Noodler nib and feed replacement

**CrotalusHH** · 05-02-2012, 02:15 PM

I've had a few problems with my Ahab not wanting to start the next day. I have a set of 3 Knox nibs arriving Friday.

I also plan on watching that nib feed adjustment video tonight. My hands are gonna turn black. :)

**CrotalusHH** · 05-05-2012, 06:26 PM

The jury is still out on the Knox Nibs. #1 They don't fit as tightly as the Ahab original. I can't seat it all the way in either. The feed almost reaches the tip of the nib and doesn't feed fast enough.

If I pull the nib out slightly it feeds better, but is so loose I wonder if it will stay in place.

**jwhite** · 05-05-2012, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by CrotalusHH

The jury is still out on the Knox Nibs. #1 They don't fit as tightly as the Ahab original. I can't seat it all the way in either. The feed almost reaches the tip of the nib and doesn't feed fast enough.

If I pull the nib out slightly it feeds better, but is so loose I wonder if it will stay in place.

Mine sit very snugly in the section and are seated where they belong. Double check to make sure the slot on the nib is lined up with the slit in the feed ignore the point in the feed and focus on the slot very minor adjustments here have a big impact on flow. On my daughters Ahab the drilling for the section on the feed end shows where the nib fits best, on mine the nib likes to be in the area flush against the section. Also you might remove the feed and holding the feed and nib together hit it with a hair dryer and press together to get a precise set the nib to the feed. This can be done with the feed in the section as well after it has been flushed clean of ink but I'd leave the piston filler attached to make sure you don't get the threaded end of the section out of round. Just did some experimentation with a set of K35 nibs today on my daughters to find her favorite width nib for daily writing so its fresh in my mind. Her vote was for the fine.

**jwhite** · 05-05-2012, 07:29 PM

Thinking about it I'm starting to feel a little like a Noodler's apologist. That's not my gig at all and if you're not into them I don't blame you, just wanted to share what has worked for me.

**CrotalusHH** · 05-07-2012, 12:02 PM

Ok, if I have to heat and reshape the feed on the Ahab I'm going back to the Ahab nib.

I just looked at the feed against the bottom of the nib and it's only touching right under the tip of the nib. There is a sizable gap under the relief hole. This is why all I have to do it touch the nib with a paper towel to try to wipe it off and ink comes out all over the place.

I really don't want to physically modify the Ahab just to change nibs. It sounds like a one way trip.

What other pens will the K35's fit?

**jwhite** · 05-07-2012, 01:16 PM

The K35s are a #6 nib so any pen that takes that size. As far as the set goes did you get it properly seated in the section the logo should be visible but the lettering should be hidden by the section. Also the heat set can be done repeatedly, I've done it to both the stock and replacement nibs for the best fit. Sorry I don't have the personal inventory of pens that many have to give a good list of compatible pens.

**nemo** · 05-07-2012, 05:29 PM

Like Jim says, the heat set is not a one way trip.

#6 is a big nib and doesn't fit a whole lot of my pens. I put a fine point Knox in a Pelikan M200 two weeks ago and am quite happy with the results (the smaller 26mm).

**Jimmy James** · 05-07-2012, 05:47 PM

If your Knox nib is loose, I'd suggest shimming it with some material (paper? foil? something) between the nib and the section (not between the nib and feed).