There has been a lot of discussion about using a better quality gold nib in the pens that we make. Here is everything I know about doing that. Others may have tread the same path, and I hope they are willing to share their information.
There are nibs available that can be made to fit with an adapter, but there are none that are available with the SAME thread as used in the kits.
Thanks to info from Richard Kleinhenz, I have just received a nib from Bexley that will accept the same cartridge and reservoir as the kits. It is a fine quality nib, and seems to have the flexibility that I want in a pen. The cost is $54 each in lots of one (1). It will be easy to make an adapter for this nib, but that will have to wait until June when we get back from our 3-month trip around the Country this Spring.
There are probably pen nibs out there that will fit, and others that can be adapted, but the ink cartridge and reservoir are always the problem with making them work. My personal pen uses a Waterman nib that came from the pen I got as a high school graduation present. It was an almost perfect fit, with the help of a little LockTite to hold it in place, into the end of the Parker-style pen. I added a 2nd cap to the pen so I could get at the bladder and squeeze it by hand to fill the pen rather than attempt to duplicate the lever mechanism. I am willing to do that, but it isn't something I could sell to anyone.
Any of the nib manufacturers will make a nib with any thread we want provided we order their minimum quantity. That number is 500 for Schmidt, and it may be only 250 for Bexley. Someone may find a better deal from another manufacturer.
None of the kit manufacturers show even the slightest interest in making these nibs available. Several of us have asked.
All of these nibs are multiple lead metric threads, and will require some way to cut the threads in either a brass or plastic (preferred) adapter. It is possible that it could be done on one of our little wood lathes with a tap and die set, if you can find them in the right sizes, and at a reasonable price.
The better way to do them is to invest in a small metal lathe with a metric lead screw so the threads can be cut with a single point tool. This is not for everyone, but it is the only clean and accurate way to make an adapter.
Is there someone out there who thinks that making the adapters might be a business opportunity??
There are nibs available that can be made to fit with an adapter, but there are none that are available with the SAME thread as used in the kits.
Thanks to info from Richard Kleinhenz, I have just received a nib from Bexley that will accept the same cartridge and reservoir as the kits. It is a fine quality nib, and seems to have the flexibility that I want in a pen. The cost is $54 each in lots of one (1). It will be easy to make an adapter for this nib, but that will have to wait until June when we get back from our 3-month trip around the Country this Spring.
There are probably pen nibs out there that will fit, and others that can be adapted, but the ink cartridge and reservoir are always the problem with making them work. My personal pen uses a Waterman nib that came from the pen I got as a high school graduation present. It was an almost perfect fit, with the help of a little LockTite to hold it in place, into the end of the Parker-style pen. I added a 2nd cap to the pen so I could get at the bladder and squeeze it by hand to fill the pen rather than attempt to duplicate the lever mechanism. I am willing to do that, but it isn't something I could sell to anyone.
Any of the nib manufacturers will make a nib with any thread we want provided we order their minimum quantity. That number is 500 for Schmidt, and it may be only 250 for Bexley. Someone may find a better deal from another manufacturer.
None of the kit manufacturers show even the slightest interest in making these nibs available. Several of us have asked.
All of these nibs are multiple lead metric threads, and will require some way to cut the threads in either a brass or plastic (preferred) adapter. It is possible that it could be done on one of our little wood lathes with a tap and die set, if you can find them in the right sizes, and at a reasonable price.
The better way to do them is to invest in a small metal lathe with a metric lead screw so the threads can be cut with a single point tool. This is not for everyone, but it is the only clean and accurate way to make an adapter.
Is there someone out there who thinks that making the adapters might be a business opportunity??
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