Flex Nib - What Next?

[Shuggy]

OK, so I'm still relatively new to all this fountain pen stuff, so please be gentle if this topic has been covered in-depth before. The huge amount of information on FPN can be a bit overwhelming for a newcomer.

 

So, I wanted to understand what all the fuss was about with vintage flex nibs, so I bought myself this nice Swan Mabie Todd at the recent UK SW Pen Show. As you can see, it has some nice line variation. By the way, the ink is Diamine Red Dragon.

 

So what next? Can anyone give me some tips for how I should be using it? What types of writing style should I be trying to develop? Any hard-earned nuggets of wisdom would be most welcome.

 

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q503/shuggyman/44BC4097-5B70-4E63-B2ED-01CE28DD24A3-2916-0000055CB7F57BDA_zpsae0bc9c1.jpg

[GClef]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-80245-1362752759895_zps73ac443c.jpg

[GClef]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-49922-1362753002451_zps7b508a11.jpg

[GClef]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-28049-1362753174769_zpsf2c5fe90.jpg

[GClef]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-59956-1362753947064_zpsce08af24.jpg

[Shuggy]

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q503/shuggyman/B05A8219-EBC8-4C15-A249-744A318ADED4-2945-0000055EF028C882_zps181d1f65.jpg

[GClef]

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q503/shuggyman/B05A8219-EBC8-4C15-A249-744A318ADED4-2945-0000055EF028C882_zps181d1f65.jpg

 

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-20164-1362755494323_zps7198fbdf.jpg

[Uncle Red]

[Mickey]

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q503/shuggyman/B05A8219-EBC8-4C15-A249-744A318ADED4-2945-0000055EF028C882_zps181d1f65.jpg

Turn your paper so that the nib slit points toward the top of the page or, if you write with a slant, so that the nib slit lines up with the slant angle.

Edited March 8, 2013 by Mickey

[akustyk]

I am just a beginner, but, for what it's worth:

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/akustyk/CAM00339-1_zps49ee7216.jpg

[rwilsonedn]

You can take your flex nib (nice choice, by the way) in all kinds of directions. Following the advice you already have here, you can add a lot of character to your normal cursive handwriting. You can also use the flex nib to enhance the downstrokes on printed letters to develop your own interesting fonts. By changing the orientation of the pen, you can make thicker strokes in any direction, almost as if it were a brush. The only real rule (much like a brush) is to only put pressure on the nib when you are pulling it back, never when you are pushing it upward (in the direction it is pointing) or radically sideways. Pushing the tip of the nib into the paper can damage it.

If you'd like to explore how people used to use flex nibs, find a book on business hand, the copperplate hand, or roundhand. Or look up The Universal Penman, by Bickham, if you want to have a really lofty goal for yourself. But bear in mind that much of this work was done with dip pens, and even your excellent flex fountain pen will not be able to duplicate it entirely.

Above all, enjoy!

ron

[mberman14]

Mauricio has an excellent page on using flex nibs.

[GClef]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-27265-1362789129657_zpsb7f7d0e6.jpg

[Shuggy]

Very many thanks folks! Those have all proved to be very useful tips. Holding the pen at the correct angle, taking my time and flexing on the down-stroke has all made a big difference. The Mauricio link was especially useful.

 

@GClef ????

[GClef]

@GClef ????

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-47225-1362876082814_zpscc99fd91.jpg

[cedargirl]

@GClef ????

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-47225-1362876082814_zpscc99fd91.jpg

 

GClef, I like your style. Please keep at it.

 

Unfortunately I upgraded to a new computer and Windows 7 and there are no drivers available for my scanner (shame; it is about 7 years old but is a multi-function and works fine, otherwise).

 

Looks like I'll need to get a new one; then I might join you.

[Stompie]

@GClef ????

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-47225-1362876082814_zpscc99fd91.jpg

 

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj229/Popsjill/pens/DSCN1281_zpse191887d.jpg

[mhphoto]

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q712/FiveCatKnittery/3ECA95FE-CCBF-4F1C-B826-F3D9DD97F76D-42784-0000070F31AFF92E.jpg

 

I basically learned my basic flexed script by looking at Copperplate books and videos of people writing. My own little style just sort of appeared after a while—just a little amalgam of different styles.

[GClef]

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-44466-1362912888189_zps9625fdb8.jpg

[akustyk]

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag32/akustyk/CAM00360-1_zpsd7ce3295.jpg