Richard Binder's Super Needlepoint

[umenohana]

My Swan came back earlier this week. I'm very excited, so I'm being hasty--like taking a photo of the writing sample instead of scanning it. Oh! The reunion was grand! :ltcapd:

 

-Hana

richardbindernib

[umenohana]

Here's my hasty writing sample:

 

edit: added transcript:

 

Richard Binder's SUPER NEEDLEPOINT

Writes very delicately.

All of the writing on this page was

done with my modified Mabie Todd

Swan #2 nib. Sigh! Isn't it wonder-

ful? I love it.

 

Hana.

writingbindersample

Edited October 26, 2006 by umenohana

[umenohana]

The above writing sample is slightly over 10 cm (4 inches) wide in real life. Here's the zoom:

binderwritingdetail

[umenohana]

Okay, here are the actual details (I'll try to slow down, but I'm still excited!):

 

Original nib: Mabie Todd & Co. NY 2 (flex) ca. 1925

 

Reground by Richard Binder into: super needlepoint.

 

... When I received the pen from David Nishimura, the nib was in perfect condition, but was much too bold (about a medium-fine) for my tastes. I wrote with it for a month or so (all the while sighing at how thick the lines were), until I finally decided to send it to Richard-san. It was a hard decision, see, 'cause it was my first and only FP at the time.

 

I waited, and waited..

 

But now that it's back, I don't care how much I missed it while it was gone-- It writes like a new bird! We did so many happy dances of joy on paper, that I had to refill it in just one day..

 

Richard-san also cleaned my pen, too, and it looks like it had just spent a long vacation at a spa resort. Siiiigh-- I wish I could better articulate into words how happy I am with the results.

 

-Hana

[umenohana]

One thing to add:

 

It writes like a dip pen, but not scratchy like one.

 

-Hana

[blueiris]

Hana, I can sense your excitement! Enjoy, enjoy your new nib! As always, your handwriting is so lovely.

[sonia_simone]

Hana, this review made me smile. I'm so glad you're so happy with your lovely pen!

[umenohana]

Thank you! It's around my neck, where it belongs.. lol

 

-Hana

[lefty928]

Beautiful sample! Thank you for showing it to us so soon.

[winedoc]

Here's my hasty writing sample:

 

edit: added transcript:

 

Richard Binder's SUPER NEEDLEPOINT

Writes very delicately.

All of the writing on this page was

done with my modified Mabie Todd

Swan #2 nib. Sigh! Isn't it wonder-

ful? I love it.

 

Hana.

My God, that's your hand writing... I am going to crawl under my desk and hide :ph34r:

 

Nice!!!

 

Kev

[krz]

Wonderful nib by Richard, and amazing writing by Hana. Have fun!

[fountainbel]

Hana, congratulations with your new pen and even more with your beautifull handwriting !

It must have taken quite some time obtaining such exquisite writing results !

[umenohana]

Hana, congratulations with your new pen and even more with your beautifull handwriting !

It must have taken quite some time obtaining such exquisite writing results !

Thank you, and that little writing sample didn't take long at all-- a couple of minutes at most. Or were you talking about my overall training? My experience with Copperplate has been just several months under a year, I think..

 

Now, the thank you letter I just finished writing to Richard-san took some time..! I don't know how long, but I had to design the layout, think of what to write, etc., etc.. I'm mailing it tomorrow! I hope it doesn't get lost in the mail.. :ph34r:

 

-Hana

[HyperCamper]

Beautiful sample, Hana! Richard worked magic again...

 

Received five pens I asked him to restore yesterday. Among them a Mabie Todd Blackbird with a lot of flex. Can't wait to give it a good go!

[southpaw]

Truly delightful to see your enthusiasm and joy with your pen, and your writing . . . what can I say

[corniche]

Hello Hana,

 

I must admit that I am a "purist" in every way, and while it makes me cringe a little to think about altering an "original anything" in already excellent condition, I must admit that your writing sample is a credit to Richard Binder's ability and your outstanding penmanship.

 

ENJOY - ENJOY - ENJOY and I hope that nib lives to give you another 81 years of excellent service.

 

Best wishes, always,

 

Sean

 

[umenohana]

Beautiful sample, Hana! Richard worked magic again...

 

Received five pens I asked him to restore yesterday. Among them a Mabie Todd Blackbird with a lot of flex. Can't wait to give it a good go!

Hehe, maybe my Swan and your Blackbird were drawer-mates at Richard Binder's Spa Resort. (Awww, so cute!) I hope you will be posting reviews!

 

-Hana

[umenohana]

Hello Hana,

 

I must admit that I am a "purist" in every way, and while it makes me cringe a little to think about altering an "original anything" in already excellent condition, I must admit that your writing sample is a credit to Richard Binder's ability and your outstanding penmanship.

 

ENJOY - ENJOY - ENJOY and I hope that nib lives to give you another 81 years of excellent service.

 

Best wishes, always,

 

Sean

 

It took me a while to decide to send it off, too, but I am wholly glad I did. I was also hesitant about using vintage pens altogether, but once I got convinced into using them-- well, you know.. they have such an air of concentrated delicacy about them (before everything became big and wasteful)!

 

I once went into an antique store, and asked if they had any travelling inkwells. They brought out several (what tiny treasures they were!), and asked me if I were looking for anything specific. I replied, "Do you have any in working condition? I would like one to use." Their eyes bulged out, and told me in such a patronizing voice: "I'm sorry, but these are antiques, and they're just for collecting.."

 

Collecting dust? How sad!

 

Well! They were overpriced, anyway! Sometimes, I forget my place--or rather, time.

 

-Hana

[johnr55]

I've been thinking about having one of mine modified.

 

Question--are you able to write at a normal speed for everyday work, or is it very slow like an ultra-fine dip? Thanks--

[umenohana]

I've been thinking about having one of mine modified.

 

Question--are you able to write at a normal speed for everyday work, or is it very slow like an ultra-fine dip? Thanks--

I can write fast with it (my casual writing in sample is at a normal speed, and my signature is fast.), but I have an extremely light touch.

 

-Hana