Noticing a Blackbird with a nice flexible nib for sale in the For Sale section prompted the following musings which might be of interest:
Blackbirds, it is true very often have nice flexible nibs, though not exclusively so; I have had about ten of them - some of them are still here! I sold two today on ebay and their nibs were quite different: one, a 5245, had a nice semi-flex stub nib; the other, a BB2-6 (clipless) had a flexible nib like the one for sale. I sold recently, a BB2-60 (very like that one) which also had a nice flexible nib. I sold a blue one (5275) that had rather an ordinary nib.
On the other hand I have a brown (with age) Blackbird (Lady Blackbird) that has a semi-flex fine-ish nib, and another BB2-60 with a smooth medium firm nib that will go on sale tomorrow.
Lastly there is a curious one. The nib is the size of a Swan 2 with heart-shaped breather and on the body is stamped Blackbird No 3 with "Fine" stamped on the end of the barrel. The nib is interesting: it is fine and feels fine but pushed a little there's plenty of flex. I have never seen another one of these; it many respects it resembles a Swan Minor with black filler lever and the early chrome clip with the flat section that normally reads Swan on the Swan Minors, early SM and L200-60 etc., but this is plain but with the familiar Blackbird stamped below the curve. Tragically the cap had been damaged and has had to be cut back a little, so I suppose it's a "Keeper" - not great tragedy though!
Here a couple of snaps with a BB2-60 for comparison.
No3 and BB2_60 s.jpgNo3 s.jpg
So in summary when buying a Blackbird try to insist on a writing sample; they do vary a great deal.
Best wishes
Cob
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