Greetings from Sweden!

[ZetoLee]

 

Hey there! I've only been using fountain pens for a year and a half now but I'm already quited infatuated.

 

My journey started with wanting to improve my penmanship. Something that's been a great shame of mine since grade school I've had almost infamously bad handwriting, that was so bad that I was even made fun of. Even a teacher pointed out I should be thank the Lord for computers being a thing.

 

But I decided to try and change that as a challenge for myself in adulthood, so it took form in making physical notes at work and began with felt tips.

 

Wanting a refillable pen I found a felt tip pen that took ink cartridges, from which I had to do some research on fountain pen ink so it wouldn't clog. My curiosity was peaked from what I found out and after a while I gave in and got myself one.

 

And now we're here. My only intention was to get a legible handwriting, but it turned into a love and interest for calligraphy. I never thought I'd be falling as deep into the rabbit hole as I have.

 

I've been meaning to sign up to FPN for ages and finally decided to get it done after having found treasure troves of information by just looking for answers to niche questions I had on here.

 

Currently I own

- A TWSBI 580 Rose Gold Smoke (1.5 stub)

- A TWSBI Eco Rose Gold Smoke - (m cursive-italic)

- A TWSBI Vac700R (home grind flex-italic)

 

Never had any of the famed TWSBI issues and I really love using them.

 

Currently dreaming of putting together an ideal pen with a Navhalur Nautilus to add to the collection. I add pens for unique functions and not simply to collect, beloved tools.

 

I'll attach a little sample from the home grind, which is the one I enjoy using the most.

 

 

Looking forward to being a part of the forum!

 

Ps. I'm currently learning mask making, if anyone is wondering about the curious profile picture. I might share some of the non-pen stuff in an off-topic thread to share. I'm a creative guy who gets up to a lot of things!

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! So glad to have you as a member!!

[OCArt]

[northstar]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[Wil D]

Welcome!

[ZetoLee]

Thank you for the warm welcome!

[Claes]

Hej & Välkommen!

 

Mvh

Claes i Lund

 

[Duffy]

[Mechanical]

On 10/1/2024 at 9:12 PM, ZetoLee said:

And now we're here. My only intention was to get a legible handwriting, but it turned into a love and interest for calligraphy. I never thought I'd be falling as deep into the rabbit hole as I have.

You have gone byond legible... what nice letters! 

 

I have dip pens and a set of Brause calligraphy nibs, but I only use them after careful preparation and thought.  So I don't use them as much as I'd like.

 

I'm realizing now it would be nice to have a fountain pen with a nice italic  nib.  Maybe that would let me flow into script more on a daily basis.  I feel the urge for a new pen coming on...

[Bisquitlips]

Welcome from Missouri!

 

[ZetoLee]

On 10/7/2024 at 4:49 AM, Mechanical said:

You have gone byond legible... what nice letters! 

 

I have dip pens and a set of Brause calligraphy nibs, but I only use them after careful preparation and thought.  So I don't use them as much as I'd like.

 

I'm realizing now it would be nice to have a fountain pen with a nice italic  nib.  Maybe that would let me flow into script more on a daily basis.  I feel the urge for a new pen coming on...

 

Thank you!

 

I tried dip pens just a tiny tiny bit. No super fancy ones, but just to try.

 

And why I see how people can swear by them, a nice fountain pen does the job well enough and can be on the go! I like going places and it's nice to noodle over a cup of coffee.

 

I didn't like having to dip over and over either haha

 

There's a bunch you can try for a FP. When I'm not using my 1.5, I have a 1.9 ready to be screwed on. 1.9 is nice and wide, but I enjoy the middle ground of the 1.5.

 

You can go wide but also write in regular size for normal writing with that. 

 

I tried grinding a cheapo F nib into a somewhat crisp italic, which I really like the feel of, even if it isn't perfectly even.

 

 

So once I'm more set up with my flex stuff I'll have a look into having the 1.5 done to a nice crisp italic.

 

I definitely think you should give it a go!

[Mechanical]

@ZetoLee, I appreciate the encouragement. :-)

 

Yes, having to re-ink a dip pen is a barrier.  I keep a separate sheet of paper for checking the first stroke after inking to make sure it is not too wet.  After I've been writing for a while, I get into the rhythm and have the re-dip dialed in about right.

 

It also takes a bit more room on my desk.  I usually have a small cup of water to one side, but there needs to be a clear path to the inkwell also.  Then, I have the sheet of guidelines taped down, and the writing page on top of that.  When I begin such a session, I really have to make space...

 

I think this sheet was done with about 1.5 mm

[ZetoLee]

14 minutes ago, Mechanical said:

@ZetoLee, I appreciate the encouragement. 🙂

 

Yes, having to re-ink a dip pen is a barrier.  I keep a separate sheet of paper for checking the first stroke after inking to make sure it is not too wet.  After I've been writing for a while, I get into the rhythm and have the re-dip dialed in about right.

 

It also takes a bit more room on my desk.  I usually have a small cup of water to one side, but there needs to be a clear path to the inkwell also.  Then, I have the sheet of guidelines taped down, and the writing page on top of that.  When I begin such a session, I really have to make space...

 

I think this sheet was done with about 1.5 mm

Dude, that looks great!

 

Yeah, like most things it'll probably become second nature after a while. I do like the fine tuning you can get with FPs though.

 

Not wet to your taste? Adjust the nib.

 

Still issues? The feed can be fixed.

 

They're fantastic in how well tailored to your need and taste they can become.

Especially when you add the flavour of what nib you use.

 

Where'd you learn that writing? I'm always on the lookout for sources.

 

I've not taken the time to study them as much as I should. But I found a little treasure trove of scanned 1890-1920s penmanship guides. So far they've mainly been inspirational, but I'd like to really dive into some of em.

[Mechanical]

I used Lloyd Reynolds' Italic Calligraphy and Handwriting because it was brief and, I think, authoritative.  There are so many books! There are also some youtube videos some with additional emphasis on the other scripts such as Fraktur and Carolingian minuscule. 

 

You can download the Reynolds book from the Reed College website (links are just below the first Image).  You'll want the 1963 version, I think. 

 

 

[Nemmie]

On 10/2/2024 at 5:12 AM, ZetoLee said:

 

 

I'll attach a little sample from the home grind, which is the one I enjoy using the most.

 

 

Looking forward to being a part of the forum!

 

Ooh man, that puts my progress straight to shame, nice work!
Welcome to the forums! I hope you'll have a great time here.

[Wahl]