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View Full Version : Nib like a nail on a Rotring



FaradayCage
May 31st, 2012, 07:10 PM
Having looked at advice online that goes all over the map, what can be done to boost ink flow on this steel nibbed Rotring Lissabon? While I love this shape and the heavy metal body, the flow could be less stingy. The pen is clean, obtained as new old stock. It looks like this:

http://db.tt/vt2pxSk1
http://db.tt/wVI8cuRw

Anyone know of a pen with a similar look? This appears very archetypal to me, like the black and white illustration you might see in a dictionary under "fountain pen."

KrazyIvan
May 31st, 2012, 09:59 PM
I only have one Rotring and the nib does not look anything like that. That looks more like what came with my Schrade tactical pen. To increase flow, you can turn the nib away from you (feed side towards you) and use your thumbs to hold it by the shoulders while supporting the nib and barrel with you index fingers and push the shoulders away from you. This will open the nib slit and increase ink flow. I hope that makes sense. I am not on my computer or I would link to an example picture. Give me a few and I'll edit my post.

Here we go. The picture is one handed since I had to hold the camera but you get the idea.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/6947704084_e6a421bf13_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivan_romero/6947704084/)
Nib adjustments. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivan_romero/6947704084/) by IvanRomero (http://www.flickr.com/people/ivan_romero/), on Flickr

FaradayCage
June 1st, 2012, 01:55 AM
Okay, thanks. This makes sense after watching a video from TWSBI showing how to alter flow on the Micarta's nib. BTW this nib is certainly not standard for Rotring, but it is how they sold this model. This was noted by the seller, ipenstore.com, when it was put up for sale. All my other Rotring pens have much more modern nibs, like Lamy. The nib on the Rotring Initial is very modern.

jotterius
June 1st, 2012, 08:08 AM
http://www.nibs.com/Article6.html

Here is an article written by John Mottishaw

FaradayCage
June 1st, 2012, 10:58 AM
thanks for this

KrazyIvan
June 1st, 2012, 12:17 PM
If that nib is anything like the one I have, it is a nail and you have to use some pressure to get it to open. Just go slowly and check your work after each go at opening the tines.

FaradayCage
June 2nd, 2012, 11:37 AM
It is quite easy to remove the nib from this Lissabon. Is it possible to use a different nib? I have never swapped a nib in a pen before. I know it is simple on something like a Lamy CP1. How does one discover what other nib might fit properly? Some kind of flexible nib would be a dream on this pen.

http://db.tt/T4WQ7wfj

KrazyIvan
June 2nd, 2012, 01:44 PM
Do the nib and feed just pull out? f you have a nib the same size and curvature it should work. If the nib is a unit that screws into the section, it would have to be knocked out and refitted into the collar. It could be trickier to find something that works but still doable.

FaradayCage
June 2nd, 2012, 02:51 PM
Yes, it simply pulls out. I was only wondering if there is a way to quantify the curvature of the nib or otherwise pick the correct size without a lot of trial and error. The nib has very few markings, only "iridium point Germany."

KrazyIvan
June 2nd, 2012, 03:01 PM
Look at the feed. Is there a number on it. My Schrade is an 8. A lot of big nibbed pens have a 6. Smaller pens have a 5. I forget what it refers to but I think it is the size in millimeters as measured across the shoulders of the nib (the widest part).

Take a look here: http://www.xfountainpens.com/Accessories-s/32.htm They list the measurements of the nibs and it may be easier to find something the same size.

FaradayCage
June 2nd, 2012, 09:37 PM
Wow, that never even occurred to me. There is a number 2 on the underpart of the feed. However that cannot mean, here, millimeters since it is naturally far wider than two mm. It measures just 5 mm wide. I see some nibs at your link are recommended for 5 mm feeds. They also look very similar in shape to the existing nib.

KrazyIvan
June 2nd, 2012, 10:05 PM
Wow, 2? I don't think I have seen that before. :confused: I think 5 is the smallest I have seen. I would go by the overall dimensions of the nib. Somehow I think your number may not be standard and may even differ between manufacturers.

FaradayCage
June 2nd, 2012, 10:47 PM
Yes, definitely number two. But the feed is 5 mm wide. One of the nibs at your link looks about right.

The nib I have is 35 mm by 8 plus a fraction, so the Knox nib may fit fine. But which one? They recommend a 6 mm feed for a nib of similar size, but my feed is 5mm.

KrazyIvan
June 3rd, 2012, 04:17 PM
I would go with the recommended nib or both. :D

FaradayCage
June 3rd, 2012, 05:02 PM
Thanks for the advice. Upon more careful measurement, the feed is really closer to 6mm, so the Knox K35 - OB German Oblique Broad will be perfect. Will order one, or a Bock if I can find one, to try out. And now this website has got me thinking about how to use 3D printing to make a custom body for a completely new pen. I've been using shapeways (http://shapeways.com) to make other small things, and this could be perfect for the task.