Writing In A Bible

[larryinpa]

I use a FP to take notes in church and typically write directly in my bible as well (quick notes, underlines, etc.). Due to the paper used, obviously FP ink bleeds right through the pages so I have to use a different instrument to write directly in my good book.

 

Is there any nib/ink combo that will let me write on this kind of thin paper, or is my only option to carry a BP or pencil? I do use a non bleed through highlighter as well.

 

Larry

[Vargouille]

I would guess a really dry nib in extra-fine, plus a really dry ink. For nibs, all I can think of right now is a Lamy Safari EF, and maybe a Pelikan 4001 ink. This will, however, make it really scratchy, but at least it won't bleed through.

[beak]

Hello.

I guess you've looked at the inks made for difficult papers / feathering / bleeding problems (I'm no expert there), but what about changing to a colour that will be far less noticeable if it does read through - a lighter grey? Good luck and Happy New Year.

[The Royal Pen]

Have you thought of Noodlers X-Feather? That is supposed to be good for bleedthrough as well. Though, like Vargouille said, try Pelikan Royal Blue or some other dry ink in an EF nib. Merry Christmas

[Pensfan]

In all honesty I would look for another solution. Use the right tool for the right job, etc... In all my time searching for the perfect note taking in my Bible, I finally found something that works perfectly.

 

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens.

 

http://bp1.blogger.com/_Y5Vx5SmFGXU/Rxwz6F9zk1I/AAAAAAAAADk/br-OzDnRI1M/s400/5-xsdk-n.jpg

 

First of all they are archival and acid free so the ink will remain permanent and it will not eat through the fine onion skin pages in your Bible. They don't bleed through if you use the right size. They are available in a decent assortment of sizes and colors.

 

I use a 005 for writing notes and a 05 for underlining.

 

Here are two links to two other blogs I frequent that discuss tools to use in marking up your Bible.

 

Bible Design Blog - Writing and Highlighting in your Bible

 

Soul DeSaenz - Pens for Bibles

 

Edited January 1, 2011 by Pensfan

[larryinpa]

I would guess a really dry nib in extra-fine, plus a really dry ink. For nibs, all I can think of right now is a Lamy Safari EF, and maybe a Pelikan 4001 ink. This will, however, make it really scratchy, but at least it won't bleed through.

 

I've been using a Safari (Vista) EF and PR Lake Placid Blue and it bleeds profusely.

[larryinpa]

Have you thought of Noodlers X-Feather? That is supposed to be good for bleedthrough as well. Though, like Vargouille said, try Pelikan Royal Blue or some other dry ink in an EF nib. Merry Christmas

 

I will check this our, thanks!

[larryinpa]

In all honesty I would look for another solution. Use the right tool for the right job, etc... In all my time searching for the perfect note taking in my Bible, I finally found something that works perfectly.

 

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens.

 

http://bp1.blogger.com/_Y5Vx5SmFGXU/Rxwz6F9zk1I/AAAAAAAAADk/br-OzDnRI1M/s400/5-xsdk-n.jpg

 

First of all they are archival and acid free so the ink will remain permanent and it will not eat through the fine onion skin pages in your Bible. They don't bleed through if you use the right size. They are available in a decent assortment of sizes and colors.

 

I use a 005 for writing notes and a 05 for underlining.

 

Here are two links to two other blogs I frequent that discuss tools to use in marking up your Bible.

 

Bible Design Blog - Writing and Highlighting in your Bible

 

Soul DeSaenz - Pens for Bibles

 

 

These look cool! Can you restate the sizes you use? Thanks for the recommendation.

[Warriah]

In all honesty I would look for another solution.

I totally agree... Writing on a bible like paper with a fp would drive me insane..

[Pensfan]

These look cool! Can you restate the sizes you use? Thanks for the recommendation.

 

I have two Bibles that I mark up on a regular basis; a Crossways DuoTone ESV Premium Thinline which I carry with me daily and a Zondervan Thinline NIV which I teach from. Both of these Bibles are smaller, thinner, cheaper Bibles so the paper is pretty thin. Even with the lesser quality paper, using the 005 for writing notes and a 05 for underlining is barely noticeable on the back side of a page.

 

I imagine if your Bible has slightly better paper than my cheap ones I write in, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Even though I have no problems with marking up Bibles, for some reason I can't bring myself to mark up my Allan Calfskin Readers ESV or my Crossway Cordovan ESV. They are too nice... haha

 

God Bless!

Edited January 1, 2011 by Pensfan

[larryinpa]

These look cool! Can you restate the sizes you use? Thanks for the recommendation.

 

I have two Bibles that I mark up on a regular basis; a Crossways DuoTone ESV Premium Thinline which I carry with me daily and a Zondervan Thinline NIV which I teach from. Both of these Bibles are smaller, thinner, cheaper Bibles so the paper is pretty thin. Even with the lesser quality paper, using the 005 for writing notes and a 05 for underlining is barely noticeable on the back side of a page.

