Dip Pen Help

[C-town]

I have a dip pen by speedball and I think it's time to replace the nib. Does anyone know where I can get nibs for the lowest price with shipping? Also, how do I know it's time to replace it? To be honest, I have no clue. The pen holder is a speedball type B. Any help would be appreciated.

Edited October 15, 2014 by C-town

[ac12]

Try here

http://paperandinksupply.com/calligraphy-pens-nibs.html

I don't know how their prices compare, but they have the stuff that I need.

[C-town]

How do I know which ones are used for general writing? And is it okay for the bottle of ink to be open while I write?

[Kosmic-kowgirl]

It's perfectly fine to leave the ink bottle open while you are using it .

For general writing, I would recommend using whatever one you are most comfortable with. For me that happens to be a Brause Rose nib at the moment, but there have been many favorites, from fine points to Itallics. What makes you wonder that your nib needs replacing? I have some nibs that Ive used for nearly 20 years, I clean and let them dry after using so they dont rust and they still work perfectly. I also have a collection of old nibs from antique stores that I prefer using over modern ones.

Ive found good deals on Amazon for modern nibs, are you looking for a nib that mimics a fountain pen writing?

[ac12]

 

How do I know which ones are used for general writing? And is it okay for the bottle of ink to be open while I write?

 

For general writing, I would use a "bowl" nib or a stub. These write similar to a fountain pen, and are easier to write with than a pointed nib.

Here are some to look for:

Bowl:

• Birmingham 217 ($1 at Pendimonium)
• Eagle 830 ($1 at Pendimonium)
• Esterbrook 788 ($2 at Pendimonium)

Stub:

• Esterbrook 48 Falcon ($1 at Pendimonium)
• Esterbrook 442 Jackson Stub ($1 at Pendimonium)

For a pointed nib, I would start with a Nikko G. The chrome plating makes it last longer. And it does not have as pointy/sharp a tip as some of the other pointed nibs. This is probably the nib that I use the most.

• http://paperandinksupply.com/calligraphy-pens-nibs-nikko.html

There are some really flexy nibs, that I would not use...yet. But when you are ready, try a Hiro 40 and 41. I use the 41.

• http://paperandinksupply.com/hiro40.html
• http://paperandinksupply.com/hiro41.html

However, note that the dip pen nibs come in various sizes (curvature of the nib). Some won't fit into the Speedball holder, because it has a grove for only one size nib. You will have to get a holder that can accept different size nibs. I think this one can, best to email them to ask.

• http://paperandinksupply.com/ergono.html