Could I put a 18k Edison nib or 14k FPR nib in a Conklin Duragraph? Is there any other gold nib I could get that would fit it for cheaper?

[collectorofmanythings]

Hello!

 

I love the look of many Conklin pens, especially the Duragraph, and the steel JoWo nibs are just fine, but I would love to put a gold nib in it. I saw that both Edison and FPR make gold nibs (I especially like FPR because it is $20 cheaper) in the #6 size and was wondering if anyone thinks this is a good idea or if anyone has ever tried it. Thank you for your help!

 

W. H. Major
 

I posted this in the wrong section before. Oops! Reposting to the right place, which I think is this one.

[Honeybadgers]

Hmm. "cheap gold #6" is a much trickier statement than "cheap gold #5"

 

There are lots of cheap 14k options for #5 pens, my favorite is the ~$40 wing sung 698 14k. 

 

But for #6, the only two I can think of that might come under the price you want is a kaco master 14k's nib, but that comes in at around $90 shipped, and only sorta fits, and only the newer JoWo sections, or finding a "vintage" 90's conklin with an 18k nib, but I just tried mine and it didn't fit either new bock or jowo conklin (big gap between nib and feed) 

 

The FPR nibs are indian made with a little less QC. You get what you pay for, so be prepared to tune it, and I don't know if it'd fit. Edison's nibs are JoWo, which means they'll fit both bock and Jowo nib unit conklins (no idea why, JoWo nibs just seem to work for both) but it'll be a bit mushier and less springy than you may want.

 

A third option, though it may come out either as expensive as edison or a hair more, is a nib from FPnibs.com. They can get you any of a number of 14k or 18k options and do tons of custom grinds, too. Price is a hair high, but the work is peerless and you'll keep that nib forever.

[collectorofmanythings]

On 4/12/2021 at 2:02 PM, Honeybadgers said:

Hmm. "cheap gold #6" is a much trickier statement than "cheap gold #5"

 

There are lots of cheap 14k options for #5 pens, my favorite is the ~$40 wing sung 698 14k. 

 

But for #6, the only two I can think of that might come under the price you want is a kaco master 14k's nib, but that comes in at around $90 shipped, and only sorta fits, and only the newer JoWo sections, or finding a "vintage" 90's conklin with an 18k nib, but I just tried mine and it didn't fit either new bock or jowo conklin (big gap between nib and feed) 

 

The FPR nibs are indian made with a little less QC. You get what you pay for, so be prepared to tune it, and I don't know if it'd fit. Edison's nibs are JoWo, which means they'll fit both bock and Jowo nib unit conklins (no idea why, JoWo nibs just seem to work for both) but it'll be a bit mushier and less springy than you may want.

 

A third option, though it may come out either as expensive as edison or a hair more, is a nib from FPnibs.com. They can get you any of a number of 14k or 18k options and do tons of custom grinds, too. Price is a hair high, but the work is peerless and you'll keep that nib forever.

I looked at FPnibs and they are actually much less expensive than the Edison! Thank you for that advice! Have a good day!

[Honeybadgers]

5 hours ago, collectorofmanythings said:

I looked at FPnibs and they are actually much less expensive than the Edison! Thank you for that advice! Have a good day!

 

Once you get to modifications and the 25 euro shipping, the price difference will narrow fast. But I can't recommend them enough. they can do some truly insane customization. I have a 14k #6 JoWo nib that has been modified for massive wet noodle flex with a needlepoint line and a keyhole breather from them. Was close to $300 shipped, but it's like nothing else I (or anyone I've let try it) has ever used.

[collectorofmanythings]

17 hours ago, Honeybadgers said:

 

Once you get to modifications and the 25 euro shipping, the price difference will narrow fast. But I can't recommend them enough. they can do some truly insane customization. I have a 14k #6 JoWo nib that has been modified for massive wet noodle flex with a needlepoint line and a keyhole breather from them. Was close to $300 shipped, but it's like nothing else I (or anyone I've let try it) has ever used.

Wow! That’s amazing! Do you know anything of their cursive italic grind?

[Honeybadgers]

No, but they custom grind, so you can very specifically request a nib grind. I've ordered two wet noodle ultra-flexible nibs from them, and have been nothing but satisfied.

 

If I just need a simple re-grind on a nib, I either do it myself or have Gena Salorino do it. She'll re-grind nibs (as long as it isn't a needlepoint, which costs a bit more) for $40.

[avlisyar]

On 4/14/2021 at 4:44 PM, collectorofmanythings said:

Wow! That’s amazing! Do you know anything of their cursive italic grind?

Pablo's (FPnibs) Cursive Italics are superb and tend to be a bit on the crisp side.

Over the years, I have probably swapped most of my nibs to Broad or Medium

Cursive Italics from him. Like Honeybadgers, I can't recommend them enough.

 

[collectorofmanythings]

17 hours ago, Honeybadgers said:

No, but they custom grind, so you can very specifically request a nib grind. I've ordered two wet noodle ultra-flexible nibs from them, and have been nothing but satisfied.

 

If I just need a simple re-grind on a nib, I either do it myself or have Gena Salorino do it. She'll re-grind nibs (as long as it isn't a needlepoint, which costs a bit more) for $40.

👍

[collectorofmanythings]

5 hours ago, avlisyar said:

Pablo's (FPnibs) Cursive Italics are superb and tend to be a bit on the crisp side.

Over the years, I have probably swapped most of my nibs to Broad or Medium

Cursive Italics from him. Like Honeybadgers, I can't recommend them enough.

 

Sounds Great!