inky_artist
January 9th, 2013, 04:29 PM
Background -- I use fountain pens in my artwork and field sketching. I prefer using Platinum Carbon Black ink (waterproof) when I'm working with watercolor too. I prefer vintage flex nibs for their amazing line variety. I really like the idea of pairing a modern, easy-to-clean demo pen body with my "high maintenance" pigmented ink and a vintage flex nib.
1587
After reading about successful (and relatively easy) nib hacks that others have done with the 530/540, I thought that doing the same with the more compact Mini would be just the thing for my particular needs. Then I watched Brian Goulet's October hands-on review of the Mini, in which he said that the nib/feed seemed much tighter in the collar than those in the 540. In fact, Brian stopped short of actually pulling the nib/feed out of the collar assembly for fear he might damage the parts.
Well, that got me thinking; could TWSBI have changed the assembly design? Was the nib/feed/collar now an integral unit (like Pelikan units) and no longer intended to be owner manipulated?
I already had my Mini clear demo in hand, and was shopping around for some vintage nibs that might provide a good match. But I decided to dash off a quick email to Philip Wang at TWSBI USA and get his professional take on this issue. This is what he had to say:
"The mini feeder holder is made much tighter since the feeder and nib
itself is much shorter, therefore needing the tighter fit so writing
will feel solid. I don't think without tools, you can pull the feeder
and nib out of the feeder holder without damaging the unit. I would
hold back from trying. I've personally try pulling a few out with my
hands, all came out damaged. The 540 is definitely possible, same as
the vac700 or micarta. But not the Mini."
So, if you're thinking about switching out your Mini nib for something a bit more exotic, but (like me) are more familiar with using pens than modifying them, you might want to seek the advise and assistance of a nibmeister or repair professional.
Cheers! :thumb:
1587
After reading about successful (and relatively easy) nib hacks that others have done with the 530/540, I thought that doing the same with the more compact Mini would be just the thing for my particular needs. Then I watched Brian Goulet's October hands-on review of the Mini, in which he said that the nib/feed seemed much tighter in the collar than those in the 540. In fact, Brian stopped short of actually pulling the nib/feed out of the collar assembly for fear he might damage the parts.
Well, that got me thinking; could TWSBI have changed the assembly design? Was the nib/feed/collar now an integral unit (like Pelikan units) and no longer intended to be owner manipulated?
I already had my Mini clear demo in hand, and was shopping around for some vintage nibs that might provide a good match. But I decided to dash off a quick email to Philip Wang at TWSBI USA and get his professional take on this issue. This is what he had to say:
"The mini feeder holder is made much tighter since the feeder and nib
itself is much shorter, therefore needing the tighter fit so writing
will feel solid. I don't think without tools, you can pull the feeder
and nib out of the feeder holder without damaging the unit. I would
hold back from trying. I've personally try pulling a few out with my
hands, all came out damaged. The 540 is definitely possible, same as
the vac700 or micarta. But not the Mini."
So, if you're thinking about switching out your Mini nib for something a bit more exotic, but (like me) are more familiar with using pens than modifying them, you might want to seek the advise and assistance of a nibmeister or repair professional.
Cheers! :thumb: