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Number Two: OMAS (14K nibs) The 14K nibs from OMAS, once standard on their pens, but of late, supplanted
by the 18K two tone nibs on most all of their pens, are very good nibs. As usual in modern pens, the step forward
has been a step back! The perception that 18K nibs are somehow automatically better than 14K nibs has led many
companies to follow the same course as OMAS. In the case of OMAS, it's a real shame, as the original 14K nibs are
very close to being a true flex nib. Without having quite the same spring as, say a vintage Waterman, or Wahl Eversharp, the 14K OMAS nibs do give more line width variation than most any other modern pen nibs I have tried. Fortunately, they are not impossible to find! In the first place, it is often possible to locate these older pens being sold as |
| close out items, at a reduced price. Selection might be limited, but you can get a better nib and save money at
the same time! As of recently, OMAS was also replacing 18K nibs on new pens with the 14K nibs, at customer request,
I assume that this swap out policy would only apply to new pens, but if you've just bought a Paragon, and want
something a bit special, nib wise, you might give OMAS a call. A few of the OMAS LE pens have 14K nibs, the E.E. Ercolessi, and the Italia '90 are two that I know of, and I can speak with assurance to the characteristics of their nibs! Both are excellent writers. Another choice might be the Ogiva series, the lower end of this model, can still be fairly easily found with the 14K nib, and although smaller, they are very nice pens. If you just can't stand the faceted shape of the Paragon and Arte Italiana series, try the Ogiva. The current buzz is that OMAS is preparing to introduce a special order flexible 14K nib. Hopefully, this will be an actual flex nib, and not just a reissue of the old 14K nib, good as it is. It would be nice to see a true flexible nib, in the old style, once again! |
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