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My first attempt at buying a Mentmore(the handsome brown marbled one in the pictures) led me to to the discover that nibs can sing(see other thread). I prefer other music. Then this even handsomer more burgundy tinged one was sent to me as a replacement. The sizing is a bit odd - it looks a little shorter unposted, but longer posted. They are both wonderfully weighted and sit nicely in hand. I dip-tested the new(well, it's vintage, but new to me!) one on Christmas and am thrilled to report in does not sing! Wonderful pen, though now I have to choose an ink that is neither blue nor brown but is safe for it. There's a little bit of feedback in an effortless writer. I'm so pleased.

Hello! I apologize if this has been discussed (which I am sure it has, many times), but after using the search function I could only find discussions regarding compatibility of the Venus nib units in the Esterbrook J series - not much information regarding comparisons to the Renew-point nib units. For those of you who have written with both product lines, how do they compare in terms of smoothness, wetness, and line width? More specifically, how would you compare those qualities for the Ventus Fine vs the Renew-point X556s, the Ventus Medium vs the Renew-point 1551/X668s, and the Ventus Broad vs the Renew-point X968s? Being a student, I am extremely tight on funds at the moment and it is taking a great deal of self-control to not purchase and experiment with every variant of nib unit I see online PS: My favourite nib unit out of my Esterbrooks thus far is ironically a bent 1551, which I cannot tell for certain whether the previous owner bent it purposefully or accidentally. Nonetheless, it's an absolute blast to write with. Very smooth, wet, and has the perfect line width. My only 1551 is this bent one, so I'm not really sure how these qualities compare to a NOS 1551 .

Howdy. I’m a complete newbie when it comes to calligraphy pens but my grandmother practices the fine art. She just told me how she loved using Osmiroid pens but they no longer make them. After a little research, it seems there are many options available to purchase online. I would love to get her some as a surprise for Christmas, but I’m not sure what to get her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone, I started learning italic calligraphy with Osmiroid pens in the 1980s. In recent years getting back to practice it again and bought used sets from ebay. They come with a pen and a bunch of extra nibs. I wish to ink them up with different coloured inks but not having enough pen barrels and caps to try them together. Does anyone know if there are any hacks to find pen barrels and caps to fit these nibs sections? The closest ones I found was the "Osmiroid CLONE Fountain Cap & Barrel" from https://ornasonova.com/Osmiroid.php but they were sold out. Thanks for any leads.

I'm fairly new to the world of fountain pens, and would like some advice on the topic of an italic nib. A little background first. I studied calligraphy and italic handwriting quite intensely about 30 years ago from an artist Benedectine Nun, who is now deceased. I completely changed my handwriting from the old Palmer to Italic, which I continue to use. Eventuallly, I even went on to teach a course in college on beginning calligraphy. After 20 some years, I have rediscovered my old artistic interest in fountain pens, calligraphy, and italic. I have 3 old Osmiroid pens (two 65s and one 75) I have all the nibs from extra fine up through B4. All the nibs and pens work fine after 30 years. I've recently purchased some beginning Fountain pens: Pilot Metropolitan, TWSBI ECO, Lamy Safari, and the Pilot E95S....all with either fine or extra-fine nibs. Now I'm thinking of investing in a good italic cursive nib. I've been re-learning to write with my old Osmiroids. I guess my main question at this point is: would getting a specially ground cursive italic nib produce a better writing pen than my old Osmiroids? I know there are places that will grind nibs for you. I have discovered Marc Bacas at Nibgrinder.com. I'm debating whether I should purchase a pen from him, and have him grind a cursive italic for me. Would a custom ground pen like this work better, more smoothly than my old plastic Osmiroid? Or is the Osmiroid considered a pretty good writing pen? And then there is the question: if I do decide to have him produce a nib for me...there are so many nib options: JoWo, Bock, gold, amongst others. He makes 3 different italic nibs...one for formal italic, one regular cursive italic, and a very smooth cursive italic. I'm thinking I want something along the lines of a fine nib. (something between the Osmiroid extra fine and fine.) I see that I can send pens in. Waiting time is 2 months. Or if I purchase a pen from him, it is expedited. He mostly stocks TWSBI pens. Any thoughts you can share with me on this topic would be appreciated. I know there are other options also. I've heard of Franklin-Christoph nibs. And Goulet Pens also sells some italic nibs. Or I could get a Jinhao and experiment on grinding my own. Don't know how tough that is. Just not sure what I should do and would love any input from anyone. Thanks. Dan Mueller

