IB nib consultation

[axio]

Dear IB nib writers,

 

I would appreciate a little consultation from you.

I've acquired from eBay an M800 with an IB nib. The pen is claimed to be new, but is in fact used. Its condition aside, I have observed two problems.

One is that the nib pends slightly downward (see IMG_0604.jpeg)

The other is that the pen has a cold start (see IMG_0610.mov)

 

I would like to ask if what I am observing are the characteristics of an IB nib or if I got a lemon?

What could I expect if I go for a real brand-new retail IB nib?

[OCArt]

My thought is that the nib photo looks OK to me and that the cold start just suggests that another ink might be a better match for the pen. However, is you have any regrets about the purchase or the used nature of the pen I think you should return it.  I wouldn’t want to have a lingering “bad taste in my mouth” every time I use the pen.

[mana]

Pelikan nibs are shaped to curve down a bit towards the tip, it is perfectly normal and allows the tines to flex with reduced risk of deforming.

[axio]

@OCArt @mana
Thanks for the valuable input.

 

Looking at my M350 and M300 nibs, they are not bent down. I wonder if this is a recent trend.

I will try to figure out the cold start. I think by giving a harder press on the starting stroke can help.

[nm4]

Looks quite similar to my 800 italic nibs.  I find these nibs often have baby bottom so that may be the reason it hard starts.  I had one of mine ground into a cursive italic and it's quite lovely.  The other stayed a smooth stub (as from factory).

 

N

[axio]

3 hours ago, nm4 said:

Looks quite similar to my 800 italic nibs.  I find these nibs often have baby bottom so that may be the reason it hard starts.  I had one of mine ground into a cursive italic and it's quite lovely.  The other stayed a smooth stub (as from factory).

 

N

Hi @nm4

could you elaborate a bit on the baby bottom? I've come across this term before, but never really understood it.

Should I expect my IB to start smooth right away like your factory italic or it's too much to ask for?

[nm4]

It's an issue where the nib tipping is overpolished and the slit does touch the page.  The nib feels buttery smooth but when inked tends to skip and hard start a lot. Once going the nib flow can be quite normal.

 

N

[dbs]

This Pelikan nib is too much downward, maybe it has been removed for some reason. Pelikan nib is easy to remove (just use a rod to knock the feeder end) but very hard to put it back. Maybe this is the reason why you have hard start too. 

 

To justify how much need to be downward, you can remove the nib unit and see the end part of the feeder:

 

1) Do you see feeder grove right at the end of nib collar?

2) Do you see end of nib right at the end of nib collar but not extend?

 

If both questions are yes, then the nib is in proper position.

 

 

[axio]

@nm4 Is there a way to correct the baby bottom phenomenon? Based on your description, I guess my nib doesn't have a baby bottom, since it is far from being smooth at start, but only after with ink flow starts, it becomes gliding on paper.

 

@dbs This downward bend is new to me. From the various nib pictures I see on the internet, I agree with you that my downward bend is a bit much, hence the concern. I've been trying to press the nib down harder in the writing position, in hope of unbending the nib. Taking the nib out of its holder is probably too much for me, especially when you said it is "very hard to put it back".

Do you suspect the nib is sitting too far out? or too deep?

I'll unscrew the unit to check next time I clean it.