How To Choose A Pen For Cursive Italic Custom Grind

[Fwdlib]

Hello--I've admired HDoug's photos of his penmanship produced with a 0.5 mm cursive italic nib. So a cursive italic is on my wish list, but I'm wondering how to select which pen to have custom ground. I think I should go with a 0.7 mm, since it sounds like the finer it is, the trickier it is to write with (or is it the other way around?).

 

I've also been dreaming of a Nakaya pen, and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to save up and have this pen custom ground to cursive italic. It would be great to consolidate two of my wish list items. On the other hand, since the Nakaya is such a big investment (it would take several months or over a year to save enough to purchase), I'm wondering if it's too much of a risk to try out this nib for the first time on a grail pen. If it ends up being an uncomfortable writing experience, then I would hate to not use this pen on a regular basis.

 

I've also been considering a Waterman Carène because of its super-smoothness, and wonder if that might be a better option.

 

Or should I adjust my expectations--are cursive italic nibs more for brief, specialized writing purposes and not used as daily writers?

 

Maybe I should just contact one of the nibmeisters who do the cursive italic grind and ask for their recommendation, but I wanted to ask here first.

[daintydimsum]

I personally am able to use a cursive italic nib for daily writing (I've tried both Mika Masuyama's and John Mottishaw's), but I write with a very light touch. I suspect that helps. My first cursive italic (0.3mm) was on a Nakaya it was a delightful writer.

Edited November 3, 2014 by daintydimsum

[dragos.mocanu]

In my opinion, you should choose a pen you like the feel and look of (a western M nib should translate into a 0.7 mm cursive italic), and then send it to a nibmeister, or take a look at Richard Binder's site for a pen he sells (since he doesn't accept other people's pens anymore)...he has a 0.7mm cursive italic grind.

Edited November 3, 2014 by Murky

[proton007]

Hello--I've admired HDoug's photos of his penmanship produced with a 0.5 mm cursive italic nib. So a cursive italic is on my wish list, but I'm wondering how to select which pen to have custom ground. I think I should go with a 0.7 mm, since it sounds like the finer it is, the trickier it is to write with (or is it the other way around?).

 

I've also been dreaming of a Nakaya pen, and I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to save up and have this pen custom ground to cursive italic. It would be great to consolidate two of my wish list items. On the other hand, since the Nakaya is such a big investment (it would take several months or over a year to save enough to purchase), I'm wondering if it's too much of a risk to try out this nib for the first time on a grail pen. If it ends up being an uncomfortable writing experience, then I would hate to not use this pen on a regular basis.

 

I've also been considering a Waterman Carène because of its super-smoothness, and wonder if that might be a better option.

 

Or should I adjust my expectations--are cursive italic nibs more for brief, specialized writing purposes and not used as daily writers?

 

Maybe I should just contact one of the nibmeisters who do the cursive italic grind and ask for their recommendation, but I wanted to ask here first.

 

 

You don't choose a pen for a nib style. Unless only that particular pen offers the nib you desire.

 

Choose any pen you like, get a B nib, and send it away to a nibmeister for a regrind. If you wish to experiment, I'll suggest going for something that isn't too expensive and has interchangeable nibs, for example TWSBI. Then atleast you'll be able to switch back in case you're not entirely satisfied with the CI nib.

[dms525]

I have Pelikans, Nakayas, Conway Stewarts, Auroras, OMAS' mostly. All custom ground to crisp cursive italics, varying from 0.6 to 1.5 mm line width. I have favorites among my pens, but all these makes are among them.

 

So, I agree with proton007. Choose the pen, then have the nib customized. I would add that you are best off purchasing the pen from a nibmeister, if possible. In the USA, that would mean either Richard Binder or John Mottishaw, in my book. It will cost you less, and you will get it faster. Also, they will really communicate with you to assure the customization is what you want for the intended use.

 

OTOH, if your primary interest is learning italic writing, get a reconditioned Osmiroid with 6 italic nibs from an ebay vendor. Or, get an Edison or Franklin-Christoph pen with a Bock 1.1 mm CI nib.

 

And, if you want to use a cursive italic for Palmer-type cursive, just to make your handwriting more interesting, keep in mind that an italic nib width is going to seem wider than a round nib of the same nominal width.

 

In any case, Happy writing!

 

David

[Bo Bo Olson]

The Osmiroid set is very nice for italic. Besides the English Osmiroid 65&75 it will fit the Esterbrook.

 

I like it as a starters set, because it gives you a couple of big nibs to see clearly what you are doing as you learn.

 

Later you can use the smaller nibs, after having learned to draw the letters with out looking at the book.

 

There are a lot of Osmiroid nibs, once they were the kings of those type of nibs.

 

The Chinese who bought up Osmiroid, those screw in nibs do not fit the English Osmiroid nor the Esterbrook.

Make sure you get the old English nibs.

 

The Osmiroid set is not CI, but sharp Italic and the pen should be held before the big knuckle and canted at 45 degrees so you can push&pull the nib through the drawing of the letter.

Edited November 3, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[Fwdlib]

Thanks very much for your suggestions!

[Ted A]

Another thing you might look at to decide if you are comfortable writing with an italic nib and to test various sizes, would be to get a Manuscript italic pen. At places like Michaels or Blick, they have them with several different sized nibs at less than $25.00. The fit and finish is not great, actually just passable, but the nibs themselves I've found to be very good for the price. It would give you some real life experience and reduce the chance of you investing in a mistake.