Show Us Your Oblique Penholders!

[caliken]

The beauty of this holder is matched only by that amazing 'B' in the Copperplate example.

 

 

Salman,

 

You may be interested in this.

 

On the left I have written/drawn this majuscule B from an Eighteenth Century example. I though that it might overwhelm the surrounding text in my accolade to Brian Smith, so I wrote a modified, simplified version (on the right) which I felt would be more in keeping. I'm posting them both here for comparison.

 

Written in one stroke, I think that the original version is both ingenious and magnificent: complicated and yet perfectly balanced.

 

Ken

 

Edited March 27, 2014 by Ken Fraser

[smk]

Thank you for sharing this Ken. I am very much interested in anything you share.

 

While the original B is impressive I think your version brings out the best in the design while ignoring the elements that, in my opinion, don't add to the effect. The result benefits from your eye for good design and balance.

 

Salman

[hzsimms]

I finally found my Exclesior, though my wooden Zanerian is still temporarily mislaid. In the first picture, from top to bottom are: plastic Zanerian, 1869 no-name holder, Excelsior. Hzsimms, the Excelsior does not have a flattened end; that's just an optical illusion caused by the ink stains in the picture you posted. In the second picture, I put some measurements of the Excelsior. You can also see quite a few apparent Excelsiors in the Tate collection (eg, at http://www.zanerian.com/DonTate_files/don_tate_page6.html, http://www.zanerian.com/DonTate_files/don_tate_page27.html, and http://www.zanerian.com/DonTate_files/don_tate_page32.html). The holders at http://www.zanerian.com/DonTate_files/don_tate_page35.html and http://www.zanerian.com/DonTate_files/don_tate_page4.html appear to be the same 1869 model as mine.

 

 

dhnz,

 

I love the photos, thanks for posting them! And I really appreciate the measurements as well, that's exactly what I was looking for. I do have a couple of questions. The old ones in the photo I posted appear to have a mounting pin in them that I can't see on yours. Is there one there? Also, is the flange a zanerian style mount or a cut through? Thanks again!

 

Howard

[hzsimms]

E-bony and I-vory

Live together in perfect

Har-mo-ny.......

 

Thank you so very much for putting that absolutely abhorrent song in my head!!! It's a great pen, I really like it, but now I have to slam my head into a wall to get that song to go away!

Edited November 8, 2013 by hzsimms

[Mickey]

 

Thank you so very much for putting that absolutely abhorrent song in my head!!! It's a great pen, I really like it, but now I have to slam my head into a wall to get that song to go away!

 

A song inspired equally by PC and Mammon.

 

 

Added: I've decided to offer you a song with enough hooks to wipe out E&I. (Don't worry about the words.)

 

Edited November 8, 2013 by Mickey

[dhnz]

 

dhnz,

 

I love the photos, thanks for posting them! And I really appreciate the measurements as well, that's exactly what I was looking for. I do have a couple of questions. The old ones in the photo I posted appear to have a mounting pin in them that I can't see on yours. Is there one there? Also, is the flange a zanerian style mount or a cut through? Thanks again!

 

Howard

 

I'll check tonight about the mounting pin. The flange is a Zanerian style fitted into a slot cut halfway through the body, but it's in there solidly, like on the PIA. You can't slip it out. At least, I've never tried and it doesn't look like you can. I was going to take a close-up but I don't think my camera has macro capability.

 

The 31mm measurement means the narrowest part of the subtle hourglass shape is 31mm from the top and it takes 22mmm from when the diameter starts to narrow to when it's stopped increasing again.

 

Dominic

[dhnz]

Here's a Zanerian ad featuring a drawing of the Exclesior. I may also have one of the Expert holders but it could just be a similar style. It appears to have a thin layer of black rubber over a wooden base, as opposed to black paint. It could be a really thick coat of paint, though, I guess. I'll get a shot of that tonight.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/newuploads/q65h2.jpg

[hzsimms]

A song inspired equally by PC and Mammon.

 

 

Added: I've decided to offer you a song with enough hooks to wipe out E&I. (Don't worry about the words.)

