Dip Pen Nib For Everyday Writing?

[CraigR]

I am looking for a dip nib to use for everyday writing. I am not a calligrapher or a decorative writer at all. I enjoy the fountain pens that have either a stub nib or a cursive italic nib. My writing consists of daily journals, notes, and correspondence.

 

My handwriting is not very good, but I am improving. My goal would be to have a pen and nib(s) that would enhance my writing and make the experience more enjoyable.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for readily available nibs that would be best?

[Bluey]

If your handwriting is already bad then it will be easier to read the Dead Sea scrolls.

 

Practicing calligraphy probably does help people's normal handwriting in the long term because it forces you to go much more carefully and deliberately. I would focus on calligraphy with larger letters first and keep fountain pens for normal handwriting.

Edited February 26, 2018 by Bluey

[Corona688]

I hesitate to suggest the 512 and 513EF (I'm beginning to realize I suggest them for EVERYTHING). They are not exactly stubs but good "basic writers" - easy to use, tolerant of abuse, don't catch paper, and are found everywhere. The 512 is what I was handed when I asked a knowledgeable artist for a good "basic point" and the only nib surviving from the first batch I ever bought

Edited February 26, 2018 by Corona688

[AAAndrew]

From the Esterbrook line, which is most readily available in the US, I would suggest the 314 Relief Pen, or the 239 Chancellor. Both were extremely popular stubs for rapid, easy writing in their day, and are still fairly available pretty much every day of the week on eBay, as well as vendors who sell vintage nibs like Pendemonium. Also the very common, and very popular 442 Jackson Stub is a great everyday writer in a stub falcon form.

 

Spencerian's Society Stub is pretty good. Hunt's 62 or X-62 is a great small stub like the 239 Chancellor.

 

Also look for the turned-up points, like the Esterbrook 788, or, one of my favorites but not common, the Esterbrook 717 Federal Pen.

 

For pointed pens, usually anything marked as Vertical Writer, or Modified or Natural Slant are good for everyday writing. These were marketed for some passing penmanship fads, but they are usually quite durable, not too sharp and with a modicum of flex to make them interesting.

[Corona688]

Thanks for confirming my suspicion that Hunt/Speedball used to make nibs like this and doesn't any more. I know I've seen a modern nib like this somewhere but am struggling to find it...

[AAAndrew]

I don't know of any modern-made stub dip pens. The modern dip pens are all made for either calligraphy or art (drawing, manga, etc...). No one makes an every-day writing dip pen anymore.

 

And, vintage is both inexpensive, if you're willing to look around and have some patience, and mostly they were made much better than modern nibs. If you can find any Esterbrooks with no "Made in USA" on them, they are generally much better quality than the post-1935 ones with that marking. The quality on the "Made in USA" pens is still quite good, but it is better on the older ones. And any marked "R. Esterbrook & Co's" (with the apostrophe "s") are to be preferred even more. Those date from about 1895-1920, and represent some of the best of the mass-produced American pens.

[DanF]

If you have a good local art materials store, you might be able to find a Brause Bandzug nib in 1mm width. It comes with it's own little reservoir clip that gives much longer writing between dips. Brause Calligraphy Nibs - BLICK art materials Three rows down, second from right in the group of little squares on the web page. If that's too wide, they also have a 0.7mm, try one of each. If too crisp, you can soften the edge a bit on a brown paper shopping bag.

 

From Ebay, Esterbrook 314 Relief or Jackson Stub are great nibs as well. Of the two, I prefer the former.

 

Dan

Edited February 26, 2018 by DanF

[Corona688]

The modern dip pens are all made for either calligraphy or art (drawing, manga, etc...)

I think I see what they remind me of now. What about the Brause 50 or Brause 100? Monoline writing nibs, reasonably thick.

 

If the Bandzug is like the Speedball chisels it resembles, it's a bit picky about angles.

Edited February 26, 2018 by Corona688

[corgicoupe]

AAAndrew is the In-House expert on dip pens. I just got interested and have been communicating with him and studying his web site. I fully agree with his suggestion of the Esterbrook 314 Relief nib and the 442 Jackson Stub. I would add the Blackstone 284 to his list, as I have found it to be as pleasant to write with as the 314.

[CraigR]

AAAndrew is the In-House expert on dip pens. I just got interested and have been communicating with him and studying his web site. I fully agree with his suggestion of the Esterbrook 314 Relief nib and the 442 Jackson Stub. I would add the Blackstone 284 to his list, as I have found it to be as pleasant to write with as the 314.

I am starting to read and follow AAAndrew's site. Looks like a wealth of info and it may take me a bit of time to sort it all out. Thanks for the tip!