At an antiques fair I was recently GIVEN a fountain pen by a stall holder who just wanted rid of it. Couldn't say no, could I? And of course Ive got to get it back into working order... It is an Osmiroid, a brand I remember from school, long ago. Research shows it is an Osmiroid 65. It is not a lever filler. I've ordered a converter from ebay. The nib says OSMIROID ROLATIP MEDIUM SOFT ENGLAND, and looks to be in perfect order. The problem is the section. When unscrewed it is badly bent - see photo. All in all the pen has had a lot of abuse. There are tooth marks on the section, as if someone has tried to open it with their teeth. Also the bottom of the barrel is irregular, looks like a knife has been inserted in an attempt to open the pen. Can anyone tell me how to separate the nib from the feed? And, more importantly, where can I get a replacement section? There don't appear to be any on ebay. NB this is the normal section, not the long cradle-shaped thing for holding a calligraphic nib. I gather Osmiroid nibs fit Esterbrook sections. Does this mean that an Esterbrook section would take the Osmiroid nib and fit the Osmiroid barrel? All suggestions gratefully received. Peter

hi all! Im a pretty new fountain pen user and today at the thrift store i got ahold of a collection of osmiroid and esterbrook nibs (see photos). Im thrilled but dont really know where to start with them. The Osmiroids are mainly italics and all have a feed attached. I think that theyre set up for the 65 and 75 but wanted to check with you all. Ive been poking around on ebay for those bodies, but are their others youve found that these could fit well with? this is my first time doing anything with pen parts so any other advice would also be great! Kerrin

