What nibs to start with for my first bespoke pens

[Denis Boarder]

,Just joined and posted an introduction. Forgot to mention that I belong to a Wood Workshop here in Melbourne who have a large membership but no one making bespoke pens, so that's what I'd like to concentrate on. I have pens my grandfather and farther left me in bakelite and 

 

So here's my question:

 

Having used kits in the past with all parts provided, when I now look at my starting point, the nib, I'm overwhelmed. I'd love to be able to offer the pens concentrating on Australian Species, in particular ancient wood. As far as the nib is concerned I feel I would initially look at the mid range, chose and then stick to a manufacturer. It would be great to be able to chose between pen design and nib type. 

 

Can anyone give me a nudge in the right direction?

 

Many Thanks

Denis

 

 

[LizEF]

I don't really know which would be best, but I suggest you go with a nib unit, like these (Goulet Pens link, but you can get them from most online pen retailers). I think you'll find it easier to build the pen without ink flow / leak problems than if you had to design the section to take a nib and feed without the housing.

[amberleadavis]

I've moved your post to the pen making forum. I think you will get the most help here.  I'm thinking you will try some Jowo and some Bock nibs.

[Inspector]

Hi Denis

 

I don't know if there are any companies selling nibs in Australia. There are some people that do as you want to, making bespoke, kitless, custom  etc in Aussie and there is one that uses native wood, lines them with plastic or ebonite to take the threads and make them airtight but I can't recall his name. He posts on the IAP, a pen forum in the US. They have a number of tutorials on making them. Beaufort Ink in the UK sells Bock nibs and the taps you need to fit them to a section. Jowo nibs have their own proprietary threads, Goulet above sell them. The nibs from pen companies like Montblanc, Conkin etc have their own proprietary threads and finding taps for them can be difficult. If you have a metal lathe then you can single point the threads with it rather than buying taps and dies. To start with you don't need to buy multi-start threads for cap and barrels. Regular single threads will get you started and later you can pony up for the expensive triple start ones. A simple way to get started is to get the section from and El Grande/ Churchill pen kit as it has a M10x1 standard thread and use it. It lets you get familiar with some of the processes inexpensively. Have fun with your quest.

 

Pete

[BigShed]

Hi, the main 2 brands of nibs being used in Oz are Jowo and Bock, both in #5 and #6. The easiest ones to purchase are the Bock nibs from Steves Woodcraft in Victoria

 

https://www.steveswoodcraft.com.au/search?type=product&q=NOT+tag%3A__gift+AND+bock*

 

They also sell the special taps for them.

 

There are also a few very active FB groups for kitless/bespoke pens with quite a few Australian participants.

[Pierre---]

Not sure if bespoke is correct, it means made to order, so the client chooses, you don't...

Anyway, I think Bock or Jowo are the easiest to use - in fact the easiest to find a tap for the section -  and to be ordered, at Beaufort Ink or fpnibs, at least in Europe.