Cursive italic versus stub question

[Desfeuilles]

I'm considering a custom nib for my Pelikan M805, but I'm torn between a stub and a cursive italic. I have a .4 mm stub on a Parker '51' that I love. I'd like to go for a cursive italic, but I have a question: Why is a .4 mm stub an XF and a .5 mm cursive italic also an XF?

 

My handwriting looks fine with the .4 mm stub, and I'm worried that a .5 mm CI will close such minuscules as an "e" or an "a." Should I go by the XF distinction or by the size in millimeters?

 

Thanks,

Christian

 

 

[Ryan Stewart]

Since the XF size can vary between brands, I'd use the mm measurement. Nib size is largely arbitrary - one of my "fine" nibbed pens writes like a broad! I've never used a 0.4mm stub, but my 0.5mm CIs have no problems with my small handwriting. I find my 0.5mm stubs to be slightly finer than the 0.5mm CIs. But again, much of this varies by make and/or nibmeister.

[QM2]

I regularly use cursive italics and stubs in the sizes you mention. Most of mine are done by Richard Binder and a couple by John Mottishaw.

 

Due to how it is constructed, a cursive italic needs to be slightly larger than a round or stub nib in order to allow the same size writing. So, for instance: I prefer .3mm round nibs, .45mm stubs, and .55mm cursive italics. These are the sizes I need in those 3 categories in order for my handwriting to remain constant. This is not an exact ratio, but you get the idea.

 

 

[liapuyat]

Great answer, QM2... am so happy to learn something new today.

 

I'll be getting a 78G B stub in a couple of weeks (my first stub pen) so maybe I should measure that. Or should I be measuring the width of the written line instead of the actual nib?

[Prise]

I'm considering a custom nib for my Pelikan M805, but I'm torn between a stub and a cursive italic.

 

I've been pondering the same thing with my next couple of pens. Having tried an oblique nib, the difference in my writing was instantly noticeable. The variance adds character to one's writing.

 

I've yet to try a cursive italic, but from reading and seeing samples of the cursive italic writing, I certainly find it very aesthetically pleasing.

 

It seems readily apparent that while cursive italic is ideal for writing letters, how is it for everyday usage, such as jotting down a simple number in a form, making a quick to do list, or quickly revising a form?

[NYLegMan]

Have you thought of an Oblique as well? I'm ordering one from John Mottishaw. I have one of his M800 mediums, ground to a fince cursive Italic. All his work has been EXCELLENT!

[calliej]

would be great to see some samples of writing from you guys with ci's, stubs and obliques so that the variations can be compared with a consistent hand??!!....... either here or in penmanship

 

go on....... please?

[Rob G]

An oblique nib has to rotated to find the sweet spot. Either that, or your hand has to lean in that direction.

 

For example, I cannot normally use an oblique, but with the Pilot VP, the clip falls under my thumb in the normal writing position. Therefore, I have to twist the pen slightly clockwise to compensate, which causes my hand to lean to the right. This, in turn, causes the right edge of an italic nib to dig into the paper, while the left side barely touches.

 

A reverse (right) oblique turns out to be the solution, but only for this pen. This would seem to be one of the very few situations where a reverse oblique is suitable for a right-handed person. (I debated removing the clip, which would have allowed me to use a normal italic, but decided against it.)

[QM2]

It seems readily apparent that while cursive italic is ideal for writing letters, how is it for everyday usage, such as jotting down a simple number in a form, making a quick to do list, or quickly revising a form?

 

Cursive italic, when done properly, should be suitable for everyday writing. Formal (or crisp, or sharp) italic, on the other hand, is suitable only for calligraphy.

 

 

I posted samples of some of my cursive italics and stubs on this thread.

 

Here are the images:

 

http://www.queenmargot.com/italic_samples.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/italic_samples2.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/italic_samples3.jpg

 

There is also this thread, with a writing sample of an ItaliFine nib by Richard Binder.

 

And this post, with a comparison between a fine nib, cursive italic nib, and an oblique nib -- on a Montblanc Boheme.

Edited January 14, 2009 by QM2

[Desfeuilles]

Thanks for the help, everyone. QM2, your images and information have been quite helpful.

 

 

Thanks,

Christian