Nib section sizes?

[Hallelujahal]

Hi folks, yesterday a colleague at work came to me for some advice. She has a fountain pen - a kit made for her by a market trader some time ago - which she wants to obtain an italic nib for. Upon examination the nib section on pen appears to be a larger diameter than all of the standard pen kits that I get??
Because I work in a special establishment where mobile phones etc are prohibited items I was unable to take a picture of the pen. However please see attached drawing… it’s probably a good 7mm in diameter (1/4”?) compared to the roughly 6.2mm of say a Leveche etc, any ideas where we might be able to obtain said larger diameter nib section…or is it possible to just change the nib out? Advice and ideas welcomed please

 

[alpha1]

Beufort ink sell nibs and sections in different sizes.

 

[flexi]

As above Phil has a good selection of various Bock nibs, if all else fails I know a nib grinder who could adjust a std for you to italic

 

[Phil Dart]

The nibs you are used to seeing Alex, are all size 5 nibs. The nib in your colleague's pen is undoubtedly a size 6 nib, which is physically larger in all respects. They are readily available, but the question will be, what housing does it need in order to screw straight into the pen as a direct replacement?

I read what you said about phones at work, but a photo of the pen would help me to establish which housing she needs. Perhaps you could ask her to take some photos at home and forward them to you, or maybe lend you the pen for you to photograph. Without knowing what the pen is, (unless she knows the answer to that herself), she is limited to swapping a new nib into the existing housing - which is easily done if you know how, but extremely daunting if you don't.

 

[Hallelujahal]

The nibs you are used to seeing Alex, are all size 5 nibs. The nib in your colleague's pen is undoubtedly a size 6 nib, which is physically larger in all respects. They are readily available, but the question will be, what housing does it need in order to screw straight into the pen as a direct replacement?

I read what you said about phones at work, but a photo of the pen would help me to establish which housing she needs. Perhaps you could ask her to take some photos at home and forward them to you, or maybe lend you the pen for you to photograph. Without knowing what the pen is, (unless she knows the answer to that herself), she is limited to swapping a new nib into the existing housing - which is easily done if you know how, but extremely daunting if you don't.

Thanks Phil I’ll get some pics if poss!

 

[Hallelujahal]

Hi Phil do these pics help at all?

 

[alpha1]

It is difficult to tell from the pictures but I would hazard a guess its a size 6 if so you just need to buy a nib from Beaufort ink and swop it out.

 

[Hallelujahal]

I’m sure you’re right but I’m thrown by the number 4 imprinted on the underside of the feed? Excuse my ignorance but how do I swap a nib out?

 

[alpha1]

Get hold of the nib and the black plastic support and pull it out.

 

[Phil Dart]

Thanks for the photos Alex @Hallelujahal . The pen is a Jr Gent, or possibly a Jr Statesman, but either way, it originated in China and has a Chinese #6 nib in what I call a "CH housing".

We've got those housings here and can supply a replacement nib in one, so that it screws straight into the pen. However, that particular housing is not shown as an option on the website, therefore you need to order a Bock size 6 (type 250) nib in a "kit compatible housing", the option of which is shown on the website, then send an email to Beaufort to point out that it's a CH housing you actually need.

Beaufort Ink - Bock standard size 6 fountain pen nibs (type 250)

Bock standard size 6 fountain pen nibs (type 250)

www.beaufortink.co.uk

I realise that process sounds a little more complicated than it should, but there are so many different housings out there, that we can't show every one of them online, or it would just be horrendously confusing for everyone. An email from you at the time of your order will sort it out, as whoever is dealing with your order, (which is not guaranteed to be me), will see it and know what to do. A message here on the forum will only be seen by me, so staff won't realise that a different housing is needed.

The number 4 on the underside of the feed, by the way, is completely irrelevant. It's a clue for me, as to it's origin, but other than that, the best theory we have here is that it's some kind of moulding mark to denote a position on the moulding rack during factory production, but it certainly has nothing to do with the nib size. The one you receive with your new nib will also have a number on it, which could be anything from 1 to 8.

 

[Hallelujahal]

Thanks Phil! I’ll get an order in asap and I really appreciate your help in this matter

 

[Phil Dart]

Thanks Phil! I’ll get an order in asap and I really appreciate your help in this matter

No problem at all Alex.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

No problem at all Alex.

Good job Phil!

 

[Hallelujahal]

Good job Phil!

Yep Phil’s the best my item received this morning!