My EKII with ribbon question

[Norm F]

Hi all,
I started my collecting earlier, before the benefit of joining this forum, so I'd like to post my first EKII for comments, particularly with a question about the ribbon.
To my (untrained) eye it's an unmarked, seemingly good condition, no frosting, 3-piece construction, magnetic-attracting core EKII. The ribbon however feels awfully smooth and the fibres of the warp part easily with a pin to expose the black fibres of the weft. The only other ribbon I can compare to in my limited experience is that on my KVKII which feels stiffer, so I don't know what a genuine ribbon should feel like.
Comments?
Thanks.
---Norm

[Norm F]

Reverse

reverse

[Norm F]

closeup

closeup

[Norm F]

edge

edge

[Norm F]

ribbon

ribbon - note the texture of the frayed edges?

[Norm F]

closeup of ribbon

Note how the pinhole has made a "black" hole by revealing the black weft -- it does this awfully easily...

[Douglas 5]

The weave looks correct . Have you done a Black light test ??
I have only started on ribbons and can say that one finds a variation of thicknesses and colors variations . It seams earlier ribbons were thinner and 'cool-silky' fealing to the touch . They had no support- loose weave- and would not stand up on there own . The internal color band vary in width as well ... maker to maker .

Douglas

[Norm F]

ribbon

The weave looks correct . Have you done a Black light test ??
I have only started on ribbons and can say that one finds a variation of thicknesses and colors variations . It seams earlier ribbons were thinner and 'cool-silky' fealing to the touch . They had no support- loose weave- and would not stand up on there own . The internal color band vary in width as well ... maker to maker .

Douglas

Interesting! This ribbon is exactly as you describe -- silky feeling and loose weave. Sadly I don't have a black light -- must look into that. I also fear I've created sacrilege by hanging it with a pin -- didn't realize it would make such a permanent mark in the ribbon. Not sure how best to display this vertically.
---Norm

[Douglas 5]

Black light test ; ribbons and something that you know that will glow .

[Douglas 5]

A display comparison showing the variations amongst the red ribbons .
Looking closely one can just make out the fine and coarse weave ribbons as well .

Douglas

[Adrian]

No problems with the cross or ribbon IMO, both are original.

[mess079]

For me it look's like steinhauer and luck but i'm not sure.

[Norm F]

Since it has been suggested that my unmarked cross starting this thread is a Steinhauer and Lück, I recently acquired on the e-stand a marked "4" Steinhauer and Lück for comparison.
Here is my new marked "4".

[Norm F]

Here follow few side-by-side comparisons:

[Norm F]

another comparison

and another: