Calligraphy Nib On A Fountain Pen?

[queerspaceman]

I'm fairly new to the world of fountain pens, and I'm itching to try something with a good amount of flex that I don't have to apply too much pressure to to achieve a lot of line variation. I've tried the noodler's nib creeper, and while it of course had better line variation than a stiff nib, it really wasn't what I was looking for.

 

I know that to get a really good wet noodle fountain pen I'd have to look for a restored vintage pen, but I really don't have anywhere near the budget for that.

 

Given that, I had an idea. I know a lot of calligraphy nibs, although not meant for use in fountain pens, have a huge amount of flex, and I was thinking of getting a calligraphy nib and replacing the nib on one of my fountain pens with it. Does anyone have any ideas of what kind of nibs and pens to use, or want to tell me that this is a terrible idea?

 

Any advice is appreciated!

[Wolverine1]

Dont try to replace one of those calligraphy nibs on a fountain pen. Invest in a dip-pen instead.

[queerspaceman]

i know i should probably do that, but i'd so much rather have a fountain pen that I can carry with me easily.

[linearM]

Another possibility is to look at the offerings of the Desiderata Pen Co.:http://www.desideratapens.com. I just purchased their Daedalus model. The pens are designed to take dip pen nibs some that can be used are: Zebra G, Nemosine, Knox Pilot or Goulet nibs. I'm currently using a Zebra G nib and the nib has nice flex.

 

​The big advantage is being able to write a complete letter without having to perpetually dip the nib in ink and with an inexpensive and expressive dip pen nib.

 

You might also look at this post here on FPN: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/310262-frankenflex-noodlers-ahab-with-a-zebra-g-flex-nib/?hl=%2Bdesiderata+%2Bpens&do=findComment&comment=3655099

Edited September 4, 2016 by linearM

[Zookie]

I've used a Jinhao X450 with a Zebra G, and a Noodlers flex nib with very good results. It's an easy swap. Other than that, I'd suggest a vintage dip pen. I've tried fountain pen inks with dip pens, the results weren't so good. It will work, but the vintage nibs (Esterbrook school nibs for ex.) didn't like it.

[queerspaceman]

okay, thanks a bunch for the advice.

[ac12]

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I've used a Jinhao X450 with a Zebra G, and a Noodlers flex nib with very good results. It's an easy swap. Other than that, I'd suggest a vintage dip pen. I've tried fountain pen inks with dip pens, the results weren't so good. It will work, but the vintage nibs (Esterbrook school nibs for ex.) didn't like it.

 

I've used several different fountain pen inks with my dip pens and have had no issues.

I suspect you might have a cleaning issue.

If the ink does not stick to the nib, I clean the nib with rubbing alcohol (inert ingredient = WATER), and that seems to take care of it.

Also the angle that you hold the pen above the paper may have an effect. I use an oblique dip pen holder, so I can get that angle down lower than with a straight dip pen holder.

[ac12]

Dip pen nibs are not made to be in constant contact with ink.

 

The chrome or titanium plated Zebra G nib, or the chrome plated G nibs, are the only ones that I would put in constant contact with ink. And even those, will eventually rust/corrode.

 

I would NOT put any unplated dip pen nib into any fountain pen (Desiderata or others). The nib will likely start to rust within a week, if not days.

 

I know of only ONE stainless steel dip pen nib. It is vintage, not easy to find, and I do not think it flexes. And I am pretty sure that it will NOT fit a desederata pen.

[Seele]

Dip pen nibs are not made to be in constant contact with ink.

 

The chrome or titanium plated Zebra G nib, or the chrome plated G nibs, are the only ones that I would put in constant contact with ink. And even those, will eventually rust/corrode.

 

I would NOT put any unplated dip pen nib into any fountain pen (Desiderata or others). The nib will likely start to rust within a week, if not days.

 

I know of only ONE stainless steel dip pen nib. It is vintage, not easy to find, and I do not think it flexes. And I am pretty sure that it will NOT fit a desederata pen.

ac12,

 

I hear similar queries often at other pen forums as well, and the general consensus is pretty much the same: nibs will indeed corrode rapidly.

 

You mentioned you know of one stainless steel dip pen nib; I do have one which is by Mitchell, simply called "Stainless Steel 0214"; I wonder if it's the one you're thinking about. Not that I want to fit it to any fountain pen though!

[Zookie]

I'm pretty sure that the types of inks are formulated differently. That's why calligraphy ink is not recommended for fountain pens. Most fountain pen inks are thinner and seem to run off faster.

I could be wrong however.

Next time I'll try cleaning with alcohol and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the tip.

 

BTW, I've never used an oblique. Are they hard to get used to?

Edited September 8, 2016 by Zookie

[ac12]

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I'm pretty sure that the types of inks are formulated differently. That's why calligraphy ink is not recommended for fountain pens. Most fountain pen inks are thinner and seem to run off faster.
I could be wrong however.
Next time I'll try cleaning with alcohol and see if that makes a difference.
Thanks for the tip.

BTW, I've never used an oblique. Are they hard to get used to?

 

Dip pen inks are indeed different. Here are some reasons:

• One, because they don't have a feed with a narrow ink channel, they don't worry about feed jamming particles in the ink.
• Some like India ink have shellac in them, which you do NOT want inside a fountain pen.
• Some like Speedball acrylic ink are THICK, similar to latex paint. Although some are real watery, just like a fountain pen ink.

re oblique dip pen holder

For me it was easy. In fact within 15 minutes I was comfortably writing with it.

I did tinker with flange later to lower the nib angle.

Get an inexpensive one, and give it a try. You might like it...I did.