Cursive Handwriting Using An Italic Nib

[insaecula]

Hi,

I recently bought a Cross Century II with an Italic Nib and am growing rather fond of the results. This is my usual writing hand and any opinions/comments would be welcome. Does anyone else use an italic nib for everyday writing?

 

Thanks,

Michael

 

[kenmc]

I do, but can't write any where close to as well as you. Very nice!

[777]

I've always wanted to try an italic nib. I'm just to afraid to buy one before I try one. I'm sure if I had one I would use it for everyday writing since I wouldn't buy it unless I was going to be using it often.

 

 

By the way, your handwriting is awesome!

 

 

[insaecula]

Thanks Ken & 777.

 

<<to 777>> To get a feel for using an italic you could buy a cheap pen.......then if it works for you, you can always get a more expensive one at a later date. The slight variation in the lines between thick and thin does enhance your writing.

[777]

Thanks Ken & 777.

 

<<to 777>> To get a feel for using an italic you could buy a cheap pen.......then if it works for you, you can always get a more expensive one at a later date. The slight variation in the lines between thick and thin does enhance your writing.

 

I'll definitely take that into consideration.

 

Yes, it does seem to enhance peoples handwriting. It looks good...

[Aunt Jill]

Your handwriting is lovely, and teal is my favorite ink color.

 

My Plumix B isn't really very broad, but it's stubby and smooth.

 

I write differently with every pen, and often differently at different times of day. The B follows me through all my changes.

 

—Jill

[linearM]

I like your handwriting it has a nice flow and line variation. I purchased a Pelikan M200 with a Pelikan italic nib looking for the same line variation in cursive handwriting. I was disappointed with the Pelikan nib it didn't seem to have much if any line variation when I held the nib at the prescribed 45 degree angle. Has anyone else purchased the Pelikan italic nib and felt the same way?

[GouletPens]

I too have found my handwriting instantly improves with an italic nib!! As such is the case, I use an italic nib almost exclusively!

[insaecula]

To linearM>> Rather than hold the pen at a prescribed angle, have you tried finding an angle that's comfortable to write at whilst at the same time giving some line variation? I don't have a pelikan italic nib, but the fact it's an Italic means it must give some variation. You might also look at the ink, some wet inks will not give good variation whereas drier inks will instantly imporove the thick/thin contrast. My exemplar above is written with a very wet ink, but the broad italic compensates. Just some ideas that might help.

[insaecula]

[Sonnet]

Very pretty! I have a couple Pelikan stub italic nibs (0.6mm; 0.8mm) from Richard Binder. I haven't had trouble using them for everyday writing.

[bigstick]

not in the same league

 

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii241/bigstickpilot/Bulletin%20Board/FPN100705a.jpg

[insaecula]

Looks pretty good, bigstick. Love the thick/thin variation. I'm fortunate (or unfortunate as the case may be) that I never learnt Italic - the closest I come to Calligraphy is Copperplate. By the way, the colour is terrific!

 

 

[bigstick]

Looks pretty good, bigstick. Love the thick/thin variation. I'm fortunate (or unfortunate as the case may be) that I never learnt Italic - the closest I come to Calligraphy is Copperplate. By the way, the colour is terrific!

 

 

 

Yes, BSB has become my fave blue. In person, it looks far more like the blue around my avatar, than the way it appears in the jpg. Scanners/monitors/eyes are all different.

[caliken]

Does anyone else use an italic nib for everyday writing?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Thisversion350.jpg

Edited July 7, 2010 by caliken

[insaecula]

Does anyone else use an italic nib for everyday writing?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Thisversion350.jpg

 

 

Beautiful script, caliken. Did you use a fine or medium Italic nib? Would love to see more in the same style and any tips you may have, as a master of the art, to improve my own would be deeply appreciated.

Michael

[caliken]

Did you use a fine or medium Italic nib? Would love to see more in the same style and any tips you may have.

 

I wrote it with the finest italic nib in my set of Manuscript fountain pens - they're inexpensive and great value. No affiliation, just a satisfied long-term user.

 

The lettering is just basically "Business Writing" as in this example, but modified slightly to accommodate being written with a very fine cursive italic nib (i.e. an italic nib with the corners of the writing edge rounded off). The Manuscript nibs are already rounded for cursive writing.

To negotiate the corners of the looped letters, it's necessary to use a cursive nib, otherwise the sharp corners make curves impossible as the nib digs into the paper.

 

I apologize if you're insulted by this very basic information, but I've no idea where you're at, in this writing business!!

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Thisversion450.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Messian700.jpg

Edited July 7, 2010 by caliken

[insaecula]

<to caliken>

It's very helpful to know about the rounded corners - that's something I wasn't aware of but which makes perfect sense. I find that I must remove the pen from the paper and readjust the angle at which I hold it in order to execute the rounded letter forms. My biggest problem is that living in Ireland, there isn't much selection when it comes to finding the right 'nib'. Is it possible, I wonder, to have the corners rounded on my fountain pen nibs? Failing that, I may just order a set of Manuscript pens online.

 

By the way, I'm fairly new to using an Italic for cursive writing. Previously I always used a flex nib, but was finding it impossible to use anywhere other than at home, due to everywhere going green and places using recycled paper, which just makes the ink bleed. My main aim is to have attractive everyday writing, something that's individual to me yet retains many of the past traditions in penmanship. That probably doesn't make much sense though!

 

I'm really and truly in awe at your penmanship - been looking at some of your other posts and it's fantastic to see those aforementioned traditions being kept alive.

[czar]

Hi,

I recently bought a Cross Century II with an Italic Nib and am growing rather fond of the results. This is my usual writing hand and any opinions/comments would be welcome. Does anyone else use an italic nib for everyday writing?

 

Thanks,

Michael

 

Hello Insaecula,

I do with a Waterman Liaison with a nib Italicized by a nibmeister.

In general I use it when I want to have a very clear handwriting: aside I have a King of Pen with stub nib (more practical) and a very juici Lamy 2000 with an OB nib.

 

One day, with more time, I will try putting a handwriting sample here.

Yours

 

Cesare

 

 

[caliken]

My main aim is to have attractive everyday writing, something that's individual to me yet retains many of the past traditions in penmanship. That probably doesn't make much sense though!

 

It makes perfect sense!.....welcome to the club!

 

On the left is a conventional, square-edged nib and on the right, a cursive one.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/twonibs2.jpg

 

It's a relatively simple matter to round off the corners of a nib. I use fine emery or glass paper checking my progress frequently. When the nib is the right shape, I finish off by 'writing' in a pool of Brasso (metal polish) on a piece of cardboard until the nib is glass-smooth.

Having said that, check to see that your nib isn't already a cursive one.

 

"Stub" nibs are just cursives with the edge blunted a bit. This facilitates fast, smooth handwriting but the trade-off is that the thick to thin variation is less obvious.

 

BTW if you're interested in Manuscript pens, here's a link to their site...once again, no affiliation etc.

 

Good luck!

 

caliken

Edited July 7, 2010 by caliken