Using our overfeeds
Our overfeeds are simple devices designed to let you draw wider lines for a longer time using flexible pointed nibs. Here's a view of three overfeeds placed in positions do you can view their entire shape.
Our overfeed looks like a nib when you first see it because it is shaped to fit over the nib. In most cases, you can use the overfeed as it is delivered out of the box. You don’t need to do anything except fill the pen with ink, get the flow going to the nib, and start drawing.
When you receive a pen containing an overfeed, it looks like the pens shown below.
When you draw with an overfeed and flex the nib, you can vary the thickness of your drawn line as shown below.
This was drawn with our Classic Fountain Pen containing a Zebra Manga G nib and an overfeed.
The best flexible pointed nibs usually let you draw and write with a very thin line when you haven't yet flexed the nib. The flex in the nib lets you press down on the nib to expand the tips and leave a broader line. The width of the line you draw is determined by how much you press the nib to the paper.
Our overfeed does two things - it stores more ink on top of the nib, and it feeds the extra ink to the tip of the nib when the nib flexes backwards. The term "overfeed" distinguishes it from the underfeed or the feed under the nib. The underfeed must be rigid to support the nib. The overfeed must be flexible to let the nib flex up and back.
Our overfeeds can increase the thickness of the lines you draw with a pointed nib by a factor of ten, which means your thickest line will be ten times as thick as your thinnest line. This contrasts with the maximum variable line width you can draw without an overfeed, which is about 1:5 or five times as thick as your thinnest line.
Note: Our overfeeds only fit our Classic pens that have been configured for them. You cannot use our overfeeds in other pens or in Classic pens that have not been configured for them.
Nibs you can use
We provide overfeeds for Classic pens that contain the nibs: Zebra Manga G, Nikko Manga G, Tachikawa Manga G, Brause Rose, and our Sketch nibs. You can use other nibs of a similar shape and size, such as the Hunt 101.
Working with new overfeeds
If you’re working with a new overfeed, you should try to keep a bend in the tip - just a slight bend as shown above.
The arch helps store more ink and provides a space for air to flow back into the pen. The overfeed might flatten out over time and through use. Test the angle - you might find it works better with more or less flex. Just bend it slightly with your fingers.
Removing and inserting overfeeds
If you want to clean or replace the feed or nib, you can pull out all three items as a unit. If the overfeed is stuck, you can slide out the nib and underfeed first, then press the sides of the overfeed slightly to unwedge it from inside of the pen.
You can insert the three items the same two ways - one piece at a time or altogether. To insert each piece one by one - push the underfeed in first and make sure it seats in place, then push the nib in over the feed, and finally push the overfeed over the nib and underfeed.
You must be careful when pushing in the overfeed so you avoid getting stuck by the point of the nib.
Finding the "sweet spot"
Once all three pieces are inserted, you can slide the nib back and forth to find the sweet spot where the flow works best. Start with a bit of the tip extending beyond the tip of the overfeed. The more nib you expose, the more flex you will get. This position is important when you start flexing the nib. You can correct the positions of the nib and the overfeed while you are drawing. Use a piece of paper to shield your fingers from too much ink.
Make sure that the tip of the overfeed doesn’t point off to one side of the nib. Correct this by pushing the tip back into the right position with your finger.
Press down on the overfeed with your thumb and slide it forwards or backwards to the right position.
Once everything is in place, turn and twist the pen to encourage ink to drip off the nib and climb onto the top of the nib and fill in the space between the overfeed and nib.
Removing overfeeds
You can remove the overfeed if you don't want to use it. If you remove the overfeed, you must replace the overfeed with a collar to maintain the tight configuration of the underfeed and nib.
Note: Collars are a new product to be released on December 13, 2024.
Collars are simple tubes, as shown below.
Collars are designed to replace the overfeed and let you use your Classic Pen without an overfeed. You must press the overfeed collar tube into the front of your pen far enough to it seats firmly at the back. Your pen will then look like those shown below with and without nib and underfeed.
You can switch back to using an overfeed by removing the collar and reinserting the overfeed. The fit of the collar is tight to prevent leakage, so you should be handy with tools and careful with your work. If you dent or lose the collar, you can buy a replacement.
Note: We suggest you don't remove the overfeed unless you like to fiddle with small parts and you have a safe place to store the parts when not in use. You can order replacement overfeeds if you misplace the overfeed.