Jowo Vs Bock Vs Schmidt Nibs - Is There Really An Important Difference?

[Kilrymont]

I can add another several pence' worth to this topic.

 

I can't find a replacement for the suppier - was it "Springhills"? for Jowo nibs - their site seems to be dead. Could be only a site problem I guess - but that's been more than a day or two I've been trying it. And so far haven't found a UK alternative supplier.

My needs are minor compared to those of you who may be pen making. I have a small fistful of cheap Chinese pens - Hero/Jinhao (no surprise there, what?) and find their nibs to be occasionally buttery-smooth - but also sometimes with misaligned buds and roughness that I can't easily persuade to recede. I've got some 12000 m'mesh in the post, BTW - only now need to find some skill and experience to use the stuff.

So - I've used Bock replacements in both #5 and #6 sizes. Low end examples only, no Titanium or Gold here; this is bread and butter stuff.

Since I'm left handed and not sufficiently ambidextrous to write with the right hand, I wanted to source nibs that were good enough to be pleasant in everyday scribbling, since if it's not pleasurable I'll end up stopping writing. But - with one exception, the Bock nibs I've bought so far have taken some time and effort to get them to approach smoothness. But I'm not too interested in nibmeistering! - nibs that write nicely without input from me are what I'm after here...

The worst Bock to date was a #5 medium, which insisted in doing what felt like cutting the paper surface in one direction. To be fair to the supplier I haven't complained about this - could be he'd immediately send a replacement? Anyway - I'd rather like to find a couple of samples of Jowo nibs to try in my cheap pens. I also have a very old Onoto with a strangely ground chisel-tip to its gold nib, if it's a standard #5 size as the number on it might suggest I might treat it to a decent gold replacement. I have it as a user - it belonged to my father for a great many years.

Apologies for the rambling post; always been a failing of mine - too old to change now!

 

Any updates on sourcing Jowo stuff - yes yes??

Regards from

Kilrymont

[jar]

I also have a very old Onoto with a strangely ground chisel-tip to its gold nib, if it's a standard #5 size as the number on it might suggest I might treat it to a decent gold replacement. I have it as a user - it belonged to my father for a great many years.

 

Apologies for the rambling post; always been a failing of mine - too old to change now!

 

Any updates on sourcing Jowo stuff - yes yes??

 

Regards from

Kilrymont

 

There was no such thing as standard size nibs until very recently and the number on a nib in the past was maker specific. Generally the larger the nib the larger the number but even that was not universal.

[lurcho]

I can add another several pence' worth to this topic.

 

I can't find a replacement for the suppier - was it "Springhills"? for Jowo nibs - their site seems to be dead. Could be only a site problem I guess - but that's been more than a day or two I've been trying it. And so far haven't found a UK alternative supplier.

 

My needs are minor compared to those of you who may be pen making. I have a small fistful of cheap Chinese pens - Hero/Jinhao (no surprise there, what?) and find their nibs to be occasionally buttery-smooth - but also sometimes with misaligned buds and roughness that I can't easily persuade to recede. I've got some 12000 m'mesh in the post, BTW - only now need to find some skill and experience to use the stuff.

 

So - I've used Bock replacements in both #5 and #6 sizes. Low end examples only, no Titanium or Gold here; this is bread and butter stuff.

 

Since I'm left handed and not sufficiently ambidextrous to write with the right hand, I wanted to source nibs that were good enough to be pleasant in everyday scribbling, since if it's not pleasurable I'll end up stopping writing. But - with one exception, the Bock nibs I've bought so far have taken some time and effort to get them to approach smoothness. But I'm not too interested in nibmeistering! - nibs that write nicely without input from me are what I'm after here...

 

The worst Bock to date was a #5 medium, which insisted in doing what felt like cutting the paper surface in one direction. To be fair to the supplier I haven't complained about this - could be he'd immediately send a replacement? Anyway - I'd rather like to find a couple of samples of Jowo nibs to try in my cheap pens. I also have a very old Onoto with a strangely ground chisel-tip to its gold nib, if it's a standard #5 size as the number on it might suggest I might treat it to a decent gold replacement. I have it as a user - it belonged to my father for a great many years.

