Which pens other than Esterbrook J-series do Renew-Point nibs fit in, please?

[Hagbard Celine]

On 3/24/2023 at 4:57 AM, PithyProlix said:

I did not previously realize this but there are actually two different lengths of Renew-Point compatible Osmiroid nibs

 

Wow, Pithy—great observation! I’ve been using these quite a lot and never noticed that. Thanks!

—HC

[PithyProlix]

10 hours ago, Hagbard Celine said:

 

Wow, Pithy—great observation! I’ve been using these quite a lot and never noticed that. Thanks!

—HC

 

My pleasure! 

[mhphoto]

On 1/26/2023 at 6:56 PM, Hagbard Celine said:

 

 

Update 20230126:

 

Venus
Osmiroid 65
Osmiroid 75 (Osmiroid “Easy-change” nib units are not compatible)
Pelikan (limited compatibility, seeking clarification) 
Rapidograph
Sengbusch
Tuckersharpe
Chadwick
Burnham B48

Linden (nib units said to fit Esterbrook pens, vice versa also?)

Misterlook, Easterbrook, EEsterbrook, and other “copycat” brands

 

Not all the models made by these brands are necessarily compatible. If anyone has other examples, please let us know.

I don’t have any new compatibility brands, but I have a clone brand to add to the list:

 

SEA-GULL

 

 The one I have is the size of a model J and the nib units fit perfectly. 

[gweimer1]

We can add the Rotring Variant pen to this list.

[PithyProlix]

15 hours ago, gweimer1 said:

We can add the Rotring Variant pen to this list.

 

Very interesting. I see those 2nd hand for low prices and will give it a try.

[PithyProlix]

On 3/20/2025 at 2:47 AM, gweimer1 said:

We can add the Rotring Variant pen to this list.

 

On 3/20/2025 at 6:03 PM, PithyProlix said:

 

Very interesting. I see those 2nd hand for low prices and will give it a try.

 

I purchased a Rotring Variant set and it did not work for me. I tried with an Esterbrook 9128 nib. The Esterbrook did screw into the Rotring Variant's section. While the Esterbrook nib is a little longer than the Rotring's the problem seems to be due to the width: I couldn't even get the cap threads started with the Esterbrook in the pen.

 

@gweimer1 Are you sure your Rotring is a Variant model? If yes, is the inner cap missing?

 

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

On 1/22/2023 at 2:46 PM, dms525 said:

This photo clarifies the Osmiroid-Esterbrook size issue, I hope.

 

 

From left to right: Esterbrook Fine-Flexible, Osmiroid Fine-Flexible, Osmiroid Italic.

 

Except for the nipple on the Osmiroids, the carrier bodies of the Osmiroids and Esterbrooks are the same. But, the Osmiroid Italic nibs are shorter than the Osmiroid round-tipped nibs. That may make a difference in whether or not the nib tip bumps against the inside of the cap.

 

BTW, I can confirm that these nibs do not install in Pelikan M200's.

 

Happy Writing.

 

David

 

Just finding this thread now.  And I have a question....

The two Osmiroid nibs in the photo seem to have a piece on them -- the ring just above the threading -- that is at an angle -- not flush to the rest of the feed.  Is there a reason for that (that is, something specific to the design vs. some part on the feed that was damaged)?  I have a couple of Osmiroid fountain pens but have not tried them, and also a few spare Osmiroid nib units that I picked up simply BECAUSE I'd read that they fit in vintage Esties (I have a bunch of J series pens and a couple with the earlier style clips), plus various spare Estie nib units as well as the Osmiroid ones.

Thanks in advance.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[gweimer1]

On 4/9/2025 at 4:09 AM, PithyProlix said:

 

 

I purchased a Rotring Variant set and it did not work for me. I tried with an Esterbrook 9128 nib. The Esterbrook did screw into the Rotring Variant's section. While the Esterbrook nib is a little longer than the Rotring's the problem seems to be due to the width: I couldn't even get the cap threads started with the Esterbrook in the pen.

