Some Frivolous and Fun Links

As the political and baseball seasons crank up, this inkophile is opting for an unserious season with some frivolous and fun links…

• 18 Fun Ways to Waste Taxpayer Dollars (h/t Chris Meisenzahl)
• The anti–Walmart
• The 007 Girls – Then and Now
• From Economy Pens – April Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper
• Leigh Reyes – TWSBI Meets Vintage Nib
• Carol Tice: 20 Ways to Kill Your Writer’s Block Forever
• Zaner-Bloser Announces Top 16 National Winners in 21st Annual National Handwriting Contest
• James Gurney (Dinotopia) and his Rosebud
• Free service offers users anonymous IP address, encrypted Internet history
• Mabeloos almost makes me want to visit NYC

Fountain Pen Nibs – It’s All Relative

When it comes to nib size, fountain pen users have a multitude of choices. Recently I was doodling with the inky beauties on my desk and was struck by the differences between them. Even two from the same maker and of the same width produced varied results. Getting the perfect line size to show your writing to its best may take a little trial and error, but the satisfaction in seeing your words look their best is worth it.

I have become an equal opportunity user though I was stuck on narrow nibs for a very long time. Most fountain pen nibs are either fine or medium with a smaller number available in broad and extra-fine widths. The tip of the nib is round in shape, a bit like a ball point pen when you put it to paper. That angle of contact suits general use very well.

Moving beyond the typical nib, the sweet spot where nib meets paper becomes less forgiving and requires more care in use. If it suits your writing style, even an exotic nib should work well once you get the hang of it. Less common categories include double broad (BB), stub, italic, cursive italic, music, and Arabic. There are other exotic nibs but they are too rare for a general discussion.

If a rigid nib doesn’t thrill you, there is a unique characteristic called flex which can be an attribute of any sized nib. It is measured in degrees from a soft give that produces just a slight squish with pressure to a wet noodle that puts down ink like a paint brush.

Another quirk is that Asian nibs for the most part are more narrow than Western nibs. Add to that the interplay between nib, ink and paper as well as the rate of flow from the ink supply to the nib tip and the range of line widths can get ridiculous.

Still there is a range and that is what the image demonstrates. Size is relative.

Fountain Pen Line Comparison

Note that the ink scan has not be color adjusted. Take that aspect of this post with a grain of salt.

Fresh Links – Get ‘Em While They’re Hot!

It’s only Tuesday but a few fresh links might help the week pass a little faster…

• Noodler’s Ink 2011 Artist Contest (h/t Gold Spot)
• Reader’s Digest: How To Have Beautiful Handwriting (h/t Flax Pen To Paper)
• Zero calorie chocolate? Try Choco Magnets from Jet Pens
• Office Supply Geek: Noodler’s Ahab Flex Nib Fountain Pen
• Nikira’s Moleskine Art especially this portrait
• 35 Examples Of Stunning Macro Photography

Ten Tuesday Links

Can’t recall where all these links came from but thanks to those who lead me to them.

• four23.org: Handwriting Meme
• Recording Thoughts: Living with the Leuchtturm1917
• Second Story Window: November Writing
• Annie Strack: Oh my! Did I just stumble across the perfect watercolor palette?
• Scoop.it! – Easily Publish Gorgeous Magazines
• Amazing Everything: The Art of Scott C. (h/t mabeloos)
• Camera links here and here.
• Pensandpaper.co.uk: Notebook papers comparison
• The Repairer’s Bench: A guide to nibs – the basics and beyond (h/t LifeImitatesDoodles)
• Star Wars Meets Moleskine

Nibmeister vs Nibsheister

The term nibmeister has been around for years as an honorific bestowed on a few skilled people who can improve and even reform a nib. Nibsheister was new to me when I discovered it in a post by “picautomaton” at Fountain Pen Network. It’s clever and good for a chuckle. Whether earned by poor workmanship or unsatisfactory customer support, someone who earns the latter dishonor will find the going rough in the pen community.

Pilot Custom 742 Falcon Nib

Modifying a nib is fairly common amongst fountain pen users but finding the right person for the job can take a bit of effort. Recommendations from friends can be reassuring but FPN can substitute for friends especially if you inquire backchannel. Pen people do love to talk so getting opinions should prove easy.

