Copperplate Fountain pen?

[bibliophilic]

Hi all, first post. I'm impressed with how active this board is.

I've been into calligraphy for a few years now. I've got a nice utilitarian Lamy Safari fountain pen, and almost the entire line of speedball nibs.

 

Being a lefty, I find I'm well suited towards writting in copperplate, but dip pens can be a bit of a hassle. I've been trying to find a fountain pen that would allow to to write in copperplate, but I've had almost no success. Even the manager of Stationary in Harrods of London wasn't aware of much that would suite my needs. I'm looking for something functional, not collectable. It does not need to be an angled nib, I just need it to be fine, and spread on downward strokes. Ideally, something along the lines of the speedball imperial nib.

 

If anyone could give some model numbers, company names, some better keywords to aid my search, or even a decent explaination of why I can't seem to find anything, I'd be most grateful.

[DRP]

Welcome aboard!

 

Regrettably, I don't have the answer to your question but will ask around.

[southpaw]

First of all, hello and welcome to FPN.

 

What you're seaking is a vintage flexible nibbed FP. Others may chime in with reputable on-line dealers, but easiest thing to do would be to post a WTB (Wanting to Buy) in the Marketplace here.

 

Also, before you buy, ask to see a writing sample so you can see the line variation you'll get. While I'm certainly no flex expert, you won't likely find the same experience with FPs as you do with dip nibs, IIRC. The dip nibs will be more flexible. You can still find great vintage flex FPs, but they are a bit different.

[Richard]

While I'm certainly no flex expert, you won't likely find the same experience with FPs as you do with dip nibs, IIRC.

True, but for authentic copperplate you really do not want to flex your nib deeply. This, taken from my site, is an example of authentic copperplate:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref_info/glossary/copperplate.gif

 

You will notice that it's going to be remarkably difficult to achieve this sort of line with an actual pen -- true copperplate is engraved, not written, and it is modeled on letters that were drawn very carefully. What most people think of as "copperplate" is any of a myriad variety of English or American Round Hand styles such as Spencerian or Zanerian (both American). Here is a hand-done example of Spencerian, with flourishes:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/ref_info/glossary/spencerian.gif

 

This sort of thing is best done with a dip pen; you can do it with a fountain pen, but you need one with a very large wet noodle, something like a Waterman's 18. Smaller nibs cannot give the extreme line width without serious risk of springing. (I have an Aikin Lambert No. 7 dip pen that is easily capable of this work; but I, on the other hand, am not capable of it at all. The exemplar here was done for me by master penman Edward Weyman.)

[kissing]

holy moly that's VERY impressive writing!!!!!!

 

I think i found this post about Copperplate hand: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=11792

 

flex nibs for lefties: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...t=0entry55402

 

hope it helps you in some way. I guess you could contact James Pickering

Edited June 21, 2006 by kissing

[Elaine]

Richard, in my attempts at learning Copperplate style writing I find that I can use a smaller nib than you describe. I don't believe I overflex.

 

The requirements are that it must be quite flexible, but more important, it must be able to recover instantly from the flexed position. This is with a Moore BCHR ringtop:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v12/elainepnj/Pens/143_4399.jpg

[Jeff5048]

Hi,

 

It is 2012 going on 2013 now. Any decent Copperplate fountain pens that are not vintage on the market?

 

Thanks,

Jeff

[two2tone]

True copperplate is more calligraphy than handwriting. It requires a steel nib in an oblique holder, a lot of patience and practice. It's not easy (at least for me) to do well with a fountain pen.

 

Check this site for more info:

 

http://zanerian.com

 

It's an amazing art form when done well.

 

Good luck!

[WestLothian]

Hi,

 

It is 2012 going on 2013 now. Any decent Copperplate fountain pens that are not vintage on the market?

 

Thanks,

Jeff

 

There may well be....

 

 

Serwex MB fitted with their antique steel flex nib

Edited April 20, 2013 by WestLothian

[dizzymizzy]

Think about the Namiki Falcon with a "Spencerian" modification.

 

See:

 

[max dog]

check out noodlers ahab flex pens. one of the few modern prod pens with flex. see sdrebrown's video review of this pen on you tube.

[ANM]

While the original poster became a member in June 2006 and posted only once, the OP is not likely to see any recent posts but this is probably going to generate a lot more responses now that it has been revived.

 

While Richard is correct that Copperplate is an engraved text and cannot be duplicated with a flexible nib, there is a Copperplate Script that is designed for a flexible nib and can be done with a flexible dip pen like the original poster mentioned. Finding a flexible fountain pen that does the same job is an entirely different task. A vintage pen is almost the only possibility. Any modern flex pen will not do and any modified flex pen will have to be done in close cooperation with a talented nib grinder who understands what the user wants and the user must be able to understand and communicate precisely what that person wants.

 

Just saying get a vintage flex pen isn't going to work either because i have many years experience in doing calligraphy but only recently began to work with flexible nibs in earnest and have discovered that while I have maybe 20 vintage flexible nib fountain pens, only 1 out of all those is best suitable for my needs/ wants in doing a Copperplate type Script in my handwriting size and comfort zone.

Edited April 21, 2013 by ANM