Nib selection

[ChiefBroom]

I posted this in the Essential Pen thread and then decided should probably move it here.

Can anyone offer some guidance on nib selection (for the B&B Essential Pen)? I have 4 FPs. Two Mont Blancs from the late 80s I recently dug out from old boxes, and two Eversharp Skylines (recently purchased on eBay). I don't have much experience with any of them, but one of the Skylines with what I believe is a Fine nib is my favorite. I write in cursive and am left-handed. Thanks.

 

[rockviper]

I think it would be quite useful to see comparison of the available nibs a la Goulet's Nib Nook.

 

[ChiefBroom]

I think it would be quite useful to see comparison of the available nibs a la Goulet's Nib Nook.

I did find this:
http://www.franklin-christoph.com/specialty-nib-info.html

Just not sure what to make of it in relation to me. Being a lefty changes things. I bought the Spencerian books and would like to reclaim decent cursive penmanship. Since I sometimes have to push, rather than pull, the pen across a page, too fine can be a problem. On the other hand things can get a little messy with medium nibs. But I say that without even being sure about what I have or whether I use them properly.

 

[Rockminer]

I did find this:
http://www.franklin-christoph.com/specialty-nib-info.html

Just not sure what to make of it in relation to me. Being a lefty changes things. I bought the Spencerian books and would like to reclaim decent cursive penmanship. Since I sometimes have to push, rather than pull, the pen across a page, too fine can be a problem. On the other hand things can get a little messy with medium nibs. But I say that without even being sure about what I have or whether I use them properly.

Not sure if I can help you or not. are you saying that you might need something in between a fine and medium? Are you looking at maybe getting a custom ground stub or italic?

Which of the pens do you own that you like the most? What size nib does it have?

 

[ChiefBroom]

Not sure if I can help you or not. are you saying that you might need something in between a fine and medium? Are you looking at maybe getting a custom ground stub or italic?

Which of the pens do you own that you like the most? What size nib does it have?

The one I like best is described in this eBay listing. The other Skyline that is maybe a little too "big" for my is this one, although it's also fun, just not as ... fine.

I'm a rank noob. Wouldn't begin to know how to decide what kind of custom nib might serve me best.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Rockminer]

If you are looking for something that will give you very little line variation, the fine or medium would be a good choice. I'm not sure how the FC nibs run in relation to other fine or medium Nibs. You might be able to get a medium that would be a little smoother than a fine, and give you a smaller line than the fine you are using now. There are some members who have used different nibs with this exact pen that could better tell you which would be best for you.

If you want some line variation you could try the stub. This is not line variation like the second link you provided. A stub is like a rounded off chisel, that you hold at a particular angle to the page and it gives your writing some pizzazz. I have linked a picture of a stub with a 1.1 stub ( this would relate to the broad stub in the B&B essential )

 

[nemo]

How big is your normal handwriting? I see a lot of people get too large of a nib for the type of writing they do and end up closing the loop on e and looped risers on b, d, k, l, etc get filled in with ink. Lefties many times like fine nibs as the ink dries quicker and there's less chance of smearing.

If you like the Eversharp fine you might want to stick with fine nibs, at least until you are not a self-proclaimed "rank noob"!

Good to see you over in this neck of the woods, Chief!

 

[strop]

The italic nibs don't lend themselves well to the push stroke, so until you get more comfortable with the FP you may not want to go that route. A cursive italic has more rounded corners and less grab, but still doesn't like the push stroke.

 

[ChiefBroom]

How big is your normal handwriting? I see a lot of people get too large of a nib for the type of writing they do and end up closing the loop on e and looped risers on b, d, k, l, etc get filled in with ink. Lefties many times like fine nibs as the ink dries quicker and there's less chance of smearing.

If you like the Eversharp fine you might want to stick with fine nibs, at least until you are not a self-proclaimed "rank noob"!

I'll try to make some samples and post them with photos of the my four pens and their nibs. I don't think my normal handwriting is big. Looks like short letters are about 4-5mm above the line and caps 6-7.5mm or thereabouts. Not sure what that makes it.

Good to see you over in this neck of the woods, Chief!

Thanks

The italic nibs don't lend themselves well to the push stroke, so until you get more comfortable with the FP you may not want to go that route. A cursive italic has more rounded corners and less grab, but still doesn't like the push stroke.

