Recommend A Very Flexy Dip Pen Nib

[Chiro75]

Recently got into dip pens a little and I am enjoying the learning curve, but I'd like to find a real wet noodle nib if possible. Would like it to be inexpensive and fairly available/easy to find. Any suggestions? I got JBB's excellent $10 starter set but I'm looking for a nib with tons of flex.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Dip pens is the only way to fly...unless you got lots of bucks.

 

 

It's how little did you get into the dip pens....

 

Some of the Waterman 52 nibs, I think it is the Pink that is the Weak Kneed Wet Noodle.

 

I have a Soennecken wet noodle.

I have a Degussa nib, that is easy Full Flex.

I also have a Deguassa and Bock in semi-flex strength ... Full Flex.

 

 

Dip pens.

Hunt 99-100-101, 103 Wet noodle...NO! Weak Kneed Wet Noodles.( I got three out of four...and am not going to go look at them at them to see which of the 4 I don't have.) There are many more.

 

Soennecken Wet Noodles,

and others that are Full Flex.

Got some Brause too...in the simple Full Flex.

[jbb]

Other people (not me) like the Gillott 303 -- super flexy -- I make a splattering mess when I use it. I'm not a fan of those Hunts (99-100-101, 103) mentioned above either but I think I have some if you're interested... plus a few others.

Edited February 21, 2011 by jbb

[GardenWeasel]

I am really addicted to the Brause Rose dip nib...

[Chiro75]

Any writing samples with any of the above-mentioned? Also, should I be using fountain pen ink with these, or calligraphy ink?

[Bo Bo Olson]

No...My hand is not good enough yet to fiddle with them....

 

I scribble on a book, instead of improving my hand.

 

I will some day...this year(said that, last year too. :embarrassed_smile:) improve my hand enough to play with wet noodle and weak kneed wet noodle dip pen nibs.

[Randal6393]

Hi, Chiro,

 

Been working on my Copperplate and here is what I have found:

 

My favorite nibs, in order of flexibility: Gillott 303, Leonardt Principal EF, Brause Rose nib, Brause Blue Pumpkin. When writing, find the Blue Pumpkin -- a relatively stiff nib -- gives the most legible script with the smoothest writing. But, that's just me. Gillott 303 are most flexible but wear out fast and catch the paper more than most.

 

Favorite ink is Higgins Eternal for general work. For fancy, final work that won't be copied, love either Old World Iron Gall or McCaffery Penman Ink.

 

My practice sheets are eco-friendly bagasse copy paper from Green Paper Company. Most any smooth, heavy fountain-pen friendly paper works well for fair copies.

 

Found a bottle of liquid gum arabic. Have a bottle of distilled water on my desk as well. Mix with my iron gall inks to keep levels high and compensate for evaporation. If hairlines start to thicken, add a few drops of gum arabic to increase viscosity slightly.

 

Would suggest learning to use an elbow oblique holder (the Blackwell wood is excellent, have tossed out several cheap plastic ones) and a small artist's brush -- No 2 Watercolor.

 

Biggest mistake I consistently make is to put too much ink on a nib. Then I run the risk of blots and too-thick hairlines.

 

Best of luck to you, enjoy,

[texaspenman]

French Sergent-Major Marque Deposee, Baicnol&Farjon Henry 387EF, Leonardt Principal, Gillott 303, Nikko G, & the Penesco 505 Extra Fine are some of my favorite pens. I buy these when ever I see them on Ebay! The most readily available pens would be the Leonardt Principal, Gillott 303, Nikko G, and, as of recently, the Penesco 505 Extra Fine Nibs. Enjoy your search and happy writing!

 

Here are all of my really flexible nibs. In order, Left to Right: French Sergent-Major Marque Deposee, Baicnol&Farjon Henry 387EF, Nikko G, Leonardt Principal, Spencerian No. 1, Hunt 99 Drawing, Gillott 303, Hunt 22 EF, Esterbrook 357 Art & Drawing.

 

Edited February 22, 2011 by texaspenman

[notgiven]

Other people (not me) like the Gillott 303 -- super flexy -- I make a splattering mess when I use it. I'm not a fan of those Hunts (99-100-101, 103) mentioned above either but I think I have some if you're interested... plus a few others.

 

I am very interested. Are those the ones you are talking about in your signature posts? I have been looking at your dip pen sale posts for a while, but didn't contact because they are US only, and I live in Canada.

[Splicer]

I am really addicted to the Brause Rose dip nib...

 

+1

[caliken]

Any writing samples with any of the above-mentioned?

 

Written with a Brause Rose dip nib

Edited June 10, 2011 by caliken

[SlipyNaricis2112]

Any writing samples with any of the above-mentioned?

 

Written with a Brause Rose dip nib

 

I honestly don't believe we're writing with the same nib. I've tried 3 different rose nibs, and all they do is blot. They hold ink only half as well as a water holds a stone. It's also the only nib I've sprung out of sheer frustration.

[GeeBee]

Most likely the ink you are using not the nib.

[SlipyNaricis2112]

Most likely the ink you are using not the nib.

 

Absolutely not, I used Higgins, McCaffrey's, and Moon Palace. I like the nibs, they don't like me.

[caliken]

Most likely the ink you are using not the nib.

 

Absolutely not, I used Higgins, McCaffrey's, and Moon Palace. I like the nibs, they don't like me.

 

I have had the same problem in the past - getting an even coverage of ink on a new Brause Rose nib, even when all traces of oil have been removed.

 

I found that adding a couple of drops of Gum Arabic to Higgins Eternal ink, seemed to help.

 

I can't remember how I prepared the nib in the video. If you can get it to work, the Brause Rose 76 is certainly beautiful to write with, and most responsive to touch. it's worth persevering.

 

good luck!

 

caliken