Best Nib For Signatures

[Austinpen]

Howdy,

 

I have been looking for the perfect combination to sign documents at work.

 

First the pen. I have settled on a Lamy and a Waterman. Both do a great job and never skip.

 

Then I needed the perfect ink. I'm still working on that. I want a vibrant blue that will say WOW!

 

Now I'm thinking I need the perfect nib.

 

I would like my signature to clearly appear to be written with a Fountain Pen. What do you guys recommend and do you have any samples?

 

My old Waterman does a great job. It is a medium nib but is very wet and quite wide even. The only thing I am not totally sold on is that it does not vary the line much. It looks like it was written with a fat roller ball.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

ps Any thoughts on Visconti Eco Roller? I have a post with no bites.....

 

 

J

[Blade Runner]

Montblanc broad nibs and wider, because they're already stubbish and provide line variation without the need of third party nibmeister. I suggest a 149 or 146.

[Austinpen]

Montblanc broad nibs and wider, because they're already stubbish and provide line variation without the need of third party nibmeister. I suggest a 149 or 146.

 

Thank you for your suggestion. I will look around for writing samples.

 

Any vendor you would recommend?

 

Regards,

 

J

[Blade Runner]

Montblanc broad nibs and wider, because they're already stubbish and provide line variation without the need of third party nibmeister. I suggest a 149 or 146.

 

Thank you for your suggestion. I will look around for writing samples.

 

Any vendor you would recommend?

 

Regards,

 

J

Worldlux, Joon, Fountain pen hospital are well regarded.

 

Here's a sample I posted some time ago.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/146pinsample.jpg

[Austinpen]

Montblanc broad nibs and wider, because they're already stubbish and provide line variation without the need of third party nibmeister. I suggest a 149 or 146.

 

Thank you for your suggestion. I will look around for writing samples.

 

Any vendor you would recommend?

 

Regards,

 

J

Worldlux, Joon, Fountain pen hospital are well regarded.

 

Here's a sample I posted some time ago.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/146pinsample.jpg

 

I have a tab for Joon and the Fountain pen hospital as well, but I have never bought from either. I only have 3 pens; a Waterman, a Talentum (my favorite) and a Lamy Safari (also a great writer).

 

They are all good for signatures but I want something more interesting. I enjoyed your posted example with a MB. I might get one for Christmas.

 

Thanks again,

 

J

[Blade Runner]

If you can get to a MB boutique, they'll have tester 146s for you to try out.

 

Here's a photo of a 149 broad. 149 broads write a bit wider than 146 broads.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_7010-1.jpg

[AndrewC]

Hmm. You say you have settled on a Lamy and a Waterman? No real experience with Lamy except the Safari. You might consider getting one with a stub or CI nib. Waterman-modern or vintage? Every modern Waterman I have encountered has a stiff nib. Do you write large? Maybe a B would do something for you. I'd get a modern cut to cursive italic, or better yet, get a vintage Waterman with mild flex. That'd add some flair. Eversharp Skylines with flexy nibs (I have one with some flex that is a F/M CI or stub that gives a great look to my horrid scrawl.) You might look for a maniflex nib. THere are some vintage pens with "Signature" nibs that might be nice, as well.

 

A signature nib is a personal thing. How big is your writing? Do you write fast? If so, be sure the ink-flow can keep up with your pen? Large or small writing? Decent paper or utter (bleep)? Left-handed? (Avoid really flexy pens!) There are a few things to think about...

 

If you want a blue ink that stands out there is always Baystate Blue from Noodler's. Stick it in a Lamy Safari and you will certainly have something eye-popping. I have a piston filled Wality that cost $15 from ISellPens that I widened the feed channels on and it has never given me any trouble. Wouldn't put the ink in anything expensive, but it does great in the cheapie pen. Diamine Sapphire is also a stand-out blue that could work.

[yachtsilverswan]

I agree that Line Width Variation gives handwriting the visual interest and texture that most fountain pen users like.

 

The greatest usable Line Width Variation requires a custom re-ground Cursive Italic nib, from a Nibmeister. Here is a sample of some of my small stable of Cursive Italic pens, each reground by Nibmeister Richard Binder (no affiliation - just a huge fan and loyal client):

 

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr131/yachtsilverswan/MB75thAnniLE149004.jpg

 

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr131/yachtsilverswan/PopeJuliusReviewScan002.jpg

 

Signature nibs should be Broad or BB, because a signature should never look tentative or weak - a signature should have visual impact, and convey strength and presence.

