Hello all!

I recently renewed my mini(so far)-obsession with fountain pens, and stumbled on your site a few days ago. I'm hoping to gather information on how I should go about getting my first customized nib and pen.

I'd forgotten about fountain pens until a couple of months ago when I decided to start journaling and writing by hand again. In high school I enjoyed disposable Pilots and Parkers, and in fact still really love my fine point Parker Vector.

I only have a few pens, and most are very inexpensive, including a Stypen UP and a Lamy Safari. I also have a Waterman Expert (II?) that I rarely use due to its temperamental nib, and a Levenger True Writer.

After discovering that I'm absolutely in love with one of the brass dip pen nibs from a writing set(Chandler's Box), I've been consumed with the idea of reproducing the writing experience in a fountain pen. I had no idea custom ground nibs existed until a few days ago!

Hopefully I can get some good advice here, and look forward to hanging around.

Nicole

Welcome!

There is much chat about custom nib grinding in these parts. Our resident guru is Keith with a Capital K who grinds custom nibs and raises polar bears in Edmonton. We also get the occasional visit from nibmeister extrordinaire, Mr Richard Binder. Another denizen, Sam Lee, of the acclaimed Pendemonium operation, also sells an assortment of pens with cursive italics.

I have no commercial connection with any of these fine folk but I am a satisfied nib customer of both Sam and Richard.

Enjoy this eclectic gathering of inky eccentrics.

John

Hi Nicole,

Welcome to FPN ! Congratulations on you renewed interest and soon predictable addiction to FPs

As John pointed, we have some fine experts here in all things niby.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

Denis.

Is Sam Lee part of Pendemonium? I thought that was Sam Fiorella....

In any case, welcome to FPN, Nicole!

I too was not aware of custom nib grinds until I started reading the online pen message boards. As John has pointed out, Keith does some nice work. Ditto for Richard Binder, nibmeister John Mottishaw and the good folks at Pendemonium

I think senility is setting in...

Hi Nicole,

Welcome to the pleasant madness of FPN!

Very nice nick name, yor choice of Kalliope, BTW, considering Kalliope's attributes are supposed to a be a writing tablet and stylus!

With regard to custom ground nibs: you could even do your own, if you like. Plenty of people around over here to supply you with instructions, if so required .

Warm regards, Wim

Nicole -

Please accept my welcome to FPN and please note that Wim is the maddest of them all... he is also pretty talented and proficient when it comes to making nibs behave better.

I only have one word of warning when it comes to using custom nibs that have been specifically ground and polished for you... they can be wholly addictive and spoil you for anything else.

Like being spoiled is a bad thing.

Note to self...must add "Polar Bear Herder" to the resume.

Hi Keith,

Ah, it was you then, in that advert where the guy got them to pull a sled, after the dogs had disappeared!

Warm regards, Wim

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone! I've been all caught up in reading through all the old posts.

I don't think I'm quite ready to start customizing nibs myself yet, but I've learned to never say never...

Welcome oh muse of epic poetry to the land of dancing nibs. Do you pronounce it cal-i-oh-pe or Kall-ee-ope? The founding fathers of my fair city loved Greek and French names as all the muses are in order down and around the city.


There are lots of reasonably priced pens that can come close to a dip pen's feel. But the FP can take you farther than that as well.


Welcome

Kurt H

Cerebus of the Write Stuff

welcome to FPN, Nicole.

I think you will find a lot of enabling here. And likely enjoy every bit of it.

it is true that once you try custom nibs, it may be hard to settle for anything less. I have several beautiful pens that languish uninked right now because I haven't taken the time to customize them. I grind my own nibs but just haven't worked on any lately. I love a sharp stub with just enough left-footed angle to make for lovely feedback and a bit of variation.

there are soooo many ways to make a nib special

Anywho - welcome and look forward to reading more from you.

K

It's ka-LYE-oh-pee, the Greek way.


And oh yes, I've already noticed the enabling behavior! That's partly why I'm here!

I'm about to post a small writing sample on the FP board to get some advice on what type of nib I should try first.

Welcome to the Family Nicole!

We seem to be a cross between the Adams family and the Brady Bunch, with a hint of the Partrdige Family!

I am sure you will enjoy your stay. Everyone is more than willing to help, listen and crack a smile or two! Again Welcome!

Come on, get Happyyyyyyy....

oh... sorry...

blame it on Angelo