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Dip Pen Nibs: The Horrible Truth


Fox in the Stars

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captnemo & blueiris :

I've never been happy about burning off the oil on new nibs. I just pop them in my mouth for about 2 minutes to remove the oil (there's virtually no taste) and then they work perfectly.

 

Your problem with the nib catching on upstrokes, blueiris, could be for a couple of reasons.Try lowering the nib to paper angle and let the nib glide over the paper on upstrokes without any pressure, letting the weight of the nib alone, do the work.

Also make sure you use a smooth paper such as Character Original high white wove or Viking Imperial white wove.

 

caliken

 

Thanks for the comments, Caliken. I was too sqeamish to use a flame, so I opted for washing the nibs in soapy water and then rinsing. I think I've finally got them to work well enough. The catching of the nibs for me has a lot to do with my lack of technique, that's for sure! I am not using an oblique holder, and I write right-handed. Your suggestion is a good one in terms of taking all the pressure off the nib on upstrokes. I'll also have to look into the paper you suggested. I was using some rather rough, ruled notebook paper when I started with these nibs, and even switching to regular typing paper made a huge difference!

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  • 6 years later...

 

QUOTE(Fox in the Stars @ Nov 26 2007, 12:39 AM) 429439[/snapback]

Hunt/Speedball nibs are TERRIBLE! Nasty scratchy P.O.S.es! 0_0*

 

Can't Speedball nibs be smoothed using the same methods we use to smooth our FPs?

Not if you want to keep the thin hairlines...

My Vintages:

Sheaffer Triumph, Saratoga, Targa Slim and Targa Standard; Waterman 3V and 52 1/2V; Mabie Todd Swan Self Filler x 2; Eagle Unbreakable in sterling silver; Eversharp Bantam; Parker Duofold Lucky Curve BCHR and Duofold in red hard rubber; Spors Co. glass nib pens x 4; Conklin 2NL and 20P.

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