My First Ever Nib Grind Is a Success!

[RayCornett]

A few weeks ago I received a Carmine Red striated Sheaffer Balance which, just hours after inking it up and attempting to make it wetter, I ended up snapping the tipping off of one tine. Amazing how such a tiny snapping sound can bring such horror to one's face and such a deep sinking to one's heart.

A friend sent me a replacement, a 2 tone #5 Feather Touch which I fell in love with immediately upon first use.

Since then I had been debating what to do with the broken nib. Practice grinding:butcher:, or make it into or part of a piece of jewelry. Last night I decided to practice a grind. I nipped the ends so they would give me an even set of tips to begin with and upon looking at the nipping job under a loupe I decided that it should be a stub nib. So, I patiently and slowly went at it checking my work frequently and much to my surprise I ended up with a decent stub nib. My first. I may do a little more polishing but it does quite well as it is.

So, my mistake turned into a positive and I have my first stub nib which I ground myself. Have to say it is a rather proud moment and a nib I will never get rid of now.

[Nomdeplume]

Good job!

[RayCornett]

Thanks!
I would show a writing sample but my arthritis has been kicking in the last day or, too. But I am pleased and a little proud of myself,lol.

[scrivelry]

Thanks!
I would show a writing sample but my arthritis has been kicking in the last day or, too. But I am pleased and a little proud of myself,lol.

You should be. And now you have whole new thing to enjoy about fountain pens.

[migo984]

Another pen guru in the making........ ? :thumb:

[I like mango pudding]

yup, that's how I learnt how to home-grind my nibs too. I've done about 4 or 5 nibs already.

[VertOlive]

Wow! Kudos! A Master Nib Tinkerer in the making--we can say "We knew you when..."

[RayCornett]

I gave the tip a better polishing a bit ago with some .5 micron lapping film (although most recommend .3 but I did not have any) and wow. Even in basis notepad paper it's a big improvement.

[Chi Town]

Is there a chance we could get a pic of your new nib?

[Woody]

Good on ya. And many more will follow.

[RayCornett]

Is there a chance we could get a pic of your new nib?

I can try but its nothing special really. The only thing different is the tip. Otherwise to the naked it it looks just like the original nib without the tipping.

[RayCornett]

I measured it earlier because I liked how broad it was. 1.4mm and I might take it down a little bit more to make it a 1.5 and stop there.

[RayCornett]

I forgot I did snap a couple shots of the nib that night. Just right my cell phone and an external macro lens. But in one you can see it angled like a chisel. That was right after snipping the ends so they were even. The next two show the profile of the tipping once I was done, and an above view. I forgot to rotate them before uploading :)


122891229012291