Phil, I stand by my earlier comment that a 'Beaufort' nib would not carry the clout of a 'Bock' nib. Remember, it's my perception that the whole 'good nib' thing is driven by snobbery rather than utility, and snobbery says Bock. Make sense?
Two reasons why I would say Bock rather than Jowo - first, PeteB on this forum does Jowo so I would not want anyone muscling in on his territory, and (2) personally I think Bock nibs look the dog's danglies. They are beautifully engraved with the buck of their name and just look so yummy!
Price is interesting - firstly, for kitless I wouldn't offer anything but a 'proper' German nib, because people springing £200 for pen expect quality in the details. However, for kit pens the only reason I would swap the nib is either because the customer requests (and pays for) an upgrade, or if the customer wants something broader/thinner/italic. Again, it would be on his dollar. So really I'm a little disinterested in the price - it's being absorbed by the customer.
Finishes: Most IPGs are indeed two-tone, which is one good reason NOT to offer that finish! Bock do an 'all gold' plating by default but offer both silver and two-tone as options (retail around 12 Euros including feed and threaded housing). They also now do a titanium nib at about 60 Euros which I've never tried. Of course they also do various purities of solid gold as well as a very funky 'heartbeat' shaped ink slit at much higher prices (18k solid is around 130 Euros).
