I followed along and adjusted the nib on my TWSBI Swipe bold nib and it's wonderfully wet now. Thank you so much for the great information and demonstration!
Following your instructions, and with all necessary care, I now have a VERY wet TWSBI Vac700 (EF nib). Thanks a million for this video, and for all your other videos!
True. It didn't occur to me until this video, when you mentioned warranties: I guess that fine-tuning nibs isn't unlike jailbreaking or rooting Apple or Android devices. You risk voiding the warranty when you start tweaking your devices this way, too.
That was fun to watch. I know you did a great job when you're talking about pushing the 18K nib against "something metal," then doing it, and I'm holding my breath. Even though you're saying how careful to be, or how slow to push, I couldn't help but foreshadow splayed tines in my mind... nice work.
I love your videos! I also like collecting Chinese fountain pens - some can be really nice! I'm trying to learn calligraphy this summer, have any of the Chinese pens that you've tried had a flex or even a semi-flex nib? If so, which ones? Your videos are great, keep them up! (:
Hi, It's surprising how many pens need this tweak, so many nibs are just too dry from new. I have learned to look at a new nib with 10x loupe before inking, and can make a good guess at how it will write. I have had a nib with with too much tine gap from new, but that's very unusual. Also I find how much the nib is in front of the feed is critical, I set mine up using the loupe, mm ruler and marker pen....it's not easy ! As you say, it's easy to damage nibs doing this.
Well, according to a post on FPN, he recommended burnishing the edges of the brass sheets "against a flat hard surface such as glass". I can't link to the page but if you Google that phrase above and specify the FPN website, you should be able to find it :)
Feeler gauges work fine. Just be sure to start low (0.05) and increase by this amount each time and try afterwards. Be sure to clean the gauges before use as they often have protective oil applied to them. Patience is the key to this procedure, but believe me, it’s really worthwhile when your pen suddenly starts to deliver a better and consistent quantity of ink!
Nice vid. Just curious, though...um, has anyone has actually tried to blame you when they've messed up their pens? I know you're always very careful to put up the disclaimer about how you won't accept responsibility if people mess up their pens, but seriously--how is it *your* fault if *they* are the ones who messed up their pens because they weren't careful enough or didn't listen to your instructions?
Great video. I've said before how much I love this fountain pen "how to" line of videos. Awesome. Although this should work on any nib, I would never try it on the $500 and over price range. Of course one would rarely want to change these nibs because they are already great, but you never know... I actually might try that on a Lamy. The fact that you can so easily change a Lamy nib, makes it perfect for practice. Not the cheapest, but affordable.
A terrifically useful and practical video
RS. Canada
I followed along and adjusted the nib on my TWSBI Swipe bold nib and it's wonderfully wet now. Thank you so much for the great information and demonstration!
What nib is on that pen? Lovely line variation!
Following your instructions, and with all necessary care, I now have a VERY wet TWSBI Vac700 (EF nib). Thanks a million for this video, and for all your other videos!
You are most welcome, glad the video was of service!
This was quite useful, yes, thank you.
True. It didn't occur to me until this video, when you mentioned warranties: I guess that fine-tuning nibs isn't unlike jailbreaking or rooting Apple or Android devices. You risk voiding the warranty when you start tweaking your devices this way, too.
That was fun to watch. I know you did a great job when you're talking about pushing the 18K nib against "something metal," then doing it, and I'm holding my breath. Even though you're saying how careful to be, or how slow to push, I couldn't help but foreshadow splayed tines in my mind... nice work.
Off topic question, have you ever done a video about your katana's?
I love your videos! I also like collecting Chinese fountain pens - some can be really nice! I'm trying to learn calligraphy this summer, have any of the Chinese pens that you've tried had a flex or even a semi-flex nib? If so, which ones? Your videos are great, keep them up! (:
Hi, It's surprising how many pens need this tweak, so many nibs are just too dry from new. I have learned to look at a new nib with 10x loupe before inking, and can make a good guess at how it will write. I have had a nib with with too much tine gap from new, but that's very unusual. Also I find how much the nib is in front of the feed is critical, I set mine up using the loupe, mm ruler and marker pen....it's not easy ! As you say, it's easy to damage nibs doing this.
you always say I hope that was useful. every video of yours is useful to me lol
Who would you recommend as the nibmeister in the US?
Well, according to a post on FPN, he recommended burnishing the edges of the brass sheets "against a flat hard surface such as glass". I can't link to the page but if you Google that phrase above and specify the FPN website, you should be able to find it :)
Could you use feeler gauges to do this Stephen, or has it got to be brass as its softer on the gold?
Feeler gauges work fine. Just be sure to start low (0.05) and increase by this amount each time and try afterwards. Be sure to clean the gauges before use as they often have protective oil applied to them. Patience is the key to this procedure, but believe me, it’s really worthwhile when your pen suddenly starts to deliver a better and consistent quantity of ink!
wont this make the nib scratchy?
Thanks!
Thank you!
how thin is the brass paper?
.002"
Can I do this on a Sheaffer Targa Slim?
Nice vid. Just curious, though...um, has anyone has actually tried to blame you when they've messed up their pens? I know you're always very careful to put up the disclaimer about how you won't accept responsibility if people mess up their pens, but seriously--how is it *your* fault if *they* are the ones who messed up their pens because they weren't careful enough or didn't listen to your instructions?
Great video. I've said before how much I love this fountain pen "how to" line of videos. Awesome.
Although this should work on any nib, I would never try it on the $500 and over price range. Of course one would rarely want to change these nibs because they are already great, but you never know...
I actually might try that on a Lamy. The fact that you can so easily change a Lamy nib, makes it perfect for practice. Not the cheapest, but affordable.
flossing the tins with brass..
Wait, the tynes should not make contact (my question mark key is broken)
Are you a samurai. So many Japanese sword katanas are hanging behind you.
Whoops, I was just trying to make m vintage parkers nib wetter but I snapped the end off the nib. I better be more careful next time!
😂