Need Fp Suggestion, Finest Stroke For Drawing

[aabram]

hello, new member here looking to buy my first fountain pen.

 

i'm an illustrator mostly work with pen & ink, i like to use japanese dip pen g nib and maru nib. while they get most line variation from hairline thin to a good broad lines, i find the nibs wear down too fast and the lines get ugly in no time. from what i've learned its because they got no tipping material like a fountain pen's nib. i also use rotring rapidograph 0.1 recently and really likes it, but it got zero line variation. i have used felt tipped drawing pens and they are (bleep) at making good inky linework.

 

what i would like to have is a fountain pen which make real tiny stroke width and some flex, not super flex but good enough to draw 3-5x thickness. i don't really care about smoothness as i work on smooth paper. i have done some research on this forum, and found that richard binder grinds the most fine nib but he isn't grindin anymore, i'm also interested in masuyama or mottishaw needlepoint, and platinum uef. i would probably spend around $200 for a good pen. of course i longed for a beautiful pen too

 

thanks in advance, any suggestions would be very appreciated!

 

i attached my drawing sample so you can have some idea on what i'm talking about

 

 

[sidthecat]

Nice work! My sister does all her drawing with similar technical pens and complains about the decline in their quality over the years.

I'd suggest Mr. Masuyama: he has a great reputation. He does a lot of his work with Pelikan pens: it might be useful to try using a few and see what feels good in your hand. A fountain pen is more of a mechanism than a dip pen so it will be different. Start with a fine point and he can turn it into a needle. With luck, a flexible needle.

[aabram]

Nice work! My sister does all her drawing with similar technical pens and complains about the decline in their quality over the years.

I'd suggest Mr. Masuyama: he has a great reputation. He does a lot of his work with Pelikan pens: it might be useful to try using a few and see what feels good in your hand. A fountain pen is more of a mechanism than a dip pen so it will be different. Start with a fine point and he can turn it into a needle. With luck, a flexible needle.

thanks! i actually don't have any problem with technical pens at all, they serve their own purpose. and yes, i did some googling just now and those beautiful franklin-cristoph with nibmeister masuyama's needlepoints are very tempting! but after more digging i just found that masuyama needlepoint are measured at 0.2mm, which is a bit thicker compared to my rapidograph or dip pens. are there any 0.1mm or lower fountain pen out there? i can only found richards xxxxf that are measured at 0.1

[Trom]

Maybe the Platinum ultra extra fine nib or Sailor Saibi Togi xxf nib or

 

Nakaya super extra fine, see http://www.nibs.com/NakayaNibsPage.htm

 

see also, https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/205090-the-best-of-the-super-extra-fine/

 

Maybe you could find one of those, see picture below. I forgot the name in English and don't know if they are available in 0.1 mm. I bought mine used for 1 euro. This one is filled with ink with a piston.

Maybe they are called 'rapidographs', see

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/67464-vintage-rapidographs/

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2016 by Trom

[aabram]

Maybe the Platinum ultra extra fine nib or Sailor Saibi Togi xxf nib or

 

Nakaya super extra fine, see http://www.nibs.com/NakayaNibsPage.htm

 

see also, https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/205090-the-best-of-the-super-extra-fine/

 

Maybe you could find one of those, see picture below. I forgot the name in English and don't know if they are available in 0.1 mm. I bought mine used for 1 euro. This one is filled with ink with a piston.

Maybe they are called 'rapidographs', see

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/67464-vintage-rapidographs/

 

 

fine pen.jpg

thanks trom! i looked at this guy review of saibi togi nib, https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/71294-sailor-professional-gear-with-saibi-togi-nib/ it does deliver the thinnest line, but doesn't have any flexes on it. as for nakayas i think i will pass, too expensive!! the pen i used in this picture is a rapidograph, its good but the problem is it doesn't have flex. their lines are very even.

i'm looking at platinum uef right now, though i'm not really a fan of that platinum century body

[miwishi63]

If I might be allowed to make a suggestion, I have a Sheaffer Balance Jr from the 1930's with a fine two-tone "Feather-touch" nib that seems to have the qualities you desire.These pens are fairly common and can be found online in a variety of conditions. They aren't large pens and are fairly plain in appearance, but function well.

 

Mike

[Gofixmix]

Hi!

Maybe before you'll find something really good, you might want to check out Pilot Penmanship, ultra cheap(£6), very fine EF nib, not very flexible, but what I did, I polished normal and reverse side of the nib on the water stones, so they are both very smooth, normal side became F and reverse very thin and consistent line, so you get some variation. I love it for drawing... The weird shape of the pen is nice for drawing and easy eye dropper conversion...

Not like you can spoil anything for that price

[aabram]

If I might be allowed to make a suggestion, I have a Sheaffer Balance Jr from the 1930's with a fine two-tone "Feather-touch" nib that seems to have the qualities you desire.These pens are fairly common and can be found online in a variety of conditions. They aren't large pens and are fairly plain in appearance, but function well.

 

Mike

thank you mike! i've heard that vintage 30-50s nibs makes the most flex, but my hands not really have that 'light touch' and too much flex would affects my control over the line thickness. but if i could find some with crazy price i'll definitely try one! i actually like how they look.

 

Hi!

Maybe before you'll find something really good, you might want to check out Pilot Penmanship, ultra cheap(£6), very fine EF nib, not very flexible, but what I did, I polished normal and reverse side of the nib on the water stones, so they are both very smooth, normal side became F and reverse very thin and consistent line, so you get some variation. I love it for drawing... The weird shape of the pen is nice for drawing and easy eye dropper conversion...

Not like you can spoil anything for that price

can you flex with the reverse side? either way i'll definitely check that one out! thanks!

[fountainpagan]

wrong post

[Gofixmix]

can you flex with the reverse side? either way i'll definitely check that one out! thanks!

No, you would probably break it.

It's no replacement for a vintage flex gold nib... But for the price it's surprisingly handy for drawing and you don't risk anything if you want to experiment with polishing/grinding the nib...

[aabram]

wrong post

sorry? its my first thread, not sure what i did wrong

 

No, you would probably break it.

It's no replacement for a vintage flex gold nib... But for the price it's surprisingly handy for drawing and you don't risk anything if you want to experiment with polishing/grinding the nib...

 

i'm not sure with nib grinding, i've got no tools nor knowledge to do that