Brass Threads?

[Supernova]

I'm thinking of getting a fountain pen with a brass body that will patina, but I had one concern. A lot of brass fountain pens use brass on brass threads. I was under the impression that threads shouldn't use the same 2 materials to avoid wear and galling. Will brass on brass threads last a lifetime like the rest of the pen?

[artart]

I don't know about fountain pens, but brass on brass threads have been in use for many years for the construction of optical instruments (microscopes, telescopes, photographic lenses) - I have some old photographic lenses of 1860-1900 made of brass and the threads work perfectly

[Astronymus]

Same metals on both sides may actually be safer. Many metals react with each other which results in amalgams between the two that can cement a threading. Especially if moisture, ink or other catalysts like sweat are involved.

Keep the thread clean, maybe use a small bit of some brass friendly oil or grease, and the pen will last.

For example copper + aluminium is a big NONO.

[praxim]

In terms of chemical reactions, avoid something different, as discussed above. In terms of wear, you can expect total wear to be the same except that different metals means the softer will wear faster, and will be more susceptible to damage from any mishandling. Brass on brass is best for brass.

[southpaw]

Brass on brass is fine under normal fp conditions.

[iruciperi]

A friend of mine is an engineer, and he said that the metal-metal thread is extremely reliable in normal circumstances, compared with plastic threads. And if two metals are the same as each other, no chemical reaction is expected I guess.

[Supernova]

Thanks for the responses guys. My metal knowledge comes from stuff I heard from my family and probably isn't accurate or doesn't apply to this situation. Sounds like I'm better off with brass on brass threads.