Wow ! What a difference changed from fine to medium nib on Jinhao X159

[Bill Steamshovel]

Got 3x  medium nibs, feeds and collars from Aliexpress for $15Australian.

 

Changing from fine to medium made a massive difference, boosted the X159 from 2nd place to Best Pen By a Mile - but wondering what happens if I put a different nib on the Waterman which now feels a bit thin and scratchy whereas before today it was easily my favourite. 

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005622537866.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.17.2e7a1802kCchhM

 

On another nib issue : Having a bit of trouble adjusting the feed on the X159 to accomodate a comic G nib, its a bit odd have tried moulding the feed 3 times now and each time I can write upside down quite easily but the tines are spread slightly when I go right way up and I need to lick the nib a lot to keep the feed going and its difficult to get started.  Am off to read how to do it again and see what I'm doing wrong.  I changed the radius on the nib by using a 10mm drill bit as an anvil worked really well because the nib springs back quite a lot after being stretched over the drill bit.

 

Do I need to use different ink on the Comic G nibs ? Am using Quink Black with Solv-X.

Edited July 12, 2023 by Bill Steamshovel
Added Ink Question

[OCArt]

@Bill SteamshovelThanks for the link! I just placed an order as I dislike fine nibs.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have come to like M nibs, but  I was coming from wide.

Half the 'new' regular flex 200's I've bought in the last half a decade have been M's.

 

M is real good for classic rough papers, like laid or linen effect.

 

I also like two toned shading inks, but one has to have outside of Rhodia ...a good 90g paper, that allows the ink to sit on top of the paper for those needed seconds.

I do find 100g to be sort of expensive.

 

When you get to semi-flex, due to ease of tine spread&bend, even an F can be a M, if one has a Heavy Hand.

That though is line variation, in a flair nib.

 

Semi-flex gives you flair with out you doing anything but using a nice paper.

Regular flex like the Pelikan 200 or Japanese 'soft' nibs, do well in shading inks, in they are not quite as wet as semi-flex.

I've come to like M quite a lot.

[Karmachanic]

7 hours ago, Bill Steamshovel said:

Am off to read how to do it again and see what I'm doing wrong

 

Mounting a #6 nib on a # 8 feed?

[Bill Steamshovel]

3 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

 

Mounting a #6 nib on a # 8 feed?

 

Yes.

 

There are various reports on the internet discussing how to do this and I wanted to have a go just for fun and my own continued learning. So far it has helped me to better understand how the feed works.

 

I was quite happy when I first got a few words in a row with the tines spreading and the thicker line appearing. 

 

Its quite possible that  I will learn that I am better off buying a pen already fitted with G nib. One video I saw admitted that sometimes it doesn't work - for me the issue is getting the pointy end of the feed snug with the nib .

 

...... am keen to hear from others how they did this - am using hot water to soften the feed and alter the shape. Given how easily I have seen it done on youtube am finding it surprisingly difficult.

 

............... an added benefit has been that I discovered that a pumice stone is great for removing stains from inky fingers that soap doesn't shift ................ 

 

anybody got other tips for removing ink stains from hands and fingers ?

 

 

[txomsy]

Haven't tried with a 159, but did with a x450 and x750. Not much of a problem there, but the feed still has trouble keeping up providing ink.

 

One can find many threads, videos and pages discussing this, how to fit them, the correct alignment of nib and feed, feed-setting and improving flow.

 

OTOH the Zebra is 5.5 (I think) and the 450/750 is #6. Maybe an FPR pen would fit better, and one can get improved flow feeds as well... but then the FPR ultraflex is also a great option...

[Bill Steamshovel]

1 hour ago, txomsy said:

 

OTOH the Zebra is 5.5 (I think) and the 450/750 is #6. Maybe an FPR pen would fit better, and one can get improved flow feeds as well... but then the FPR ultraflex is also a great option...

Txomsy,

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Finally got it working, it uses a lot of ink but it is interesting to play with. Will have to learn how to do fancy writing now.

 

Will have a look at the FPR pens you mention above

 

Using Parker Blue Washable seemed to work better than Parker Black with Solv-x - they are the only two inks I have at the moment. Will do some googling to learn about physics of ink flow.

 

 

[Bill Steamshovel]

This is interesting ........ overfeed - 2 options

 

1. Slides up into the collar - awkward and tight ?

 

2. Secured with tiny silicone rubber rings 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2023 by Bill Steamshovel
added video link

[Stompie]

I have nearly always preferred a medium to broad nib on my fountain pens however, my first X159 was a fine and I did not like it at all so I clipped it and turned it into an Italic nib.

I then ordered XF for another 3 or 4 X159 pens and I am as happy as Larry now and really enjoying them!

[Bill Steamshovel]

9 hours ago, Stompie said:

............ so I clipped it and turned it into an Italic nib.

 

 

Hey Stompie,

 

Is clipping a nib as simple as snipping the end off with a pair of pliers/wirecutters/tinsnips ?

 

Do you have to do any further work on the cut tines after the snip ?

 

 

 

[Bo Bo Olson]

The "iridium/ actually rare earth-hard metals is the tipping. With out those the nib wears out with a a year or so....if rolled over like the old Esterbrook nibbs or some of the Chinese nibs of a few years ago.

 

Go to the Richard Binder site....it is the bible of nibs, filling systems, good advice on inks, and ever so many vintage.... pens.....takes at least 3 days to get through it,and i return often....not as often as I should, but at least still after 15 years later, once in a while.