ItaliFine Writing Samples

[QM2]

One nice thing about buying a pre-owned pen, is that sometimes you end up owning an interesting nib that you would not

have gotten otherwise. A few months ago I was on the hunt for the black and chrome Bexley Simplicity LE, and posted a

WTB ad in the marketplace. To my amazement, I was soon contacted by a fellow FPNer, and we agreed on a good price.

As part of the interaction, the seller casually mentioned that he hopes I don't mind, but the pen has an ItaliFine nib by

Richard Binder. Though I love italics and get most of my nibs italicised, I have never tried an ItaliFine, because I was not

certain whether it would be right for me. Well, now I own one! After using it for a little while, I wanted to share some

writing samples and thoughts.

 

http://queenmargot.com/italifine_sample1.jpg

 

Here is a sample of the the nib's italic properties (above) and a closeup (below).

 

http://queenmargot.com/italifine_sample2.jpg

 

"ItaliFine" is the trademarked name of a combination nib by Richard Binder. When held "normally," this nib writes like a

.9mm cursive italic, and when held upside down, it writes like a Fine (about .5mm). You can read all about this nib's

anatomy and writing properties on Richard Binder's website: here and here.

 

Here is a comparison of the nib's Fine vs Italic writing properties at the mercy of my handwriting, using a Pelikan mix

and a random lined piece of paper, which was thick and cream-coloured:

 

http://queenmargot.com/italifine_sample3.jpg

 

closeup of the same sample; the Fine is on top and italic on the bottom:

 

http://queenmargot.com/italifine_sample4.jpg

 

Another sample, with the "fox jumps over the dog" bit; italic is on top this time and fine on the bottom:

 

http://queenmargot.com/italifine_sample5.jpg

 

and a closeup of the same:

 

http://queenmargot.com/italifine_sample6.jpg

 

 

Some comments about this nib, that are entirely subjective to my own writing style and preferences:

 

. This ItaliFine is extremely smooth on both sides

 

. The italic side is very easy to use, and the amount of line variation is super.

 

. Using the underside of the nib feels no different from using a regular Fine nib.

 

. The ink comes out considerably lighter when writing upside down with the Fine side (You can see this most clearly on the

last writing sample). This accentuates the feeling that you really own two entirely different pens in one.

 

. The particular nib I inherited is quite wet. Personally, I cannot handle wet nibs, because I like my lines to be crispedy-crisp.

After trying different inks, I found that Pelikan works best for me here: being a very dry ink, Pelikan tames the wetness and

allows me to get the crisp lines I like.

 

. For me personally, the .5mm Fine side is too wide, as I normally write with XXF round nibs.

 

Conclusions: The reason I would not have ordered this nib for myself, is that I do not really value being able to write with nibs

upside-down -- For me, holding the pen this way detracts from the aesthetics of the writing experience. However, I think that I

am in the minority here, and most people would love to have this feature in a fountain pen. So overall, I would recommend this

nib to anybody who wants a 2-in-1 writing experience, and who likes super-smooth italics. This is a very cool nib indeed!

 

 

Edited January 5, 2009 by QM2

[Italicist]

Thank you for your evaluation of this nib, QM2. I've been interested in Binder's ItaliFine for a while; your review increases the magnitude of the temptation considerably.

 

cheers,

Italicist

 

P.S. You have a very pleasant everyday script, by the way! Your upstrokes after certain final characters in words look positively exuberant.

 

[edited to add postscript]

Edited January 5, 2009 by Italicist

[QM2]

Thanks Italicist : )

 

Italic nibs have helped me a great deal with my handwriting, which was really beginning to disintegrate after years of fast-paced academic scrolling! Interestingly, I went about it backwards: I learned various blackletter hands first, as I found these easier to tackle than copperplate. After some time, that gave me a sort of core understanding of approaches to writing, and now I am finding it easier to try copperplate (well, my own spiky version of it at least), including using flex nibs. I am still working on it and am nowhere near where I want to be, but at least I am feeling progress!

[troglokev]

Thanks for the writing samples, QM2. I've been thinking I'd like to get one of these nibs (in Pelikan form), and this is certainly pushing me in that direction.

 

[FrankB]

Thanks for the writing sample and another great analysis, QM2.

 

I have understood the idea behind the ItaliFine nib, but I would probably use the italic feature almost exclusively. I also feel strange writing with a nib upsidedown. With me, it is probably just habit, but it is a strong one.

[Celeste]

I have an ItaliFine nib for my Pel and LOVE it. Extremely smooth even at max speed. It's true that I usually use the Italic side when writing with this nib, but it does not feel strange, to me, to flip the pen and use the fine side. Do get some odd looks though...

[blackranger63]

Very nice. I am waiting on a Pelikan with an oblique medium and I hope to post some samples once I get used to it. I have a Pilot 78G that I like a lot. It's not a Binder of course but does a nice job for a non custom nib.

 

V/r

Tony

[memphislawyer]

I also would be using the Italic side only. I like the variation in coloring. The fine side, well, it appears washed out, very much less vibrant. Now with numbers and the need to write small, sure, I could see that, but I would much prefer the character of the Italic nib, even if that mean using the nib upside down, vs. using it right-sided and having a fine line.

[mstone]

Interestingly, when I hand people a fountain pen they tend to use it upside down. :hmm1: I also love my ItaliFine (on a vanishing point). It's definitely a wet writer; I'm still experimenting with inks in it, and am thinking about a dry/thin J Herbin.

