Newbie Nib Replacement Question

[JimH SJ]

I like Rotring fountain pens. Yes, they are inexpensive and that's part of the problem, they aren't usually worth fixing. I have a Rotring APC Initial, I dropped it and the nib is a mess. I can't find replacement nibs anywhere (pen hasn't been made in years). The nib tip looks pretty generic - no special shaping. Pulls out of and away from the feed very easily, Is there any reason why a $10 nib tip from ebay (or wherever) won't work with this pen? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[Ron Z]

Lots of reasons. The radius of the nib, the thickness of the nib, the length of the nib, the way that it fits over the feed and into the section all make a difference in the way it fits. Some nibs have a unique shape that interlocks with the feed and nothing else will work. Some nibs look like they should, but when you put them in the section you find that they lift up from the feed. I won't say that no generic nib will fit, but I would put the chances at rather low.

 

Overstock.com has the Initial listed today at about $29.