Nikko 5: Difference between revisions

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{| class="infobox"
{| class="infobox"
|colspan=2 align=center|[[File:Nikko logo.jpg|link=https://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/tachikawa]]
|-
|-
|colspan=2 align=center| '''Nikko 5'''
|colspan=2 align=center| '''Nikko 5'''
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|'''Nib No.''' ||5
|'''Nib No.''' ||5
|-
|-
|'''Descr.''' ||
|'''Descr.''' ||Comic Nº 5 School Pen
|-
|-
|'''Tip''' ||
|'''Tip''' ||F
|-
|-
|'''Markings''' ||Exterior
|'''Markings''' ||Exterior
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|'''Mark 1''' ||NIKKO PEN K.K.
|'''Mark 1''' ||NIKKO PEN K.K.
|-
|-
|'''Mark 2''' ||[logo] NIKKO
|'''Mark 2''' ||〄 NIKKO
|-
|-
|'''Mark 3''' ||MADE IN JAPAN
|'''Mark 3''' ||MADE IN JAPAN
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|}
|}


The Nikko 5 nib appears to be of Czech origin. I cannot find any information about it. However, I did find photos of a pair of wooden calligraphy nib holders, stamped with the name "Nikko" and "MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA". This would suggest that Nikko is a Czech manufacturer involved with the production of calligraphy pens and nibs.  That would make Nikko the manufacturer of this nib.
The Nikko Comic Nº 5 School Nib is manufactured in Japan. The 〄 mark on the nib is not a Nikko-brand logo; instead it is the 1949-2008 symbol for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Industrial_Standards Japanese Industrial Standards] (JIS). I find nothing to indicate that there were JIS standards for pen nibs; instead it seems more likely that the manufacturers were using JIS-certified steel. Other contemporary pen makers (Zebra and Tachikawa) have also used the 〄 mark on their nibs.


This is just an assumption. The nib markings seem to suggest a different story:
The Comic Nº 5 School nib is still produced today (see [https://www.amazon.com/Nikko-Manga-Pen-Nib-Scool/dp/B00KU14G1I/ Amazon US] and [https://www.amazon.in/Nikko-Comic-No-N5-School-Type/dp/B0863DN6F6 Amazon IN]), although current nibs do not display the JIS marking. The nib is described in modern advertising as "high-quality, chrome-plated Japanese nib that's recommended for beginners. School type, small flex, fine tip is perfect for drawing as well as lettering."
* Pražské Bankovní Pero translates to Prague Bank Pen. Although many manufacturers produced a nib called a "bank pen," the shape of this nib is nothing at all like other bank pens, which are consistently short, straight-sided and rigid (well-suited to maintaining bank ledgers). However this nib is shaped like a traditional spoon nib. More precisely, it is shaped like a pinched-spoon nib, especially with the side cuts coming in towards the center vent hole. This suggests that Prague Bank Pen is more like a manufacturer's name, rather than a descriptor.
[https://www.jetpens.com/Nikko-Comic-Pen-Nib-School-Model-Pack-of-3/pd/12012 Jet Pens] highlights the Nº 5's characteristic Comic nib writing style: "Comic nibs are known for producing strong and crisp lines that are difficult to duplicate with pens and brushes. They are great for creating detail in drawings."
* The „Nikko” marking is notably shown inside quotation marks--which is quite rare for a manufacturer's name. However, it would not be surprising to find that a manufacturer would use quotation marks if Nikko was simply the nib's name--similar to the way Esterbrook named its famous 442 nib the Jackson Stub.


Other markings are more straightforward:
The [http://hans.presto.tripod.com/scan/mangalinks.html Blam Nib site] and [https://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/tachikawa Cult Pens] explain that Nikko is a subsidiary of Tachikawa. "Tachikawa is a respected Japanese manufacturer of dip pen nibs and other drawing pen supplies. Founded in 1935, Tachikawa and their sub-brand Nikko have become one of the most well-known makers of dip pen nibs. They are especially renowned for the quality of their flexible 'G' nibs." The [http://tachikawa-net.jp/outline Tachikawa website] (in Japanese) says that they are "one of only two manufacturers in Japan that manufactures Tachikawa and Nikko brand round pens, G pens, and dip pens." This can be a bit confusing, because the Tachikawa branded nibs are very different from Nikko branded nibs (see [https://www.paperinkartsblog.com/2019/12/16/zebra-g-nib/ PaperInkArtsBlog] and [http://www.nijomu.com/pen-and-ink/g-nibs-a-comparison/ Nijomu Pen and Ink] for their G nib comparisons). But think General Motors and Chevrolet. One company, two brands, your mileage may vary.
* P.B.P. - is almost certainly the initials of Prague Bank Pen, regardless of whether that's the manufacturer or pen name.
* Č. 5 ZJ - Č is the abbreviation for Number, meaning that this is nib No. 5. I have guessed that ZJ are the Czech initials for the nib point, similar to EF for Extra Fine.


