Nakaya Piccolo In Shu With A 0.7 Mm Ci Nib

[dms525]

Okay, VladDracule, see if this helps ...

 

 

Happy writing!

 

David

[trax]

I loved the writing samples/pictures in this thread! We are so lucky to have members who share like this

[flyshot]

Yes...thank you David...very helpful info

[MCWB]

Okay, VladDracule, see if this helps ...

 

<snip>

 

Happy writing!

 

David

 

Spot on David! It took me quite some time (many months) writing with stubs to figure this out!

 

I've never figured out why stubs/italics are often described as giving "thick down strokes and thin cross strokes", when if you're holding the nib in the orientation you have specified for italic script you get thick 'top left to bottom right' strokes and thin 'bottom left to top right' strokes instead.

[dms525]

 

Spot on David! It took me quite some time (many months) writing with stubs to figure this out!

 

I've never figured out why stubs/italics are often described as giving "thick down strokes and thin cross strokes", when if you're holding the nib in the orientation you have specified for italic script you get thick 'top left to bottom right' strokes and thin 'bottom left to top right' strokes instead.

 

Well, if you write with the nib parallel to the writing line, the effect is as described, as you know. However, I have written italic script for so long, I have no sense how other FP users orient their nibs.

 

David

[VladDracule]

Okay, VladDracule, see if this helps ...

 

 

Happy writing!

 

David

 

That is how I hold the pen, or at least *try* to. I have yet to really find a good instructional video on the grip and how the paper should be angled etc.

 

I know that saying ill things about the respected nibmeisters doesnt go over well, But i have found that nibs.com tuning seems to be a bit inconsistent. My flow preference is 8/10 out of all pens i buy from him, and ive noticed that the wetness of every pen i buy from them is drastically different than the other. The pilot CI i just got writes much, MUCH wetter than the Nakayas I've bought from him...not to mention I just sent 3 pens back to him that had issues since i purchased them (ink starvation, nib alignment etc)

[dms525]

VladDracule -

 

How a pen writes depends on multiple hardware (pen/ink/paper) and user (grip/pressure/speed/positioning) variables, as I'm sure you appreciate.

 

One observation: If other variables are "average," 8/10 ink flow and crisp line variation are incompatible.

 

I have John set ink flow at 5/10 with medium-light pressure. I have had some variation in the nibs he has ground for me, but the differences are small enough to be generally eliminated by changing to a wetter or drier ink. More often than not, when I have sent nibs back for further adjustment before experimenting with different inks, I have regretted it.

 

David

[petachiu]

Dear David,

 

I am about to order a Nakaya and now doing research on the nib, I have decided to have 0.7mm CI nib done by John Mottishaw. Do you have experiences with CI nibs with added flex vs without? Thanks!

 

 

Peter

[dms525]

Dear David,

 

I am about to order a Nakaya and now doing research on the nib, I have decided to have 0.7mm CI nib done by John Mottishaw. Do you have experiences with CI nibs with added flex vs without? Thanks!

 

 

Peter

 

Hi, Peter.

 

I have some CI nibs on Conway Stewart pens that are springy. Most are a pleasure to write with. They are not meant to flex, although you can force the tines to spread. This is not recommended. The Nakayas I have (3 of them) all have very stiff nibs. I have more Pelikans with CI nibs than any other brand. All these nibs are very stiff. I do have a few vintage pens with semi-flex nibs, and they are fun, but I haven't really learned how to use them to full advantage. I write italic script almost exclusively.

 

So, the short answer is "no." I don't have experience with CI nibs with added flex. I rather hope some one who has experience with that kind of nib responds to your question. I would be interested in their answer.

 

Have fun with your Nakaya decisions! I look forward to hearing about your pen when you get it.

 

David

[zerotester]

David,

 

Your handwriting is so beautiful!!

 

Regards,

Clemente

 

PS I think it's time to replace my old iPhone 3S as the picture quality leaves a lot to be desired - especially when I see your pictures.

[Ghost Plane]

The camera on the 5 is a vast improvement.

[petachiu]

David, thank you for your input. I will do some more research in the forum.

 

I will definitely report back after I receive the pen. I also have a Romillo on order. It will be interesting to compare them.

 

Cheers.

[dms525]

David,

 

Your handwriting is so beautiful!!

 

Regards,

Clemente

 

PS I think it's time to replace my old iPhone 3S as the picture quality leaves a lot to be desired - especially when I see your pictures.

 

Thank you, Clemente. My iPhone 5S replaced an iPh. 4. I haven't given the camera a good workout, but the camera on the iPh. 4 was pretty good, and the 5 is supposedly better.

