which nib produces the most line variation?

[Tony the Tiger]

I know a crisp italic or a calligraphy pen would produce more, but I'm looking for an everyday writing pen, that's fairly smooth. Your suggestions welcomed.

[John Cullen]

hi People have reported positive things about waterman and parker and stipula stubs. You might want to check those out or solicit opinions. Also, check out richardspens.com and go to the specialty nibs information. You will learn a lot there and it may help you decide. You may want to have him work on the nib of a pen you already own. Enjoy whichever one you choose. j

[jmkeuning]

You are probably looking for a stub.

 

Here is what Phthalo says:

 

Stub - Can write pretty fast.

Cursive Italic - Slow down here.

(Crisp) Italic - Proceed with caution.

 

[KCat]

cursive italic as per Mr. binder and presumably other nibmeisters is ultra smooth and very usable. You really don't have to slow down that much. You definitely do with the crisp. You'll get much more line variation with a cursive italic than with a stub. Since I consider a music nib to be a huge stub, then if you want that fat a line you can get good line variation simply because these are very broad, flat nibs.

[Col]

cursive italic as per Mr. binder and presumably other nibmeisters is ultra smooth and very usable. You really don't have to slow down that much. You definitely do with the crisp. You'll get much more line variation with a cursive italic than with a stub.

What she said, word for word.

[Kimo]

The alternative that I prefer over a stub nib is an oblique nib. It is a bit like a stub only it has a slant to it that for my style of writing makes it easier to write in cursive as it keeps in better contact with the paper without having to keep it as straight as a stub. It is kind of like the difference in doing trim painting in your house with a regular brush that is cut straight across compared to the kind that is cut at a slant. It is personal taste, but I find the slant in both a pen and a paint brush easier to control for the result I want.

[FrankB]

Tony, I have to agree with KCat and Col. I have found that stub nibs and cursive italic nibs are both very utilitarian for daily writing. The cursive italic type gives more line variation. I find both types of nib fun to use, and they have become my favorites over many years.

 

There are some nibs that you should no doubt try before you buy. I do not own any music nibs. I have tried them and I find them a bit too wet for my writing habits. If you can find a way to test one, it would be worth your while to see how it might suit you.

 

I have heard a number of people speak well of oblique nibs, as did Kimo. Those folks like their obliques very much and swear by them. After 50 years of FP use, I never caught on to oblique nibs at all. I do not own a single one. However, you are probably well advised to at least try one of those as well.

 

If you do not yet own any stub or italic nibs, you should be warned - they are highly addictive!

Edited November 21, 2007 by FrankB

[Tony the Tiger]

Thanks all. I really appreciate the insights. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt my feelings any to get 4 pens (w/ stub, cursive italic, music & oblique nibs), but I'm sure that would mean spending a small fortune. It'd be great if I had a pen store nearby, but no luck. I did have a good friend (from here) loan me a stub nib, and I am enjoying it. I'll figure out what to do soon, I'm sure. As with most things, the fun is in the hunt, not necessarily just the find.

[Col]

Bear in mind that an oblique nib is designed for people who hold a pen in a particular way, not necessarily for some particular style of writing. Neither will it give you any line variation, unless it's an oblique italic. It's definitely one that you should try before you buy.

[*david*]

A side note: Music nibs are just a particular kind of italic, and should be judged alongside other italic nibs rather than in a separate category. A music nib should be a wet writer and give good line variation, but they don't always turn out that way.

 

(Music nibs are often made in a multi-tine configuration, but that's only necessary if it improves the ink flow. A two-tine nib with good flow works very well for music writing.)

[kissing]

If you haven't checked it out already, here is a very informative page on Richard's site about the different types of nibs:

 

Nibs I: The Basics

 

I love that webpage

[Tony the Tiger]

If you haven't checked it out already, here is a very informative page on Richard's site about the different types of nibs:

 

Nibs I: The Basics

 

I love that webpage

Yes, I have checked out that web page a few times. Economically, I think it makes sense to get a pen w/ the type of nib I'm wanting, already installed, rather than have one custom ground. Until I was told that the Zoom nib was difficult for a novice to manuever (for desired effects), I was drawn to it. Now, it seems like I really want a Music or cursive italic.

[artaddict]

I recommend a flexy vintage Waterman.