Custom No Nonsense Old Timer

[Ray-VIgo]

I like the No Nonsense Old Timer for its vintage look and use of relatively durable, modern plastic. The stock nib is decent, but I wanted an original 1920s-style Lifetime nib in the pen. After playing around, I got a 1920s Lifetime nib from a desk pen to work. For those interested in modifying the Old Timer to use a vintage nib, you may have luck with a nib from a broken-down 1920s desk pen, like this. I found later nibs from Balances, Touchdowns, etc. to be too thin/small.

[Barry B. Gabay]

Very nice, Ray-VIgo! Thank you for posting. I've never thought of using an older Sheaffer nib in a NN or Vintage model. Great idea. Did you use the Vintage feed or an older one? Have you seen the Vintage models Ron Zorn has modified to resemble Connaisseurs? They are very cool. You would enjoy those. Have a great weekend. Best wishes, Barry

[FredRydr]

Ray-Vigo,

I agree, nice job! I'm not familiar with the Old-Timer model, so I searched online images for a better look:

https://www.grafopasion.com/uploaded_images/57833.jpg


...Have you seen the Vintage models Ron Zorn has modified to resemble Connaisseurs?

Barry, what modifications did Ron make to these pens (if you know)?

Fred

P.S. Ray, I've been meaning to mention that I really like your Raleighs. I refurbished a few of them in the '60s-'70s, and I still move my ol' Brooks B72 from new bike to newer bike.

[Barry B. Gabay]

Hi Fred,

Ron adds a dome to cap & barrel ends, so the pens look just like Connaissuers. He has also made a stunning orange one too from the very early NN Guys & Dolls series. Below is a link to a seemingly comprehensive Connaisseur reference chart which actually includes Vintage models with the domes like Connaisseurs. I have never seen those advertised or in Sheaffer literature.
Perhaps just for UK.

Thanks for the photo.

Not at Atlanta show?
Enjoy your weekend.
Best wishes,
Barry


http://www.sheaffertarga.com/Connaisseur/connaisseur%20reference%20list.html

[Ray-VIgo]

Very nice, Ray-VIgo! Thank you for posting. I've never thought of using an older Sheaffer nib in a NN or Vintage model. Great idea. Did you use the Vintage feed or an older one? Have you seen the Vintage models Ron Zorn has modified to resemble Connaisseurs? They are very cool. You would enjoy those. Have a great weekend. Best wishes, Barry

It ended up being a straight nib swap. I used a regular No Nonsense feed and section. I can still use cartridges or the squeeze converter. Ron knows these pens pretty well and he rightly pointed out that the steel No Nonsense nibs are pretty thick in terms of metal thickness compared to a 14k nib. To make up for the 14k nib being thinner, a larger nib was needed. It just barely fits into the inner cap - I don't think I could go any bigger and still keep a proper fit on the cap side of things. But it did work out and it really goes well with the 1910s-20s vibe of the Old Timer.