Butterfly nibs

[kissing]

This is a bit of a continuation of my Manuscript Fountain Pen question...

 

After browsing through the Manuscript Fountain Pen website - Manuscript Cartridge Pens, I have found that this company makes two kinds of 'normal writing' (ie: non-calligraphy) nibs. The tipped nib ('iridium') and the Butterfly nib.

 

Could someone tell me the pro's and cons of both? On the previous thread, people have told me that Butterfly nibs will wear out rapidly since they have no real tipping (this saddens me ). However is there an advantage to Butterfly nibs? They do feel good to write with - better than most famous brand fountain pens at the same price. However, i do not have an iridium tipped nib of the same company (Manuscript) to compare it with.

 

If you're wondering what a "Butterfly nib" is - i think it's just a fancy name for a nib that has the tip folded into a point, rather than a round tipping with a stronger material. I have been unable to obtain deeper info on Butterfly nibs through the internet - Even Richard's site didnt have it

 

Thanks.

[wimg]

Hi kissing,

 

I've always understood a butterfly nib to be a nib with the shoulders partly folded back over the feed, regardless of tipping or not. Older MontBlanc nibs show this feature, but essentially it is the same principle that Lamy uses in their nibs, although in a modernized style, as the shoulders are bent down at a straight angle rather than curved back.

 

This shape makes a nib more rigid, which means you can make the material used thinner to give it the same strength, or you can use it to make a very stiff nib, a nail, as does, f.e., ST Dupont. For most people it is easier to write with a stiff nib than with a flexible or springy one, especially when learning to write.

 

However, I don't really know how this relates to calligraphy nibs, and the pictures on the site you link to are not very clear.

 

HTH, warm regards, Wim

[kissing]

Thank you wimg - This has nothing to do with Calligraphy. It's just that the Manuscript Pen company are well known for their calligraphy pens. THey just happen to have butterfly nibs for sale as well.

 

THank you for the clarification of tipping. The tines on my pen are bent inwards to make a tip-shape. I was just worried that butterfly nibs automatically meant no tipping (thus wear out quickly). However, butterfly nibs are great to write with. Feels better than most ball-nibs at the same price

Edited September 3, 2006 by kissing

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

If done right, the standard tipped nibs will be smoother than the butterfly points. Steel does not hold a polish or edge like a platinum alloy does.

 

Dillon

[*david*]

I think Wim has his terminology correct, and the pens on the website were listed by someone who doesn't know the difference. There is nothing "butterfly" about a folded tip. (Except that butterflies are around for a short time and then they die.)

[Dillo]

  *david* said:

I think Wim has his terminology correct, and the pens on the website were listed by someone who doesn't know the difference. There is nothing "butterfly" about a folded tip. (Except that butterflies are around for a short time and then they die.)

Hi,

 

If you unfold the point, it looks like a butterfly.

 

Just wrong terminology though. Call it a folded point!

 

Dillon

[kissing]

  *david* said:

I think Wim has his terminology correct, and the pens on the website were listed by someone who doesn't know the difference. There is nothing "butterfly" about a folded tip. (Except that butterflies are around for a short time and then they die.)

Darn misleading label on the website :bonk: :bonk: Confused the heck outta me !! LOL

 

Thanks everyone for clearing it up for me

 

It's so sad how these nibs will die much quicker than properly tipped nibs

 

Dillo - You are right when you say ball nibs are smoother, but i wasnt referring to smoothness when I said they write nicely. For my writing style, these folded nibs make neat angles and have just the right amount of resistant to be comfortable.

 

I'll contact them and see if I can buy their "iridium tip" nib section separately to replace the folded nib once it 'dies'. I love butterflies

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I can make your tipped nib like that if you send both the folded nib and the tipped nib in.

 

Dillon