I usually hook overhead and write uphill (depends on the surface and space), if that makes sense, so try mostly to pull, but I've yet to find a technique that avoids pushing.

 

[ChiefBroom]

If you are looking for something that will give you very little line variation, the fine or medium would be a good choice. I'm not sure how the FC nibs run in relation to other fine or medium Nibs. You might be able to get a medium that would be a little smoother than a fine, and give you a smaller line than the fine you are using now. There are some members who have used different nibs with this exact pen that could better tell you which would be best for you.

If you want some line variation you could try the stub. This is not line variation like the second link you provided. A stub is like a rounded off chisel, that you hold at a particular angle to the page and it gives your writing some pizzazz. I have linked a picture of a stub with a 1.1 stub ( this would relate to the broad stub in the B&B essential )

Hard to say what I'm looking for yet. I like some line variation. But I'm not really shooting for Copperplate or anything like that. FWIW, I don't get line variation like in the second link even with that pen.

With rollerball and gel pens, I always think I like the feeling of smooth, but it seems I tend to lose control and get sloppy with highly smooth.

I see a lot of people get too large of a nib for the type of writing they do and end up closing the loop on e and looped risers on b, d, k, l, etc get filled in with ink.

Had never really paid attention to this before -- or since grade school anyway. I close virtually all looped risers no matter what I use as a result of my habitual stroke. I'll need to work on that. I have the Spencerian penmanship books. I haven't done much with them yet.

 

[mikeschu]

The italic nibs don't lend themselves well to the push stroke, so until you get more comfortable with the FP you may not want to go that route. A cursive italic has more rounded corners and less grab, but still doesn't like the push stroke.

How do you feel about the M stub? I'm a lefty (underwriter) looking at another pen from the same company.

 

[syngent]

Ken copperplate and spencierian arnt going to be things your doing with this anyway... when you write does your hand run over the letters you just wrote? Or do you write from underneath so smearing isnt an issue for you? A big 1.1 stub may be problematic for you if you have a wet ink

 

[syngent]

Btw.... welcome to the nib

 

[ChiefBroom]

Ken copperplate and spencierian arnt going to be things your doing with this anyway... when you write does your hand run over the letters you just wrote? Or do you write from underneath so smearing isnt an issue for you? A big 1.1 stub may be problematic for you if you have a wet ink

I hook and write overhand -- don't know the right nomencalture. The little (2nd to 3rd knuckle) and ring (mainly 2nd knuckle) fingers of my left had drag over what I've written about 2-3" above the line I'm currently writing. I've been using Mont Blanc Midnight Blue ink and it hasn't been much of a problem, which is a little surprising.

BTW, the Spencerian books I have are just basic penmanship. Basically looks like my mom's handwriting. I'd be happy to have a hand that looked like Lincoln's.

 

[celestino]

Ken, a sample of your writing might be helpful when you can. i see you got the FP bug, now.

 

[the_edski]

Ken, I'm a lefty as well and I have the broad italic FC. I use it mainly for signatures and have it loaded with Lamy Blue which comes out pretty wet. I have yet to have a smearing problem with it. I think if you take your time with writing, as we all should, you shouldn't have a problem with any of the nibs.

 

[Isaac]

I myself would venture into the italics and the stubs for some variation. When I did do it, I jumped right into cursive italics.

 

[dema]

I "tried" the Noodler's AHAB, but it smells so bad I couldn't actual try it. I ended up smashing it with my foot. Sad.

So any suggestions? I was looking at the Visconti Homo Sapien but at 600 it's crazy. I have a Muji and it's 15 bucks and great. I got a few Lamy's and they are good for an every day, and calligraphy. I want something for my more creative writing.

 

[the_edski]

Dema, you may want to try starting your own thread. Goto the NIB forum main page and look for the blue button in the left-hand corner that says "post new thread"

 

[oc_in_fw]

I "tried" the Noodler's AHAB, but it smells so bad I couldn't actual try it. I ended up smashing it with my foot. Sad.

So any suggestions? I was looking at the Visconti Homo Sapien but at 600 it's crazy. I have a Muji and it's 15 bucks and great. I got a few Lamy's and they are good for an every day, and calligraphy. I want something for my more creative writing.

The smell fades- the bad writing characteristics don't.