Can I remove a Faber Castell nib?

[encremental]

I think I prefer the steel nib on my eMotion to the gold nib on my Guilloche, and was wondering about swapping them around, as the nib assemblies on the pens look identical.

 

I've tried unscrewing (no luck) and gently tugging (stays firm) so wondered if anyone had found the knack of successfully removing either FC or G von FC nibs - or should I just try to be satisfied with what I've got?

 

John

[girlieg33k]

Hi John,

 

I have the Guilloche, but have never tried to remove the nib (yet). However, I think the nib screws out because of the way it's pictured here. I was contemplating buying an EF nib, and happened to be browsing GVFC's site.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Kate

[encremental]

Thanks for that, Kate - it's odd that they show you the nib and price it separately, but then say it will come with the section .... I'm still not sure from the picture if that's screw or push-fit. I've tried very hard to do both, but it won't budge and I don't want to do anything drastic! In any case, I think there must be something tricksy about it or the nib would be available on its own. I wonder if there might be a dab of shellac on it somewhere and if I should put it in hot water?

 

John

[girlieg33k]

Hi John,

 

The nib is friction fit. It took a moistened paper towel, nerves of steel (cough), and a wee bit of determination -- but it can be done. I don't have the eMotion so I can't help you there -- but the Guilloche is definitely friction fit.

 

K.

http://girlieg33k.googlepages.com/gvfc.jpg

 

[encremental]

O M G what a gal!

 

Well, inspired by your bravery, I managed to do the same to my Guilloche, but sadly have run into problems attempting the nib removal on the eMotion. I began to tug with my damp paper towel only to find that after a bit of wrestling, the whole assembly began to unscrew! When it came out I was left with something very like the picture you linked to on the GVFC webpage, except it is entirely black plastic and without the copper-y looking strip. At the thin end are a couple of screw threads. Try as I might, I have not been able to remove just the nib & feed.

 

So near and yet so far! I am convinced that the nib assemblies are basically the same, and that the Guilloche has those shallow screw threads as well. All the parts look to be exactly the same size, and I would imagine lots of the manufacture use the same machinery. You can screw the Guilloche barrel onto the eMotion and vice versa (doesn't look that good, though ...) I even took some pliers to the black nib/feed housing on the Guilloche, but I got scared and stopped.

 

I love the eMotion nib, yet prefer the slim Guilloche body - maybe the answer is just to get an Ambition

 

Thanks for your help above and beyond the call -

 

John

[girlieg33k]

I thought the Guilloche nib assembly would simply unscrew, as well. I wiggled it gently, at first, to see how steady the nib was fitted into the section. It wouldn't budge -- but when I began to wiggle it more firmly, it came loose like any friction fit nib. I didn't try to remove the black "sleeve" that fits into the metal section. Maybe I'll give that a go after I run the converter-full of ink through it; I filled the pen after I took it apart.

 

I even took some pliers to the black nib/feed housing on the Guilloche

Oh no, not the pliers... I admit that I've taken pliers to nibs, but I've always managed to stop short of decapitating the nib.

 

I love the eMotion nib, yet prefer the slim Guilloche body - maybe the answer is just to get an Ambition

A different kind of "fix", yes? Perhaps, on another day, the nib on the eMotion will come loose, without much force. Hopefully, you're not using it, to write, when it happens.

Edited February 1, 2009 by girlieg33k