Iridium Tipping On Vintage Nibs

[penguina]

Hi. Hope that you can help me here?

 

When I first started collecting vintage fountain pens, I collected some beauties, Waterman's, Swans, even a gold rolled Todd eyedropper.

 

However, as I gained some understanding of these nibs, I started looking more closely at the nibs. When I looked at the the nibs through a magnifying loupe, I noticed that there was only a little iridium tipping left on these nibs. In fact some of the nibs had no tipping left.

 

Using these vintage flexible nibs with no iridium, would soon grind them down I think? Am I right?

 

But what about the nibs with just a little iridium left, are they safe to use? Or should I send then away to be iridium tipped?

 

If they have to be iridium tipped, could some-one suggest a nibmeister who could do this, and who is not currently snowed under with such requests please?

 

If at all possible?

Edited August 22, 2011 by penguina

[fpman]

Are you talking steel or gold nibs? I'm far from an expert but other posts have stated it will take an awful lot of writing to wear down even a cheap rolled steel tip. I have some pens with nibs without a hint of iridium - some write just fine, others are very fussy about direction, and still others write like ice scrapers. And not all nibs come with tipping in the first place - Esterbrook 9460 and 9461 (Manifold medium and fine, respectively) are examples. Also many Italics and some stubs. If they write well for you, I wouldn't worry too much about retipping them; if they don't, especially with a nice gold nib, then re-tipping is certainly an option.

 

In the states, I'm only aware of two folks who do retipping - Greg Minuskin and John Mottishaw. John's posted turnaround time is now 6 months (for all types of work). The last time I looked at Greg's site, his turnaround time was still 2 weeks. If there are more re-tippers, I'm sure folks will pipe up.

[koa]

Yes, I think it is time to enter another condition in the FPN DMS: Iridium Anxiety! Should be placed alongside the Iron Gall HeebeJeebes, and the Montblanc counterfeit paranoia. :bonk: :ltcapd:

 

But seriously, if there is some tipping left, it will be doing its job. If it is all gone, it might not have been there in the first place. Gold will wear rather quickly, but not so you would notice, and leaving little traces of gold in all your writing is actually kind of cool. \

 

Re-tipping is really only called for in cases of catastrophic failure, when the tipping material breaks off and leaves a jagged point. So I say, if the nib is useable, use it, and don't feel too bad about it. :bunny01:

[GregMinuskin]

Hi. Hope that you can help me here?

 

When I first started collecting vintage fountain pens, I collected some beauties, Waterman's, Swans, even a gold rolled Todd eyedropper.

 

However, as I gained some understanding of these nibs, I started looking more closely at the nibs. When I looked at the the nibs through a magnifying loupe, I noticed that there was only a little iridium tipping left on these nibs. In fact some of the nibs had no tipping left.

 

Using these vintage flexible nibs with no iridium, would soon grind them down I think? Am I right?

 

But what about the nibs with just a little iridium left, are they safe to use? Or should I send then away to be iridium tipped?

 

If they have to be iridium tipped, could some-one suggest a nibmeister who could do this, and who is not currently snowed under with such requests please?

 

If at all possible?

 

Hi!

 

Greg Minuskin here! I would be happy to assist you with your nib retip. If you send me only the nib ,no pen attached, the cost is only $60 plus the return shipping of your choosing (Registered Mail, slow, cheaper, but secure, about 2 weeks back to you) or EMS mailing (Fast, expensive.)

 

Please visit my site at www.gregminuskin.com and email me directly at greg@gregminuskin.com

 

I look forward to helping you out!

 

P.S. Yes, my turn around time is only 2 weeks!

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg

www.gregminuskin.com

greg@gregminuskin.com

[penguina]

Hi. Hope that you can help me here?

 

When I first started collecting vintage fountain pens, I collected some beauties, Waterman's, Swans, even a gold rolled Todd eyedropper.

 

However, as I gained some understanding of these nibs, I started looking more closely at the nibs. When I looked at the the nibs through a magnifying loupe, I noticed that there was only a little iridium tipping left on these nibs. In fact some of the nibs had no tipping left.

 

Using these vintage flexible nibs with no iridium, would soon grind them down I think? Am I right?

 

But what about the nibs with just a little iridium left, are they safe to use? Or should I send then away to be iridium tipped?

 

If they have to be iridium tipped, could some-one suggest a nibmeister who could do this, and who is not currently snowed under with such requests please?

 

If at all possible?

 

Hi!

 

Greg Minuskin here! I would be happy to assist you with your nib retip. If you send me only the nib ,no pen attached, the cost is only $60 plus the return shipping of your choosing (Registered Mail, slow, cheaper, but secure, about 2 weeks back to you) or EMS mailing (Fast, expensive.)

 

Please visit my site at www.gregminuskin.com and email me directly at greg@gregminuskin.com

 

I look forward to helping you out!

 

P.S. Yes, my turn around time is only 2 weeks!

 

Sincerely,

 

Greg

www.gregminuskin.com

greg@gregminuskin.com

 

 

Hi Gregg

 

Many thanks for this message. It is really appreciated. This all sounds great. I will send you the pens in a couple of weeks.

 

 

I have held off using them, for fear of finding gold flakes in my ink. These are all gold nibs on great nibs, that I don't think that I could find again. Such as a black plastic eyedropper with gold bands Waterman's eyedropper from about 1905, with a no 5 wet noodle pen ( I did not know that plastic had been aroound for so long), a small Swans over and under feed eyedropper with lovely gold bands, also with flexy nib, and a 1920's gold filled eyedropper from Todd of Mabie & Todd. Also a few others.

 

Will send an email or PM next week.

 

Once again...many thanks!

[penguina]

Yes, I think it is time to enter another condition in the FPN DMS: Iridium Anxiety! Should be placed alongside the Iron Gall HeebeJeebes, and the Montblanc counterfeit paranoia. :bonk: :ltcapd:

 

But seriously, if there is some tipping left, it will be doing its job. If it is all gone, it might not have been there in the first place. Gold will wear rather quickly, but not so you would notice, and leaving little traces of gold in all your writing is actually kind of cool. \

 

Re-tipping is really only called for in cases of catastrophic failure, when the tipping material breaks off and leaves a jagged point. So I say, if the nib is useable, use it, and don't feel too bad about it. :bunny01:

 

HMMM...not sure about this. Iron gall heebejeebes? Thinking here that iron gall ink is for mediaeval monks with thier feather quills & strong leather parchments. :clap1:

 

Montblanc counterfeit paranoia? Here's a few helpful manfacturers in China who are proud of their Replica Mont Blancs at:

http://www.tootoo.com/buy-replica_mont_blanc/

http://montblancfromchina.blog.com/

 

Easy to get a Montblanc?

:roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

 

But you forget some of the other dreaded condition such as "Old age ink syndrome" and Chinese hero pen conterfeit paranoia :crybaby:

 

Sorry.. but couldn't resist it

:ltcapd: :ltcapd: :ltcapd: :ltcapd:

Edited August 23, 2011 by penguina