The middle of the 20th Century saw an italic handwriting and calligraphy renaissance in the U.K. and the U.S.A. Alfred Fairbank was the leading proponent in England of italic script as the best choice for handwriting. In the United States, Paul Standard (on the East Coast) and Lloyd Reynolds in Portland Oregon were leading advocates. In fact, the majority of professional calligraphers I have met on the West Coast to this day were students of Reynolds or students of his students. The fountain pens that were most available for italic writing in that era, at least in the United States, were the Osmiroid models and those made by Platignum, both from England. Both of these companies went out of business in the late 1970’s, but Osmiroid pens and nibs remain quite available on internet auction sites. Complete sets - a pen and six nibs of different widths - are found fairly often, many never used. Sets of Osmiroid italic nibs included the following widths: Fine, Medium, Broad, B2, B3 and B4. A “F inter M” width was also made. These sets came in Straight, Oblique and Left-handed versions. Osmiroid also made quite a variety of round-tipped nibs, but I am not going to discuss those. The most popular Osmiroid pens were the Model 65, a lever filler, and the Model 75, a thinner pen that was a small-capacity piston filler. Late in its life, Osmiroid produced a C/C filler with what they called “Easy change” nibs. These nibs came attached to a feed and section which screwed into the pen’s barrel. It used International Standard cartridges and converters. With the “Easy change” model, Osmiroid produced a series of shadow nibs of various widths, in addition to the round nib and italic nibs for which they were known. An Osmiroid Italic Set. The pens are a Model 75 in back and a Model 65 in front. Besides a pen and six nibs, the Osmiroid Italic sets also came with a product catalogue and a nice little instructional booklet for Foundational and Gothic lettering in some packages and for Italic in others. Osmiroid nibs are 23 Kt plated steel. They are un-tipped. In my opinion, they are among the best writing italic nibs ever produced. Osmiroid pens were always inexpensive. I suspect they were meant primarily for the student market. They certainly were not meant to compete with Parker, Conway-Stewart, Onoto, Mabie-Todd, Waterman and the like. So, we had excellent writing nibs in cheap pens. My very first fountain pen was an Osmiroid 65 I bought in the college bookstore my Freshman year. it came with the set of 6 italic nibs described above. I bought it to learn italic handwriting. Now, more than half a Century later, my taste in pens and my means are both quite different. I don’t recall exactly how I got the notion of having a pen made for me that accepted Osmiroid nibs, but I asked Shawn Newton to make me a piston filling pen with two sections - one that would accept Pelikan M800 nibs and the other that would accept Osmiroid nibs. This worked so well, I asked Shawn to make two more extra sections for Osmiroid nibs to fit two other pens of his in my collection. Now, Osmiroid nibs for the Model 65 and 75 have a nipple on the end of the carrier, and they did make a converter in the day. It was a little push-pull device of mediocre quality. They are not easily found today. I have been unable to find another make of converter that fits on the Osmiroid nib without modification. The nibs work well in piston fillers. Shawn’s suggestion for a less expensive alternative was to attach a squeezable bladder to the section - essentially a bulb-filler. I thought we should give that a try. And it works just fine! Close-up photo of the nibs, showing the carrier nipple, as described. The two new sections that make it possible to use Osmiroid nibs on Newton Pens. One section is installed (on an Ebonite Bamboo Eastman) and the other un-installed, allowing a view of the attached ink sac (for an Ebonite Quapaw). My old nibs now have a new life in rather upscale digs. They will be used a lot more than they had been in their original pens. I know many FPN members (at least those of mature years) with interests in italic writing or calligraphy first learned using Osmiroid pens, as I did. Chances are, unless the pens have been restored, the more common Model 65s have seriously deteriorated sacs. I am delighted to have found a great way to keep these marvelous nibs in use. I am happy to share it. Happy writing! David

I posted the method in the Esterbrook Forum. Here's a link: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/339597-new-estie/page-3?do=findComment&comment=4114185 David

Having decided to further explore italic writing and calligraphy, I decided to purchase an Osmiroid pen. I found this pen on ebay and luckily it still works! It is quite fun to write with. Here's to the beginning of a new journey in pens!

Hey all, Can anyone tell me how (or even if it's possible) to remove the clip on an Osmiroid 65?? Cheers, Chris.

A while back I bought a bottle of Osmiroid ink at a flea market for about 35-cents. I figured I could use the bottle if nothing else. Knowing to stay away from art and many calligraphy inks, I had generally put Osmiroid as a brand in that category, right or wrong. I've kept it sitting around for about a year myself but started to dump it recently--but thought better of it. After all, it's labeled for fountain pens and still looks pretty good inside. I figured I might try it in some of my less used pens or just keep it around for dipping. So, just curious about recent experience--anyone use old Osmiroid Free Flowing Black Ink lately? Problems? Thoughts? Thanks!

Hello All, I have recently learned that Osmiroid nibs can be used in Esterbrook pens. Despite this, the only nibs I've seen that look like they could fit in an Estie are these, which I don't really trust (I mean, this is a vintage barbie seller!). Is there are particular rarity about them, or am I not looking hard enough?

Hello! I am hoping you good folks can fill me in on the history (or lack thereof) concerning this recent purchase. I am aware that the Osmiroid 35 nib was often used as a quick replacement on pens, but I am more interested in the body of this pen. I have been unable to find any reference to what appears to be a rubber body (?)....let alone a button filler. Any thoughts? Was this cute little thing someone's Frankenpen? Osmiroid_button_001 by Pira Urosevic, on Flickr Osmiroid_button_002 by Pira Urosevic, on Flickr Osmiroid_button_003 by Pira Urosevic, on Flickr Osmiroid_button_004 by Pira Urosevic, on Flickr

