What can I do if the tip of the nib broke off? (Vintage pen)

[m_is_w]

Hi, 

 

This is not my first time using a flex fountain pen. I have a pilot 912 FA and a bluedew flex pen but this is my first experience a vintage flex fountain pen. I just received my a vintage waterman fountain pen (a 'new look' that is made between 1940-1950 by JIF-Waterman). According to the seller, this nib can go from EF to 2.0mm. I was experimenting the flex of the pen. And I was too stupid to actually flex it that hard and half of the tip came off from the nib.

 

I still have the tip that is broken off. Is the pen can still be saved or is it only a piece of accessory now? 😭

 

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestion.

[amberleadavis]

This is so sad!  I have seen nibs like this that were then converted to stubs.  Though, I have never ground a nib so I can't tell you how to do it.

[miwishi63]

I feel your pain. I'm reasonably certain it can't be repaired based on what I've read here. You may be able to secure a replacement nib. Others here may know of a source for them.

[mhguda]

With a break this way, I've actually gone both ways: swap in another nib (fast if you have one lying around) and grind to italic/stub. If it is too wide as is, take off a little from the sides, too, once you have it writing again.

[A Smug Dill]

48 minutes ago, miwishi63 said:

I'm reasonably certain it can't be repaired based on what I've read here.

 

Notwithstanding my complete lack of interest in preservation of old writing instruments that are, for one reason or another, no longer fit for purpose as-is, I question the wisdom of investing any cost and/or effort to attempt to salvage such a nib when I see this:

 

[amk]

I've turned a couple of nibs to stubs. First you need to cut cleanly across the two tines, just below the damage, and then smooth using micromesh. I used a Dremel for the cutting, but you have to be careful to hold the nib very steady - I taped it to a piece of scrap wood and held it down while I operated on it.

 

You'll end up with a flex stub! worth trying, as the pen is kaput. If you mess it up, try swapping the nib and find someone who wants scrap gold. 🙂

[I-am-not-really-here]

I expect Greg Minuskin would be up to the challenge.  https://gregminuskinpens.com/nib-repairs.  It'd be costly though and maybe not worth the price.  Waterman #2 flex nibs are not rare and you may find a comparable if you are patient.
 

 

[kestrel]

6 hours ago, I-am-not-really-here said:

I expect Greg Minuskin would be up to the challenge.  https://gregminuskinpens.com/nib-repairs.  It'd be costly though and maybe not worth the price.  Waterman #2 flex nibs are not rare and you may find a comparable if you are patient.
 

 

Greg has repaired a couple of nibs for me that were a lot worse than this one.  He can fix the crack as well if it is a crack.  It's not inexpensive but Greg does good work and he has fast turnaround.

[amberleadavis]

Please let us know what you decide to do.