What Exactly Is A Ball-End Nib?

[KarloT]

I showed a friend my Grain de Orge Parker 75. This pen wears a Medium nib and I told him I've never seen so much tipping material on a nib. He told me it was a ball-end nib.

 

I've searched the Net for references but very little was gained. I saw a Minuskin ball-end retip and a reference to an Executive Broad nib for the Parker 75s but no explanation of what it is and why it was made.

 

Anyone know what ball-ends are supposed to achieve? For the record, I love how mine writes but for the life of me can't tell the difference between this and the other round nibs I have.

 

Karlo

[mirosc]

I'm not sure about that specific pen model. But I know from earlier Pelikan and Montblanc models that they had a special S (MB) and K (Pelikan) tip. The tip was made quite big and almost perfectly round so that even people that weren't used to writing with pens could use them quite easily. The feeling is just like it is with a ballpoint and you can turn the pen and vary the angle just like you want to - and the pen is still writing with the same perfect line all the time.

So it's very easy to use; the drawback is that you will have no line variation at all. So, if you turn a regular pen and write with the back of your M/B nib you'll get a nice fine line - not so with the K-ball-tip, it will still be the same line.

[StyloBug33]

My understanding of a ball nib is that it will write normally, but will also write upside down, usually a bit more fine. So, if you have a medium nib, try writing with it upside down and see if it writes like a fine.

Edited June 15, 2011 by StyloBug33

[KarloT]

You fellas were right!

 

I flipped it over and wrote with it. It does lay a finer line. Had to smooth it a bit but now it has a neat party trick up its sleeve (or should I say cap.)

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Karlo