 

Apologies for the rambling post; always been a failing of mine - too old to change now!

 

Any updates on sourcing Jowo stuff - yes yes??

 

Regards from

Kilrymont

 

Hello there. You're in luck.

 

There's an excellent Spanish supplier of JoWo called FPNibs.com.

 

I've just checked their prices, and currently:

 

#6 JoWo = £9

#5 JoWo = £6.25

Postage = £5

 

These are approximate, converted from euros and with VAT added. I usually buy three nibs in an order, and I think that £5 or six euros covers the weight of several nibs. Anyway, it's the minimum postage.

 

John Sorowka (Oxonian) also sells them from Oxford. Last time I checked, the prices were not far apart.

 

Hope that helps.

 

PS: These JoWos are great in Jinhao bodies. That's what I use them for. They're even better in Ahabs.

Edited December 4, 2016 by lurcho

[Phil_Dart]

I can add another several pence' worth to this topic.

 

I can't find a replacement for the suppier - was it "Springhills"? for Jowo nibs - their site seems to be dead. Could be only a site problem I guess - but that's been more than a day or two I've been trying it. And so far haven't found a UK alternative supplier.

 

My needs are minor compared to those of you who may be pen making. I have a small fistful of cheap Chinese pens - Hero/Jinhao (no surprise there, what?) and find their nibs to be occasionally buttery-smooth - but also sometimes with misaligned buds and roughness that I can't easily persuade to recede. I've got some 12000 m'mesh in the post, BTW - only now need to find some skill and experience to use the stuff.

 

So - I've used Bock replacements in both #5 and #6 sizes. Low end examples only, no Titanium or Gold here; this is bread and butter stuff.

 

Since I'm left handed and not sufficiently ambidextrous to write with the right hand, I wanted to source nibs that were good enough to be pleasant in everyday scribbling, since if it's not pleasurable I'll end up stopping writing. But - with one exception, the Bock nibs I've bought so far have taken some time and effort to get them to approach smoothness. But I'm not too interested in nibmeistering! - nibs that write nicely without input from me are what I'm after here...

 

The worst Bock to date was a #5 medium, which insisted in doing what felt like cutting the paper surface in one direction. To be fair to the supplier I haven't complained about this - could be he'd immediately send a replacement? Anyway - I'd rather like to find a couple of samples of Jowo nibs to try in my cheap pens. I also have a very old Onoto with a strangely ground chisel-tip to its gold nib, if it's a standard #5 size as the number on it might suggest I might treat it to a decent gold replacement. I have it as a user - it belonged to my father for a great many years.

 

Apologies for the rambling post; always been a failing of mine - too old to change now!

 

Any updates on sourcing Jowo stuff - yes yes??

 

Regards from

Kilrymont

Please bear in mind that if you are removing a nib from a housing to use in a different one, it is very easy to mis-align the tines. I have no idea from your name on FPN if you purchased your troublesome nib from me although I suspect you may have done. If so, please DO get in touch. I am very happy to work with you to correct the situation. I prefer happy customers to unhappy ones.

[fly_us]

I can add another several pence' worth to this topic.

 

I can't find a replacement for the suppier - was it "Springhills"? for Jowo nibs - their site seems to be dead. Could be only a site problem I guess - but that's been more than a day or two I've been trying it. And so far haven't found a UK alternative supplier.

 

My needs are minor compared to those of you who may be pen making. I have a small fistful of cheap Chinese pens - Hero/Jinhao (no surprise there, what?) and find their nibs to be occasionally buttery-smooth - but also sometimes with misaligned buds and roughness that I can't easily persuade to recede. I've got some 12000 m'mesh in the post, BTW - only now need to find some skill and experience to use the stuff.

 

So - I've used Bock replacements in both #5 and #6 sizes. Low end examples only, no Titanium or Gold here; this is bread and butter stuff.

 

Since I'm left handed and not sufficiently ambidextrous to write with the right hand, I wanted to source nibs that were good enough to be pleasant in everyday scribbling, since if it's not pleasurable I'll end up stopping writing. But - with one exception, the Bock nibs I've bought so far have taken some time and effort to get them to approach smoothness. But I'm not too interested in nibmeistering! - nibs that write nicely without input from me are what I'm after here...

