Pen With Cursive Italic Around 0.9Mm Below $50

[AngraMelo]

Hello friends!

I'm looking for some pens to practice different styles of calligraphy. I would like to buy 2 or 3 with different nibs (could be different pens too). The main idea is to have some cheap pens just to try the style out. I already own a lot of nibs for dip pens so that is out of the question for now. They could be chinese, could be just the nib for FP (number 6 is probably what I would go for) could be used, anything. Also, I want to use lined paper with regular spacing, so nothing too broad that would make me blank paper. Finally, I am a beginner in the FP world, so treat me like a 15yo child!

 

thank you for your time!

 

best!

[Kataphract]

Pilot Plumix. Usually but variable credited as somewhere between 1.0 and .8 (mine seems more like .8). $6-7, and you can always retrofit the nib into a Metropolitan or Prera if you like it but want a nicer pen (or just go straight to the Prera with the exact same nib, but for cheap experimentation I'd say the Plumix). More of a stub than what would be classed a cursive italic, though.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Kataphract

[Ted A]

For under $50 get a Noodlers Ahab and a Goulet stub, a Nemosine from xFountain pens with a 0.6 stub and a Lamy Safari with a 1.1 italic. Then 5here is the Monteverde Impressa and the Conklin Duragraph.

 

And every one of these options have only become available in the last couple of years.

Edited January 15, 2015 by Ted A

[wastelanded]

Pilot 78G with B nib. It's actually a CI of about 0.9mm, and a firm fave.

[Arkanabar]

Echo on the Ahab or Konrad; Nemosine nibs and Knox K35 nibs at xFountainPens, as well as the Goulet #6 1.1 and 1.5mm stubs, are interchangeable with the flex nib it comes with. The Ahab and Konrad are likely to be more durable than the Nemosine Singularity, which has a reputation for cap lip cracks. The The Nemosine Fission and Neutrino are metal, more expensive, and much heavier.

 

If I had it to do over, I'd still have the Jade Ahab, but instead of the Mandarin Yellow and Medieval Lapis Ahabs, I'd have Krakatoa Black Demonstrator and clear demonstrator Konrads. Or maybe an ebonite Konrad; the tackiness is tempting. I'd have to use one all day to be sure I really like it better than the celluloid. I just wish Nathan would make one that's solid black.

[dms525]

You want to try "different styles of calligraphy." Those like Spenserian and Copperplate require a fine, round pointed flexible nib. I do not do those styles, but my reading suggests dip pens are best. On the other hand, styles like italic/chancery cursive, Humanist roundhand, Carolingian, and the various Gothic variants use a chisel tipped nib. And, if you are just learning those, a wide nib - I would say one that writes a line at least 1.5mm wide - is best. The wider nib makes it easier to learn the proper letter forms and to see your errors.

 

I have no personal experience with some of the fountain pens suggested, but I would endorse the Lamy Safari with 1.5mm nib or 1.9mm nib, the Pilot 78G with the BB nib (about 1mm, really) and, for a bit more, the TWSBI 580 with a 1.5mm italic nib. However, your very best option might be to find an Osmiroid 65 with 6 italic nibs, NOS, on ebay. That may require a new sac, but gives you an excellent writing tool for very little money, if you wait for a bargain.

 

Enjoy the adventure!

 

David

[avlisyar]

Goulet Pens carries a brand called Super5.

Four different styles all with .5 calligraphy nibs.

They are $28.00 with some good reviews.

[Abner C. Kemp]

The Nemosine Singularity, Fission, and Neutrino all come in 0.6 and 0.8 nibs and are all under $50. Quite nice pens based on the reviews I've seen.

[whitedot]

Get the Parson's Essential from MrPen.co.uk, just under $50.

 

The nib is a good step above those suggested and trouble-free for beginners. "The finishing process requires the disassembling of the pen down to its component parts, nibs are adjusted, reground and adapted. The nib tip is polished and dry tested." Essentially, the nib is tuned and smoothened for optimal performance out of the box. Most nibmeisters charge ~$50 for similar services, making this pen terrific value.

 

Both true Italics (0.85/1/1.3mm) and Cursive Stubs are available. Additional nibs are $36.

 

The converter is included, and it is quality.

Edited January 16, 2015 by whitedot