Sailor Zoom Nib - What To Do?

September 17, 2012

Dear FPNers

Some weeks ago, I bought a Sailor demonstrator on eBay. It's lovely, well made pen. It has a zoom nib, which, sadly, I cannot get on with. I don't want to sell the pen, but the large ball of tipping looks like it might be regrindable into a medium/broad stub or cursive. Has anyone done this, did it work, was it worth doing or should I bite the bullet and just buy a new nib? I certainly wouldn't grind a nib of this quality myself, so if regrinding is an option, who in the UK have people had a good experience with? And...how much roughly can I expect to spend?

Ooh that's a lot of questions!

Thanks for your help

Best wishes

Nick

September 17, 2012

I suggest that you contact John Sorowka and talk throug your options with him. No affiliation, just a satisfied customer.

September 17, 2012

Thank you- much appreciated

September 18, 2012

According to Mike Masuyama (no affiliation except as a satisfied repeat customer), Sailor Zoom nibs have a good amount of tipping material to work with, if one is considering a re-grind.

Obviously, for me being next door to the USA, sending it to Mike makes sense.

You'll have to find re-grind options in the UK or EU.

But I'd say, go for it.

My 14K Zoom nib is heading in his direction, as soon as I have the funds for a custom nib.

These nibs are not primarily designed for Western writing.

Edited September 18, 2012 by tinta

September 18, 2012

+1 for Mike Masuyama. He's worked on two of my Sailors. I was quite pleased with the outcome--and the entire process, as a matter of fact.

September 18, 2012

i did my own regrind on the zoom nib of my sailor pro gear and it came out rather nicely, producing a broad, wet, stubby, somewhat flexy nib:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7393796664_6996f47b22_z.jpg

here's the nib, as reground:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/7392205856_b91b7a55b8_z.jpg

of course, if you're not comfortable taking risks with this, best to send it off to a pro. i just wanted to point out that there's a wet. springy nib somewhere in that zoom!

September 18, 2012

Thanks guys. I have spent this evening grinding a Jinhao 450 medium into something best described as a stubbette, but while I don't mind experimenting on a cheap pen (and for a first regrind, quite pleased, as the nib retains its juicy character but now has a little bit of variation as well and my diamine chocolate brown shades better)the Sailor deserves something a little finer. Will approach the Oxonian. Er, that sounds like a line from the matrix.