 

The worst Bock to date was a #5 medium, which insisted in doing what felt like cutting the paper surface in one direction. To be fair to the supplier I haven't complained about this - could be he'd immediately send a replacement? Anyway - I'd rather like to find a couple of samples of Jowo nibs to try in my cheap pens. I also have a very old Onoto with a strangely ground chisel-tip to its gold nib, if it's a standard #5 size as the number on it might suggest I might treat it to a decent gold replacement. I have it as a user - it belonged to my father for a great many years.

 

Apologies for the rambling post; always been a failing of mine - too old to change now!

 

Any updates on sourcing Jowo stuff - yes yes??

 

Regards from

Kilrymont

 

I'm not sure how you house the nibs into new body without some so call "nibmeistering" stuff. When setup nibs, more or less you will need to re-check the feed and nib, realign any mis-aligned tines or sometimes do some quick work with sandpapers. It is almost impossible to just put a nib in a new house and expect it works without any issue.

Edited December 30, 2016 by fly_us

[Frank66]

Yes! Each has a different feel. Personally, I like Bock the most. They're springy and provide a tactile feel without being scratchy. The JoWo nibs I've used were smooth, but stiff and even numb. FWIW, Kaweco sources their nibs from Bock, and I think they're some of the best available.

 

Some people say yes, some people say no, it all depends on how sensitive you are and how much you care.

 

I found Bock nibs to be slightly springier. Other than that, they were all about equally as smooth.

 

I mostly agree with the earlier posts above by tomgartin, WirsPlm and discopig that depending on how sensitive you are, there is an imperceptible difference, which to some people is quite distinct, that the Bock nibs are more springy than the Jowo.

 

Alternatively it could be said that the Jowo seem more stiff compared to the Bock nibs.

 

Other than that, both nib brands are equally smooth and of good quality IMHO. Both nibs can write with very light touch, but you can press the Bock nib and exert more line variation than the Jowo.

 

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/ah12/phzervas/719AEE42-85CB-40BD-AD3B-129E3DE37FBC_zps3palfsmc.jpg

 

Fig 1. Comparison, under magnification, of writing samples with Bock EF (on the left) Vs Jowo EF (on the right) steel nibs. Bock nib can exert some considerable line variation. Ink is Montblanc blue-black, paper is no name. Bock feels less stiff or nail-like compared to Jowo steel nibs.

Edited December 29, 2016 by Frank66

[matteob]

I was thinking of putting a Bock or Jowo in a Jinhao but all the European sellers like Beaufort and FPnibs only sell them as a unit unlike Goulet who just sell the Jowo own branded nibs. I am not an expert so worried about misaligning the tines. Beaufort also offer left handed nibs in a much more limited range though I had no idea such nibs existed and unlike what Beaufort suggest, have never "not got on" with a conventional nib as a leftie.

 

I would be interested to try a Bock though. Jowos seem to have a higher end image to Schmidts but the nib on my TSWBI Eco which I gather is Jowo does not feel as smooth or flexible on the paper as a Schmidt nib, good though it is.

[JanKafka]

I would say that there is, indeed, a difference--a huge difference.

 

Tuning nibs, I've run across many nibs, some proprietary to the brand, some sourced from JoWo, Bock, Schmidt. As far as the sourced, non proprietary nibs go, JoWo is definitely the best. There is the occasional JoWo that has to be beat into submission, but it is quite rare. On the other hand, Bock and Schmidt nibs, more often than not, have to be worked with much more intensely and longer before producing a satisfactory result.

 

When I do a "pen hack" I always use the JoWo. It says something--to me, anyway--that Edison uses them, Richard Binder chose them for his "Gate City Pens," Bexley uses them, and many others. Of course, your mileage, and preferences, may vary.

 

Blessings,

 

Tim

I have had nothing but problems with Bock and Bock-sourced nibs. Pens from Karas Kustoms, Visconti, and Kaweco all have experienced ink flow issues, in that the ink simply stops flowing after a few lines of writing. Constant priming of the feed is not an acceptable solution.

 

Gourmet Pens suggested that use of a converter might be the problem. Using cartridges somewhat alleviated if not fully solved my problems.

 

I avoid Bock nibs like the plague.