#5 Bock Ti, New Pen, New Ink

[Karmachanic]

The Bock #5 Ti arrived just before lunch, as did the Rohrer and Klingner Verdigris. I have been patiently awaiting their arrival, to introduce them both to the new, unused Opus 88 Koloro Blue.

 

But first, lunch, as I dine with others.

 

The Opus is fitted with a JOWO nib. The Bock housing and nib are longer than the JOWO, so I installed the nib in/on that housing/feed. I used a syringe to fill the eyedropper pen, dipped the nib in the ink to saturate the feed, and let sit for five minutes to settle. I then picked it up to take it for a spin.

 

Great Googly Moogly! Wholay-Gwak-a-Molay! I feel like I can fly!

 

This is, without doubt, the very best, most joyful writing experience I have ever had. Easy, light, graceful and flowing. The nib dances across the page without effort. A life changing experience!

 

What am I supposed to do with all those soon to be ignored, unloved other nibs? Will the cursive italic, self ground and purchased, feel spurned, forlorn and jilted?

 

I can hear the siren song of a #6 Bock Ti calling me. Or is just my imagination?

 

Maybe I should just distract myself in the fruitless search for the perfect teal, blue green ink.

 

P.S Says XF on the box, but it writes more like a Fine. Clairefontaine paper.

Edited March 21, 2018 by kd3

[shane27]

was any finagling required to get it to write well? did it fit much tighter than the jowo #5 steel nib?

[Karmachanic]

No trouble mounting the nib. To get it to write I put ink in the pen. That's it! It writes beautifully right out of the box. Yes there is the pencil like feedback, which, in my view, is an integral part of the pleasant experience.

 

I am, so far, using it as a normal nib. Which is to say, not attempting to take advantage of it's semi-flex nature. Just enjoying it's softness. Makes writing with a nail cursive italic seem a bit like work. I still prefer the look of the italic, but prefer the experience of the Ti. Hmm.

 

Could one grind a Ti nib? No idea. I'll let someone else go first!

 

As to the difference between a JOWO nib/feed/housing and Bock I refer you to Phil Dart of Beaufort Inks: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/310840-swapping-in-a-6-bock-titanium-nib-into-a-f-c-02/?p=3669702

 

The Bock housing and nib quoted in my original post should read: Bock housing and feed. Apologies for causing any confusion.

Edited March 22, 2018 by kd3

[Frank66]

Hi kd3, so good to know you are enjoying your new Titanium nib. Mine is size #6, compared to yours which I reckon is a size #5, but still it is quite as delightful and fun to use.

I also have experimenting using the Ti nib apart to its original Bock housing, with great success. Namely, I have used it in both a Jinhao x750 and a x159. However, since I only have only one Ti nib, it usually finds its place back in the original 250 Bock housing installed in my amber Kaigelu 316, where it usually resides nowdays.

But here is a picture of the Ti nib in my silver-colored Jinhao x750. As anyone can guess, it is a ''wet nib'' indeed.

and here is a pic of my Jinhao 159 with my Bock Titanium Nib

and here are the two pens side by side

Edited March 24, 2018 by Frank66

[Driften]

So which size Bock #5 did you end up using for you Opus 88? 60/76/180? Where did you source yours?

I have the same pen in blue like yours and am so-so on the nib.

[Karmachanic]

Standard 180 from Beaufort: At the time I purchased the pen was only available with a B nib. I prefer F. I purchased planning on mounting the Ti, so the B is unused in the nib tin. No idea how it writes.

 

In general I find Bocks softer than JOWO.

Edited March 26, 2018 by kd3

[Driften]

Thanks! I had thought about getting the Bock Ti from Karas Kustoms but they list their number 5 size Bock as 60 or 75 and not the more normal 180.

[Karmachanic]

Happy to have helped. It's a lovely soft nib which encourages me to write with a lighter hand.

[amberleadavis]

Did you get the Opus demonstrator?

[Driften]

Did you get the Opus demonstrator?

 

 

The one the OP is talking about is the model with ebonite and transparent areas on the pen. The fully clear one uses #6 nibs. This model uses #5's.

[Karmachanic]

 

 

The one the OP is talking about is the model with ebonite and transparent areas on the pen. The fully clear one uses #6 nibs. This model uses #5's.

 

True. The Ti #6 renders the same delightful effect

Edited March 29, 2018 by kd3

[amberleadavis]

Thank you both for the explanation. I'd love to see your pictures of the pen in action and hear your thoughts.

[Frog37_]

Thanks! I had thought about getting the Bock Ti from Karas Kustoms but they list their number 5 size Bock as 60 or 75 and not the more normal 180.

Can someone please explain this 60/75/180? What does this destiguiah?

 

Ive been thinking of getting a Karas Kustom titanium nib that I could put in my Opus 88 or into various Kaweco pens and have not ever heard of this 60/75/180 or know what the differences are.

[jekostas]

Can someone please explain this 60/75/180? What does this destiguiah?

 

Ive been thinking of getting a Karas Kustom titanium nib that I could put in my Opus 88 or into various Kaweco pens and have not ever heard of this 60/75/180 or know what the differences are.

http://www.beaufortink.co.uk/bocknibs.html

[Karmachanic]

Differences explained here: http://www.beaufortink.co.uk/bocknibs.html

[Bo Bo Olson]

Very good link. It explains a lot that I didn't know.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I use my semi&maxi-semi-flex nibs a 'normal' nibs, not trying for anything fancy; but they give me that old fashioned fountain pen flair with out me having to do anything, in my vintage German semi-flex nibs are stubs also.

How 'semi-flex' is the Ti nib...or is it just soft?

How 'soft', is it regular flex or more?

 

Some folks call regular flex soft....or I misunderstand what is meant when folks talk of certain modern Japanese nibs.

A 200 is regular flex.

[Karmachanic]

I use my semi&maxi-semi-flex nibs a 'normal' nibs, not trying for anything fancy; but they give me that old fashioned fountain pen flair with out me having to do anything, in my vintage German semi-flex nibs are stubs also.

How 'semi-flex' is the Ti nib...or is it just soft?

How 'soft', is it regular flex or more?

 

 

 

 

Your first sentence above describes my experience and use of the nib. The nib is not marketed as flex, although if one is practised and careful (not me) one can get good variation, as shown here: http://www.clumsypenman.com/titanium-steel-bock-nibs/

 

From that article; "With no (or very gentle) pressure there is small line variation between up and down strokes, however with moderate pressure the line variation become significant. Titanium nib is very springy and to my surprise feels actually soft (I always considered Titanium as very hard and durable metal)."

 

You would be a better judge than I as to level of flex.

 

edit: I have a #6 fine CI on order.

Edited June 28, 2018 by Karmachanic

[amberleadavis]

I would say it is soft not flex.