The job: Nib grinder and tester
As told to Daniel Schäfer
Published: August 22 2010 22:09 | Last updated: August 22 2010 22:09
Agnes Braun, Montblanc
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I am a dental technician by qualification and came to this job by accident 14 years ago when the laboratory I was working with ran into trouble. Before long, I fell in love with the work. Montblanc is the only company in the world that employs nib grinders and testers. My job is to weld the iridium tip on to the golden fountain-pen nibs. Then it takes up to 35 different steps, including the nib grinding, so that the pen does not scratch.
Then, the moment of truth arrives. I test the nib with invisible ink. I mostly write the number eight, because it takes the pen into all directions and allows me to imitate all writing styles. But I sometimes also write sentences such as “Hamburg is beautiful”. The ink is invisible so that the fountain pen does not get stained. I don’t need to see the script; I can test the nibs with my sense of touch and hearing. About 1 per cent have to be reworked in order to be flawless.
There is a great feeling of joy when a nib feels perfect. But the most exciting thing is to know that prominent people write for the rest of their lives with them. One of the nibs I’ve polished was created for a limited edition in honour of the deceased Prince Rainier of Monaco. It had two rubies integrated in the nib.
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