Interchangeable nib units.

[antoniosz]

Could you complete/correct the list of companies and models that had interchangeable nibs:

 

Wahl / Personal Point

Parker / 45, Sonnet

Sheaffer / Fineline, TipDip

Esterbrook / almost all (and many "clones")

Osmiroid: 65, 75

Waterman ?

Wearever ?

Edited June 15, 2009 by antoniosz

[rhodes]

I was just thinking about this yesterday as I was looking through a Wahl calatog. Only thing I can add of the top of my head is the Parker 75.

[simp]

I remember at least these

 

Bayard/Excelsior

OMAS/La penna del calligrafo

Pelikan/400 (not sure about the 100)

 

Simone

[antoniosz]

Pelikan

And of course those using replaceable Schmidt nibs.

 

Bexley: Simplicity/+

Filcao: Columbia/+

Levenger True Writer/+

Aurora: Optima/Tantalum/88

[Federalist Pens]

antoniosz:

Pelikan

/end

 

It was only a quick brain lapse!

No need for three smacks!

 

I have a Wearever "renew point" nib that fits in Estie J pens.

 

[welch]

Parker 75

[rhr]

This patent <<on page 216, Antonios, ;~) >> covers the Parker 45, VP, 65, 75, and 180 nibs, 3,087,464.

 

George Kovalenko.

 

Edited June 15, 2009 by rhr

[antoniosz]

Yes (of course) George, but you didn't include 2849985 in the preview of 1958-1996, for this one

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/metal_feed-1.jpg

 

Also Frank, what is the Wearever model that you are talking about?

Edited June 15, 2009 by antoniosz

[rhr]

Yes (of course) George, but you didn't include 2849985 in the preview of 1958-1996, for this one.

Yes, I know, the Osmiroid nib, but I couldn't include everything. Besides it was outside the scope of the book, which stops in 1957. I had to leave something out. But look under Esterbrook, and Re-New-Point, and Mentmore, and Wahl p.106.

 

George Kovalenko.

 

[Federalist Pens]

Antoniosz:

Also Frank, what is the Wearever model that you are talking about?

/end

 

Antonios,

 

I have a Wearever extra-fine point (Pennant cartridge type)

that is in the same collar as an Estie 1xxx point. Maybe this was

custom done by someone along the way. I got it in a pen sometime back!

 

Frank

 

[Univer]

Hi,

 

When one mentions Osmiroid, Platignum also comes to mind.

 

Some Reform nib units were interchangeable. In fact, several German brands (e.g. Pentalic) featured screw-in nib units; and the nib unit of the Rotring Renaissance was a screw-in interchangeable one. I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of those designs were cross-compatible.

 

For its Pennant model, Wearever sold complete friction-fit nib/section/sac units (I seem to recall that they even picked up Wahl's "Personal Point" name) that could be swapped into the pen barrel. (This is distinct from the Esterbrook-compatible screw-in unit mentioned earlier; I know such screw-in units turn up from time to time, but I don't have any additional info.)

 

Along the same lines, Sheaffer's WASP sub-brand offered interchangeable screw-in nib/section/sac units for its Addipoint ("add a point") models. There were also WASP models that accepted true screw-in nib units (similar to some of the later Fineline units) sold under the "Rite-O-Way" name.

 

And there were definitely some late (1950s?) Waterman screw-in nib units, designed for a specific pen model or model range. I've seen dealer boxes of them for sale, but I'm afraid I can't recall any details.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

 

 

 

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

I have a Morriset nib unit with a clear feed and a screw-section for an interchangable nib. No idea what the compatibility is (though I should try it with an Estie. just to see).

 

Venus should be in there as a subset of Esterbrook, but you cover that with "many clones".

 

John

[Univer]

Hi John,

 

I believe the Morriset nib units were designed for the Morriset dip pen system. It was identical in principle (not suggesting cross-compatibility, which may or may not exist) to the Esterbrook Dip-Less system: a dip nib with a feed for longer writing between dips.

 

If I remember correctly, there were Sengbusch screw-in units as well, intended to work the same way, that were compatible with Esterbrook Dip-Less pens. I remember, though, that when Pendemonium had a few of those NOS Sengbusch units for sale a while back, the item listing included an unqualified statement that the units would not work in a conventional Estie fountain pen.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[simp]

Pelikan

And of course those using replaceable Schmidt nibs.

 

Bexley: Simplicity/+

Filcao: Columbia/+

Levenger True Writer/+

Aurora: Optima/Tantalum/88

 

The Aurora 88, at least the original model of 1947, from what I know doesn't have a replaceable nib.

Don't know about more recent models.

