If You Had To Choose A Nib...

[Hans-Gabriel]

Hello to all of you!

 

I am designing a fountain pen and I am hesitating between three nib brands: Jowo, Schmidt and Bock. The nibs would be made of steel.

 

Not only am I hesitating between the 3 brands, but I am also confused on all the sizes and models available. Do the physical dimensions affect the writing qualities?

 

Between these, which one would you choose and for what reason (apart the physical dimensions)?

 

Jowo #5 or #6

 

Schmidt FH41, FH241 FH452

 

Bock #060, #076 or #180

 

What is your experience with these nibs?

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.

 

 

 

[dneal]

Schmidt doesn't make nibs. They buy them and assemble nib units.

 

Bock and JoWo are what you're looking at. They fit a #5 (5mm) or #6 (6mm) feed. The other differences in the Bock models are in shape, mainly the width at the shoulders.

 

Not sure what "writing qualities" you have in mind...

Edited March 16, 2015 by dneal

[Hans-Gabriel]

Schmidt doesn't make nibs. They buy them and assemble nib units.

 

Bock and JoWo are what you're looking at. They fit a #5 (5mm) or #6 (6mm) feed. The other differences in the Bock models are in shape, mainly the width at the shoulders.

 

Not sure what "writing qualities" you have in mind...

 

dneal,

My question wasn't clear.

I would like to have your feeling and experience precisely of the following for the models I mentionned:

· Feedback

· Flow

· Skipping

· Starting

· Flex/Spring/Softness

· Off the shelf nib grind/Scratchiness

 

In other words, do the Jowo #5 or #6, Schmidt FH41, FH241, FH452 , Bock #060, #076 or #180 nibs have the same characteristics ?

What is your experience and preference between these nibs ?

Even though Schmidt only assembles the nib units, I'm sure they have their own characteristics.

 

Thank you for sharing !

[dneal]

"Feedback" is a bit nebulous, but every quality you mentioned can be easily adjusted - except "Flex/Spring/Softness". That's part of the metallurgy and dimensions, although there are methods (involving grinding) to add or increase that set of qualities. It's hard to say "a #6 JoWo is nice and springy" or "longer tines will have more spring". Any generalization will have plenty of exceptions.

 

Off the shelf, any nib is hit or miss since they're finished by hand, and there are user preferences to consider. I find Bock and JoWo to be comparable (Ford/Chevy).

[watch_art]

Every nib has the potential to be great or terrible. I like Jowo b/c they sell blank nibs. Bock likes to put their logo on it for you. They charge more to sell them blank. That's why you see so many kit pen makers and some other pen makers with goats on their nibs.
Bock nib units are also larger in diameter which I don't like b/c it limits the size of the section.
With Jowo I can make a nice skinny pinched section. With Bock I can't.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Skipping can be caused by holding a fountain pen before the big index knuckle like a ball point, not behind it, like a fountain pen.