[QM2]

Interestingly, when I hand people a fountain pen they tend to use it upside down. :hmm1: I also love my ItaliFine (on a vanishing point). It's definitely a wet writer; I'm still experimenting with inks in it, and am thinking about a dry/thin J Herbin.

 

Oddly, Herbin did not do too well in mine. Despite being a dry ink, it still wrote wet (and watery). The specific colour I tried was Cacao de Bresil. However, the Pelikan ink performs super, so I would suggest to give that a try.

 

PS: amazed that the italifine can even be done on a VP nib!

 

 

 

Edited January 5, 2009 by QM2

[mstone]

Oddly, Herbin did not do too well in mine. Despite being a dry ink, it still wrote wet (and watery). The specific colour I tried was Cacao de Bresil. However, the Pelikan ink performs super, so I would suggest to give that a try.

Unfortunately, none of the pelikan colors really appeals to me. The quest continues.

[CharlieB]

Very nice writing samples! Richard does nice work, doesn't he? And you've certainly developed a nice writing style!

[QM2]

CharlieB, thank you : ) Yes, there is definitely a visible progression from my earlier posts. Just goes to show that anyone can do it really.

 

mstone: I too find the Pelikan colour palette limiting, so I mix my own. The colour in the samples on this thread is a mix of Pelikan Blue-Black and Pelikan Green, about 30/70.

 

Oh my, and it has just been pointed out to me that this will be my 3000th post! Clearly I spent far too much time here -- But hey, they are happy times : )))

Edited January 6, 2009 by QM2

[MDI]

3000 posts! Yes, time flies when you're having fun with... pens.

Edited January 6, 2009 by MDI

[succubus]

I just happened to blog a post using my ItaliFine in a Vanishing Point the other day. (Click on image to enlarge.)

 

However - be warned - it's just in my everyday scrawl, errors and all.

 

As for using it in the VP - it feels a little weird writing with the fine side, because the clip is on the bottom. I'm okay with the clip location when used right-side-up, but it feels odd to me upside down. I only switch to the fine point when I'm pressed for space.

[QM2]

I just happened to blog a post using my ItaliFine in a Vanishing Point the other day. (Click on image to enlarge.)

 

However - be warned - it's just in my everyday scrawl, errors and all.

 

As for using it in the VP - it feels a little weird writing with the fine side, because the clip is on the bottom. I'm okay with the clip location when used right-side-up, but it feels odd to me upside down. I only switch to the fine point when I'm pressed for space.

 

That is a nice ice-blue VP, gosh!

 

Thanks for the link to your writing sample. You are getting pretty good line variation for a "scrawl" and the contrast between the italic and the fine line in your nib is great. It is funny that you say your italics have been dethroned by flex, because for me it has been just the opposite: I was fascinated by flex in theory, but in practice found that italics are much more suitable.

 

The clip position on the VP is an interesting question. I would not mind it being upside down aesthetically or in terms of interfering with my fingers. However, I write holding my pens at a very low angle, and I wonder whether the clip might not brush against the paper!

 

 

[succubus]

That is a nice ice-blue VP, gosh!

 

Thanks for the link to your writing sample. You are getting pretty good line variation for a "scrawl" and the contrast between the italic and the fine line in your nib is great. It is funny that you say your italics have been dethroned by flex, because for me it has been just the opposite: I was fascinated by flex in theory, but in practice found that italics are much more suitable.

 

The clip position on the VP is an interesting question. I would not mind it being upside down aesthetically or in terms of interfering with my fingers. However, I write holding my pens at a very low angle, and I wonder whether the clip might not brush against the paper!

 

Thanks - I do love the color on that pen!

 

While I started doing handwritten posts to force myself to pay attention to my writing, I never do in practice. It's usually late in the evening and I'm writing, on the couch, while having a nightcap. As much as I know that slowing down and focusing will improve my hand, I can't compel myself to do it. I simply write quickly.

 

Actually, I was having a problem writing with the cursive italic side when I first got it because I tend to write at a higher angle than it takes. I don't have a VP with me (it exhausted, and is now out of this week's rotation) so I can't check the distance, but I've never had a problem with the clip's brushing the surface - what irritates me is its presence. I'm used to the underside of a pen being a smooth surface.

 

I don't hold that against the Italifine though - if I mean to use the fine nib for the bulk of my writing, I just use one of my stock fine VP nibs. The Italifine gives you the option to have both available.

[QM2]

While I started doing handwritten posts to force myself to pay attention to my writing, I never do in practice. It's usually late in the evening and I'm writing, on the couch, while having a nightcap. As much as I know that slowing down and focusing will improve my hand, I can't compel myself to do it. I simply write quickly.

 

That doesn't work for me! Whenever I write with the intention of posting it, it always comes out worse than when I am just writing notes not intended for display.

[J0rdan]

An Italifine is definitely on my to-buy list, seated on a Pelikan m200. Your beautiful writing samples make me want one even more.

Edited January 8, 2009 by J0rdan

[Italicist]

Thanks Italicist : )

 

Italic nibs have helped me a great deal with my handwriting, which was really beginning to disintegrate . . .

 

You're most welcome. I began to learn italic for much the same reason: while working on a research project in the mid-1990s, I discovered to my horror that I could scarcely read the contents of a handful of 3x5 index cards that I had filled with jottings. Shortly thereafter I happened on a copy of Alfred Fairbank's Handwriting Manual and never looked back. There's probably always a long way to go, regardless of how good one's writing becomes, save perhaps for professionals such as the noble Caliken and similarly masterful scribes.