Once you do find a promising candidate, ask if he or she warrants their work. No nib guarantee? Meh. Years ago I tested a modified steel nib that had been sold to a newbie by a reputable nibmeister. The nib was bloody awful but it was sold without a guarantee or return option because it wasn’t gold. The unfortunate buyer got stuck with a stinky nib. No willingness to make things right? Then no sale.

As an inkophile one point annoys me more than others. A few repair people are biased against some brands of ink. If the nibmeister insists the use of those inks will void the warranty, he can buy an island and become a dictator. I’ll spend my money with someone else.

Here is a parting shot and it is critical. Are you willing to re-home that pen if the modification isn’t to your liking? If the pen is precious as is, leave it as is.

Vintage Eversharp Nib

When A Pen Falls Out Of Favor

Sooner or later most of us trade or sell fountain pens but which ones to keep can be tricky. So I’ll share my criteria if you’ll share yours. Deal?

No doubt my pen preferences are evolving. Over the past ten years my tastes have expanded from a fixation with tiny Asian nibs to an infatuation with chunky Western ones. Consider me an equal opportunity pen fancier. Lesson learned is to maintain a varied collection and hang onto the odd ones. With the right ink and paper, almost any pen can be fun.

Another criteria is size. Thin or short pens can cause fatigue and are best suited to brief sessions. A heavy pen must balance well or it will flip out of my grip making it a poor choice unless I don’t mind a little ink flung here and there. Medium to large, light-weight pens work best these days though there are exceptions.

Filler mechanism is important and with few exceptions, levers are out unless the nib pops out easily. I like getting a pen really clean when changing inks and lever fillers are too much work. Most of mine have been sent to more appreciative collectors.

How often I use a pen is less relevant than whether another pen is similar. If two nibs are virtually identical, I might let one go if I’m not thrilled with it. Not foolproof but helpful.

Here’s a case in point. A couple of years ago I gave up on Pelikan pens. Nothing wrong with them. Good build quality, swappable nibs, etc. When I sold or traded them, those nibs and exuberant flow didn’t suit me. Now that I’m exploring wide nibs, Pels are a much better fit and the few still here are getting renewed interest.

So despite modifying my criteria for re-homing pens, I still make mistakes. Put all that together and it makes a lot more sense to keep pens that have potential than it is to let them go.

A keeper, the navy gray Parker ’51′ Aero, though with Noodler’s Zhivago today…

Moleskine, a Parker '51' and Herbin Vert Empire Ink

Remember that deal we made? Now it’s your turn to share how you decide which pens to give the boot when they fall out of favor.

The Bounty On My Desk

Sometimes it’s good to appreciate the amazing choices we have. So today I took stock of the bounty on my desk and found plenty to make a pen person smile.

Next to my right hand, coffee mug, and mouse are ten fountain pens, three felt tips, a brush pen, a mechanical pencil, and one highlighter. Does that seem like a lot? You should see the mountain of art supplies that hogs the left side of my workspace. Pens are small, tidy things in comparison. Paper is the biggest space invader but that’s another story.

Inkophile Pen and Ink Samples for August, 2011

The first three pens get daily use and I am content with each. The newest addition is the Namiki Falcon SB which is well-matched to Stipula Verde Mushiato both in flow and shading. The Levenger True Writer Masuyama Cursive Italic is perfect for brown ink but the Namiki Falcon SF gets to change its colors frequently. Its ink will be determined by what is missing when the other pens have been filled.

The three pens not pictured in the sample are due for cleaning and replacement by old favorites like my Sailor 1911 EF. That one works brilliantly with Noodler’s Red-Black and is an easy choice. The Sapporo F might get a fill of something turquoise or possibly one of my 1976 Pilot Elite “Socrates” pocket pens will get Diamine Teal. All three pens are good for long sessions and disinclined to clog even if unused for days at a time.

Sometimes I like to dig deeper in my pen drawer for older pens that deserve some playtime. The navy gray Parker ’51′ Aero F looks like a good mate for Noodler’s Zhivago and the Pelikan M250 Fine Stub has had a thing for Diamine Emerald for years. The dimensions of these two are slightly different from the other pens so that helps reduce hand fatigue on those days that seem to have no end.

