Frankenpen Catalogue

[Cryptos]

On the evening of 15th October, EoC was successful in following the instructions of others in the fitting of a Zebra G nib onto a Jinhao X450 body. The finished result is a super flexible fountain pen!

 

EoC is of the opinion that this is pretty darned amazing - the pen, not the following instructions bit (though that is also an impressive feat for one so poorly educated). It occurs to this one that perhaps it would be useful, if at all possible, to have a catalogue of dip nib/body/feed matches.

 

It should also be noted that this validation of another's experiment has cost EoC about $5 plus some nicely coloured fingers (clearly this one is not that skilled in digital manipulation). The cost alone suggests that such marriages should be explored.

 

Does anyone else consider this to be a worthwhile pursuit?

[Jeffrey Garrett]

EoC,

 

Any chance of providing a writing sample and a reference to the Zebra G nib model you used?

 

A reference to the post and instruction you followed would also be much appreciated...

 

I too would like to explore this mod if possible.

 

Regards

 

Jeff

[Cryptos]

This one is not aware that there are different kinds of Zebra G nibs. EoC has a Nikko G nib too, but cannot really see any difference when compared to the Zebra G. The Zebra was bought from a Japanese seller on the world's favourite auction site.

 

 

The link EoC used was from FPN jsolares and is: X450 Hack

 

This is a writing sample. Please excuse EOC's lack of skill with a pen.

 

 

The hack is not really difficult. In fact, it requires no abilities at all, which is perhaps just as well given EoC's lack of any abilities. Got it to work anyway!

[Jeffrey Garrett]

With grateful thanks to you EoC for the information.

 

I did have a very quick look for the nib via google search and it came up with what I perceived to be varying grades of nibs. Being unfamiliar with dip nibs I just didn't want to purchase the wrong nib model. Note to self....I should probably read more about them!

 

Your perceived lack of personal skill with a pen is unfounded...

 

Again, thanks for your reply,

 

Jeff

[vorpal]

Great topic!

 

I have the Zebra G fitted to a Noodler's Ahab and Konrad. I also orderd a pen from Scriptorium that will be designed to carry the Zebra G--my favorite nib for writing Japanese.

Edited October 15, 2015 by vorpal

[dogpoet]

Jinhaos and Noodlers both use the standard nib sizes from the old days (I think apart from the nib creaper/flex, Noodlers are all number sixes): the one time I was actually able to get some use out of one of the godawful Noodlers Konrad, it was by putting the non flexy but buttery smooth nib out of a Jinhao x450into it.

 

If this is something you want to look into, EoC, I've seen a lot of loose nibs on ebay...

[Lynxienne]

I second both the idea of such pen, and cataloguing the attempts.

 

Perhaps it is just as usuful to include combinations that didn't work and why, so we don't waste too much effort.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Lynxienne

[hbdk]

Good idea!

 

At the moment I have a Wingsung 3203 fitted with the nib from an Italix Parson's Essential - works nicely and a Baoer 388 with a no. 5 Knox nib, also very pleasing.

 

Not exactly nib related but I have just fitted a Parker Frontier with the cap from a counterfeit Hero 616 - perfect match.

Edited October 15, 2015 by hbdk

[mitto]

Thanks for the recommandations,

I will check them out! I seem not to be able to find Gateway Belmont tho..

 

I have a number of frankenpens that I assembled using parts from various brands of pens. And, all these are true mixtures of pens. Caps, barrels, nib units and even modified converters to fit. Not just nib swaps. I remember posting them, a year or so ago, in one of FPN sub-forums but don't remember where.

[httpmom]

Is there a difference between a Jinhao 450 and an x450 or are they the same pen...cause man I'm on this flex nib hack. I want to do it tonight!!!!

And yes a catalogue is a fabulous idea!

[dogpoet]

I second both the idea of such pen, and cataloguing the attempts.

 

Perhaps it is just as usuful to include combinations that didn't work and why, so we don't waste too much effort.

Now that latter is a particularly fine idea.

 

httpmom: I think it's the same pen, just some sellers leave the x off the name.

[TradArch]

Oh my, I think this just became my new project / hobby / obsession.

What a great idea.

[Intellidepth]

On the evening of 15th October, EoC was successful in following the instructions of others in the fitting of a Zebra G nib onto a Jinhao X450 body. The finished result is a super flexible fountain pen!

That's marvellous! I have a few of those I'd love to convert as I really enjoy flex. Thanks for sharing your success. (Buzzes off to buy Zebra Gs.) I also have the first Noodler's Konrad I bought that is still unmodded so a Zebra G experiment will make me very happy.

 

There is this older thread on nib/pen combos that people update every so often but I don't think it covers feeds specifically.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/216388-list-of-possible-nib-substitutions/

[jabberwock11]

At EoC's suggestion I am including my Aldo Domani with a Zebra G in the catalog of successful G nibbed frankenpens. My original post for this experiment is here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/298538-zebra-g-nib-in-an-aldo-domani/?do=findComment&comment=3478455

 

It should be noted that a slight adjustment to the nib and feed alignment corrected the flow and drying issues, so this pen is now good to go.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 17, 2015 by jabberwock11

[Cryptos]

It should also be noted that the Jinhao 450 section will fit on a Jinhao 750 body, should someone want a slightly larger pen.

[Jeffrey Garrett]

The Zebra G nib also fits into a Jinhao 159... It needs to be adjusted to get the flow continuity right though. I have not spent too much time doing so; I just wanted to see if it were possible.

 

Another thing to be aware of is the potential for erosion/corrosion of the nib in the feed. I fitted a Zebra G nib into the Jinhao x450 last evening and left it overnight without flushing. I used Parker Quink Blue/Black ink. I was surprised to see how the nib had been affected by the ink in just one night.

 

A simple test may be to leave a drop of the ink you intend using on a loose nib for a few hours/days and check the results.

[cobalt]

Bought some Zebra Gs and a Jinhao, to try this out.

 

Any possibility of a simple table of nibs/pen combinations that are known to work?

 

Separately, just put an Eversharp Skyline nib on a pen bought from an ebay vandal who destroyed a perfectly good vintage piston filler pen. Beware the Frankenpens of the Bay of E as EoC is wont to say.

[Cryptos]

This one is of the opinion that in starting this thread the intention was to collate data on nib/feed/pen combinations that bypass the need to spend huge amounts of money on vintage pens. Specifically, this one was interested in a flexible nib in a fountain pen. Of course, not everyone shares the same interests, and so this one will not (obviously) insist on a narrow approach to this subject.

 

It is curious that the Zebra G fits the 159. This one had thought that the feed would be too wide, as it is on the 750. Then again a 159 has yet to cross the desk.

 

 

Another thing to be aware of is the potential for erosion/corrosion of the nib in the feed. I fitted a Zebra G nib into the Jinhao x450 last evening and left it overnight without flushing. I used Parker Quink Blue/Black ink. I was surprised to see how the nib had been affected by the ink in just one night.

 

A simple test may be to leave a drop of the ink you intend using on a loose nib for a few hours/days and check the results.

 

In the experiment from the OP the nib has now been 'in ink' for a little over two whole days with no obvious signs of corrosion or anything else untoward. Inks used so far are restricted to PR Electric Blue, R&K Salix, and Diamine Syrah.

[pajaro]

How about a Reform 1742 with a Waterman Ideal Number 2 14K extra fine flexible nib? Easy to do. Superb performing pen.

 

Lots of people have done this stuff with vintage pens, transforming left over parts into pens.

[Biber]

to avoids or at least delay corrosion, use gold plated dip nibs. Are stainless ones available?

Edited October 17, 2015 by Biber