Cork Nib Holder

[Paddler]

Here is the craziest nib holder I have ever seen. It is made entirely of cork. The holding mechanism is a fairly standard ferule with a split button center. It came included with a lap desk I recently bought. The large diameter and light weight mean you don't even have to consciously grasp the barrel to write with it.

 

The nib that came with the holder is a "LIPPENCOTT & CO'S SCHOOL PEN". This is embossed on the concave side of the shank. I have never seen that before.

 

[Uncle Red]

That's a great holder.

[Paddler]

That's a great holder.

 

I know! It kinda looks like an old stogie.

[Uncle Red]

Easier to use than mine

 

[dem00n]

Love it.

 

Use wine as ink!

[Paddler]

I wonder, seeing it came with a "school pen" nib, if it was meant for school children.

 

It might be useful to someone with arthritic hands. Cork that size might be hard to find, these days, but balsa wood would be doable.

 

[tinta]

I have a "Venus Pencil Co. Ltd." (Made in Canada) #6158 nib holder, that has a high quality cork handle up front & a black enameled wooden stem.

The cork grip is extremely comfortable in the hand.

They were throwing out all kinds of antiquated writing equipment at the school where I started teaching. I liberated this holder & a box of Spencerian nibs from the dumpster, way back in 69.

[jbb]

Very nice! Are you aware that you can use cork grease (which seems to be just about the same as lipsaver) to keep the cork from drying out. Dip pens with cork ends dry out like crazy so this one might too.

 

 

Edited May 22, 2013 by jbb

[Paddler]

Very nice! Are you aware that you can use cork grease (which seems to be just about the same as lipsaver) to keep the cork from drying out. Dip pens with cork ends dry out like crazy so this one might too.

 

Yeah. I think cork grease is mostly mutton tallow. You can apply it to the cork and then heat it with a match or lighter and the cells in the cork expand. Keeps the joints in your flute tight. I had not thought of this in connection with the cork grips on nib holders, but it would probably work well there too.