 

Signature nibs should be tuned extremely wet (high rate of ink flow) because most of us sign our names very very quickly (muscle memory and all that), and the ink flow must be able to keep pace with the rapid movement of pen on paper.

 

Montblanc makes a factory "Signature Nib": an Oblique-BBB (a triple broad oblique cut nib), but the line width variation of the OBBB nib pales by comparison to a Nibmeister's Cursive Italic. Darius has a scan of that OBBB (or O3B) nib's writing and all other factory MB nibs here:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/131613-montblanc-nib-sizes/page__view__findpost__p__1701647

 

For a true blue signature ink, consider Private Reserve American Blue, or Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue, or Private Reserve Electric DC Blue. Noodler's Bay State Blue is an even bluer blue (and has bulletproof fraud protection permanence), but Bay State Blue stains anything it touches, including the ink view windows of Montblanc pens - and Bay State Blue may need to be flushed from a pen more frequently (weekly) to avoid clogging.

 

An interesting signature is a worthy project - good luck.

 

I just wish someone at the Pen Shows would offer a tutorial on re-crafting an interesting personal signature. I have the tools; I just lack the talent.

Edited December 3, 2010 by yachtsilverswan

[yachtsilverswan]

If you want a blue ink that stands out there is always Baystate Blue from Noodler's. Stick it in a Lamy Safari and you will certainly have something eye-popping.

 

Before loading Bay State Blue into a Safari in particular, search the forum and read about the unusual reported interactions between this particular ink and this particular pen.

[jgrasty]

I use a pen with a cursive italic nib and some sort of bulletproof or waterproof ink for signatures.

[pen2paper]

Defer to the examples..

However, are you able to visit a pen shop, boutique to test drive?

You may want to try an Aurora Ipsilon Deluxe with factory italic.

edited to add:

Edited December 3, 2010 by pen2paper

[toomanypelikans]

Sailor Sapporo Music nib works for me, Lamy 2000 BB is not bad either

[theblackpen]

 

Signature nibs should be Broad or BB, because a signature should never look tentative or weak - a signature should have visual impact, and convey strength and presence.

 

 

I never thought of that... I'm going to try to remember this. Thank you!

[Ghost Plane]

As a cost saving measure before you go nuts buying new pens, consider buying a stub nib for your Waterman from Pen Seller From France, our own J.M. Lewertowski who posts here on the board. Great prices, reliable service, and it'll give you an idea before you plonk down.

 

I don't know WHY people on this board persist in thinking B, BB, OB, IB, stubs or OBB are for signatures only. I use them for my daily writing. But it's a personal thing.

[freewheelingvagabond]

If you are willing to spend on a brand new Mont Blanc 149 or something like that, don't go for anything else, but

.

I know that my suggestion is a bit out of the way, but you can consider this if you're willing to spend a lot of money.

Otherwise get a Lamy 2000 in BB nib.

 

Regards,

Anindya.

[tonybelding]

For what it's worth, I adore my Waterman L'Etalon with the factory stub (I think it's a medium) for signatures. It's fairly wet (but not gushing), and one of the smoothest nibs of any kind that I've got, a real joy to write with.

 

It's also just about the maximum size that I'd ever want to use for more typical sorts of handwriting. So it doesn't have to be purely a dedicated signature pen, although that's what it does best.

[tmenyc]

For me, the question has always been am I signing once and slowly or lots of times and quickly? For the former I often like to use my Parker 51, because it's my favorite pen. For the latter, and I sign a lot of checks at work, it's my Esterbrook desk pen, which has a 2668 nib, and I use Bay State Blue, which is always dry before I get the next check signed and dump it on top of the first. I sign and move paper very fast, so the ink has to dry fast.

 

Tim

[fabrimedeiros]

The best nib for me needs to be BB or 3B with some flex. Pelikan M1000 3B is great to sign: it's a springy nib almost semi-flex and has cursive italic characteristics. It's an amazing nib!

[wykeite]

Think about your signature, how does it look now, how would you like it to look? There are so many styles from scrawl to flourished choosing the right nib for you is the difficult thing. Flex, broad and italic all make a statement, but medium may well suit you.

 

Ink IMHO also plays a big part, it's got to have presence but not be gaudy like so many of the blues available. Any heavily shading ink will reinforce the "handwritten" signature if used in the right pen.

 

Good luck in your quest .

[Austinpen]

That is very nice. I don't know what my budget will be for a pen but I love the MB.

 

If you can get to a MB boutique, they'll have tester 146s for you to try out.

 

Here's a photo of a 149 broad. 149 broads write a bit wider than 146 broads.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_7010-1.jpg