Singing Pelikan nibs

[1000km]

I've noticed that some Pelikan nibs (both vintage and modern, gold not steel) 'sing' when they are used, producing a faint but clearly discernible tone.

 

I can only assume that the nibs are somehow resonating at specific frequencies (like a tuning fork) as they move across the paper.

 

While it's nice to think that my Pelikans are my only pens to behave like this, I would assume that other brands must do the same thing?

 

Or am I simply losing my mind? :hmm1:

Edited February 10, 2009 by 1000km

[pb2]

I've noticed that some Pelikan nibs (both vintage and modern, solid gold only) 'sing' when they are used, producing a faint but clearly discernible tone.

 

I can only assume that the nibs are somehow resonating at specific frequencies (like a tuning fork) as they move across the paper.

 

While it's convenient that my Pelikans are my only pens to behave like this, I would assume that other pens do the same thing?

 

Or am I simply losing my mind? :hmm1:

 

Tis true, mine do too. My Pel italics like to resonate in the key of OB. It actually bugs me a wee bit.

[jmkeuning]

My steel factory italics do not sing, but my M400 OBB does. I like it, it allows me to write with my eyes closed, I can listen to the pen on the paper.

[Bill D]

I think Pilot Capless nibs are known for this, too.

 

Bill

[Renzhe]

Huh? I don't hear anything. Perhaps my environment is too noisy.

Edited February 11, 2009 by Renzhe

[blueblazes]

Some of mine sing too and I find it distracting. I think of it as another form of feedback from the nib. The singing changes in relation to the amount of pressure I am using and the angle of attack on the paper. Perhaps it's just me, but I associate the singing with some kind of resistance indicating scratchiness even though that's not necessarily the case. I'm slowly learning to live with it.

[RevAaron]

I really don't like singing nibs. I've had a couple of vintage MBs with such nibs, and used highly lubricated inks like Aurora Black or Noodler's Polar Blue to help with the issue. Droves me nuts. Didn't matter what paper, good paper and bad did it. The lubricated inks did OK, and the worst are always the iron gall inks- if you like singing nibs, that'll make it croon like a tweaking banshee. It always makes me cringe, like when someone starts a car and has the key in the ignition position a second to long, that hideous metal-death screech. *shudder*

 

Worse than the sound is the vibration from the resonance that I can feel in my hand. It just screams "something isn't right!" to my hindbrain...

[lak611]

Is this something that only occurs with a specific type of nib?

 

I have five Pelikan pens ( M200, M400, M600, M800, and M1000), and none of them sing. All of my nibs are medium. I have a 14K gold nib on my M200, not a steel nib.

[pb2]

Just noticed the tonal phenomenon on a 90s Duofold last night. I've decided to think of it as a humming sword in the thick of a duel! That way, since the pen is mightier than the sword, I always win!

[twigletzone]

On 2/10/2009 at 3:17 AM, 1000km said:

I've noticed that some Pelikan nibs (both vintage and modern, gold not steel) 'sing' when they are used, producing a faint but clearly discernible tone.

 

I can only assume that the nibs are somehow resonating at specific frequencies (like a tuning fork) as they move across the paper.

 

While it's nice to think that my Pelikans are my only pens to behave like this, I would assume that other brands must do the same thing?

 

Or am I simply losing my mind? :hmm1:

My shiny new Pelikan M200 has a steel M nib which sings - it's a squeak, like  a cloth makes when cleaning windows. Ink definitely makes a difference but I actually find it does it more on better quality paper than on cheap stuff. Probably to do with the smoother, harder surface.

[senzen]

My one singing / squeaking nib was my 400's, possibly a medium, bought second hand; after using it regularly with Diamine Velvet Blue it finally stopped singing. But I do have a couple of clicking Pelikans, an m605 and an m205, I'm assuming it's the interaction between nib and feed but I'm not sure. No other pen from seven additional brands I have has produced any such thing for me.

[Bo Bo Olson]

It is possible to make a sword that sings, then waving it around it awhile in the air mutes it. I imaging chopping folks will mute it faster than air waving.

 

The French make great extra cost singing straight razors. Those too will eventually no longer sing.

 

So eventually your singing nib will stop, due to metal fatigue like your sword and razor.

[inkstainedruth]

None of my Pelikans sing, but my dark blue Pilot Decimo with the stub nib definitely does!  First pen I've ever had that did it.  I've been on this site nearly 9 years, and have read this and other threads describing the phenomenon.  But never experienced it till now.  It definitely did with its inaugural ink (Iroshizuku Yama-budo) and while mostly doesn't with Yama-guri it did a couple of days ago....

I've read that it isn't a good thing, but I thought it was kind of cool (although I can see how it might be distracting/irritating).  Oh well, singing is definitely WAY better than scratching.... 

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[sgphototn]

My Pelikan M1000 nibs sing. So does a Churchman's Prescriptor broad italic. Doesn't bother me or my dogs.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

On 2/9/2009 at 7:17 PM, 1000km said:

I've noticed that some Pelikan nibs (both vintage and modern, gold not steel) 'sing' when they are used, producing a faint but clearly discernible tone.

 

I can only assume that the nibs are somehow resonating at specific frequencies (like a tuning fork) as they move across the paper.

 

While it's nice to think that my Pelikans are my only pens to behave like this, I would assume that other brands must do the same thing?

 

Or am I simply losing my mind? :hmm1:

Some of my Sailor's have this. I assume a well lubricating ink aids in the sound?

[AL01]

 

 My Pelikan 140 would squeak with 4001 Blue/Black.

 

 I kinda miss that sound now...

[TSherbs]

3 hours ago, AL01 said:

 

 My Pelikan 140 would squeak with 4001 Blue/Black.

 

 I kinda miss that sound now...

This is a bit like my Italix medium italic nib. I occasionally ink it up just for that sound and feel. 

[Ron Z]

It just occurred to me that if you got a 400, 600, 800 and 1000 together, you could have a nice quartet,  Get a 100 to sing descant.  Kind of boring since they're "two tune nibs."

 

(sorry, I saw "singing Pelikans" and my mind went wandering)

[sansenri]

Singing birds... sounds right, actually

[sansenri]

btw, yes, I also had a 140 that would sing! A pity it stopped after a while