Osmiroid 65 Left-Hander Lettering Set

[jspatton53]

I just bought an Osmiroid 65 Lettering Set for Left-handers on eBay. Copyright date is 1974. The set comes with six assorted nibs.

This is my first lever pen. My questions are: Do I need a separate sac for each nib? There did not appear to be a sac in the barrel of the pen, but I can't really see anything in the barrel. Some flakes came out of the barrel when I pounded it (gently!) in the palm of my hand, but I don't know if that was dried ink or sac flakes.

Second question: Where exactly is this sac attached? Does the shellac go between the sac and the nib unit, or above the sac or over the sac? Some of the nib units have the sizes of the nibs on the lower part in white ink. I would think that that is where the sacs attach, but I was surprised that the size lettering was in such good shape. I can't tell if a sac was ever attached to them, except for one or two units that had ink in them when I cleaned them.

My main concern is the ease and ability of going from one nib to another.

 

I also have a more modern (relatively speaking--from the late 1970s) Osmiroid Calligraphy set with a set of nibs that take cartridges. I've used it for 30+ years and have always enjoyed it, so thought I'd give the 65 a try.

 

On another random tangent, I don't find much about Osmiroid on the internet, not in comparison to all of the Shaeffer/Pelikons/Pilot/etc posts. Is it just a junk pen? (I still like writing with it...)

 

Thanks,

John

[grainweevil]

I don't actually have a lever fill 65, but I suspect the nibs are of the screw-in unit variety - in which case they don't need individual sacs, just one on the section. Swiping a pic from the interweb, the sac would go on the bottom part on the brown area:

 

 

Hopefully that will tally with what you have in front of you and a search for sac replacement should take you from there.

 

I think I'd be fair to describe Osmiroids as lower tier pens; their nibs are generally (always?) untipped and perhaps not considered the greatest. Personally I have a soft spot for them; a good medium soft nib in a 65 is an inexpensive delight for everyday writing.

 

Good luck with getting your pen up and running, and welcome to the forum!

 

Cheers, Al

 

 

[jspatton53]

Al,

Here are 3 of the nibs. They appear different than your photo. They do screw into the pen, but I don't see how one sac would work for all of them. I think one sac would have leakage problems, unless it fits very tightly.

[Algester]

check how the entire sac connection to the feed if there is a retaining collar then it would only mean you need only 1 sac with essentially interchangable nibs

[RuiFromUK]

Al,

Here are 3 of the nibs. They appear different than your photo. They do screw into the pen, but I don't see how one sac would work for all of them. I think one sac would have leakage problems, unless it fits very tightly.

 

In order to avoid any leakage I usually empty and rinse the pen of any ink before changing the nibs. After the new nib has been screwed in I then refill the pen again.

 

Edited June 3, 2014 by RuiFromUK

[grainweevil]

Al,

Here are 3 of the nibs. They appear different than your photo. They do screw into the pen, but I don't see how one sac would work for all of them. I think one sac would have leakage problems, unless it fits very tightly.

 

It does work, honest. Many pens have been made around the same principle; Esterbrook J series is a well-documented example. In fact, take a look at this thread; apply the obvious differences such as your 65 likely has a screw-on section/barrel, and possibly requires a different sac size, but the same basic principles apply. But if you're still not convinced, maybe take a picture of the pen disassembled and then at least we can all see what's what.

 

Cheers, Al

[jspatton53]

Thanks to all for the advice. The tutorial thread was especially interesting. I'm going to order the supplies and try it myself, will post how it goes.

[pajaro]

I have used Osmiroid nibs like those in Esterbrook pens. They work quite well.

[jspatton53]

This might be the wrap up for the 65.

The references to the 'section' was confusing. I couldn't believe there was another part to this pen. I thought it was part of the barrel. And the idea of using a hairdryer on a pen sounded even stranger. (How did they deal with this heating before "big hair"???). But I gave it a try and after two heatings, the section came out as easy as could be. And a nice spongy sac was attached. It was semi-opaque, sort of a clear yellow color.

So it's filled and I've been writing with it fine. No leaks at the section, at the nib, anywhere.

 

To all of you that gave advice and comments, thank you very much.

John

[grainweevil]

Excellent news; happy writing!

 

Cheers, Al

[Mike 59]

Hi, There was another style also, using International cartridges. The set I have was also left-handed, but I'm not, so I took the' leftness' out of the medium nib, and generally smoothed it out.

They write well, and can give good results, but I find they do need to be flushed out with water after each use - not a problem, but the nibs do dry out after a day or so of non-use.

Edited June 4, 2014 by Mike 59

[Hooker56]

I have used Osmiroid nibs like those in Esterbrook pens. They work quite well.

 

+1 Bruce (OcalaFlaGuy) and Paul (Pajaro) both turned me on to the Esterbrooks with Osmiroid nibs. The wide ones are great for calligraphy. I made some party invitations recently that turned out very well- especially for a lefty.

 

I also read somewhere that Osmiroid nibs of this vintage will also fit Pelikan 200/400 series, but don't quite have the stones to try it on one of my better pens and risk mucking it up!

[Gloucesterman]

 

+1 Bruce (OcalaFlaGuy) and Paul (Pajaro) both turned me on to the Esterbrooks with Osmiroid nibs. The wide ones are great for calligraphy. I made some party invitations recently that turned out very well- especially for a lefty.

 

I also read somewhere that Osmiroid nibs of this vintage will also fit Pelikan 200/400 series, but don't quite have the stones to try it on one of my better pens and risk mucking it up!

 

Regarding the M200 Pelikan... I just attempted to screw an Osmiroid nib into a Pelikan 200 that I have and it did not fit. I may attempt to use it w/ an esterbrook later in the day. Don't have time at present

[Hooker56]

 

Regarding the M200 Pelikan... I just attempted to screw an Osmiroid nib into a Pelikan 200 that I have and it did not fit. I may attempt to use it w/ an esterbrook later in the day. Don't have time at present

 

BRG- I appreciate you putting this to the test. I found that answer somewhere in these threads- I was skeptical. (Actually I was more afraid of it fitting badly and ink pouring out or crossthreading.