talented nib worker.

 

I'd like to add the outstanding pen person and ingenious repairer that Fountainbell is, as well a echiethump, and please feel free to add to the list all of you.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Ondina

[tompiercy]

I'd like to add the outstanding pen person and ingenious repairer that Fountainbell is, as well a echiethump, and please feel free to add to the list all of you.

I've just had a quick look at Eckiethump's web site - he says:

I can, and do reccomend a nibmeister who is very well respected in this field. Both for his integrity and skill. At times people will ask for nib work to carried out which is physically not possible with the nib they have, this will be pointed out and the person advised.

suggesting that he farms this work out. I wonder who is the 'nibmeister who is very well respected' - is he based in Scotland too?

 

[Nellie]

Thank you very much for the fascinating link you posted, Ondina. I also read the article about Julia Gusano (found here and here - with pictures) - absolutely amazing, and I'd love to go there one day. Have you been to her shop yourself?

Nellie

PS.: I totally agree that fountainbel is great!!

[penboard.de]

Hello out there,

 

nibMasters in Europe - there even is a nib retipper, in Barcelona.

 

You can best get hold of his services via Josef Alardo at Casa della Estilografica - the rates are moderate, his work in terms of retipping is excellent. You´d pay around 35 to 40 Euro per nib.

 

I have not yet tested his nib grinding skills.

But the tips I have received to far were done to perfection, and as he does it using an electro welding, the properties of the nib alloy is not being changed a lot.

For information, go via

http://www.casadelaestilografica.com/reparacion-estilografica.asp

 

Best regards

Tom

[leedsutd79]

Who are the british nibmeisters? thanks

[Malcy]

<!--quoteo(post=972446:date=Mar 12 2009, 11:13 AM:name=Ondina)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ondina @ Mar 12 2009, 11:13 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=972446"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'd like to add the outstanding pen person and ingenious repairer that Fountainbell is, as well a echiethump, and please feel free to add to the list all of you.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I've just had a quick look at <a href="http://eckiethump.webs.com/nibwork.htm" target="_blank">Eckiethump's web site</a> - he says:

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I can, and do reccomend a nibmeister who is very well respected in this field. Both for his integrity and skill. At times people will ask for nib work to carried out which is physically not possible with the nib they have, this will be pointed out and the person advised.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->suggesting that he farms this work out. I wonder who is the <i>'nibmeister who is very well respected'</i> - is he based in Scotland too?

 

I think that it is Oxonian.

 

Another recommendation for him and also for Eckiethump for repairs.

[RMN]

Fountainbel also does nibwork. He made a lovely oblique italic from a blah medium nib for me.

He is located in Belgium.

 

In the Netherlands the owner of the "Pen Shop" in Nijmegen does repairwork. I don't know if he also does nibwork.

 

Our own WIMG does nib adjustments every now and then. He will hold a session a few times a year where FPNers are welcomed to come in and chat in a shop in Heerlen (in the south of the Netherlands) He will do flowadjustments and such.

 

 

D.ick

[jips123]

I have and will continue to highly recommend John Sorowka

Oxonian here on fpn.

Excellent nib work and incredibly fast turn around times.

ie 3 weeks with mailing time from the US.

 

j.f.sorowka AT google...Mail Dot com

sorry trying to avoid the mailbot stuff.

 

Contact John. He will take very good care of your pen and won't take 3 months to get it back to you.

 

Get your nib "OxoMIZED"...yes I made that up and John well if you know John you know what he said <img src="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

 

Steve

 

I can also highly recommend John Sorowka!

[wimg]

Fountainbel also does nibwork. He made a lovely oblique italic from a blah medium nib for me.

He is located in Belgium.

 

In the Netherlands the owner of the "Pen Shop" in Nijmegen does repairwork. I don't know if he also does nibwork.

 

Our own WIMG does nib adjustments every now and then. He will hold a session a few times a year where FPNers are welcomed to come in and chat in a shop in Heerlen (in the south of the Netherlands) He will do flowadjustments and such.

 

 

D.ick

Hi D.ick,

 

I also do nib regrinds and more complicated nib fixes, feed adjustments, etc., just not during those sessions (not enough time), and have been doing this for 6 years + .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[RMN]

Fountainbel also does nibwork. He made a lovely oblique italic from a blah medium nib for me.

He is located in Belgium.

 

In the Netherlands the owner of the "Pen Shop" in Nijmegen does repairwork. I don't know if he also does nibwork.

 

Our own WIMG does nib adjustments every now and then. He will hold a session a few times a year where FPNers are welcomed to come in and chat in a shop in Heerlen (in the south of the Netherlands) He will do flowadjustments and such.

 

 

D.ick

Hi D.ick,

 

I also do nib regrinds and more complicated nib fixes, feed adjustments, etc., just not during those sessions (not enough time), and have been doing this for 6 years + .

 

Warm regards, Wim

Hi Wim

 

I know you're capable of that too, just did not know if you actually could find the time for that kind of work in your already busy schedule.

 

But, since you obviously have, I have a Parker Lucky 8 with a not very interesting nib that could do with some reviving... (read: becoming a cursive italic...)

 

D.ick

[fuchsiaprincess]

When I grow up, I want to be like Wim

[wimg]

Fountainbel also does nibwork. He made a lovely oblique italic from a blah medium nib for me.

He is located in Belgium.

 

In the Netherlands the owner of the "Pen Shop" in Nijmegen does repairwork. I don't know if he also does nibwork.

 

Our own WIMG does nib adjustments every now and then. He will hold a session a few times a year where FPNers are welcomed to come in and chat in a shop in Heerlen (in the south of the Netherlands) He will do flowadjustments and such.

 

 

D.ick

Hi D.ick,

 

I also do nib regrinds and more complicated nib fixes, feed adjustments, etc., just not during those sessions (not enough time), and have been doing this for 6 years + .

 

Warm regards, Wim

Hi Wim

 

I know you're capable of that too, just did not know if you actually could find the time for that kind of work in your already busy schedule.

 

But, since you obviously have, I have a Parker Lucky 8 with a not very interesting nib that could do with some reviving... (read: becoming a cursive italic...)

 

D.ick

:roflmho:

 

Nice one. I guess we need to get together again. What about next Tuesday evening, after my course in Utrecht? I could either pick up the pen, an ddiscuss what exactly you'd want done with it, or maybe even do it on the spot, if I do have enough time that is .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[wimg]

When I grow up, I want to be like Wim

Better be careful with what you wish for

 

Warm regards, Wim

[RMN]

 

:roflmho:

 

Nice one. I guess we need to get together again. What about next Tuesday evening, after my course in Utrecht? I could either pick up the pen, an ddiscuss what exactly you'd want done with it, or maybe even do it on the spot, if I do have enough time that is .

 

Warm regards, Wim

That would be quite nice, Wim. You're welcome here .

 

PM me the time you'll be here, and the pens you'ld like to try out, so I'll have them inked. And would you by any chance have samples of the material for the FPN-Stips? Nothing like a hands-on experience...

Do you still have the address?

 

D.ick