Frankenpen Catalogue

[PaperQueen]

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.

 

I just spent about 30 minutes desperately trying to coax a Zebra Comic G nib into a Jinhao 250. Simply didn't want to fit, and I'm too antsy to begin sanding or whittling a feed.

 

Originally purchased the pens to practice tuning, so no loss there. Just need to find the correct body for my happy little nibs.

[vorpal]

Konrads or Ahabs work just fine.

[Cryptos]

EoC's experiment with the Jinhao 450 has come to an end. The zebra G (chrome) lasted about 6 weeks of constant wetness before corrosion really got to grips with it. Not sure about shelling out $60 for an Ahab unless they are stable in this configuration. Wondering if the Desiderata pens have this kind of life span - unless the nib is easier to pull and clean between uses.

 

The Baoer with the Gillott 303 also bit the dust. Fun while it lasted though!

 

Don't know which direction to choose right now. Thinking ...

[vorpal]

You can find Konrads for $20 if you look hard.Goulet sells some for $40. I saw some at Anderson Pens for $20. Perhaps you an trade for one. As I have stated before, I have had the same nib in my Konrad for almost a year now with no corrosion. I use deAtramentis Document Archive Black ink, if that helps. The nibs are easy to change.

Edited December 2, 2015 by vorpal

[jabberwock11]

 

I just spent about 30 minutes desperately trying to coax a Zebra Comic G nib into a Jinhao 250. Simply didn't want to fit, and I'm too antsy to begin sanding or whittling a feed.

 

Originally purchased the pens to practice tuning, so no loss there. Just need to find the correct body for my happy little nibs.

 

The Jinhao 250 uses a #5 nib. All of the successful pairings of pens to Zebra G nibs involve pens which use a #6 nib. Jinhaos that use a #6 nib include the X450, X750, and 159 (there may be a few more, but these are the ones that I am aware of).

[Cryptos]

You can find Konrads for $20 if you look hard.Goulet sells some for $40. I saw some at Anderson Pens for $20. Perhaps you an trade for one. As I have stated before, I have had the same nib in my Konrad for almost a year now with no corrosion. I use deAtramentis Document Archive Black ink, if that helps. The nibs are easy to change.

 

EoC has to factor in shipping costs too. Joys of living around the other side of the globe!

[PaperQueen]

 

The Jinhao 250 uses a #5 nib. All of the successful pairings of pens to Zebra G nibs involve pens which use a #6 nib. Jinhaos that use a #6 nib include the X450, X750, and 159 (there may be a few more, but these are the ones that I am aware of).

 

Yeah, that's what I guessed. Had to at least try, given the fact there were four of the 250s languishing about with nothing to do tonight.

 

Of course, the Amazonians now have an order on the way for me...Jinhao 450 in white.

[PaperQueen]

Wondering if the Desiderata pens have this kind of life span - unless the nib is easier to pull and clean between uses.

 

I'm curious---are they still in production? After perusing his website, looks like Pierre might still be making them, but can't tell for sure if that's the case, or if the site's simply out of date.

[vorpal]

Yes. He had some for sale last week, in fact. I didn't buy one--my Konrad works just fine.

[PaperQueen]

Yes. He had some for sale last week, in fact. I didn't buy one--my Konrad works just fine.

 

Got it---guess I'm a bit late to the party.

[missuslovett]

I'm going to try this in my Konrad. I've managed to set the nib up so it flexes but it needs a hard, steady hand and of course it still occasionally skips. I'm longing to find a steel nib of some configuration that gives me the kind of butter sweet flex that vintage gold does, without breaking the bank. I shall set to with a zebra.

[vorpal]

The titanium nibs are more flexy than the chromium ones. Don't forget to heat-set the feed. Easy to do. My nibs flex with almost no pressure, so I wonder what you are doing to require hard pressure?

[missuslovett]

The titanium nibs are more flexy than the chromium ones. Don't forget to heat-set the feed. Easy to do. My nibs flex with almost no pressure, so I wonder what you are doing to require hard pressure?

 

I'm not sure. I had to adjust the nib forward to get it to open up. Otherwise it was as hard as a nail - though very smooth. My tinkering relies on trial and error, so any tips would be welcome. When you say 'heat seat' what does that involve?

[vorpal]

Here's how to heat-set the nib. I think this will fix your problem. Without this procedure, the nib will not lie flush on the feed. The T-slit on the nib should line up to the foremost fin on the feed.

 

[missuslovett]

Fantastic! Thank you

[Cryptos]

Great link for the video. EoC missed the latest batch of Desiderata pens - EoC is the slowest and dumbest creature you could imagine, probably should be restricted to fat crayons quite frankly - and is thinking on getting an Ahab and trying the heat setting thing. Haven't decided yet.

[vorpal]

The information went up on Reddit minutes after he posted. I checked back a few times--he didn't sell out for two days. So, if there is another batch at some point, I will post it here. The Ahab or Konrad will be cheaper and work just as well.

 

ETA If you want something more stylish, you can get a Laban Celebration. That's actually what I use mostly. The nib sticks out further, but doesn't touch the cap. And the nib doesn't dry out. With the Noodler's, the very edges of the nib touch the cap, so it's a bit messy, and the pen dries out in a couple of days if you don't use it.

Edited December 4, 2015 by vorpal

[vorpal]

On another Frankenpen topic, what pen will accept the Pilot FA nib. The fat, black body it came in is just too big for my hand. Any suggestions welcome.

[Cryptos]

Don't know about the FA nib, never seen one.

 

 

The information went up on Reddit minutes after he posted. I checked back a few times--he didn't sell out for two days.

 

EoC was two days too slow to follow it up after the notice. 'Sides which this one doesn't really deserve to get such a pen really - and this probably applies to vintage flex pens too, EoC is too low class for these things. Now, a fat crayon that could fit a fist, EoC is listening!

 

 

Re: Laban Celebration - more expensive than the Ahab/Konrad, which kind of takes it away from the ballpark of cheap flex, at least for EoC's painfully shallow pockets.

[vorpal]

The Laban is cheaper than the Desiderada, which is why I suggested it.