Typewriter Video Series Episode 274: Finding the Right Ribbon for Your Machine

[@rickwillis1437]

Great video. I have a couple of Olympia SFs that made light impressions like your Kolibri, so I tried the cotton ribbons on them. It was the perfect solution. It's fun to experiment and discover the best match-making with ribbons and machines!

[@gerria2000]

Where do you even get ribbons? We had a great little machine but couldn't find anymore typewriter ribbons.

[@cactusjack8887]

They're available online for around 10-15 dollars. That's where I got mine

[@garbleizer]

Interesting, I didn't realise that there were such varieties of ribbon. My one work experience where it mattered a lot was back in the early '80s when I was in Signals in the Canadian Forces. We trained for typing on selectric machines as were common in offices of the time but in actual comm centres there were curiously old fashioned machines, not surprising really for the military, and with fabric ribbons only. We were told that the reason was that the once-through plastic ribbons produce nice looking output but retain a record of what was typed, and become a problem when there is classified information on them or anything passing through the crypto workflow. Makes sense. The multi-use fabric ribbons tend to obscure what is typed if the ribbon is examined by an adversary. Destruction of classified waste was a whole art in itself.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

Joe, your experiment is enlightening for all. I bought one nylon ribbon from Staples - all black - and it was very wet and dark initially. Then I ordered some nylon red/black ribbons on Amazon for my two Letteras - made in China - and hey work ok but not very dark. I then ordered nylon ribbons form some typewriter shops and am not finding them that great. They work but just ok. I have not yet tried a cotton ribbon and now might do so for my machines with Pica or larger (2.6 mm) typefaces. Same for what print will a silk ribbon achieve in my machines. I would assume silk would work better with small typefaces (2.3 mm and smaller). Your tests are encouraging me to test new types of ribbons. The carbon film cartridges in the Coronamatic 2500 print beautifully clear and crisp. Hard to beat that. Daniel

[@rodrigogiorgi89]

Hi joe! I loved it, as a user of a Hermes Baby, (very similar to the Kolibri) I found this video very useful. I also had to change the ribbon type, as a compromise solution because the capital keys were falling half of it out of the ribbon. The solution? Use monochromatic ribbon and use the middle color selector(Yellow) instead of the upper color (black). I preferred this than touching the rising mechanism that is working in perfect condition.

[@saulysw]

Something about ribbons? I don't know - I was so bedazzled by that shirt! What a stunner!

[@asbjorn.mejlvang]

I was just looking to swap ribbons in general - but damn that story telling arc had me caught from the start.

[@catrinwyrsch1774]

Hello joe. Great video. May i ask you a question? I hope i can word this correctly for you to understand since I only have limitet english skils. I'm in possesion of a Olympia Simplex. It worked perfectly fine at first but now this thing with the Ribbon does not go up anymore, when I Type. Do you have any Idea wath the Problem could be?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Check the ribbon color lever, make sure it’s not in the stencil position.

[@Vanadse]

Hello, Joe. I wanted to ask if there was an episode in the typewriter series that focused on large non portable machines. I am currently looking into getting one of those, and some insight would be greatly appreciated. A full featured, pleasant, unmovable giant basically.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I’ve reviewed the Olympia SG3 and Royal KMM, both great machines. The SG series are newer and German made (both SG 1 & 3) hence rarer and more expensive, while the Royals are a bit older but they made millions of them.

[@Vanadse]

@@Joe_VanCleave While I would love to get a KMM, given how amazing it looks in your videos, it doesn't seem to be available where I am from. At least not in prices the average person can pay. We seem to have primarily Olivettis and Remingtons around here. Primarily Olivetti Studio 44 or Linea 88 and Remington Standard 24 machines when it comes to the more substantial types. I do recall a video where you mentioned you were not particularly impressed with your studio 45, so I imagine the 44 cant be all that different. Have you ever tried a Remington? And if so, what were your impressions?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

@@Vanadse The Studio 44 is a good machine, it’s the same as the Olivetti Underwood 21. The Studio 45 is a later design and I didn’t like the touch at all. As for Remington, I like the Quiet Riter.

[@Vanadse]

@@Joe_VanCleave Finally obtained the Studio 44, although I am thinking it is needing some servicing. While it looks exceptionally well taken care of, typing on it feels slow and tiring in all tension settings. I typed three pages straight on the 44 to get in the groove, then switched to my Brother 210 and it was day and night. The 210 was going like a machine gun in comparison. I'll try to find a place to service it. Thank you for recommending the 44, it does look and feel like a quality piece of machinery, we'll see how well it does after servicing.

[@sonijam]

Very nice.