 

 

Thank you! That did the trick, and you're correct...that young lady made me care not one whit about the words!

[Mickey]

 

I'll check tonight about the mounting pin. The flange is a Zanerian style fitted into a slot cut halfway through the body, but it's in there solidly, like on the PIA. You can't slip it out. At least, I've never tried and it doesn't look like you can.

 

Dominic

I wouldn't be surprised if it were originally removable. The wood may have shrunk around the flange, and I think the old makers cut things a bit closer than the new guys. I would have sworn that the flange in my Magnusson was permanently affixed until I got up the nerve to give it a careful, prolonged nudge from below. It eventually came loose (making the adjustment for a different sized nib much easier), but it was tighter than a...

 

On the other hand, the flange may have been glued in with the wedge used to stabilize it.

[Mickey]

Thank you! That did the trick, and you're correct...that young lady made me care not one whit about the words!

Glad to be of service. Let me know if you need anymore ear-worms removed. I've got a bunch more where than one came from.

[Scribe_Not]

I've just received my new custom-made penholder from Brian Smith (Unique Obliques) and it's a real beauty. Everything is right about it - almost as though he'd built it to fit my hand. The girth and heft are perfect so I've no more excuses if my writing doesn't look good! I chose the appearance based on one he'd done earlier, and, if anything, it has exceeded all of my expectations. The photograph doesn't do it justice.

 

I wrote this with the Leonardt Principal nib which Brian had kindly fitted.

 

BTW the large shade in the Spencerian example, was written in two strokes.

 

Ken

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/newholder701.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/newholderenlarged700.jpg

 

I am, without a doubt, struck dumbfounded by your craft.

 

Oh yeah, BTW Brian… nice pen!

[smk]

Glad to be of service. Let me know if you need anymore ear-worms removed. I've got a bunch more where than one came from.

 

Mickey, I had no idea your interests included Bollywood music

[Mickey]

 

Mickey, I had no idea your interests included Bollywood music

Hardcore, but mostly the newer stuff: A. R. Rahman, Vishal, et al. We're streaming Chennai Express right now. Just stopped to get a frozen yoghurt.

 

Added: Here a couple of more Bollywood ear-worm removers for hzsimms, just in case:

 

 

Now back to the thread.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Mickey

[MusinkMan]

New one for a client. Ruby red dye on 5-A flame maple handle, Afzelia Xylay burl grip, striped ebony foot. She be soooo pretty, I wanted to keep her.

Once again, wifey said "no". hahaha

 

 

Edited November 10, 2013 by MusinkMan

[caliken]

New one for a client. Ruby red dye on 5-A flame maple handle, Afzelia Xylay burl grip, striped ebony foot. She be soooo pretty, I wanted to keep her.

Once again, wifey said "no". hahaha

 

 

 

Another beauty, Brian.......they just keep coming!

 

Ken

[hzsimms]

Hardcore, but mostly the newer stuff: A. R. Rahman, Vishal, et al. We're streaming Chennai Express right now. Just stopped to get a frozen yoghurt.

 

Added: Here a couple of more Bollywood ear-worm removers for hzsimms, just in case:

 

 

 

 

Now back to the thread.

Very much obliged, Mickey, ear-worm removal complete. The problem now, though, is that I've fallen madly in love! I hope my wife doesn't find this thread..."Just looking at pens honey. No dancing girls to see here. Wow, what a Magnusson!"

[smk]

Hardcore, but mostly the newer stuff: A. R. Rahman, Vishal, et al. We're streaming Chennai Express right now. Just stopped to get a frozen yoghurt.

 

Added: Here a couple of more Bollywood ear-worm removers for hzsimms, just in case:

 

...

 

Now back to the thread.

 

Yup - they make some entertaining music (the videos aren't all that bad either ;-) I'm not a big fan of the movies but my wife is - I have therefore watched pretty much everything :-) I have somehow managed to dodge Chennai Express though.

 

I do like the music - particularly Atif Aslam's in 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' - but that may be because I'm partial to it since he's from Pakistan.

 

Wow - this thread is some ride.

 

S.

