Best Nib For Signatures

[Austinpen]

Thanks for your excellent posts. Nice handwirting as well.

 

I agree that a signature should never appear tentative or weak.

 

My father has a great signature, bold, large and with presence. I have emulated his style since I was a kid and like to think of my signature as bold and with great presence as well. My handwriting is not as nice but it does the job.

 

My Waterman pen is about 15 years old and looks like a Charleston. It has a M nib and is a very wet writer. I use it for all new suits I file.

 

I like to believe it strikes fear in my victims...

 

Anyway, I am a nice guy, I don't intimidate much but I like to have some authority behind my signature.

 

Thanks again,

 

J

 

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.

[Austinpen]

I'm not sure I am ready for a MB. I've only been using my FPs for a few months.

 

I think I will go by the mall and try some inexpensive BB nibs. I love the Lamy Safai I picked up for 35.00; and I love the Lamy Blue ink that came with it.

 

Thanks,

 

J

 

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.

[Austinpen]

That is nice. I sign a lot and fast so I do need a fast-drying ink.

 

The variations in your samples are what I would like for my signature.

 

I'd like it to look almost like it was signed a couple of centuries ago...

 

J

 

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!

[asimplemaestro]

I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better signature pen than a Montblanc 149 with a OBB nib. I think if you try it you'll be using it for far more than just the occasional signature.

 

-Marcos

[CraigR]

I personally like to use a cursive italic or a stub nib for official signatures. On everyday correspondence, I just use the pen, nib and ink combination that I used in the body of the letter. My current favorite for business signatures (subject to frequent changes) is a Pelikan 805 with a 1.5 CI nib (John Mottishaw). Ink favorites for this purpose are Noodler's Ellis Island Black, Waterman Blue Black and Private Reserve Midnight Blue. /Craig

Edited December 3, 2010 by CraigR

[mikey]

I would say a broad stub would be appropriate.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[Pen Nut]

I normally get any pens I have re-done to cursive italics but dont go much above the size of 0.7mm. For any 'major' signature signing I have to do I normally go for oblique nibs but not more than a medium. Did have a 149 Montblanc with a stock OBB nib but just could not get on with it. Try a few first and you will know when you find 'the one'.

[Austinpen]

I need to try some pens out. Unfortunatley, the only pen shop in town does not allow anyone to try out the pens.

 

That is why I have to hear from others....

 

I'll see if I can convince them to let me try.

 

Thanks,

 

I normally get any pens I have re-done to cursive italics but dont go much above the size of 0.7mm. For any 'major' signature signing I have to do I normally go for oblique nibs but not more than a medium. Did have a 149 Montblanc with a stock OBB nib but just could not get on with it. Try a few first and you will know when you find 'the one'.

[oldstoat]

A modern CS IB does the job very well indeed

[nicholasyeo]

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.

Considering the wet flow of a 2000, your suggestion is of course valid.

To add, it's definitely true that some pens are more dry and have smaller

sweet spots which of course, do not work when signing.

[Bing Bing]

I'd recommend a 1.5 mm Lamy Joy calligraphy pen filled with Lamy's turquoise (light blue). Great flow, line variation and very visible.

[Malcy]

The Pelikan M400 BB nib has good line variation and stubbish characteristics and makes a good signature nib. It will also fit the M200 series, so you could buy one as an M250. While the M250 as such is no longer sold new, some vendors such as The Writing Desk sell a M200 body/M400 nib combo which is essentially the same thing.

 

p.s. while the Lamy 2000 is a great pen, the BB nib delivers nothing in the way of line variation. I have both the Lamy and the Pelikan in BB nib form and the Pelikan is much the better choice for this use.

[SignalboxCat]

Lamy Safari with the widest italic nib in. Cheap and extremely cheerful. Lots of line variation, and you can get 2 or 3 and try different inks in them. Also means you can see if you like the varied line look without spending loads of $$$$$$$$.

[georges zaslavsky]

Either my 1966 MB 149 with its flexible medium oblique, my 1977 MB 149 with its flexible medium, my 1947 Parker Button filler with its flexible medium oblique, my 1949 Parker French made oversize button filler with its stub flexible nib and my Nettuno 1911 limited edition for the spanish Market with its broad nib.

[kazoolaw]

Lamy Safari with the widest italic nib in. Cheap and extremely cheerful. Lots of line variation, and you can get 2 or 3 and try different inks in them. Also means you can see if you like the varied line look without spending loads of $$$$$$$$.

 

The OP having already chosen a Lamy Safari as one of the pens, this is the perfect solution. There are italic nibs available in a number of widths, at reasonable prices, that you can plug into this pen. The corners aren't too sharp so you can practice signatures with flourishes.

gary

[Austinpen]

I think the best solution would be to buy some nibs for my Lamy Safari.

 

I was not aware you can change them out easily.

 

I might just buy a whole new lamy with a wider nib...

 

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

J

[lapis]

As said above, it sure is a personal thing (what isn't).

I myself prefer a BB or a stub.

Now FWIW all nof the signatures I have ever received from the administrations of Pelikan, MB or Lamy -- not to mention my best attorneys and surgeons -- all use a stub.

 

Mike

[OldGriz]

I find it interesting that a majority of people seem to find that the "best" nib for signatures is a broad, double broad, wide stub or similar nib.....

 

My opinion is that if the person reading it can not tell my name reading my signature because the nib was sooooo wide it occluded the lettering, why bother...

 

I want my signature to be easy read by the person looking at it....

I have a rather classic Palmer style handwriting that I am proud of... it can easily be read by just about anyone.

Why would I want to destroy my signature by occluding the letters using a broad or stub nib that does not suit this style of writing..

My pens generally carry a fine or xfine nib that suits my style of writing...

I am not going to change my style of writing for my signature.... so I use the same nibs

Below is a sample of my signature... Do you think it would really look better if I went to a real wide nib....

 

http://www.myfavoritepen.com/Signature.jpg

[pen2paper]

just Knew Tom was going to share that signature..

a best of Palmer for sure.

[horolographer]

How we sign is almost always different from how we write.

Rather than focus on whether its a fine or broad nib - which is a personal choice - the right way to decide which is one is to determine HOW you sign. Whether you are forceful or gentle when signing.

From there, you can decide whether the nib should be soft and pliant or hard and stiff. Forceful signers need as a norm stiff nibs to withstand the pressure over time. Fast signers need wet nibs. Slow signers less so.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers