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Author Topic: How long do nibs last?  (Read 6611 times)

Offline Carina_I

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How long do nibs last?
« on: October 28, 2015, 09:08:37 AM »
Hello readers!!!!

The title pretty much says it all: how long do nibs last? Like, Nikko G nibs.

Thanks :D
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Offline tomcalligraphy

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2015, 11:34:54 AM »
Depends how much you write. The G Nibs are stiff so even with a lot of writing say over 2 hours a day, it can probably last over 3 weeks.
Flex nibs tend to be different because of the flex in them and that depends on your own grip and how much force you put on them. Some calligraphers who have a heavier grip burn them out in a day while some how have a softer touch who write over 5 hours a day replace them every week.

Just make sure to clean them after each use.
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Offline seanlanefuller

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2015, 12:19:19 PM »
How do you know when a nib is old?  What happens?
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Offline tomcalligraphy

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2015, 12:48:39 PM »
You can see a split in the tines, nib is too flexible compared to when it was new. You can see rust forming on it. Ink doesn't flow as well as it used to.
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Offline Bianca M

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2015, 01:16:40 PM »
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Offline Carina_I

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2015, 03:45:51 PM »
Quote from: Bianca M on October 28, 2015, 01:16:40 PM
Carina,

You may also want to read these recently started posts regarding the same subject:
http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=3768.msg50556#msg50556
http://theflourishforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=3508.msg47902#msg47902

Thank you! I didn't realize the question has already been asked  :-[
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Offline Bianca M

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2015, 11:15:06 PM »
That's ok!  It's a million dollar question, isn't it? ;)
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Offline Carina_I

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2015, 09:21:24 AM »
Quote from: Bianca M on October 28, 2015, 11:15:06 PM
That's ok!  It's a million dollar question, isn't it? ;)

More like a two dollar question . . . for nikko G nibs. Maybe two-fifty if it's a really high end nib . . .

Get it? Get it? Because you can buy most nibs for two dollars, it's a two dollar question lololololololololol :D
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Offline Bianca M

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2015, 01:19:37 PM »
HA!  Indeed.  Or $85 if you're talking about a Musselman Perfection.   :o
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Offline schin

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2015, 01:37:38 PM »
Quote from: Bianca M on October 29, 2015, 01:19:37 PM
HA!  Indeed.  Or $85 if you're talking about a Musselman Perfection.   :o

??!??!?!?! who the hell is selling a musselman for $85 ?!?!?!?!?
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Offline Carina_I

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #10 on: October 29, 2015, 03:54:17 PM »
Quote from: schin on October 29, 2015, 01:37:38 PM
Quote from: Bianca M on October 29, 2015, 01:19:37 PM
HA!  Indeed.  Or $85 if you're talking about a Musselman Perfection.   :o

??!??!?!?! who the hell is selling a musselman for $85 ?!?!?!?!?

That's what I want to know. Actually, what I really want to know is who would buy a musselman for $85
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Offline Bianca M

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2015, 04:28:45 PM »
Oops, not the perfection. Sorry!  But I somehow came across this:  https://calligraphicarts.com/component/hikashop/product/16-musselman-business-pen?Itemid=107. 

...and fell out of my chair.  I kept looking for some fine print like "this is for a box" or "set of ten" or SOMETHING...

They're selling the Musselman Perfection for $30. 
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Offline JanisTX

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2015, 09:28:36 AM »
Well, that price is CRAZY!  But, Susie-Melissa is one of my favorite all-time calligraphers!  I adore her work! 

When i was just getting started in calligraphy, I bought a few things from her on eBay.  Her eBay name let me know that she was a calligrapher.  When I ran into problems, I emailed her in desperation as she was the only calligrapher that I "knew".  She was very kind to me & answered all my dumb questions.  I'm still terribly grateful for her kindness towards a total newbie!!

And, to the original post:  Nibs are like kids. - No two are ever alike!  I've had some Brause 66EFs that last for DAYS of meaningful practice/work.  Then, I've had Brause 66EFs that wear out after just an hour or so of work.  I don't know if it's operator error, a manufacturing defect, the ink, the paper, or what.  But, trust me, you'll know when the nib dies!  It will become catchy/draggy, it'll be tough to pull on the up strokes, etc.  When it begins to misbehave, just throw it out!!

The most durable nib that I have encountered is the Comic G Titanium nib. 
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LUD4DAY?keywords=comic%20g%20nib&qid=1446387879&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2  The price of that nib is all over the map, with the price right now being  particularly high!  I don't know why the price is so variable!  I check on it about once a week at PIA, John Neal & Amazon & I buy it when the price is lower!  It's a very stable nib & it really does seem to be more durable than any other nib that I have tried!

Janis
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Offline Brush My Fennec

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2015, 09:44:03 AM »
Quote from: Bianca M on October 31, 2015, 04:28:45 PM
Oops, not the perfection. Sorry!  But I somehow came across this:  https://calligraphicarts.com/component/hikashop/product/16-musselman-business-pen?Itemid=107. 

...and fell out of my chair.  I kept looking for some fine print like "this is for a box" or "set of ten" or SOMETHING...

They're selling the Musselman Perfection for $30.

I just looked at that page now and the price must have gone up, because it's listed at $85.
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Offline Bianca M

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Re: How long do nibs last?
« Reply #14 on: November 01, 2015, 03:23:44 PM »
Janis, I did end up spending quite a bit of time on her website looking at all of her beautiful work!  How lucky to have been able to have her as a bit of a resource when you were starting off.
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