 

@gweimer1 Are you sure your Rotring is a Variant model? If yes, is the inner cap missing?

 

 

 

Yep, I'm holding it right now.   I have a 2442 nib in it, and the inner cap is still there.

 

My Rotring has "Rotring Variant" imprinted in gray on the barrel.

[PithyProlix]

On 4/14/2025 at 10:52 PM, gweimer1 said:

 

Yep, I'm holding it right now.   I have a 2442 nib in it, and the inner cap is still there.

 

My Rotring has "Rotring Variant" imprinted in gray on the barrel.

 

Aha - so there are two variants of the Rotring Variant. 

 

Here's an example of the version I have, introduced in 1958, which is incompatible with Renew-Point nibs.

https://rotringmuseum.com/rotring_item.php?id=124

 

Here's yours, the later version introduced in 1988, called the "Variant B" and "Variant II". I guess the most conspicuous difference is what you pointed out: "variant" is printed on the barrel of this later version.

https://rotringmuseum.com/rotring_item.php?id=461

 

Four of the later versions are on their way to me now. I will report back.

[PithyProlix]

On 5/5/2025 at 3:33 PM, PithyProlix said:

 

Aha - so there are two variants of the Rotring Variant. 

 

Here's an example of the version I have, introduced in 1958, which is incompatible with Renew-Point nibs.

https://rotringmuseum.com/rotring_item.php?id=124

 

Here's yours, the later version introduced in 1988, called the "Variant B" and "Variant II". I guess the most conspicuous difference is what you pointed out: "variant" is printed on the barrel of this later version.

https://rotringmuseum.com/rotring_item.php?id=461

 

Four of the later versions are on their way to me now. I will report back.

 

Reporting back on the Rotring Variant B/II with disappointing results: although all the nibs I tried screwed into section correctly, only one of the three Esterbrook nibs I tried worked and none of the six or so Osmiroid nibs I tried worked. Except for the one Esterbrook that worked, the nibs are either too long and/or wide for the cap. Among the Osmiroid nibs I tried was an Extra Fine Rolatip, likely the shortest & smallest Osmiroid nib of the 20 or so different ones I have. The three Esterbrook nibs included the 1555 (shorthand), 9550 (extra fine), and one marked "Medium" without a model number (which I suspect corresponds to the 2668). The only nib that allowed the cap to be completely screwed on was the 1555, which is significantly shorter than the other two and has a slightly narrower width over the whole nib.

🤷‍♂️

[gweimer1]

Very odd.   Got any photos?  Mine has a 2442 stub in it, and no problems with the cap or with writing.  And I learned about using this Rotring from someone else, who does it a lot.

[inkstainedruth]

A couple of weeks ago I was at an estate sale and picked up a couple of J series Esties. One of which had an Osmiroid music nib installed on it!  (Sorry, no pix yet -- the last week has been super crazy, and this week looks to be pretty hectic as well)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[PithyProlix]

21 hours ago, gweimer1 said:

Very odd.   Got any photos?  Mine has a 2442 stub in it, and no problems with the cap or with writing.  And I learned about using this Rotring from someone else, who does it a lot.

 

I got three, all identical to this: rotringmuseum.com/rotring_item.php?id=461 

 

The cap is simply not tall enough and the inner cap is not wide enough to fit anything but my shortest & narrowest nib. It's not even a close call, really.

 

I am at a loss.

[gweimer1]

Well, this is mine.  

 

[gweimer1]

[PithyProlix]

On 7/6/2025 at 1:10 AM, gweimer1 said:

Well, this is mine.  

 

Can you please confirm whether or not it has the inner cap? Here are the caps with and without the inner cap:

 

[gweimer1]

Mine has the inner cap, but I think it's recessed a little deeper.   Another variant of the Variant?