 

I imagine if your Bible has slightly better paper than my cheap ones I write in, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Even though I have no problems with marking up Bibles, for some reason I can't bring myself to mark up my Allan Calfskin Readers ESV or my Crossway Cordovan ESV. They are too nice... haha

 

God Bless!

 

I mainly write in a Zondervan Life Application Study bible. It's probably the same paper as in your Thinline...

[Pensfan]

I mainly write in a Zondervan Life Application Study bible. It's probably the same paper as in your Thinline...

I have a couple of those in different translations. My NIV (newer) is the same as the thinline, but my KJV (from the late 80s) has thicker paper. I guess it depends on your LASB's vintage! haha

[Philosophy Student]

Why not find a bible that has suitable paper, im sure it is easier to find, and its always cool having different translations...

[Pensfan]

Why not find a bible that has suitable paper, im sure it is easier to find, and its always cool having different translations...

I am sure there are Bibles out there with nice thick heavy paper that fountain pens work well with... they are also so thick and heavy that they would require volumes for the Old Testament alone I would wager! haha

 

The Bible Design Blog link I posted earlier regularly discusses this same frustration. The sheer number of words alone in simply the base text of the Bible, not to mention book introductions, study notes, references, etc, alone is challenging for publishers to produce a book that is portable, readable, and durable.

 

I still think that the model of "use the right tool for the job" means that my fountain pens stay away from my Bibles.

 

[larryinpa]

Why not find a bible that has suitable paper, im sure it is easier to find, and its always cool having different translations...

 

I have NKJV and ESV translations, that have essentially the same kind of paper as my NIV study bible. Different translations don't necessarily mean different paper. My study bible has almost 2400 pages and is about 3 inches thick - even with this ultra thin paper. I can't imagine the size of a bible with this content printed on heavier, FP friendly paper.

Edited January 1, 2011 by larryinpa

[jniforat]

i just use a parker jotter bp in my NKJV Scofield Study Bible

[InWaterWrit]

Have you thought of Noodlers X-Feather? That is supposed to be good for bleedthrough as well. Though, like Vargouille said, try Pelikan Royal Blue or some other dry ink in an EF nib. Merry Christmas

 

That's a good suggestion; it comes with the added bonus of being bulletproof! However, one point to take note of with X-feather is the drying time: to achieve its remarkable properties, Noodler's apparently had to sacrifice drying speed. This might be a problem if you have to flip to keep up with the sermon.

 

I do a lot of annotation and note-taking at work, and to that end I generally require three things of my pens and inks. I thought you might also find these considerations helpful:

 

1. A fine nib

 

So that I can squeeze more notes into the margins legibly. Fine nibs also limit ink flow, which generally leads to faster drying and less bleedthrough.

 

2. Ability to write away from a desk

 

This is where FPs shine, in general. The light touch with which most experienced FP users write is particularly suited to impromptu note taking, where there isn't a hard surface for ballpoint application. It is even possible to write quite normally with a FP while holding a single sheet of A4 by a corner.

 

In addition, I find that having a small or hooded nib helps, so that you don't ink your own fingers while fumbling with the cap. Parker 51s and Namiki VPs are excellent choices in this regard.

 

3. A waterproof ink

 

Many FP inks smudge or wash away entirely with the slightest touch of water. If you take notes of any significance, this is unacceptable. On the other hand, waterproof FP inks behave beautifully when dry, unlike gel-based inks which continue to smudge and smear long after they 'dry'. I regularly use Noodler's Legal Lapis, which is bulletproof and generally well-behaved. Even better, I have found, is Lamy Blue-Black, which doesn't bleedthrough at all. However, Lamy Blue-Black is an iron-gall ink and not archival. It will not last 100 years.

 

As a bonus, I find it helps to use an ink with a contrasting colour from words on the page; that way your annotations stand out immediately.

[The Write Pen]

This is the reason that I almost always carry a FP/MP combo. Pen for notes on paper, pencil for Bible work. :-)

 

danny

[Philosophy Student]

I too have an ESV study bible, but im sure you can get copies of the old or new testament with decent paper in a decent sized book. Thick paper doesn't necessarily mean good paper, and thin paper doesn't necessarily mean bad paper. I have law case books for school with almost bible like paper that work extremely well with fountain pens. Also you could find a bible without all the "extras" like a study bible to fill your needs, especially if its for taking notes during church. In fact my father has a copy of the NT that can fit in your pocket with thick paper. Ill head over to the religious bookstore in town and see what I can find that might fit the bill. Good luck,

[FrankB]

I do not take notes in any book, the Bible included. I love books too much to mark them up. I always carry some notebook paper that is FP friendly and take my notes on it.