Replacement nib availability by brand

[willl]

My apologies if this already exists on FPN -- I searched (albeit briefly) and didn't find anything comparable.

 

Anyhow, stating the obvious, a fountain pen and it's nib are a very personal matter of choice. Some folks prefer wide nibs, some fine, some extra fine, etc. etc. When starting out in the pen world with no pen stores around (or staying isolated at home during a pandemic), it would be hugely helpful to be able to buy a pen that you can get extra nibs for so that if you don't like X nib, you can just get a different one to try (thankfully the Metropolitan is cheap enough that it's not unreasonable to just buy another). This applies equally to pens given as a gift; I might like a Japanese Medium, but someone I give a pen to might prefer a western medium, or even a broad or music nib. It would be nice if the recipient were able to get a nib in a width they preferred without having to resort to trying to go looking for someone who might want to swap nibs (e.g. I'm not wanting to gift a white elephant).

 

Unfortunately, some manufacturers don't sell nibs separately nor do they seem to have much in the way of "aftermarket" compatibility (I'm looking at you, Pilot, Platinum, and Sailor!) As such, I thought it might be useful to have a list of brands (though, obviously incomplete) which sell nibs separately, or use "standard" nibs from JoWo or Bock.

 

At the moment, I'm specifically wondering about Japanese makers with nibs available separately; the Japanese makers seem to be the ones who DON'T make nibs available separately and I've got someone who is gaga for Japan who will be getting a pen as a graduation gift. I was planning on a 3776 until I learned nibs are unavailable.

 

Assuming I am able to "Edit" my post in perpetuity, I'll do my best to keep the list updated with any other brands folks might post as yea or nay. Corrections/clarifications are also welcome and appreciated.

 

Nibs ARE available:

- Aurora

- Edison

- Kaweco

- Lamy

- Monteverde

- Parker

- Pelican

- Pilot (Vanishing Point ONLY)

- TWSBI

- Visconti

- Waterman

 

Nibs NOT available:

- Pilot

- Platinum

- Sailor

[Runnin_Ute]

TWSBI has replacement nibs available for the 580 ONLY is my understanding. I know they don't for the Eco. And I am not certain for the Classic and Vac 700 models.

[austinwft]

Replacement nibs are certainly available for the Pilot Vanishing Point as well an the TWSBI Eco, which is the same nib as the mini's, I've purchased multiples of each.

[Karmachanic]

Santini

[willl]

 

2 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

Santini

 

Santini has nibs available separately, or does not?

 

Goulet lists nibs for the following TWSBI models:

- Vac700R

- Vac mini

- 580

- Mini (which is apparently swappable with the Eco)

[A Smug Dill]

17 hours ago, willl said:

Assuming I am able to "Edit" my post in perpetuity,

 

Nope, sorry.

 

17 hours ago, willl said:

Nibs NOT available:

- Pilot

 

Standalone Pilot nib units are available (only) in overseas markets for (only) Capless — not just (the thicker) Vanishing Point, but the Décimo, and (I haven't confirmed, but most likely) also Fermo — models. Nibs on the Wing Sung 698, PenBBS 494, Pali 013, etc. will fit a Pilot Prera, MR, Kakuno, 78G, Plumix or Penmanship pen, so there is some availability of aftermarket nibs (i.e. you can buy standalone Chinese-made nibs for them). I've see one US-based online retailer offer replacement nib-feed-section assemblies for the Pilot Custom Heritage 912 in its product catalogue.

 

I've also posted some information earlier this week in this thread:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/360263-nib-sizes-available-for-chinese-and-other-asian-pens/

 

[jchch1950]

Lamy has a choice of nibs in stainless steel and gold.

[maclink]

Cross replacement nibs can be found. I recently bought for a Cross Century II. 

Replacement nibs are also available for Sheaffer, Faber-Castell, GvFC, Caran d’Ache, ST Dupont and Diplomat. 

 

 

[Dione]

16 hours ago, willl said:

Assuming I am able to "Edit" my post in perpetuity, I'll do my best to keep the list updated with any other brands folks might post as yea or nay. Corrections/clarifications are also welcome and appreciated.

- Pelican

Sadly you're not and your auto correct has misspelled Pelikan.  

[willl]

8 hours ago, Dione said:

Sadly you're not and your auto correct has misspelled Pelikan.  

 

That is most annoying -- I wish I caught that earlier as sadly the edit window has now closed!  

[maclink]

You could just reply with an updated list.  

[A Smug Dill]

On 5/8/2021 at 10:18 AM, willl said:

Santini has nibs available separately, or does not?

 

You can buy separate nib units, at least when ordering a new pen:

 

and given how good Santini's customer service is, if you damage your nib and need to buy a replacement afterwards, I'm sure they can accommodate you.

 

However, I'm not interested in answering the question in the framing of acquiring additional flexibility (note: not speaking metallurgically) to what a particular pen can do after having owned and used it for a while, wanting to explore new calligraphic hands, and/or as more hobby-related budget becomes available.