Any favorite how-to guides for the use of flex nibs?

[InkyProf]

I recently acquired my first flex nib, an Esterbrook 9128, and now I need to learn how to use it! I understand the very basics, or at least I think I do, and can produce figure-eights with consistent and appealing variation; but I'm looking for any recommendations for guides -- video, print, whatever -- to the use of flex nibs in handwriting. (I saw the big "experiments with flex" topic here but it looks like that's mostly about finding and making flex nibs, not using them!) Background: 45 years ago, I was a halfway decent pre-adolescent calligrapher, and some of my cursive skills remain with me, although my default handwriting switched to (relatively small) block printing in high school and college.

 

To initiate my own thread drift: I also think it would be fascinating to get some old handwriting guides -- I'm also a book collector, big surprise -- so if you have favorites, vintage or contemporary, that you think might help with flex, that would be great too! (English especially, but if there are experts here in Kurrent / Sütterlin / Normalschrift, I'd love recommendations for guides that show how these German handwriting styles were taught and learned, not just how to decipher them!)

 

Thanks for any input, and apologies in advance if I missed something obvious. Still learning my way around the site.

[Claes]

https://archive.org/details/gri_33125008538056/page/n5/mode/2up

 

Have  fun!

Claes in Lund, Sweden

 

[Penguincollector]

  I have this guide for learning Spencerian:

 

Spencerian Penmanship Set

[InkyProf]

Thank you both! Excellent places to start.

[AAAndrew]

Dr. Vitolo's pdf guide to Engrosser's script. 

http://www.zanerian.com/VitoloBookVer2.pdf

[dms525]

If you are interested in copperplate penmanship, the classic reference in Bickham's "The Universal Penman." Note that this is a fabulous collection of exemplars from the golden age of this style, but not an instructional manual. For instruction, look at Eleanor Winter's "Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy." Dick Jackson's "Copperplate Calligraphy" is another instructional resource.

 

Hope this helps.

 

David

[InkyProf]

Thanks, @dms525 -- after @Claes linked to the digital version of Bickham, I tracked down a physical copy of the 1941 Dover reprint. It's a beautiful book! After posting this question, I also discovered the handwriting and calligraphy forums on this site (sorry for not noticing those earlier), as well as IAMPETH's website, including its online library. Now I just need to find the time to practice!

[Sinjin]

I enjoyed Jenkins The Art of Writing (1813) which includes detailed instructions for holding and using a (flex) pen and in making and connecting strokes to form letters

[WalterC]

  On 3/31/2025 at 10:19 PM, Sinjin said:

I enjoyed Jenkins The Art of Writing (1813) which includes detailed instructions for holding and using a (flex) pen and in making and connecting strokes to form letters

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Jenkins looks interesting. It is available for free on archive.org:  https://archive.org/details/JenkinsArtOfWriting/page/n55/mode/2up

[WalterC]

Inkyprof, I have an Esterbrook 9128 nib. It is flexible, but not as flexible as some other pens and may be a little disappointing for Spencerian writing (but do use it). I find the fpr steel ultraflex nibs more flexible; fountain pen revolution has frequent sales. There are many vintage pens that have wonderful flex nibs, but they can be hard to find and expensive (Waterman are my favorites).

         Finally, you should treat yourself to cheap flexible dip pen nibs such as the zebra g nibs and an oblique nib holder. John Neal Books has a variety of flex nibs and holders: John Neal Books

[InkyProf]

Thanks, @WalterC -- that's a great idea (the Zebra G). I don't yet know how committed I am to this kind of penmanship as a serious practice, and that sounds like a good way to explore without breaking the bank. (I agree about the 9128; mine does flex a bit, but not dramatically. I recently acquired a 9048 too but I don't expect it to be too much different in this respect, since it's the same material. Appreciate the recommendation!

[AAAndrew]

  On 4/1/2025 at 8:53 PM, InkyProf said:

Thanks, @WalterC -- that's a great idea (the Zebra G). I don't yet know how committed I am to this kind of penmanship as a serious practice, and that sounds like a good way to explore without breaking the bank. (I agree about the 9128; mine does flex a bit, but not dramatically. I recently acquired a 9048 too but I don't expect it to be too much different in this respect, since it's the same material. Appreciate the recommendation!

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Beware, that's what caught me. I was curious about flexible-nib pens when they first started to really be popular, and expensive. Someone suggested I try dip pens to see if writing with a flexible nib was what I wanted to do. That was great advice, and I second it. But that's also what sent me down the vintage dip pen rabbit hole. I never did buy a good, flexible-nib fountain pen. 

 

In all seriousness, it is a good idea to try out something with flex before dropping a bunch of money on a flex-nib fountain pen. Dip pens are a great, cheap way to try it out. There are a couple of complexities that come with flexible nibs. One is that you are having to pay attention not just to where the nib is along the X and Y axis (horizontal and vertical to the line) but also along the Z axis, in and out towards the plain of the paper as you exert greater or lesser pressure to create the modulation in line. That will definitely slow you down as you write, but can also be quite enjoyable. 

 

And one thing to remember with dip pens, they don't have tips so the pressure you need to exert on any stroke, especially up-strokes, is just enough to touch the pen to the paper: capillary action does the rest. If you exert pressure, especially on up-strokes, you will catch the paper and could even blot or splatter your ink. This very light touch takes some practice. It also helps to have the right paper. 

 

I have more dip pen hints and tips at my website thesteelpen.com. Enjoy!

 

Andrew

[InkyProf]

Thanks, @AAAndrew -- I hadn't found your website yet and am glad to know about it! I started with dip pens way back when, as an artistic kid who got into calligraphy for a while, so your warnings make sense to me; but it'll definitely take some time to reproduce those old habits of the hand. But what's spring for if not for new rabbit-holes? 😉