I have a Pelikan M200 that I never use, and I would like to change this. Right now I am working on my italic cursive and Spencerian handwriting, so unless a pen has a flex or italic/stub nib I am just not that interested. Wandering around the web I have found a few discussions about using Osmiroid nibs in Esterbrook pens, which made me curious. Looking at the screw in Esterbrook and Osmoroid nibs it seems that they are fairly similar to Pelikan's m200 nibs. I know that Pelikan does not make an italic nib for the m200, so I began to wonder about what nibs may be compatible. Does anyone know what italic nibs will fit into a Pelikan m200? I would prefer a vintage nib section, but any modern italic nib that works with a Pelikan would be fine, if it is crisp. I have seen threads about fitting Pelikan nibs into TWSBI pens, does this work in reverse too (can a TWSBI 530/540 or 580 or mini nib fit into a Pelikan m200)? Any information that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.

Clearing out and getting ready to downsize, I came across some old family fountain pens at the back of my desk drawer. Knowing very little about fountain pens, (apart from using Parker 50 and 51's exclusively for the past 50 years), I decided to place them on my personal website and see if there is any interest. The pens listed are all accompanied with descriptions and relevant family history as well as photographs and include: Wyvern, Osmiroid, Onoto, Elysee, Parker and Sheaffer. The details are on Page 2 of the Antiques & Collectables section at this link http://www.jebbett.co.uk/html/antiques_page_2.html I'll be delighted to hear from you and happy to answer any queries you may have through the Contact page. (With kind permission of Admin).

This morning I picked up an Osmiroid 65 which I bought through a local auction site. I enquired about the condition of the mechanism and was told that it was working fine, which appears to be the case, except that there is no sac. The nib seems to be in good condition and the section and body aren't gummed up. I have two questions as to repairing this: The section screws into the body but is very stiff after it's screwed in most of the way. What is the best way to loosen this up? It feels as though it needs a good cleaning of the threads cleaning (if it was a piece of Land Rover, I would be cleaning up threads with taps and dies, but this may be a bit extreme on what feels like relatively old flimsy plastic). The pen came without an ink sac (which may be a blessing in disguise). Where is the best place to get one. I doubt I will be able to find one in South Africa, so I'm looking at importing.Are there any other tips and tricks I should be aware of? Henk

Hi, I have a question for Esterbrook experts. Q. Is it okay to change the nib on an Esterbrook J while the pen is still inked?

I was looking for Osmiroids and found this on Ebay (where else?): http://www.ebay.fr/itm/30-Vintage-Fountain-Pens-Pencils-Ballpoints-Job-Lot-Spares-or-Repair/201368548761?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140402094601%26meid%3D9f63c8d7f88f47648b0cfed04d50e150%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D201262243189 Not even sure if it is worth the spares for the asking price for the lot thought. Just posting it here in case anyone with Osmiroids are interested.

I would like to purchase a new fountain pen, not a dip pen, that has a nib like an Osmiroid nib from the 1960's that I used to use in Portland, Oregon. After much reading and reasearch, I bought a Scheaffer Viewpoint but the nib is much different. It does not give the same variation from thick to thin line that the Osmiroid tip did. I would appreciate it if anyone with specific knowledge of this matter could help. Thank you

I was a bidder but lost. The only piece I was interested in was that black desk pen marked US Government. If you won this lot for the inks, nibs or other pens and aren't interested in that US Government desk pen, I'd love to buy it off you. http://goo.gl/FTbDBo You can see the pen at the very bottom of the pic.

