Wahl-Eversharp's Gold-Plated Ceramic Nib

[nweissma]

the latest Fountain Pen Hospital catalogue includes the Wahl-Eversharp Company's Skyline 100-Year Collection which features "semi-flex ceramic gold-plated stainless steel nib"

 

in what layer is the ceramic located and how is the ceramic applied

 

what is the engineering purpose of the ceramic - is it synergistic with the gilded steel

 

is this the first historical instance of ceramic being used in a nib

 

 

i first posted this question here https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/330573-wahl-eversharps-gold-plated-ceramic-nib/?do=findComment&comment=3966874 and the kiddie answers lacked substance; however one of the posters, welch, suggested that i post it in this Wahl-Eversharp subforum

[Wahlnut]

Ceramic coating is a thin top layer. While inquiring minds want to know all, its proprietary to the subcontractor who developed the process and applies it. The process contributes to the smooth nib to paper feel and seals the nib to protect the nib body from oxidation if the steel below. The story goes that it was developed for Caran dAche but never put into production because it would have made others of their nibs less desirable and hurt sales of earlier produced Pens on factory and dealers shelves. When WAHL-EVERSHARP came back to life it was a new ball game so it was adopted on the gold plated steel nibs.

[nweissma]

Thank You *for a substantial answer* Syd

[nweissma]

a few more questions:

 

what is the purpose of the underlaid gold

 

if the ceramic confers smoothness and also perhaps improved capillary ink flow then which other manufacturers are incorporating the ceramic strategy and which are not

 

european public school students still use fountain pens - u.s. public school pupils have abandoned fountain pens in favor of ballpoint pens probably since the mid-60's - and therefore is it expected that european school pens will soon be appearing with a ceramic overcoating

Edited December 21, 2017 by nweissma