Dip Pen as your primary writing instrument

[jbb]

I do the majority of my writing with dip pens. Anytime I can be at my desk writing I generally chose a dip pen -- even over a fountain pen. Fountain pens are second and ballpoint pens only when forced. I believe at this point that I write as fast with dip pens as I do with any other writing implement -- at least it feels that way. The only constraints besides being away from my desk are that not all paper is dip pen friendly.

 

Who are the other dip pen writers among us?

 

Moderators: Please move this to the dip pen forum if it's more appropriate there. :roflmho:

[Aysedasi]

I confess I've not used a dip pen since I was in infant school - and I'm 52 now.......

[inkcoffee]

I almost alternate with fountain pens/dip pens at home with my journal. I usually address envelopes with a dip pen. I really enjoy the flexible nature of the nibs I use. My favorites are the Hunt 101, Gillott 303 and Brause Rose nib (in that order) and my favorite ink is Speedball Super Black. I'm still waiting on a Jetpens order that has some Tachikawa G nibs and Kuretake Manga ink, so we'll see if that changes.

 

A dip pen is not possible at my job, but if I could I would, it's just not practical. An FP loaded with Noodler's Black is ideal there.

 

What are your favorites? Always looking to try new dip pen nibs (they're cheap!).

Edited September 2, 2009 by inkcoffee

[MegWesley]

I would write with my dip pens more but they really aren't practical for me right now. I got into fountain pens because they are more portable than a bottle of ink and a dip pen. When I am in school it is just easier to use a fountain pen (or a ballpoint when forced) to sign something, take notes, write letters, etc. In fact, I didn't even bring my dips to school because they are glass and I got worried about breaking them.

 

I do love using them though but I would only use them when I am at home and when I am definitely not in a hurry.

[jbb]

I almost alternate with fountain pens/dip pens at home with my journal. I usually address envelopes with a dip pen. I really enjoy the flexible nature of the nibs I use. My favorites are the Hunt 101, Gillott 303 and Brause Rose nib (in that order) and my favorite ink is Speedball Super Black. I'm still waiting on a Jetpens order that has some Tachikawa G nibs and Kuretake Manga ink, so we'll see if that changes.

 

A dip pen is not possible at my job, but if I could I would, it's just not practical. An FP loaded with Noodler's Black is ideal there.

 

What are your favorites? Always looking to try new dip pen nibs (they're cheap!).

I use firm, sharp, flexible nibs (Esterbrook 761, 556, 505, 543; Eagle 750). I'm uttlerly useless with the Gillott 303 because I press very hard when I write. The nibs I like still have great flex and line variation they're just not so delicate.

[beezaur]

At my desk I have used a dip pen (Esterbrook Dip-Less) more than a fountain pen at times.

 

But the messier the desk gets the farther that Estie migrates . . . then the fountain pen is easier to reach.

 

Scott

[grayfoxgirl]

Personally, I think I probably use my dip pens as much or more than my fountains, at least when I'm at home. I've been using my fountain pens more now that I'm back in college for the convenience factor. My favorite of my two nib holders is my V 1257 Eagle Poise... it's just a basic contoured wooden nib holder. Mine is painted black, but I've seen other colors. I use Blick Black Cat India Ink and J. Herbin Encre de Calligraphie in violet (both color and scent I believe... though the latter is not strong). And my favorite of my nibs is my Fine Point Shakesperian No. 4, which I found in a box with my Eagle Poise years ago. I know nothing about it other than that it was made in England. I've been meaning to do a little research in my spare time to see who made it, how old it is, etc. just for fun but I never seem to get around to it.

[inkcoffee]

2 Spencerian Pen Co. Falcon No. 40

5 Esterbrook Falcon 048

2 Esterbrook Oval Point 788

1 R. Esterbrook Co. Jackson Stub 442

8 Spencerian Pen Co. No.1 Ivison Phinney Co. New York

3 Hunt Extra Fine Round Pointed 22

5 Joesph Gillott"s Extra Fine 303 England

1 R. Esterbrook & Co. Probate Pen 313

 

I got some old nibs off ebay listed above, can't wait to try 'em out, have you had any experience with any listed (well I know you have with the Gillott 303, of course)?

 

 

The Gillott is very very flexible, that's why the Hunt 101 is better for me, I do like a little more control.

[Gran]

The dip pens get used occasionally, the dip-less Esterbrook quite frequently, the fountain pens daily. If I had dip nibs I were keen to use, I would use them much more often. I quite enjoy the inks for dip pens. The pacing, the slow speed, the ritual, and the connectedness to oneself while writing are so lovely in writing with dip pens.

 

Thanks for the thread!

[Coche_y_bondhu]

Hello,

 

These days, when I am at my home desk, I almost exclusively use dip pens. They are inexpensive, convenient and versatile. At work, I use ballpoints out of necessity. I used to carry a FP in my pocket, then in my satchel, but rarely used them except to work on an occasional crossword puzzle during lunch.

 

I have several bottles of J Herbin scented ink, J Herbin Encre Authentique (? sp), Noodlers OMB and a bottle of Old World Iron Gall on my desk next to a wineglass that has my favorite metal nib dip pens in it (and one Ernst glass nib dip pen). I normally use the dip pens to address envelopes, write checks and short correspondence pieces. I select a favorite dip pen and a bottle of ink, and I am good to go. It is a simple matter of changing a nib or ink color.

