Dip pen problems.

[HeathnKara]

I just bought a NOS Eagle dip pen with a Palmer #5 med flexi nib (as I recall) from Pendemonium. When I dip the pen there is a bead of ink at the very bottom of the nib on the bottom side. When I try to write in cursive this bead will come off on the page before I finish the first word. If I use the bottle to remove this bead then I can't sign my name before the nib goes dry. What am I doing wrong, or is this pen a write one word and then dip model? This is my first attempt to use a dip pen so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Heath

[jbb]

Some new dip nibs have an invisible coating that you need to wipe off. I personally pass my new nibs through a candle flame for just a second and that seems to work.

[Penache]

Or dip the nib in gum arabic and wipe. It will remove any factory oils that may have remained on the nib.

[Richard]

What kind of ink are you using? Dip ink isn't the same as fountain pen ink; it has gum arabic in it to make it more viscous.

 

 

[Quicksilver]

I literally had my first dip pen experience yesterday. The advice given me that seemed to be spot on was to wipe the nib with a cotton ball soaked in lighter fluid, then one with some spit. Worked like a charm.

[HeathnKara]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will try to thoroughly clean the nib with a solvent and see if that helps.

 

Richard, I am using Noodler's FP ink, so it is not that viscous. I was hoping to use the dip pen to test colors and papers with. Do you think there is a way to make it work with FP ink or is it a lost cause?

 

Heath

[jbb]

I use Noodlers ink with my dip pens all the time. My favorite paper for dip pens is Southworth's 25% cotton resume paper, by the way. (Back channel me for a paper sample if you like.)

[Quicksilver]

Hmm, I'll have to look into that paper. My first dip pen experience was...bleedy, to say the least, heh. Cheap paper sucks.

 

http://24.255.132.157:8080/fpngallery/albums/userpics/10001/thumb_pen1.jpg

[jbb]

Hmm, I'll have to look into that paper. My first dip pen experience was...bleedy, to say the least, heh. Cheap paper sucks.

 

http://24.255.132.157:8080/fpngallery/albums/userpics/10001/thumb_pen1.jpg

Once I found some decent paper for dip nibs I could put draw lines with wonderful thick/thin shading. You just can't get that with the wrong paper.

[Dip Head]

The dip pens really allow you to experiment with some impressive inks, none of them safe for fountain pens though. FP ink is fine, but the specialty inks are quite a bit heavier and you will notice the difference.

 

J. Herbin has some beautiful inks. I've used the "Encre Nacree" - Pearlescent Ink in chocolate and received positive comments.

 

One of my favorites is Winsor Newton's Calligraphy Ink in Indian Red. It looks like a deep, dark reddish brown on ivory paper.

 

(BTW, I know nothing of these companies I've linked to. Just linked to show you the items..)

 

Both of these inks "sit up" on the paper and dry with an almost shiny finish. Yes, it takes awhile - minutes, not seconds. But the results are fantastic.

 

I personally like the "Blue Pumpkin" nib myself, very flexible and gives a lot of character to the writing.

 

When I start with a new nib, I clean with solvent but then "prime" the nib with ink. Fold up a paper towel into a 2"x4" bunch. Dip the nib in ink and then rub it on an edge of the paper towel. Careful not to catch the nib, you might want to just draw the nib along an edge. But rub the ink on the nib. Do this on both the underside and top of the nib carefully. Now when you dip it, the ink will grab hold just like it is supposed to! In fact, I prime my nibs this way before each writing session, if I cleaned them before putting them away.

 

A talented calligrapher I met once told me she never cleans her nibs after use. (I'm sure she cleaned the protective oils off them originally) But now just wipes off the excess. Already 'pre-primed' if you will for the next time..

 

But don't give up on the dip pens! Finicky as they are, they can be fun too.

 

My two cents, worth everything you paid!

[HeathnKara]

First off, thanks for all the advice. OK, here's what happened. I used a lighter on the nib of the dip pen, and it discolored the nib some but now the nib holds the ink beautifully. It's a little hard getting used to writing with a nib without a rounded tip, but it will be great for trying out new inks before putting them in one of my piston fillers. Thanks again.

 

Heath