 

Simone

[ZeissIkon]

Osmiroid: 65, 75

 

I've got a pen that is supposed to be an Osmiroid 75, and matches every photo I've found of the Osmiroid 75, but clearly wasn't intended to have interchangeable nib units (or at least not compatible with the 65 -- which nibs, BTW, are said to be interchangeable with Esterbrook). My Osmiroid 75 nib and feed are friction fitted in a plain (albeit probably slightly tapered) hole in the section; I know, I've had them out (feed was badly clogged and the pen was reportedly leaking, though I haven't found any leak).

 

Now, it'd be easy enough to change this nib for another of similar size and curvature, but that's not what people usually mean when they talk about "interchangeable nib units".

 

BTW, did you include the Lamy Safari/Al-Star in your list (nib and feed come out easily and are obtainable separately)? Pilot VP? The last, at least, is surely intended to have the nib/feed/reservoir changed out as a unit.

[zabo]

Pelikan

And of course those using replaceable Schmidt nibs.

 

Bexley: Simplicity/+

Filcao: Columbia/+

Levenger True Writer/+

Aurora: Optima/Tantalum/88

 

The Aurora 88, at least the original model of 1947, from what I know doesn't have a replaceable nib.

Don't know about more recent models.

 

Simone

But in the vintage 88's it's so easy to swap nibs... just pull 'em off like a Lamy Safari.

And they are interchangeable between the whole series (88, 88K, 88P, DuoCart, 888, 888P, 98, etc...)!

Of the modern 88's only the piston filler version has an interchangeable nib unit (screw type).

Edited June 16, 2009 by zabo

[rhosygell]

My SAFIS produced Contessa also has a screw in nib unit marked Astura very similar in style to current Aurora Optima etc nib units

[Bo Bo Olson]

<!--quoteo(post=1098925:date=Jun 14 2009, 05:11 PM:name=antoniosz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (antoniosz @ Jun 14 2009, 05:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1098925"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Osmiroid: 65, 75<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

I've got a pen that is supposed to be an Osmiroid 75, and matches every photo I've found of the Osmiroid 75, but clearly wasn't intended to have interchangeable nib units (or at least not compatible with the 65 -- which nibs, BTW, are said to be interchangeable with Esterbrook). My Osmiroid 75 nib and feed are friction fitted in a plain (albeit probably slightly tapered) hole in the section; I know, I've had them out (feed was badly clogged and the pen was reportedly leaking, though I haven't found any leak).

 

Now, it'd be easy enough to change this nib for another of similar size and curvature, but that's not what people usually mean when they talk about "interchangeable nib units".

 

BTW, did you include the Lamy Safari/Al-Star in your list (nib and feed come out easily and are obtainable separately)? Pilot VP? The last, at least, is surely intended to have the nib/feed/reservoir changed out as a unit.

 

 

The English 65 and 75 are supposed to swap....The Chinese models won't fit from my reading.

The 65 nibs do fit Esterbrooks...so will Pelikan...but don't get the big nibs, in they might be too long for the cap.

 

Not all Pelikans fit all Pelikans so you might need some luck swapping in and out Esties and Pelikans.

Some of the early 100 models didn't swap fit each other.

 

The nib from my 1950's Pelikan 140 will screw in to the Eastie Double J, but leaves a lot of collar showing. It fits inside the pen cap.

My 1984-96 Pelikan 400 will also fit just as good.

Same with the nib from my 605 Pelikan. In all cases the collar which is hidden in side the Pelikan is showing when in the Estie.

I have not tried to write with them. I have read they do work.

[ZeissIkon]

<!--quoteo(post=1098925:date=Jun 14 2009, 05:11 PM:name=antoniosz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (antoniosz @ Jun 14 2009, 05:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1098925"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Osmiroid: 65, 75<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

I've got a pen that is supposed to be an Osmiroid 75

 

 

The English 65 and 75 are supposed to swap....The Chinese models won't fit from my reading.

The 65 nibs do fit Esterbrooks...so will Pelikan...but don't get the big nibs, in they might be too long for the cap.

 

This is an English Osmiroid, or (I now think more likely) a knock-off copy of an English Osmiroid, though it does have an Osmiroid nib (BTW, since posting the above quoted material, I've found and repaired the leak -- cracked section, solvent welded -- learned how to remove the piston assembly, and have been using the pen for testing "maybe safe" inks, since it's easily disassembled for cleaning and has a simple feed that doesn't take hours to clean up if it gets clogged).

 

I hadn't heard Pelikan nib units would fit an Esterbrook -- and I'm not sure it matters, since I don't own a Pelikan and a new M250 nib unit costs more than I have invested in my Estie, or than I'd have to pay to get another one.