====Versions====
====Versions====
There is only one version of the Nikko 5 nib in the Chappy's Nibs collection. The nib pictured below is '''Nikko 5'''.
There are no additional versions of the '''Nikko Comic #5 School Pen''' in the Chappy's Nibs collection, as pictured below (chrome-finish).


====Photos====
====Photos====
Click any image for a full-resolution photo: 2200 x 640. The image with the ruler is 2300 x 1196.
Click any image for a full-resolution photo: 1925 x 560. The image with the ruler is 2300 x 1196.
[[File:Picture 730.jpg|thumb|650px|none|Nikko 5 - top view]]
[[File:Picture 730.jpg|thumb|650px|none|Nikko 5 - top view]]
[[File:Picture 733.jpg|thumb|650px|none|Nikko 5 - side view, upper]]
[[File:Picture 733.jpg|thumb|650px|none|Nikko 5 - side view, upper]]
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==External Links==
==External Links==


* [https://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-vintage-calligraphy-wooden-fountain-pens-Nikko-7-Czechoslovakia-s9640/221540693744 eBay listing - Nikko nib holders]
* [https://www.amazon.com/Nikko-Manga-Pen-Nib-Scool/dp/B00KU14G1I/ Amazon US - Nikko 5 page]
* [https://www.amazon.in/Nikko-Comic-No-N5-School-Type/dp/B0863DN6F6 Amazon IN - Nikko 5 page]
* [https://www.jetpens.com/Nikko-Comic-Pen-Nib-School-Model-Pack-of-3/pd/12012 Jet Pens - Nikko 5 page]
* [http://hans.presto.tripod.com/scan/mangalinks.html Blam Nib site - Tachikawa page]
* [https://www.cultpens.com/c/q/brands/tachikawa Cult Pens - Tachikawa page]
* [http://tachikawa-net.jp/outline Tachikawa - About] (Japanese)
* [https://www.paperinkartsblog.com/2019/12/16/zebra-g-nib/ PaperInkArtsBlog - G nib comparison]
* [http://www.nijomu.com/pen-and-ink/g-nibs-a-comparison/ Nijomu Pen and Ink - G nib comparison]
 


[[Category:Nibs]]
[[Category:Nibs]]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 26 February 2021

Nikko 5
Manufacturer Nikko
Nib No. 5
Descr. Comic Nº 5 School Pen
Tip F
Markings Exterior
Mark 1 NIKKO PEN K.K.
Mark 2 〄 NIKKO
Mark 3 MADE IN JAPAN
Mark 4 lateral R Nº 5
Nikko 5 - top view, with ruler

The Nikko Comic Nº 5 School Nib is manufactured in Japan. The 〄 mark on the nib is not a Nikko-brand logo; instead it is the 1949-2008 symbol for Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). I find nothing to indicate that there were JIS standards for pen nibs; instead it seems more likely that the manufacturers were using JIS-certified steel. Other contemporary pen makers (Zebra and Tachikawa) have also used the 〄 mark on their nibs.

The Comic Nº 5 School nib is still produced today (see Amazon US and Amazon IN), although current nibs do not display the JIS marking. The nib is described in modern advertising as "high-quality, chrome-plated Japanese nib that's recommended for beginners. School type, small flex, fine tip is perfect for drawing as well as lettering." Jet Pens highlights the Nº 5's characteristic Comic nib writing style: "Comic nibs are known for producing strong and crisp lines that are difficult to duplicate with pens and brushes. They are great for creating detail in drawings."

The Blam Nib site and Cult Pens explain that Nikko is a subsidiary of Tachikawa. "Tachikawa is a respected Japanese manufacturer of dip pen nibs and other drawing pen supplies. Founded in 1935, Tachikawa and their sub-brand Nikko have become one of the most well-known makers of dip pen nibs. They are especially renowned for the quality of their flexible 'G' nibs." The Tachikawa website (in Japanese) says that they are "one of only two manufacturers in Japan that manufactures Tachikawa and Nikko brand round pens, G pens, and dip pens." This can be a bit confusing, because the Tachikawa branded nibs are very different from Nikko branded nibs (see PaperInkArtsBlog and Nijomu Pen and Ink for their G nib comparisons). But think General Motors and Chevrolet. One company, two brands, your mileage may vary.

Versions

There are no additional versions of the Nikko Comic #5 School Pen in the Chappy's Nibs collection, as pictured below (chrome-finish).

Photos

Click any image for a full-resolution photo: 1925 x 560. The image with the ruler is 2300 x 1196.

Nikko 5 - top view
Nikko 5 - side view, upper
Nikko 5 - side view, lower

External Links

Retrieved from "http://chappysnibs.com/index.php?title=Nikko_5&oldid=1739"