 

David

[kenhsv]

Writing samples as requested and a side-by-side photo of a Piccolo and a Naka-ai:

 

 

 

David

Hmmm... Your italic writing is stunning. Your cursive is more akin to that of many of the attendings. However, one of my favorite attendings once couldn't even decipher his own orders when asked by one of the nurses. At that point, I decided that even as I lefty I'd try to at least be legible. I don't think I'll ever attain the level of your success, but I have taken your advice and the two books you suggested are on the way from Amazon.

[dms525]

Hmmm... Your italic writing is stunning. Your cursive is more akin to that of many of the attendings. However, one of my favorite attendings once couldn't even decipher his own orders when asked by one of the nurses. At that point, I decided that even as I lefty I'd try to at least be legible. I don't think I'll ever attain the level of your success, but I have taken your advice and the two books you suggested are on the way from Amazon.

 

Keep your resolve, Ken! You have the dubious advantage of much less demand for handwritten documentation than I did. The cost is having to use EMR's, which have a ways to go to reach their potential. (Now, isn't that diplomatic?)

 

I have zilch talent for calligraphy. I still remember the trauma in First or Second grade of getting a "C" in penmanship, my worst grade in anything, ever. Being retired, I have the luxury of devoting hours each day (if I wish) to practicing calligraphy. You know what? It makes a difference. So, it's up to you to set your priorities, within the limits of your discretionary time, of course.

 

David

[kenhsv]

I work for VA during the week and their EMR is really very good. And of course all of the extra paperwork that goes along with primary care gives me plenty of opportunities to use a pen.

 

I do contract work on the weekend, and that definitely highlights the nuance of your politically nuanced statement above. But I still try to find ways to circumvent the digital age. When I was younger, I was caught up in everything digital and modern. As I have progressed through time, I have developed more respect for things that have a human touch. And this is what I suspect has driven my interest in fountain pens. The ability to hand write a little note in an appropriately selected color of ink as opposed to a sans serif laser printed stock card (or worse - email) to me adds a whole level of sincerity to whatever thoughts are being expressed.

 

All this as I peck away on my iPhone. :-). Well. At least the digital age has given us things like FPN and access to Nakaya - little country boys like me would have been out in the dark 30 years ago. So progress isn't all bad. I've sent my CI off to Ernest to get a Kanji. So hopefully by the time I get my books, I'll have my CI back.

[VladDracule]

Well David, i wanted to thank you for all of your samples and help.

 

I just placed an order for a Nakya Ao-Tamenuri writer, with a Rhodium BB nib ground to a .75 Cursive Italic, and a rhodium clip, and a goldfish maki-e converter.

 

I still have a lot issues with my grip, i just unfortunately cant really figure it out just using pictures as a reference

[dms525]

Well David, i wanted to thank you for all of your samples and help.

 

I just placed an order for a Nakya Ao-Tamenuri writer, with a Rhodium BB nib ground to a .75 Cursive Italic, and a rhodium clip, and a goldfish maki-e converter.

 

I still have a lot issues with my grip, i just unfortunately cant really figure it out just using pictures as a reference

 

You are more than welcome, VladDracule!

 

Now, you have ordered a pen with a clip (Writer) in Ao-tamenuri. Which model? Piccolo? Naka-ai? Other? Whichever it is, I'm looking forward to seeing your photos and comments!

 

David

[VladDracule]

 

You are more than welcome, VladDracule!

 

Now, you have ordered a pen with a clip (Writer) in Ao-tamenuri. Which model? Piccolo? Naka-ai? Other? Whichever it is, I'm looking forward to seeing your photos and comments!

 

David

 

Well my order just got flipped because nibs.com has the writer on hold for someone . However i just told them to go ahead with the cigar model, it is a decapod Ao-Tamenuri, now with a rhodium nib .75 CI, and a goldfish converter

[dms525]

 

Well my order just got flipped because nibs.com has the writer on hold for someone . However i just told them to go ahead with the cigar model, it is a decapod Ao-Tamenuri, now with a rhodium nib .75 CI, and a goldfish converter

 

Well, it's always nicer to get your first choice, but, at least, with the Decapod, you don't need the clip to keep the pen from rolling off your desk.

 

FWIW, I find both the Decapod and Naka-ai (both Writers) get carried less than the Piccolo, because they are just a bit large for a shirt breast pocket carry. This makes me think about getting another Piccolo, even though I find the Naka-ai is one of the most comfortable pens I have for writing and most pleasing to look at.

 

Anyway, congratulations. I'm betting you will love your Decapod.

 

David