Lastly it’s time to go back to black. Either the Limited Edition Sailor Hougado Deep Moss Black or Noodler’s Black but the pen has yet to be determined. The Lamy Safari OB and the Pilot Custom Black Stripe F are good candidates for a rich, dark ink. Again maintaining a variety of dimensions will determine the winner.

So that’s my latest pen and ink rotation.

Putting aside everything on my desk but the fountain pens and the written sample, I looked for a common thread to this rotation. Danged if I can find one save the pleasure in using a fountain pen and the colorful line it produces. That’s pretty simple but it does make me wonder about other fountain pen people. If you are a member of that club, what drives your rotation?

Big And Bold Namiki Falcon

A fountain pen veteran once told me that in time, fine nibs would give way to broad nibs in my collection. Either he was half right or my rotation is still evolving after a mere ten years. As evidence last week two pens arrived, the tangerine Levenger True Writer with a very nice fine nib and Pilot’s resin Namiki Falcon SB with a soft broad nib. Guess which one got the most use. Okay. Did the post title give it away?

The Falcon is one of my favorite pens. The size and weight are very comfortable for my hand and my two soft fine nibs are always close at hand. They have become a bit more flexible with use and produce excellent results with a variety of inks. Sailor Brown, J Herbin Lie de Thé, and Diamine Violet are especial favorites in them.

Namiki Falcon SF, Diamine Violet, Rhodia grid paper

However, being a fan of Pilot’s Iroshizuku line, the new Falcon SB got loaded (drunk and dazzled) on Tsuki-yo for its maiden voyage. What a fat, wet nib! This baby will never skip. On Rhodia paper a blotter helped but a different ink should tame that a bit.

The nib is very smooth but squeaks slightly which is a funny combination. The lack of drag is great when my hand is tired so it will be perfect for my end-of-the-day journal entry, often my longest daily writing session. One of the nice things about that usage is any color ink goes. No need to be all businesslike or conservative so perhaps Rohrer & Klingner Morinda or Magenta or even Solferino will fit the nib’s attributes and the paper’s willingness to accept loads of ink. A nib with this much flow will be a good match for pale colored inks like pink, apricot and pale blue.

This is a “soft” nib with a very limited amount of give though enough to produce a unique signature with a flair or two. I want to play with that a bit but my initial take is that Pilot labeling it SB is generous. Yes, it will flex very slightly but the line looks nearly identical to the non-flex line at least with Tsuki-yo and Morinda. The SF is better at flex but only after it has had some use. I’ve never used the SM (soft medium) but have read it is the nib people like the most. If it is halfway between the two, I can see why that would be the sweet spot for many users. Someday I will have to get my hands on one for comparison.

Namiki Falcon Nib Comparison Test

Not to put anyone off on adding the Namiki Falcon SB to your collection, but this is one pen that puts down a truly broad, wet line. Some folks will be thrilled at that while others may be intimidated. The SB is not ideal for small handwriting. It is best for big, bold statements. My handwriting suffers but my hand is happy with the ease with which I can write albeit sloppily. With practice my penmanship should improve. If not, it doesn’t really matter because when I grab the SB, writing longer will be more important than writing neater. For those times big and bold is just fine with me.

Note: My new Falcon came from Pear Tree Pens as did the bottle of Morinda. Tsuki-yo has been on my shelf since shortly after its release and is available from a number of sources including PTP. It’s a favorite amongst Iroshizuku fanatics and would be a good starting point if you haven’t tried this line of inks yet.

Linky Delights

No theme to this group of links but there is some fun stuff to brighten a quiet moment…

• Toothpick art here and here (h/t Jeri Ryan)
• Why use a fountain pen? asks Karol at WritersBloc
• Another Carnival thanks to Economy Pens and Nifty at NotebookStories.
• TEMPEST FREERUNNING ACADEMY
• Ling’s Handmade Pen Wraps
• Mattias has a new book!
• Upgrade Your Life: Solutions to annoying tech problems
• The Pear Tree Pen Company Nib Poll

Links From Art To Moleskine To Architecture

Lots of art links but a couple of fountain pen ones, too…

• Margin Notes in Your Journal from QuinnCreative
• Brian Dettmer’s Book Carvings
• Georgia’s Studio
• The elegantly proportioned Cross Spire
• World’s Most Complex Architecture
• Nicole Caulfield Fine Art
• 25 Inked Moleskine Covers
• Edison Mina Update from Julie
• Office Supply Art