Complete newbie question

[StephenP83]

I want to buy the B&B pen with the intention of beginning a journal. I was looking over the options for nib size and I have no idea what do get. Also, before I start doing my journal I would like to get some practice in. Are there any recommended books on handwriting I could easily pick up from Amazon? I was inspired by reading the article on The Art Of Manliness about the master penman. My handwriting is poor right now and putting the money into a pen will force me to work at it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Andy]

Hi and welcome.

As for nib size, it really depends on the size of your handwriting, perhaps start with a medium.

Not too sure on books but take a look at the Palmer method

 

[one cut]

If you go to a high end store that sells Fountain pens you will be shown different pens and allowed to try them.
when first looking at pens, do not look at the price.
Try lots of pens, much like DE shaving each pen has a different feel to it so it can be a very Personal choice.

 

[maxman]

We'll help you along. We're better than any book on the subject.
I like a medium nib for most tasks.
The advice to find a store and try them out is a good one.

 

[airmech]

Thanks to Andy for posting the link to the Palmer method! Here is a link to IAMPETH that gets good press here in "The Nib" http://www.iampeth.com/ Welcome and enjoy yourself!!!

Tom

 

[Slivovitz]

I'll let others advise you on the handwriting part. Concerning nib size, if I knew nothing about the nibs ahead of time, and was planning on writing in a fairly small notebook at least some of the time (or if my normal handwriting was smaller than it actually is), I would pick a fine nib. The trouble is that different makers, or different parts of the world, have different standards for what F, M, and B actually mean. The Japanese medium nib on one of my Pilot FP 78Gs is similar in line width to the extra fine on my German Pelikan M-205. I generally haven't gone wrong with a German fine or extra fine nib. Some mediums have turned out to be too broad for what I want.

 

[nemo]

I'll let others advise you on the handwriting part. Concerning nib size, if I knew nothing about the nibs ahead of time, and was planning on writing in a fairly small notebook at least some of the time (or if my normal handwriting was smaller than it actually is), I would pick a fine nib. The trouble is that different makers, or different parts of the world, have different standards for what F, M, and B actually mean. The Japanese medium nib on one of my Pilot FP 78Gs is similar in line width to the extra fine on my German Pelikan M-205. I generally haven't gone wrong with a German fine or extra fine nib. Some mediums have turned out to be too broad for what I want.

Excellent advice here. I too would recommend a fine nib for journals, especially if they are a smaller size and lined.

 

[celestino]

Welcome to the nib and i prefer F nibs as they are easier to write with and they provide a more elegant line, for me. Good luck.

 

[StephenP83]

Thanks for sharing information with me. Seems like most everyone recommends getting the Fine nib to start with. I really want to say thanks for the links to the books about handwriting. I was not aware of that website and I plan on doing some work on my handwriting while I have some vacation over Christmas. Hopefully, I'll actually stick to a New Years resolution this year. I want to keep the journal and actually write legibly.