What Is The Point Of A Hooded Nib?

[rumbleroar]

So recently I was pen browsing, and I came across a couple of hooded nibs. I was wondering, what is the point (no pun intended) of these? What is the benefit of it, what are the drawbacks? And why did they start being used? Thank you!

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

http://www.richardspens.com/?design=hooded_nibs

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Florida Blue]

The first pen to feature a hooded nib, the Parker 51, had one to prevent ink from drying out during use.

 

Many pens made after that (post-1941), had hooded nibs for purely decorative reasons and they served no real purpose.

 

The nib on a Lamy 2000 is a "semi-hooded" nib because it only covers part of the nib, but I'm not sure if it really serves a purpose other than looks and semi-hooded nibs seemed popular on German pens in the 1960s. Several Montblanc pens from that period had similar designs.

Edited July 16, 2013 by Florida Blue

[dcwaites]

Even semi-hooded nibs extend nib dryout time. I used a Parker 45 for my university lecture notes, and it took quite some time to dry out.

[Elizabeth in NJ]

One thing I like about most pens that have hooded and inlaid nibs is that the section doesn't abruptly end, which gives you a lot more flexibility in how you can can hold it, including how far from the tip your hand has to be. The 2668 nib on my Esterbrook is really long and I can't get any closer with my hand, and it's just not comfortable for me to write with. (If only Esterbrooks had interchangeable nibs.... )

 

I also like the sleeker, more modern look and the slower nib dry-out time. Less flexibility in changing and customizing nibs is a big drawback.

[Ginner]

I have 3 Parker 51's and I cannot see much of a reason. I guess, not drying-out would have been the reason the P51 is hooded - however, it's the iconic 'P51 look' that appeals to me.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Parker had also invented a special ink that was deadly to other pens...that dried fast enough for a left handed over writer (I imagine. .. It was the fastest drying ink of the time)...after a couple of years they stopped making that ink.

 

The hooded nib held/hid a huge collector.

 

I'm not sure if the ink was invented first so a pen was designed for it, or it was both done at the same time.

But the ink and the pen go together of why this then shocking, startling new hooded nib came out..

Edited July 17, 2013 by Bo Bo Olson

[Opooh]

The explanation of these hooded pens might have to do with the year they were introduced 1941 and later, WW II was in his early stages. Although the US only entered the war in december 1941, their war industry was already starting up, since they supplied the allies with all kind of products, needing ? Yes, all sorts metals, so out go the huge nibs, in come the tiny concealed nibs.