I'm Curious, How Many Of Us Have Kaigelu 316's?

[alc3261]

It's a #6 nib.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

All my #6 nibs are a lot bigger than my Kaigelu 316 nibs?

[Flounder]

Very interesting experiment with the moulding, Richard!

[richardandtracy]

All my #6 nibs are a lot bigger than my Kaigelu 316 nibs?

The K316 nib is a bit on the small side, but there is room in the cap for the bigger nib. On my Charcoal one, the point of my replacement nib is level with the top of the clip, and inside the recess machined in the cap finial. It works so well it looks like it's designed that way (probably by Parker...).

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[alc3261]

The K316 nib is a bit on the small side, but there is room in the cap for the bigger nib. On my Charcoal one, the point of my replacement nib is level with the top of the clip, and inside the recess machined in the cap finial. It works so well it looks like it's designed that way (probably by Parker...).

 

Regards,

 

Richard

So.....#6 fits then?!!

[richardandtracy]

Yep. I got it wrong in my review of my first Amber/Grey (got the second today and I'm HAPPY). I've had a JoWo broad #6 in my Charcoal one for about a year now. It's one of two reasons why that pen has been an edc pen for the last year. The other is the finial I made for it...

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[Biff]

I have two: I first bought a white swirl, and I liked it so much, for the price, that I had to have a charcoal one as well. I've only inked the white swirl so far as I have so many pens now. The amber version didn't appeal to me as much so I didn't get one of those.

[5370H55V]

I pulled out the #6 knox nib from my jinhao x450 to put into the 316. The new nib protrudes a bit more from the body but still fits into the cap. What's even more interesting is that the feeds for the jinhao and kaigelu seem to be identical. In fact, I couldnt tell them apart after setting them down next to each other while swapping nibs, which was what led to my discovery. Right now my 316 is inked, but if theres interest I could take it apart to take some comparison photos of the feeds.

[richardandtracy]

I got about 20 feeds for making pens from a UK pen kit supplier, and the feeds are identical to the K316 feed and the feeds in many kit pens (Chairman's/ Large Gentleman's, Empress & a few other kits) too. They are also identical to the JoWo #6 nib unit feeds. The more recent JoWo #12 nib unit has a different feed shape that more accurately matches the underside of the nib at the shoulders. I haven't tried the JoWo #12 nib or feed in the K316 yet.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[jeffkoch]

My Charcoal one is now on he way from China. £14.95 including shipping, how do they do it.

 

They reduce overhead by outsourcing the design work.

[richardandtracy]

The K316 is significantly re-engineered, so I doubt if they saved a great deal on design. The R&D may have been where they saved a mint.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[richardandtracy]

More on finials:

I have made a new mould where the mould did separate properly:

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/Sdc13109a_zps4f7424c4.jpg

Now showing the other half of the mould and the 5 finials used to create the mould:

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/Sdc13110a_zps4a1af1e7.jpg

The mould being filled:

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/Sdc13112a_zps802a3223.jpg

And an hour later the result:

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/Sdc13115a_zpsade9beec.jpg

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/Sdc13116a_zps9cc18ec3.jpg

http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/xx356/richardandtracy/penmaking/Sdc13117a_zpsb39ab4ff.jpg

The colour is much better with the dye I used, however there are a few problems. The top of the finial is not as concentric with the spigot as I want - due to mould flex I think, and there are some blisters in the ends of the finials which are worrying. When the blisters break, they weep coloured resin. It is possible little clumps of dye are retarding the resin cure by a great deal. Will have to sort this problem out.

 

Otherwise I am quite pleased, but need to think further about the lack of concentricity. It's only 0.1-0.2mm, but it's enough to show and the finials would not be perfect.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[RuiFromUK]

Last week I ordered my first Kaigelu 316. I just could not resist not buying this beauty.

[I.M.]

My white and black 316 arrived yesterday, and so far I'm pretty happy with it. It's lifted the disappointment I felt upon receiving my first Chinese pen last week, the Duke 929, which has an unpleasant nib (writing with it feels like I'm a sloth trying to drag a felt-tip pen across the page). The nib on the 316 is a dream compared to the Duke. If this pen stands the test of time I'll be a happy camper, with no regrets on this one.

Edited April 29, 2014 by I.M.

[I.M.]

I just wanted to swap out the converter and use an extra long standard international cartridge instead, only to discover the cartridge doesn't fit securely over the nipple of the feed. I've now tried all the cartridges I have, including Parker cartridges (which are too wide to even fit into the base of the grip section), none of them fit. Does anyone else have this problem?

[I.M.]

I just wanted to swap out the converter and use an extra long standard international cartridge instead, only to discover the cartridge doesn't fit securely over the nipple of the feed. I've now tried all the cartridges I have, including Parker cartridges (which are too wide to even fit into the base of the grip section), none of them fit. Does anybody else have this problem?

 

Ack! I wanted to edit, and instead end up quoting myself, grrr. I think I really should have my first cup of coffee of the day instead of staring at my laptop.

Edited May 6, 2014 by I.M.

[Flounder]

Wow, the cartridge nipples must be very variable then. On one of mine, the nipple was too tight.

[Benpiggy]

I swabbed the 316 nib with a #6 nib (a JoWo), unfortunately the #6 is quite large and would not fit

Edited May 25, 2014 by Benpiggy

[richardandtracy]

It certainly fitted on my 316, so I am surprised.

It fitted with a bit of force, but did & does work.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[Flounder]

Going by IM's post above, and Benpiggy's post below, and my own experience, I think the issue is that the section sleeve (which also incorporates the cart nipple) is being made to poor tolerances. The cavity for the nib & feed on Benpiggy's is probably narrower than Richard's. You can always open it up slightly with a roll of sandpaper. I did that just to make the stock nib & feed fit without crushing the feed fins.

 

edit - this was on my second 316. The first didn't have squished fins. There's always an element of pot luck with Chinese pens.

Edited May 25, 2014 by Flounder

[alc3261]

I think you're right, I can't get a standard #6 nib in mine.