[dhnz]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were originally removable. The wood may have shrunk around the flange, and I think the old makers cut things a bit closer than the new guys. … On the other hand, the flange may have been glued in with the wedge used to stabilize it.

 

It’s not removable. Excelsiors have a pin to hold the flange in place, like the PIA oblique holders (though it’s not flush on the Excelsior).

 

Howard, I found the macro facility on my camera, so I took the shot of the pin below. The pin is centred on the width of the body, as you would expect with a circular body. I imagine the Madarasz holders are roated slightly, making it appear like the pins are offset. Looking at the end of the pen, the slot and flange extend about two-thirds of the way across the diameter of the body.

 

The body narrows gradually over the first two centimetres or so, then it narrows more dramatically to form the hourglass shape. I don’t have calipers, so it’s just a rough estimate, but by the bottom of the flange, the body has narrowed maybe a half millimetre. Let me know if you need any other shots or measurements. Because some penmen wrapped string around the body to increase the width, you might want to experiment with a body that is that much thicker in that area. It would probably look even more like the PIA hourglass.

 

I’ve also posted a photo showing my unnamed holder (which just may be a Zanerian Expert holder) and my Bill Lilly holder. By the bye, has anyone else noticed that the drawing of Bill on Joe Vitolo’s page about his holders resembles the classic composite sketch of “D B” Cooper? (Not that I think they’re one and the same, of course!)

 

Finally, does anyone know the name of the man who makes the PIA hourglass holders?

 

Cheers, Dominic

 

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/newuploads/kji9h.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/newuploads/nbrgy.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/newuploads/w1t24.jpg

Edited November 10, 2013 by dhnz

[hzsimms]

 

It’s not removable. Excelsiors have a pin to hold the flange in place, like the PIA oblique holders (though it’s not flush on the Excelsior).

 

Howard, I found the macro facility on my camera, so I took the shot of the pin below. The pin is centred on the width of the body, as you would expect with a circular body. I imagine the Madarasz holders are roated slightly, making it appear like the pins are offset. Looking at the end of the pen, the slot and flange extend about two-thirds of the way across the diameter of the body.

 

The body narrows gradually over the first two centimetres or so, then it narrows more dramatically to form the hourglass shape. I don’t have calipers, so it’s just a rough estimate, but by the bottom of the flange, the body has narrowed maybe a half millimetre. Let me know if you need any other shots or measurements. Because some penmen wrapped string around the body to increase the width, you might want to experiment with a body that is that much thicker in that area. It would probably look even more like the PIA hourglass.

 

I’ve also posted a photo showing my unnamed holder (which just may be a Zanerian Expert holder) and my Bill Lilly holder. By the bye, has anyone else noticed that the drawing of Bill on Joe Vitolo’s page about his holders resembles the classic composite sketch of “D B” Cooper? (Not that I think they’re one and the same, of course!)

 

Finally, does anyone know the name of the man who makes the PIA hourglass holders?

 

Cheers, Dominic

 

 

 

Dominic,

 

Thank you very much for the additional photos, they are extremely helpful! I'm working on a slightly oversized version of the Excelsior now based on your previous photos. Mine will likely be a cut through flange, epoxied and pinned. I'm not too sure I want to try the 2/3 cut just yet! Again, I appreciate your help very much. I'll post some photos when I finish my version.

 

Howard

[Estefa]

I've just received my new custom-made penholder from Brian Smith (Unique Obliques) and it's a real beauty. Everything is right about it - almost as though he'd built it to fit my hand. The girth and heft are perfect so I've no more excuses if my writing doesn't look good! I chose the appearance based on one he'd done earlier, and, if anything, it has exceeded all of my expectations. The photograph doesn't do it justice.

 

I wrote this with the Leonardt Principal nib which Brian had kindly fitted.

 

BTW the large shade in the Spencerian example, was written in two strokes.

 

Ken

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/newholder701.jpg

 

 

 

Gorgeous – both the holder and the script. Very witty one-stroke T in the Copperplate (to praise yet another Capital )! I very much like the colour design and this very unique silhouette.

Stefanie