Penfount • Pen CommunityNov 7, 2023
#FPQuestion of the day:
Have you gotten a pen which required significant adjustment, whether by yourself or a nib specialist? What was the end result?
#FountainPen
Show threadTogaNov 7, 2023
@penfount My wooden Conklin All American with an Omniflex nib 😬. I didn't know of that nib's reputation when I got it. I adore the way my writing looks with it, but actually getting it to write is a colossal pain. I tried so many adjustments to the nib trying to get it to write, even buying a replacement Omniflex nib thinking maybe I'd mucked the original one up, but to no avail. I love the way the pen looks, so I wont sell it, but it rarely gets used for more than a couple words now.
Show threadparadoxmoNov 11, 2023
@toga have you thought about swapping for an FPR ultraflex nib?
Show threadTogaNov 11, 2023
@paradoxmo Oooh, I hadn't thought of that! I've got a 5.5 in one of my Jinhao 82's that I like a lot, I'll need to have a look at picking up a 6. Only downside is the Conklin had all black hardware, but I could live with that if it means I can actually use the pen again.
Show threadparadoxmoNov 11, 2023

@toga if you want a black nib Franklin Christopher sells those, their flex nibs aren’t as good though

Edit: just checked and they don’t offer a black flex nib but if you want any other width you can get that in black. https://www.franklin-christoph.com/products/6-nib-units

#6 Nib Unit

Show threadTogaNov 11, 2023
@paradoxmo Good to know. I wouldn't mind switching to a SIG or something along those lines instead, but it looks like they only offer the standard sizes + stubs in black. Might still get one anyway, just so it's more useable while keeping the look.
Show threadr0b07ca7Nov 11, 2023

@toga @paradoxmo
Pricier, but have you looked at the Bock Titanium Full Flex? I haven't tried one. The material looks darker than standard stainless steel nibs. But it's not a black nib. https://www.fpnibs.com/products/bock-250-titanium-full-flex

I'm assuming the Conklin has a Bock housing? I was told you can fit a JoWo nib into Bock housing, but Bock nibs don't fit into JoWo housings.

Bock 250 Titanium Full-flex

Show threadparadoxmoNov 11, 2023

@r0b07ca7 @toga no, Conklins have their own proprietary housing. A Bock nib should work though on the stock feed.

I’ve tried the Bock flex nibs and I wasn’t that impressed, it’s really quite easily to spring the Ti nibs. But I don’t think @toga is set on flex

Show threadr0b07ca7Nov 12, 2023

@paradoxmo @toga

That's too bad about Bock Ti flex.
I've never bought a Conklin, but I have been tempted.

I've heard too many things about the Omniflex nib, but maybe it's a matter of type of feed.

If flex is still a pursuit with the Omniflex, Flexible Nib Factory sells Conklin housings with an ebonite feed for the Omniflex. Or they do have an Indian flex nib with a ebonite feed in a Bock housing. Bock housing supposedly fit in Conklin pens. 🤷

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/359675-conklin-all-american-courage-red-review/

Conklin All American Courage Red Review

Today, I am reviewing the Conklin All American Limited Edition Courage Red pen. First of all, in my opinion Conklin get a lot of unnecessary bad press. While brands like Edison get wonderful reviews for their pens which often are around 170 bucks that come with a steel nib, and Conklin which also...

The Fountain Pen Network
Show threadparadoxmoNov 12, 2023
@r0b07ca7 be careful here, that’s not the standard Bock 250 housing that most #6 pens use, that’s a less common one that they’re talking about (Bock 255) that’s compatible with Conklin.
Show threadr0b07ca7Nov 12, 2023
@paradoxmo Oops! Did they stop making the Bock 255?
Show threadparadoxmo

@r0b07ca7 well, never mind, I can’t find any evidence of a Bock 255 ever existing, so that guy on FPN is either talking about the Bock 220 or talking out of their ass.

I’m more inclined toward just discounting this altogether, as this is the first I’ve heard of anyone saying Conklin housings were compatible with anything else.

https://www.peter-bock.com/products/nib-systems

Nib systems

Nov 12, 2023 at 12:35amWeb
Show threadr0b07ca7Nov 12, 2023
@paradoxmo yeah I can't find a Bock 255 either. What a pain Conklin is to have their own proprietary housing. 😆