 

Thanks to Jill and all her dip pen nib offerings, I have far more variety in nib styles (especially XXF and flex) than I have with FP nibs. And I have a decent group of holders, all inexpensive compared to FPs. And I don't need any converters or cartridges.

 

Will I abandon my FPs? No. Will I continue using dip pens? Yes. I love their simplicity of design and ease of use.

 

Cheers,

 

Richard in Plano TX

[jbb]

2 Spencerian Pen Co. Falcon No. 40

5 Esterbrook Falcon 048

2 Esterbrook Oval Point 788

1 R. Esterbrook Co. Jackson Stub 442

8 Spencerian Pen Co. No.1 Ivison Phinney Co. New York

3 Hunt Extra Fine Round Pointed 22

5 Joesph Gillott"s Extra Fine 303 England

1 R. Esterbrook & Co. Probate Pen 313

 

I got some old nibs off ebay listed above, can't wait to try 'em out, have you had any experience with any listed (well I know you have with the Gillott 303, of course)?

 

The Gillott is very very flexible, that's why the Hunt 101 is better for me, I do like a little more control.

Have you ever tried a Gillott 404? It's like the 303 only a little sturdier. I've tried the Esterbrook 048 and the Jackson Stub and neither are fine enough for me. (I once tried an Gillott 604 that I thought was wonderful but I've never found a good, affordable source for them.) I've tried a few others on your list but don't remember what they were like.

 

The few nibs I like I tend to use all the time. I put feeds on all my dip nibs so that I can dip less.

[Paddler]

I use fountain pens for pocket carry and for drafts of journal articles. I usually use a dip pen for posting the finished work to the journal. Depending on the journal's paper, I will use an Esterbrook 905 Radio Pen or one of the Spencerian falcons. the Radio Pen has a spoon point and writes a medium line on the paper I use the most.

 

For snailmail letters, I have a collection of about fifty different types of dip nibs. I keep a sheet of each kind of stationery with a line written with each nib type. This way, I can select a nib and ink for the line thickness I want. I like to go just daft (in the Scottish sense) with the nibs and colors for text and ornaments when I'm snailing.

 

So, most of my writing is done with fountain pens. Most of my permanent writing is done with dippers.

 

Paddler

 

[pen2paper]

just received a glass dip pen set.. in a nice wood box, with a bottle of Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black ink. price was right couldn't pass it up..

The pen puts down a really heavy line at 1st, readable, but almost gloppy.. I put the whole ribbed nib into the ink.. too far? It wrote about 20 words before needing another dip.

Iow's, to have writing appear uniform, should I be using less ink, fewer words between dips?

 

Also, wondering if this ink is ok for fountain pens?

 

[riamu]

As you might gather from my other post here (which attracted much more positive interest than I expected!) I'm a dip pen devotee. However for normal writing purposes (taking notes in meetings, paperwork, etc) I use a fountain pen – because of its convenience, but also because it's conventional and looks professional. If I turned up to a business meeting with an inkwell and dip pen, regrettably I think people would think I was being weird/pretentious, trying to draw attention to myself, and distracting from the content of the meeting.

 

However I use a dip pen for all of my personal writing and artistic projects. The greater variety of both line and ink gives a continuous sensual pleasure.

 

Also, once you embrace the necessity of regular re-dipping, it becomes part of the rhythm of the instrument, and ties your creative spirit to a pulse of honest workmanship.

 

btw I have not given up the dream of a dip pen forum and will keep you all posted!

 

riamu

[ZeissIkon]

Also, wondering if this ink [Pelikan 4001 Brillian Black] is ok for fountain pens?

 

Can't help you with the inconsistent line from the glass nib; I'm still seeing that with my steel pens, too. That ink, however, is a fountain pen ink; all Pelikan 4001 inks are made for fountain pens.

[pen2paper]

Also, wondering if this ink [Pelikan 4001 Brillian Black] is ok for fountain pens?

 

Can't help you with the inconsistent line from the glass nib; I'm still seeing that with my steel pens, too. That ink, however, is a fountain pen ink; all Pelikan 4001 inks are made for fountain pens.

Thanks ZI.. Like the Pelikan bottle with pen rest at the front!

the line from the glass nib is just too heavy at first, 3 words, then evenly trailing off..perhaps I need to write a few words off page, then do the real writing.. guess This is why fountain pens were invented;)

[ZeissIkon]

This is why fountain pens were invented;)

 

That, and the inconvenience of trying to fit an ink well in a pocket...

[pen2paper]

This is why fountain pens were invented;)

 

That, and the inconvenience of trying to fit an ink well in a pocket...

yes..that little incovenience too...

[PAKMAN]

I just can't seem to get the hang of using dip pens, I've about given up.

[ScottT]

Hi all,

 

Can SOMEONE explain to me about the whole 'to dip the pen or not' question, regarding using either

a brush or eyedropper instead of dipping? :embarrassed_smile:

 

Also, can anyone tell me or point me to a website that explains the reservoir/feed use on a nib..I mean,

I know it is to hold more ink and therefore write longer between fillups, but do all nibs need reservoirs?

 

Do most dip pen users just put the lone nib (no reservoir/feed/etc) into the holder, dip into some ink and

commence to writin' ?

 

I am obviously a newbie when it comes to dip pens; I'd like to learn more, but cannot find any real resources

out there...are there any good websites besides this one?

 

Thanks,

ScottT