I put an Osmiroid M Italic on what of my Esties and will not take it off. It is smooth and soft and artsy... I am practicing my handwriting with it. But it is not entirely an Esterbrook that way, right? but I need the ease of use. Another one has the 1554 which I love, scratchy but not too much and great for drawing.That is the only purpose of that Esterbrook. Could be great for making notes in small areas of a document, like when I pay my bills and write it down on a special notebook. The third one has the best nib I have used which is the 2668. Soft, wet, medium, the average and perfect for everything. Not extraordinary, but almost as soft as my Lamy Safari What will I use on the fourth Esterbrook that is arriving this week? --- I wish I could say I have the 2048, seems like a nice to have. In my nibs inventory I also have a 9314 M that I think I don't know how to use. Super scratchy unless I tilt it. It's in its box, have to use it when I can dedicate time to it. Should I always tilt it to write? Is that how it is supposed to be? I also have a Medium Venus and Linton that I bought just to make sure I would always have nibs. Which one is better? I am very interested on having a verdict on the Venus and Linton. Future plans: On the mail is an Osmiroid pen that comes with a B6 nib and another package with several Osmiroid nibs. That will be a great experiment and experience. NOTE: I have not tried the Linton but the Venus M is similar to the 1554. I can use it as a substitute if I ever need it. I welcome any suggestions on nibs that are desirable for Esterbrooks. Thank you! BTW: My goal is to have a sample of all the colors that the SJ came in. That is the only organized collection I will ever have.

I was given these nib heads recently by an old fellow friend of mine. I was delighted, but I don't know what to do with them. They are Osmiroid Fountain pen Lettering Set. I have four of the original six italic nibs missing: Italic Medium Straight, B.2, B.3, and B.4. I have no idea what that means. The guide is missing. What do I do?

I cannot get my pen to take an adequate picture of this, so I will have to describe my problem. I am working on an Osmiroid pen, probably, I think, from the 70's. It is red, modern plastic, uses the tips which interchange with Esterbrooks, has a black dome ending off the cap and fills with a lever. The section screws in, and the cap screws on. Both sets of threads occupy the last quarter inch or so of the barrel. There is a tiny crack in the threads that goes out to the edge, about an eighth of an inch long, and another miniscule crack that is just sitting there within the threaded area, I would never have noticed either except that it is a used pen I am fixing up to give a friend who used to have one like it years ago, and so I was cleaning it and looking carefully at the ink in the threads. My instinct is to leave well enough alone. I can't glue anything to the back or the front to reinforce it, because there are threads on both sides, .if I try to do solvent welding (I don't know if it even works on injection molded plastic) I am afraid I might deform the threads as it would be my first try, and friend, who is not a FP person, is highly unlikely to take the thing apart and stress it that way. Do I need, however, to do something because these situations have a known trajectory? If It were staying with me I wouldn't worry about it, but it is being sent away to live on another continent and I do not want to send a disappointment... T T

In the 1980s, I used to do calligraphy for Ketubot (Jewish wedding contracts); Hebrew characters; about 30 lines per Ketubah. I always used an Osmiroid fountain pen, with Broad Straight nib. I cannot recall which ink I used; it was good, but I was never thrilled with it being jet black. Still, it flowed well and looked good at the time. I have seen several of the pieces in recent years, and the ink still looks good on most of them. But, as I mentioned, I cannot recall which ink I was using . . . all this, 1980 through 1990. 25 years later, I am writing another Ketubah, and here is the situation. I have found or cleaned up a couple of the Osmiroid pens with the Broad Straight nibs, and they seem to be working properly. It seems that the best ink that I have found in a local store (Atlanta) is Higgins Eternal (which says on the box that it works in fountain pens). Yesterday, I tried out the Higgins Eternal / Osmiroid combination and it seems to have been flowing well / looking good. I have been very careful to clean the pen after every sitting. So here are my questions: -- Any recommendations on using this combination? The entire document should take about 6 or 8 hours to write, so if I can keep the pen working properly for that duration, I will be happy. I can clean and reload the pen every few minutes / hours, if recommended. -- Can I expect this ink to hold up well over the years? I am not worried about water, but wonder about fading / exposure to daylight. -- Is there any other ink that the experts recommend, to use in the Osmiroid pen with Broad Straight nib? Hopefully, something that I could get quickly through eBay or an online seller. Thanks for this great forum!! Jeff