Ring Nib

Ring Nib

What can you do, when you purchase what can be quite an expensive item, to ensure that you are actually obtaining a German pen that is going to perfectly suit the requirements you have? Let's go through the procedure.

The first thing to stress is that you should not just go into the Office Supply section of the store and walk away with the first german pen that catches your eye. This is a significant purchase and you are going to need to take your time and, at the very least, test out the pen before buying. So allow yourself plenty of time so that you don't make a hasty, and perhaps, unwise decision.

So, take a few sheets of the paper you'll likely be writing on, go to the store, have a look at the range and then select the one, or perhaps two, that you think are within your price range and have the 'look' that appeals. The store won't mind - they stand to make a good sale here, after all. Initially, you must make sure you are going to buy a pen that is fit for the purpose you have.

For example, are you buying a pen purely for use as a 'signature' pen, for the foot of printed letters, or are you expecting to write a lot of text with it? Does your handwriting look constricted on the page or is it a more expansive style? This too makes a difference to the kind of pen you need. Ensure that the pen, when you hold it in your natural writing position, feels comfortable and balanced. If it's the design of pen that broadens above the nib, is that going to be uncomfortable for prolonged writing? If you're going to be doing a lot of writing, is the pen going to be too heavy after a while?

Consider the filling mechanism of the pen and how much writing it can do without being refilled. After all, if you are travelling with the pen, it might be easier to have one which uses cartridges so that you can refill easier whereas if your pen is always being stored in your office you might prefer one which fills from a bottle. All these things matter and need deliberation.

As does the kind of nib that your pen has. If you have relatively small handwriting, then a fine or extra-fine nib will probably suit you best, whereas a broader one would be more appropriate for bolder writing. You might require a nib strong enough to be able to use it on four-part forms you have to fill in such as the Waterman nib, which by the way is not a german pen. Or you might be attracted to the more flexible, springier type available- such as those produced by Lamy. Both Pelikan and Rotring can provide you with nibs which provide something in between these two types of nib. You just need to find the one which suits your style best. You might even decide to opt for one of the superflex nibs, offered by the world famous Mont Blanc pens, which present quite a challenge for some writers but are a delight to their supporters.

When you have decided on your german pen and your nib, then go ahead and try it out for a while. Write with the cap off and also with it on the end of the pen barrel - with a good pen it should make no difference to its performance. If the pen doesn't match your expectations, then have a look at others; don't allow yourself to be hurried at this stage of the purchase.

There are many high quality, attractive German - manufactured fountain pens on sale today. When you have made your choice you will possess an exceptional item which will be a joy for many years. So it is worth your while taking this amount of care over the purchase.

Gabriela Rupp is a successful internet marketer and publisher of the Best German Gifts Guide. She is born in Germany, lives there for more than 4 decades and provides expert advice and reviews of all the major german brands and hidden gems made in Germany.

More valuable information on german pens you find at German Pens Review.

How do I change the nib on my dip pen?

The existing nib is held in place by a squeeze cross system within the shaft of the pen, and a silver ring on the outer edge. Any ideas?

normally they just pull out no locking mechanism at all
you sure it is locked in place?
there normally isn't anything to grab on to unless you are using special nibs
i would get some pliers and pull