Comic G Equivalent For A #5 Nib

[vorpal]

I adore the Comic G nibs and usually buy pens that can be converted to use them. Unfortunately, this limits me to pens that take a #6 nib. I have my eye on a pen that takes a #5 nib, and wonder if there is a smaller equivalent of the Comic G that can be used in this pen. Anyone have suggestions? I am seriously considering taking a Dremel to a Comic G to see if I can make it smaller without losing it's ineffable (for me) writing quality.

Edited October 22, 2015 by vorpal

[ac12]

There are only 3 G nibs that I know of; Nikko, Zebra and Tachikawa. Have you tried all 3?

 

It is not a Dremel that you need to fit a G nib into a smaller pen.

What you need to do is change the curvature of the back of the nib to be a smaller diameter curve.

Edited October 23, 2015 by ac12

[vorpal]

Aha. So I need a bendy thingie. This sounds like a job for Super-Spouse. Thank you. I should have figured that out just by looking at it....

 

Today's Frankenpen success is a Laban Celebration body, a Hero feeder that came with a dreadful #6 nib, and a Comic G. Lovely pen!

 

I have tried all three, but like the Comic best.

[Algester]

Comic G as far s I know is a rebranded Tachikawa or Nikko nib

[jabberwock11]

The Zebra G is completely different from the Nikko or Tachikawa, all of the G nibs are sometimes called "comic G" nibs as they are often used by manga and comic artists. The biggest differences between the different G nibs are the amount of flex, diameter, and sharpness of the tip.

 

The length and diameter of G nibs are all too great for use in a pen that uses a #5 nib. There are some smaller dip pen nibs that may work with some minor modification, but these are not usually as well plated as a G nib (which means that they will wear out much quicker) and even these smaller nibs will be longer than a #5 nib. No matter how you look at it, to fit a dip pen nib to a fountain pen made for a #5 nib you will need to do some modification.

 

It might be easier just to get an actual #5 or #5.5 flex nib. Fountain Pen Revolution has some: http://www.fountainpenrevolution.com/nibs.html

 

The G nibs that I am aware of:

Nikko G

Zebra G

Leonardt G

Tachikawa G

Kuretake G

Deleter G (this one is a rebrand, but I do not know of which G nib)

 

I have used all but the Deleter nibs, and I prefer the Zebra G. It is the most available, provides the best overall experience, and is one of the few that can be worked with in regards to fountain pens.

[vorpal]

I have a few #5 flex nibs, and they are all awful compared to the Comic G. I have a friend who owns a metal fabrication company. Maybe I need to consult him and see if there is a way to adapt the Comic G or just start from scratch and design a nib that can be used in smaller pens.

[jabberwock11]

There are probably a good number of fountain pen users who would love someone to produce some good loose flex nibs. I know that if I could get some flex nibs (that rivaled the Zebra G) in #5, #5.5, and #6 sizes, then I would be a happy camper.

[vorpal]

Let me cogitate with my friend and see what we can come up with. Even if it's just altering Creeper nibs...He has a machine shop. I need a prototype to send him, which means getting out the Dremel and fooling with some nibs.

[ac12]

As @Jaberwok said, there really isn't a Comic G, as far as I know. The G nibs are part of a family of nibs called Comic/Manga nibs.

 

I think the Nikko G has a smaller holder diameter curve than the Zebra G. So I would start with the Nikko G.

 

If you are going to work with a machinist, I would use stainless steel for the nib. That avoids the rust problems with dip pen nibs. Then model the nib you make on the Nikko G, but shortened to fit a fountain pen.

 

gud luk

Edited October 27, 2015 by ac12

[vorpal]

Thanks!

[Drone]

Don't bother putting a flexible nib in a pen with a plastic feed, you won't get enough ink flow to keep up with the nib. You can try putting a flexible dip-pen nib in a Noodler's Ahab or Konrad pen, which does have a user adjustable Ebonite feed. Provided the Ebonite feed is cut to flow well enough, it may keep up with the nib without railroading.

[vorpal]

I have four pens fitted with the Comic G--Ahab, Konrad, Jinhao, and Laban. Of course ebonite feeds... Still looking for a #5 equivalent, though.