Chinese Nibs In A Safari

[sciumbasci]

I am a fan of the Chinese fine nibs, not so much of Lamy's, which has disappointed me: the EF in my case is as wide as a (very) thick F. And the F I had is just too broad and too wet for my tastes.

 

Can I just swap it for one of the Chinese clones? I was thinking about Hero.

Edited August 23, 2018 by sciumbasci

[JGA]

I did precisely that - but it takes a little bit of effort that anyone can handle. In the past, I would buy several Lamy nibs and hope to get one that wrote thin - but that is wasteful.

I ordered some no-name EF Lamy-like nibs. I think I paid $1.50 US for five nibs. I received them in the mail in about 5 weeks.

I picked up a Safari and removed the nib and attempted to assemble the fake nib onto the feed. It felt like it needed to be pushed so I did so gently against a glass surface - the nib bent 90 degrees. They are softer than a real Lamy and it ruined the nib. I then used pliers to gently open the clamping business end of another fake nib. I kept at it a few times - doesn't take much - until the nib would slide firmly onto the feed. I've only done one so I can't say they all need this modification.

I then tested the nib and it wrote immediately with a line finer than a Lamy EF. I was impressed with the uniformity and wetness of the line. However, it was a bit scratchy.

Using a 12000 grit polishing surface and did the old infinity dance for about ten seconds with water as a lube.

Now the pen writes as I had always hoped my safari to write - thin but wet.

I will convert more to these new nibs - just love the way they write. Shame Lamy still can't control their manufacturing of nibs and make a finer writing nib - they're not listening!

[sciumbasci]

Excellent news, JGA! Thanks!

 

Just out of curiosity, what size did you pick?

[49erfantom]

The FP reviewer, JPL, did a review of cheap safari style nibs. Here is a link to the video, others reading this post may find it helpful

 

[Glenn-SC]

Can I just swap it for one of the Chinese clones? I was thinking about Hero.

 

Why?

Just buy the Hero and be done with it.

[Glenn-SC]

Shame Lamy still can't control their manufacturing of nibs and make a finer writing nib - they're not listening!

 

Just because you don't like the writing width of Lamy nibs doesn't mean that there is an issue with their manufacturing process or that they have anything to be ashamed of.

I am sure that the Lamy nibs write the width that Lamy desires and intends them too.

I have no problems with either the width or smoothness of any of the nibs on my Lamy pens.

[Astronymus]

For European writing the EFs are fine, extra fine. Why should they invest production capacities in finer nibs that only a few enthusiasts will buy? Better get your nib worked on by a nibmeister. They need a job too.