[CraigR]

From the Esterbrook line, which is most readily available in the US, I would suggest the 314 Relief Pen, or the 239 Chancellor. Both were extremely popular stubs for rapid, easy writing in their day, and are still fairly available pretty much every day of the week on eBay, as well as vendors who sell vintage nibs like Pendemonium. Also the very common, and very popular 442 Jackson Stub is a great everyday writer in a stub falcon form.

 

Spencerian's Society Stub is pretty good. Hunt's 62 or X-62 is a great small stub like the 239 Chancellor.

 

Also look for the turned-up points, like the Esterbrook 788, or, one of my favorites but not common, the Esterbrook 717 Federal Pen.

 

For pointed pens, usually anything marked as Vertical Writer, or Modified or Natural Slant are good for everyday writing. These were marketed for some passing penmanship fads, but they are usually quite durable, not too sharp and with a modicum of flex to make them interesting.

Thank you! I am starting to dig into the info on your blog/website. Thanks so much!

Edited February 27, 2018 by CraigR

[CraigR]

Thank you, everyone for your thoughtful comments and suggestions.

[AAAndrew]

[blushing] thanks everyone for the kind words. I am a bit (just a tiny bit) interested in vintage dip pens, and most of my interest is in the common, everyday pens people used, and the penmanship they wrote with.

 

The modern Brause nibs can be used to write cursive, but they are sharp cornered and meant more for calligraphy. You can find these in the old nibs as well, and they're usually called Engrossing nibs. Engrossing is an old word for decorative writing, like making diplomas and certificates.

 

One thing to try if you want to write cursive (connected writing) with a stub nib, is to change the angle from what is normally talked about. Most of the time people write with a stub nib at about a 45-degree angle to the line of writing. This is what's used for italic script. It will work fine for your writing. If you are using an old and smaller stub dip pen, or even a finer (say, < 1mm) stub, try turning the nib (and the paper) so that the tip of the nib is now parallel to the line of writing rather than at at 45-degree angle. It's pretty amazing how much smoother it is to write, as well as how much it looks like a flexible pointed pen.

 

Here is a comparison I made a couple of years ago, with one side written with a flexible pointed pen, and one with a fine stub (a Chancellor I mentioned above) held parallel to the line of writing.

 

[CraigR]

I just ordered some Esterbrook Relief 314 nibs from JBB PensPaper on Etsy. I have bought from her before and was very satisfied. Looking forward to being able to write with them soon. Thanks again, everyone.

[dcwaites]

Don't forget that inexpensive #5 or #6 fountain pen nibs fit nicely into a standard holder (I use a Tachikawa T-36). They give you the convenience of a dip pen, with the non-scratchiness of a fountain pen.

 

Also the Esterbrook or Eagle Falcon dip pen nibs write nicely.

My favourite would be the Brandauer Scribbler. If you find any, grab a handful.

[sidthecat]

Whatever pen you use, the big thing is the discipline it can impose on your writing. I write a great deal with my hybrids because it’s simply fun.

[rwilsonedn]

I suspect that you can do ordinary writing with a wide variety of dip pens, including some quite flexible ones. The key is that dip pens should be used with absolutely no pressure except (if you want) on downstrokes. If you aren't pressing on the pen, it doesn't make much difference how flexible or sharp the nib is. It won't dig into the paper if it's gliding on a film of ink instead of pressing into the fibers. But this habit is entirely different from what one learns with ballpoint pens, roller balls, and the like. It is how a fountain pen should be, but rarely is, used, so even many fountain pen users (writer points at self) have had to make this adjustment. But it's worth it. Once you get used to no pressure, it not only opens the world of dip pens, but gives you a whole new perspective on fountain pens. And helps you to loathe ballpoints.

ron

[Corona688]

...and if it does require pressure, something's either wrong with your angle or your ink. Took a lot of fiddling for me to get it right..ish.

[AAAndrew]

...and if it does require pressure, something's either wrong with your angle or your ink. Took a lot of fiddling for me to get it right..ish.

 

Or you haven't prepped your nib properly.

 

Some pointed nibs are definitely sharper than others, and some are more forgiving. Usually the "school" pens are more forgiving. They were used by kids while they got used to writing with steel pens. By the they time they graduated to "University" pens, the nibs are sharper, more flexible and take more control and skill.

[CraigR]

Today, I received a set of Esterbrook Relief 314 nibs in the mail. On first use, the nib seems to be very friendly. Now I just have to practice enough to become good with them. Shout out and thanks to Jill at JBB PensPaper on Etsy.