Manuscript fountain pens

[James Pickering]

James, let me first say that I hate you, as generally I do anyone with talent that I wish I had but do not.    Okay, only kidding (kinda), but I have put in more than a few hours practicing calligraphy, with much less than stellar results.  Since my natural handwriting is rather jagged as opposed to flowing (e.g., pointed tops to lower case script "m"s and such), I gravitated to a non-flowing calligraphic script, namely Gothic Textura Prescisus vel sine Pedibus (there, say that ten times fast!!!), basically a hexagonal script with short, straight strokes that alleviate the need for smooth, flowing and aesthetically pleasing arcs in which you excel.  Though I am resigned to calligraphic Purgatory, or perhaps even warmer climes, I do have a technical question.  How do the Manuscript calligraphic pens compare to the garden variety, see-through Sheaffers (of which I have perhaps a dozen, and twice that many nibs)?  Not that it would make that much difference in my case, but I have wondered about the pecking order in calligraphic nibs and such.  Thanks for any enlightenment! 

Dear Nihontochicken,

 

I was checking back here to see if anyone knew of US sources for Manuscript pens, etc. -- My local Arts & Crafts shop no longer carries them.

 

Anyway, in the course of my check I came across your post which I missed previously -- it must have been when I became ill and stopped participating on this Forum for quite a long time.

 

I think your handwriting is quite good and I think your textura calligraphy is very handsome. In answer to your question regarding Manuscript versus Sheaffer ninbs -- I personally find the latter nibs noticeably thicker and stiffer than the former -- I just seem to produce better quality letterforms with Manuscript nibs.

 

James

[James Pickering]

Dear Rackness, southpaw, georgem, Chad234, kissing, Escribiente, Dawn, Scottish007,

 

Thank you all for your kind comments -- I missed them originally, probably due to me becoming ill and not participating on this Forum for quite a long time.

 

James

[Ana]

Hi James,

 

I just purchased my first Manusript pens over the weekend at Joann Fabrics, so you can find a limited selection there. Michael's may also carry them.

 

I am sorry to hear that you've been ill. I hope you are feeling better now. As a newbie to calligraphy, your work is truly inspiring. Thanks.

[Nihontochicken]

James, thank you for your reply, which I missed for quite some time. Turnabout fair play and all that? Sorry to learn of your illness, and hope all is well now. I will have to try some Manuscript pens (if I can stop breaking the piggy bank buying 51s and Vacs!!!).

[lefty928]

Hello, James -- Paper & Ink Arts (www.paperinkarts.com) has a 6-nib set for $11.95. Brenda carries a deluxe set with converter for $19.95 and the cap/barrel/converter as well. John Neal (johnnealbooks.com) has the deluxe set also for $20.45 and cap/barrel/converter. As late as the spring, Plaza Art (plazaart.com) was carrying many Manuscript products, including the pens -- I haven't checked that section of my local store lately, so don't know if they continue to do so.

 

I'm sorry to read that you've been ill, and wanted to give you a belated thank you. This spring I was trying to decide which calligraphy fountain pen to buy, and found the Manuscript and Lamy reviews on your old Web site so helpful, as well as beautiful to look at. In fact, I passed along the link to someone in my calligraphy class who was also looking for a fountain pen.

 

 

Regarding this thread, the inclusion of a nib smaller than 1 mm and the promise of sharper contrast between thicks and thins were what led me to purchase the regular set. And the nibs do deliver nice, sharp thins. My trusty Sheaffer is dead reliable and smooth writing, but lacks that sharp contrast.

[kissing]

what a perfect pen to fill up with the new Galileo Manuscript Brown Ink

 

When my bottle arrives, the first pen to fill with that ink is my Manuscript Fountain pen

 

Hooray

[WillAdams]

Almost all of the local art stores have them, and I've even been tracking prices w/ an eye towards getting one for my daughter (11 years old) once she tires of the Pilot Varsity 3-pack I'd gotten her:

 

Michael's:

$24.99 Masterclass

$13.99 Artist's Pen (5 nibs)

$5.99 Italic Pen

$2.99 12 black cartridges

[code]

 

Art Depot:

$2.95 12 cartridges (available in black, blue, red, green or sepia)

 

Hmm, didn't write down all of the Manuscript products... probably 'cause I was planning on getting the pens at Michael's w/ a 40% off coupon.

 

William

Edited October 24, 2006 by WillAdams

[kissing]

Most standard international-sized converters work in them too - so you won't have to be restricted to cartridges

[Mr.Rene]

Dear James,

Have you tried Manuscript MUSIC nib?

I'd like to know your opinion,

Regards,

René Álvarez,

Chile.

[Verdant]

James, beautiful hand! I'm absolutely jealous.

 

Actually, a Manuscript Calligraphy set is what lead me here. I started trying calligraphy and decided I wanted to get back into the joy of handwriting in general. Now, with a passion, however. ($$$)

 

Anyway, I highly recommend the inexpensive set to anyone. It's also a terrific gift. The first set I purchased at Michael's was less than $15 and came with 5 or 6 different nibs, a converter cartridge, and 6 ink cartridges.

 

After that, I went online to find more ink and nibs. At www.rexart.com I found another set called the Artist's set. It included another pen, more nibs, and more ink. You can also purchase a barrel with just a converter for less than $5. With all those nibs, it's easy to have multiple pens setting around with different inks.

 

Overall, the Manuscript sets are an extraordinary bargain!

 

 

[nairb1000]

Manuscript are great.

 

our cheapest pen is a manuscript. Straightforward student fountain pen at £1.99- we sell loads!

It writes a lot better than some Inoxcroms and Schneiders at 3 or 4 times the price. I've got about 7 or 8 just so i can use different J Herbin ink colours.

Hi. I totally agree with Joe, I have two Manuscript pens and they write beautifully. Better than some of my pens

that cost me a lot more.

Bri.

[Scribble Monboddo]

Reviving this old thread in case anyone's still watching. There's a new Manuscript italic model which I have reviewed here: http://scribbledemonboddo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/manuscript-master-11-italic-nib-2014.html

[cellmatrix]

nice review!

[Scribble Monboddo]

nice review!

Thanks! 'Hope you have fun trying one of these out if you get the chance

[Beagle]

Hobby Lobby carries a nice selection.

 

I did notice that you could get a pen with one nib for $7.99 or you could get the same pen with the same nib plus two more nibs for the same price of $7.99. !?

[syoung98]

I enjoy old threads being revived! Thanks Scribble Monboddo for a very enjoyable and informative review.

[Scribble Monboddo]

And now, the Manuscript Dodec! Full written review at http://scribbledemonboddo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/manuscript-dodec.html (although I didn't know why Blogger keeps turning my bacvkgrounds blue!). All this for 99p!

[Scribble Monboddo]

The Dodec can also, with a lot of hacking about, accommodate a Manuscript flex nib. It'll rust, and it's far from an easy pen to use, but it's a sign of what they could do themselves if they chose to. What do you think? http://scribbledemonboddo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/manuscript-flexy-frankenpen.html