Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Best nib customization?

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Posts
    4
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Best nib customization?

    I have a Namiki Yukari Royale with a B nib that I am going to get customized to Cursive Italic. I had planned on using Nibs.com however have read a few reviews that are less than stellar.
    Being new to nib customization I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has had nibs customized and are satisfied (or not!) with the job as well as who you’d recommend.
    TIA!

  2. #2
    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    6,617
    Thanks
    7,796
    Thanked 11,042 Times in 4,011 Posts
    Rep Power
    22

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    There are a lot of good nib people working in the US today, a bit of a golden age for getting nib work done. I could offer 3 or 4 other recommendations, but with that pen, I would strongly going with my first choice, and the guy that has been doing it for a long time: Mike Masuyama. He not only knows nibs, he really knows the Japanese nibs inside and out. Google "mike it work" and you'll easily come to his website. You will have a bit of a wait but of all the many grinds I've had, none surpass his work. If for some reason you want more options, let me know, but I give Mike the nod.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

  3. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Jon Szanto For This Useful Post:

    dneal (May 3rd, 2022), kia (May 13th, 2022), MarineO6 (May 3rd, 2022), markiv (May 4th, 2022)

  4. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Posts
    4
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Thanks Jon, will get in touch with Mike.

  5. #4
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Posts
    4
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Quote Originally Posted by Empty_of_Clouds View Post
    As a counterpoint, I found Mike Masuyama's cursive italics to run a bit on the dry side, so may need to specify a degree of wetness.
    Noted, thanks.

  6. #5
    Senior Member Jaguarish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    133
    Thanks
    33
    Thanked 132 Times in 60 Posts
    Rep Power
    5

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    I've always been happy with Dan at the Nibsmith, who accommodates my preference for juicier nibs. Recently I also bought some specialty nibs from Franklin Cristoph, which are all wonderful. Don't know if they grind supplied nibs.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Jaguarish For This Useful Post:

    MarineO6 (May 3rd, 2022)

  8. #6
    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    6,617
    Thanks
    7,796
    Thanked 11,042 Times in 4,011 Posts
    Rep Power
    22

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jaguarish View Post
    Don't know if they grind supplied nibs.
    I don't believe so, they only work on their own nibs.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

  9. #7
    Senior Member Robert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    654
    Thanks
    1,187
    Thanked 406 Times in 290 Posts
    Rep Power
    12

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    I second Jon's Masuyama recommendation. He has worked on several of my pens, and I have always been very pleased with the results. He aims to please but will let you know if you've requested a modification that might not suit a particular nib. I appreciate his candor as much as his technical wizardry.

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Robert For This Useful Post:

    Jon Szanto (May 3rd, 2022), MarineO6 (May 3rd, 2022)

  11. #8
    Senior Member dneal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Posts
    6,002
    Thanks
    2,403
    Thanked 2,281 Times in 1,306 Posts
    Rep Power
    18

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Lots of folks do great nib grinds, but Mike Masuyama is on another level.

    His cursive italics are very crisp, so if you want something a little more forgiving, let him know that.
    "A truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged."

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to dneal For This Useful Post:

    Jon Szanto (May 4th, 2022), MarineO6 (May 3rd, 2022)

  13. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    944
    Thanks
    42
    Thanked 237 Times in 184 Posts
    Rep Power
    10

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Mike also does round nose cursive italics which make them a little more forgiving but still crisp.

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to Bold2013 For This Useful Post:

    Jon Szanto (May 4th, 2022)

  15. #10
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Posts
    4
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Any experience with Matthew Chen? He is evidently a student/mentee of Mike and can turn it around about three times faster.

  16. #11
    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    6,617
    Thanks
    7,796
    Thanked 11,042 Times in 4,011 Posts
    Rep Power
    22

    Default Re: Best nib customization?

    Quote Originally Posted by MarineO6 View Post
    Any experience with Matthew Chen? He is evidently a student/mentee of Mike and can turn it around about three times faster.
    I met Matt in LA at the show. He was about two feet to Mike’s left. After Mike did three pens for me, his next client came along and, having struck up conversation w Matt I decided to have him put an italic on a Jowo nib. It was good, and I asked him to do a further adjustment, and he did that well, also. The nib performs nicely.

    So that’s one nib by a guy who has apprenticed w Mike. Nice fellow and I intend to give him some more work.

    After that long description, it’s up to you as to whether the pen is worth waiting longer for a result that may or may not be of any discernible difference for you. I can only testify to the difference in time of experience, and now have to make the call.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to Jon Szanto For This Useful Post:

    Chrissy (May 5th, 2022)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •