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Hello everyone 😊, greetings from the Netherlands! Happy to be here in the Fountain Pen Network 😁 I need your expertise. I've acquired this striking, antique personalized dip pen made of ivory from a reputable auction house. Aside from certifying the authenticity and legality of the item, they don't have information such as: Were pens like these made for military personnel, artists, medical staff at that time, etc? Were these given as an acknowledgement of a notable contribution or because of a special event? Was personalization of pens like these typical back then? I'm a complete novice on fountain pens and after hours of research, I couldn't find any leads. I just want to know the story behind it. I did find some Frans Peeters during that time period: one was a soldier, one was an artist and another one was a Belgian architect. I don't know if the any of them is the Frans Peeters I'm looking for. Perhaps it's best I approach a Dutch govt. body on public records. Any info would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏻

Has anyone bought from this website and if so how was the experience?

Hello from Boston. Does anyone happen to know anything about the company that manufactured Winsor & Mason gold dip nibs? I'm giving one away as a Christmas gift and would love to tell the recipient something beyond "it was probably manufactured between 1850 and 1900...". Many thanks. Nick

Has anyone tried using sand as a blotter, or know if a specific kind of sand was used? I'm curious to try this (entirely as an entertaining experiment, without any expectations of efficiency or tidiness).

Over the years I've collected several dozen dip pen nibs just because people would almost give them away just to be rid of them. Recently I received a gift of Dr Martin India inks that I could use with dip pens. Today I've been trying them out and I'm hooked. The nibs scratch in a pleasant way (not like a broken fountain pen nib). Forgive my crude penmanship but here's a sample and the reason for my sudden interest: Dr. Martin Bombay Blue in an Esterbrook 442 pen, on Leuchterm 1917 paper. The ink is dried, It does not bleed or even echo. The nibs by their nature are giving me a lot of variety in how the ink flows and presents itself. Sometimes the ink even looks pearlescent when dried. Sometimes less ink is available, as in the word 'tactile'. In any case it is a lot of fun. My questions: 1) Is there a Dip Pen Network? (google failed me here). 2) Is ebay the best place to find these nibs? 3) Dip pen holders all seem pretty basic. Are there differences between them that I would notice? 4) My Esterbrook 442 nibs dropped a pretty wet line. Is that typical? Or do I just need to learn better control? 5) My collection of Fountain Pen ink is surprisingly incapable in dip pens. It as though the formulations for modern ink are such that they "expect" to be flowing through a feed unit. Some of them just could not stick to the dip pens nibs (Kiowa Pecan, I'm talking about YOU). Is this typical behavior and, if so, what inks do work best in dip pens? Tx!

I have the house to myself for a time and so I'm taking this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spread out and go through my collection of steel dip pens and update my inventory. (a Herculean task). I'm coming across pens I have forgotten all about. Here's one with a semi-interesting story I thought I might share. Most people know Milton Bradley as the famous board game manufacturer. That was their first main product and is still their main line of business. But over the years since their founding in 1860, they have produced other items at various times. One line of goods, which was near and dear to Milton himself, was a series of school supplies and educational aids geared toward the new Kindergarten movement in the late 1860's and onward. Milton became interested in the ideas behind early education and began making a whole line of educational supplies which he mostly gave away. This line continued from the 1870's up to about WWI, when it was reduced in scope. The five pens I have are Milton Bradley No. 2 School Pens. They're a little rusty and rough, but I've never seen any others. (cue five other people posting whole salesman's sample kits and advertising posters). The pens themselves are nothing to write home about, but the story and their rarity make them something interesting to me and I thought I'd share.

A question for dip pen users—If you were to write all day, like Shelby Foote or Virginia Woolfe, doesn't your nib get caked with ink? How did they (you) keep it clean during the day or doesn't it matter? Just wondering.

I highly recommend viewing this as a pdf here. Any comments, corrections, or additions you can offer me will be greatly appreciated! There are some things I just can't find online in Canada (Nikko G nibs, any non-Speedball adjustable oblique holders, walnut ink...) so I also listed the go-to US sites. I was going to do a UK section but I'm tired for now. CANADIAN POINTED PEN CALLIGRAPHY ONLINE SHOPS Canadian Shops Aboveground Art Supplies www.abovegroundartsupplies.com Toronto, ON Shipping: $10-18+ Free Shipping: $150 (ON, QC, MB only) Ships Via: Canpar or Canada Post Pens Dip: Sheaffer, Panache, Speedball/Hunt, Rotring ArtPen, reed & quill Pens/Markers: Pilot Parallel, Academy Viva, Faber-Castell, Lamy, Itoya, Pitt, Pentel, Tomboy, Prismacolour, Sakura Ink Copic White, Dr. PH Martin, FW, Liquitex, Koh-I-Noor, Calli, Winsor & Newton, Speedball, various India inks Watercolour: Dr. PH Martin, Da Vinci, Peerless, Turner, Winsor & Newton, Reeves, Sennelier, QoR, Daniel Smith, Grumbacher, Pebeo, Pentel, Pelikan, Prang, Yarka Paper Bienfang calligraphy pads, Moleskine, Ogami, Travalogue, Strathmore Accessories Various pen cleaners, gum arabic, general art supplies including bottles & droppers Notes Very large selection of fine art supplies, not all listed here. 10% student discount IN-STORE, friendly staff (at McCaul location). Search function for online store is irritating. Curry’s www.currys.com/ Various; Southern ON Shipping: $7-$12+ Free Shipping Minimum: $75 Ships Via: Unknown Pens/Nibs Dip: General’s, Koh-I-Noor, Speedball, Steadtler, quills & reeds Pens/Markers: Elegant Writer, Itoya, Pilot disposable, Sakura Ink Dr. PH Martin, Winsor & Newton, FW, Golden High Flow, Liquitex, Speedball, Koh-I-Noor, Chinese black ink, Copic White, Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments Watercolour: Winsor & Newton, Da Vinci, Daler-Rowney, Handy Art, Holbein, M. Graham, Koh-I-Noor, Pelikan, Prang, QoR, Reeves, Richeson, Sakura Koi, Sargant, Sennelier, Yarka Paper Moleskine, Pentalic, Quattro, Strathmore, Bienfang, Canson, Arches, Fluid, Cotman, Daler-Rowney Accessories Various pen cleaners, gum arabic, general art supplies including bottles & droppers Notes Very large selection of fine art supplies, not all listed here. 10% student discount IN-STORE. DeSerres www.deserres.ca/en-ca/ Various throughout the GTA + Ottawa Shipping: $9-115+ Free Shipping: $39-$59 Ships Via: Canpar Pens/Nibs Dip: Hunt/Speedball, quills Pens/Markers: DeSerres, Pitt, Itoya, Pentouch, CalliCreative Ink Speedball, Colorex, Winsor & Newton, FW, China, DeSerres, Noble, IZINK, various India inks, Sennelier, Paper Manuscript, Brause papers/pads, parchment pads Accessories Cleaning solution, gum arabic, general art supplies Notes None Wonder Pens www.WonderPens.ca Toronto, ON Shipping: $8 flat-rate Free Shipping Minimum: $125 Ships Via: Canada Post Pens/Nibs Dip/Fountain: Lamy JOY, Kaweco Sport, Brause nibs and holders Markers: Pilot Parallel Ink Higgins, Rohrer & Klingner, Diamine, J. Herbin, Kaweco, Lamy, Monteverde, Noodler’s, Parker, Pilot, Platinum, Sailor, Waterman Paper Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Coach House Press, Field Notes, Leuchtturm1917, Life, Midori, O-Check, Quo Vadis, Hobonichi, G. Lalo, Original Crown Mill, Tomoe Paper River Accessories Blotting paper, empty ink bottles, bulb syringe, ink syringes, brass sheets Notes Large selection of bottled inks- I swear I saw iron gall in store, but now I’m not sure. Responsive service. Canadian Shops with no Online Shopping Gwartzman’s – Toronto, ON Michael’s – Various The Paper Place – Toronto, ON That one in the Maritimes with the cute website U.S. Shops Goulet Pens www.GouletPens.com Ashland, VA, USA Shipping: $9-40+ Free Shipping: N/A Ships Via: USPS Pens/Nibs Dip: J. Herbin glass, Rohrer & Klingner glass Nibs: Goulet, Monteverde, Noodler’s Art, Brush: Noodler’s, Platinum Marker: Platinum Ink Aurora, Caran d’Ache, Cross, De Atramentis, Diamine, Faber-Castell, J. Herbin, Kaweco, Lamy, Montegrappa, Monteverde, Noodler’s, Omas, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot, Platinum, Private Research, Rohrer & Klingner, Sheaffer, Stipula, Visconti, Waterman + samples Paper Apica, Clarefontaine, Exacomspta, Field Notes, Filofax, Goulet, Leuchtturm1917, Maruman Mnemosyne, Midori, Quo Vadis, Rhoda, Traveler’s Company Accessories TWSBI inkwells, empty ink bottles, syringes, pipettes, sample vials/holder, various pen cleaning supplies Notes Inks are also available in sample sizes, individual and in packages. Goulet also offers an ink sample club. I have never ordered from Goulet Pens, but they receive rave reviews for both service and quality. Jet Pens www.jetpens.com/ San Jose, CA, USA Shipping: Varies Free Shipping: N/A Ships Via: USPS/Canada Post Pens/Nibs Dip: Speedball, E+M Artists, Brause, Tachikawa, Tokyo Slider, Nikko, Zebra, Deleter, J. Herbin glass Nibs: Brause, Deleter, E+M, Kuretake, Nikko, Speedball, Tachikawa, Zebra Brush: Akashiya, Kuretake, Pentel, Pilot, Sailor, Tombow, Uni, Zebra Marker: Sakura, Pilot, Faber-Castell Ink Caran d’Ache, Deleter, Diamine, Dr. PH Martin’s, Higgins, IC, J. Herbin, Kaimei, Kaweco, Kuretake, Lamy, Monteverde, OMAS, Parker, Pelikan, Pilot, Platinum, Rotring, Sailor, Speedball, Steadtler, Waterman Paper Doane, Field Notes, Kokuyo, Kyokuto, Life, Lihit Lab, Maruman, Metaphys, Midori, Raymay, Rhodia, Tomoe River, Word Accessories Various pen cleaners Notes JetPens is a reliable online retailer for all kinds of pens and office supplies. The website is extremely well organized, with pen-buying guides provided. I find that shipping to Toronto tends to cost between $10-20 USD. John Neal Bookseller www.johnnealbooks.com/ Greenboro, NC, USA Shipping: Varies Free Shipping: N/A Ships Via: Unknown Pens/Nibs Dip: Variety of straight and oblique holders, especially: wooden holders, Brause, General’s, Koh-I-Noor, Speedball/Hunt, Mitchell, Gillott, Tachikawa, Century Nibs: Nikko, Tachikawa, Zebra, Hiro, Leonardt, Brause, Gillott, Hunt, Mitchell elbow, Index Also: Pilot Parallel, calligraphy fountain pens, broad edge pens Ink Ziller, McCaffery’s, Richtone Sepia, various India inks, Dr. PH Martin, Moon Palace, various China/sumi inks, Bokuju, Calli, Higgins, Pro-White, Walnut crystals, Walnut liquid, Winsor & Newton, Dr. PH Martin’s Spectralite, Liquitex, Pearl Ex Pigments Paper JNB, Boris, Canson, Strathmore, Rhodia, Grafix, Fabriano, Maruman, Dura-Lar, various lined practice pads, Clairefontaine, Borden & Riley, Bienfang, Canford, Biggie, Pentalic, Stillman & Birn Accessories Gum arabic powder and liquid, pen cleaner Notes I have no experience with John Neal, but they also receive good reviews from other calligraphers online. Paper & Ink Arts www.paperinkarts.com/ Nashville, TN, USA Shipping: Varies Free Shipping: N/A Ships Via: UPS, USPS Pens/Nibs Dip/Holders: Horizon, Quill, Carrot, Century, Colonial, Deco, Dynamic, Hourglass, Paper and Ink Arts, Peerless, Pointed, Zanerian, Ziller, Speedball, Caran d’Ache, DipStik, Brause, e+m, General, Hunt, Koh-I-Noor, Manuscript, Scribe, Tachigawa, Tachikawa, quills Nibs: Brause, Crowquill, Esterbrook, Gillott, Hiro, Horizon, Hunt, Manuscript/Leonardt, Nikko, Speedball, Tachikawa, Tape, Vintage Hunt, Zebra Comic Brush: Brushables, Pitt, Kuretake, Pental, Pigma, Pocket, Sakura, Uni, Waterbrushes, Zig Also: Pilot Parallel, Straight Ruler, Noodler’s Flex Ink Calli, various Chinese/Sumi, Dr. PH Martin’s, FW, Gold High Flow, Higgins, Lumiere, Manuscript, McCaffery’s, Pearl Ex Pigments, Pebeo, Pelikan, Walnut ink, Winsor & Newton, Ziller Paper Arches, Arnheim, Art Paper, Blotter, Bugra, Canson, Diploma, Fabriano, Frankfurt, German Ingres, Glassine, Gutenberg, Kraft-Tex, Lanaquarelle, Magic Brush, Nideggan, Pergamenata, various practice pads, Schiller, Strathmore, Vellum Accessories Ink cage ink reservoirs, lefty pens and nibs, various related accessories Notes I have never ordered from Paper & Ink Arts, but they receive good reviews for their selection- especially for oblique pen holders. I have heard that they have spotty responsiveness to customer queries. *I did have Artist Supply Source listed, but the website was so terribly organized and glitchy that I couldn’t list it in good conscience.

So, I got this retractable Victorian dip pen today. It's my first dip pen. It writes nicely and I am enjoying it. I was told this was made in late 1800's or early 1900's, but I don't have any other information. I appreciate it if you could help me identify this pen

I just realized, sitting in a bag from a museum gift shop, I had a dip pen all this time I didn't realize I had. So I thought I would try to use it as a tester for inks. I'd been using the dip pen from an Esterbrook desk set, which takes regular Esterbrook nibs with feeds on them. I wanted to try something without the feed since it is always a chore to completely empty it to try a different ink (always concerned about potentially contaminating another ink). Since this has no feed, I thought it would be easier. Only thing is, the pen gets maybe one sentence before I have to dip again. Is this normal? Is there a way to increase the amount of ink (fountain pen ink) I can use with each dip, or would it be better if I go back to a dip pen with a feed on it?

Hello FPN family. I am a younger collector and calligraphy enthusiast and I happen to stumble upon a book of pen nibs from my home town and thought it would be amazing if I could complete the collection of these old nibs. Now it's not like they are super well know like Esterbrook or speed ball. However I was wondering if any persons here would be able to help in and way possible, even be able to tell me if my search will be fruitless or if sifting threw hordes of nibs at estate sales is the only way to go? I'm attaching a photo of the booklet and the 4 nibs I have so far. If any other info is needed, just let me know. I am really excited to see if I can complete this set.

First I’d like to say hello! My name’s Ava Marie. Born and raised in the south (little German town right outside Austin, TX), but I live and breathe in Portland, OR. I’ve loved pens since I was very young. I would see your typical ‘Unused Corporate Desk Pen Set'™ while roaming the halls of IBM’s Austin campus with my mom in the 90s. I always got so excited when she let me pick up and inspect them. I wanted to understand them and just...create. Writing eluded for a lot of reasons, but being dyslexic & dysgraphic tend to be the top 2 on the board. I’ve always hated anything that required picking up a pen as it all got worse. So I just put it all out of my mind and carried my laptop everywhere for 15 years. Though I was never caught without my trusty Parker Jotter (guess it’s in my blood, eh?). ——— Last year marked the end of that extra 5 pounds I walked around with all day when I needed to take notes quietly in a few seminars I was planning to attend. I finally revisited writing and took a new approach this time. I started to rummage through old letters from friends and family…comparing my letter forms to the ones I liked in those pages. I formed my own set of “rules” for myself on how to write each letter. Now I’ve formed that bond with analogue I wanted as a kid (even managed to find it somewhat as an adult, being a tube amp & vinyl nut, too). Every day of my life is full of ink on paper now, and it feels great. ——— But for the sake of keeping this somewhat brief I’ll just show you how far the rabbit hole has taken me so far without the help (and I’m sure enabling nature) of FPN so far. Really happy to be here to learn more and maybe even pass a few tidbits of my own on. http://i.imgur.com/v8xM1Aa.jpg?2 My 'Daily Drivers' right now are the Pilot Heritage 92 (Fine Nib, Noodler's 'Borealis Black'), the Lamy Al-Star (1.9 Stub, Diamine's 'Imperial Purple'), and a little prototype of my own fitted with an EF Bock 250 (between the VP & Urushi Brush) sporting Pilot's Standard Blue.

Hi there, I am an avid user of fountain pens and I also love to write with an italic or stub nib for calligraphy. However, I'd like to venture into copperplate and Spencerian script so I'm looking for dip pen nibs. I want to be able to write small letters so that I can write things like letters without running out of space. I'm new to this area so I don't know if it's possible or even desired to have writing that would fit onto the lines of standard lined paper, but that is what I'm looking for. Any suggestions for nibs? Also, is it necessary to have an oblique holder for calligraphy? Thanks, Danny

Hi guys. I've purchased this dip pen, and know nothing about it, apart from its French. Can you please help me know more about it. Thanks in advance.

So I am interested in starting to work with dip pens since there is more variety in nibs for calligraphy than there are in fountain pens. I have looked around, but what I have found is there are speedball kits, historic gift sets, and there are few shops on etsy that look good. I am not sure which is best, or if there are better ones out there I should be looking at.

Dear All, We are introducing BEAUTIFUL EBONITE ULTRA GIANT DIP PENS (17MM DIA) AND THICK DIP PENS (14MM DIA) WITH FLEX NIBS AND REGULAR NIBS IN 17 DIFFERENT RIPPLE COLOURS . It is UNIQUE PIECE OF ART in the WORLD. NO TWO DESIGNS ARE SAME. EACH PEN WOULD BE IN DIFFERENT DESIGN. We are glad to give 20% Discount if you buy these DIP PENS for 90$. Shipping: World Wide Free shippingPayment: Through Paypal . Paypal id mpkandan@gmail.com 1. RANGA HANDMADE BEAUTIFUL EBONITE HANDMADE ( UNIQUE IN THE WORLD) ULTRA GIANT DIP PENS (17 MM-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DIA) WITH FLEX NIBS (40$) AND REGULAR NIB(35$)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dia: 17mm Length: App 7.5 InchesNib: 35mm Flex Nib (40$) , Ambitious 35mm F-M nibFeed: EboniteColours: 1. PINK/YELLOW RIPPLE 2. LIGHT GREEN/ PINK RIPPLE 3. GREEN/ PALE YELLOW RIPPLE. 4.BROWN/BLACK RIPPLE 5.GREEN/YELLOW RIPPLE 6. BLUE/PINK RIPPLE. 7. OLIVE/BLACK RIPPLE 8.DARK GREEN /PINK RIPPLE9.YELLOW/BLACK RIPPLE 10. GREEN/BLACK RIPPLE 11. BLUE/BLACK RIPPLE 12. PINK/PALE YELLOW RIPPLE 13. BLUE/ PALE YELLOW RIPPLE. 14.RED/BLACK RIPPLE. 15. BLUE/YELLOW RIPPLE .16.BLACK 17. BLUE/ORANGE RIPPLEhttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06160-1_zpskdf87qkl.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06166-1_zpsq77rnfev.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06169-1_zpsgdiwa9kh.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06157-1_zpsdn1epoit.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06163-1_zpsudqvhq3d.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06164-1_zpsntuwcis4.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-11-16-Flex/DSC06168-1_zpshgiyfdns.jpg 1. RANGA HANDMADE BEAUTIFUL EBONITE HANDMADE ( UNIQUE IN THE WORLD) GIANT DIP PENS (14 MM -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DIA) WITH FLEX NIBS (33$) AND REGULAR NIB(28$)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dia: 14mm Length: App 7 InchesNib: 35mm Flex Nib (33$) , Wality Fine nib or Two Toned Medium nib(28$)Feed: EboniteColour:1. PINK/YELLOW RIPPLE. 2. BRIGHT GREEN/BLACK RIPPLE. 3. BLUE/ORANGE RIPPLE. 4. PINK/BLACK RIPPLE. 5.GREEN/ORANGE RIPPLE.6. BLUE/BLACK RIPPLE. 7. BLUE/YELLOW RIPPLE. 8.RED/BLACK RIPPLE. 9.GREEN/ PALE YELLOW RIPPLE. 10. BLUE/OLIVE RIPPLE 11.YELLOW/BLACK RIPPLE 12. GREEN/YELLOW RIPPLEhttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-9-16-Wality%20nib/DSC06138-1_zpsay1yaewe.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-9-16-Wality%20nib/DSC06140-1_zpsxfnvaqiq.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/DIP%20PENS-9-16-Wality%20nib/DSC06139-1_zpsbmsx3f8x.jpg Thanks for Visiting!!! Regards,Kandan.M.PRanga Pen Company

So, over on another calligraphy-oriented forum I just posted a review of sorts I thought some here might also appreciate. It's my first attempt at comparing some of the vintage nibs I've collected accumulated. For my first group, I chose flexible nibs that all have something to do with School: either labeled as "school" or "college" or "university", or, in the case of the Palmer Method completely associated with something you do in school. These are all written using the same straight holder, using Diamine Registrar's ink, and are all vintage. I included a Spencerian no. 1 at the top as it's a pretty famous flexible pen and at least gives you an idea of the relative performance of these nibs compared to the Spencerian. I've also included a picture of the nibs themselves so you can then figure out that ones like the Palmer Method and the Esterbrook Business and College are too big for oblique holders, but work great in straight holders. Hope you enjoy! Andrew

This feels like a really, really, silly question, but based on the belief that the only silly question is the one unasked, I'll ask: I was looking at this: http://www.giardino.it/pens/visconti/artescrittura.php And am confused....interchangeable nib? Does that mean the glass nib is a fountain pen, or just a glass dip nib? Can't figure it out, so would be grateful to get the answer Alex

Hi, I tutor a teenager on a weekly basis atm and in the process have got to know her a little. She has been drawing Manga for years with fine felt-tipped pens. This week I ordered Zebra G titanium nibs from Japan to do a frankenpen mod. She wasn't aware of this nib as a tool for drawing Manga so I have offered to bring it in one day to play with but it will be some weeks before the nibs arrive. She can't afford Copic markers, but I recalled on here people have talked about their brush pens and highlighters using fp ink. Given my passion for mixing ink colours, I wondered whether I may be able to support her passion in a more cost effective way than Copic markers. So could someone please let me know about brush pens and highlighters using fp inks? I am also interested to know which ink is best for Manga work both fp and dip, as I may be able to modify a spare Jinhao for her or buy her a straight dip pen holder. I also had a somewhat amusing attempt at making ferrotannic ink this week (accidentally extremely acidic) and am wondering whether this may also be a cost-effective medium for black ink, with the right kind of recipe of course! Links to existing threads would be most appreciated, as I don't know where to start on this exploration properly, or even if it is actually a viable idea. With thanks.

A bit of a query. I've found I enjoy most of all writing at home with a dip pen; letters, journals, notes and the rest. There are pen holders and ink wells dotted around the house here and there ready to pick up, the kitchen, my writing desk, bedroom... My various holders are all pretty standard affairs, all of different sizes and materials, bone, wood, plastic, pewter. I have been thinking it would be nice to get a custom holder made to the length, weight and diameter I find most comfortable and in some nice materials. I have been toying with the idea of perhaps ebony with a pierced silver overlay and a silver ferrule. I have been keeping my eyes out for antique holders and gold nibs for sale online but have yet to find something that really appeals to me. I don't want a solid silver holder as I think that will be too heavy for lengthy use but I would like silver to be incorporated. I'm not one for gold or mother of pearl either. Bone and silver are a nice combination. So my query or rather queries; Firstly, does anyone know who, in the UK, might make such an animal and, secondly, what other suggestions do people have for designs and a nice combination of materials? Dom Edited to amend 'filigree' to 'pierced', filigree was not what I meant.

I started to collect this by curiosity and I discovered that I don't have the patience for this. There are 8 dip holders with nibs on them, slightly used. Some are not even used. But there are a lot of them in a box and outside that are unused, just tested. Feel free, if in USA, to request to be awarded this gift. Send PM telling me. This is a great opportunity for someone curious about calligraphy, drawing, etc. I only request payment of $6.50 for shipment via Paypal, You have until Friday to make the request. The winner to be announced on Monday 3rd. Thanks. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i82/anangeli/NIBS/DIP%20PIF_2412%20copy_zpskxmnh90l.jpg

Yesterday I decided to try using Moon Palace sumi ink with a Hiro/Leonardt pen. I tried with and without a reservoir, transferring the ink to the pen using a brush a la Hermann Zapf. What I like about the ink: It smells like Chinese medicine which is better than the "urine" smell of Higgins Eternal BlackIt is waterproof when dry. I put the sheet under running water, and nothing happened to the ink.The wetter the stroke the shinnier the letters. A nice shine actually.It does not bleed like Pilot ink. What I don't like about the ink: There is some build up on the pen, which in my opinion, tends to interfere with the flow a bit.I have the feeling that the ink I poured into a small jar becomes thicker due to evaporation.Because of the ink tendency to thicken when exposed to air, I would be reluctant to use it in a Parallel pen or any fountain pen. Also, I think I need to give Brause nibs a try. I find Hiro and William Mitchell too flexible.

Ok, so a poster elsewhere on FPN asked about coffee as ink, in particular, ristretto (short espresso). It was freshly shot through a semi-commercial machine with the right grind. I tried it in a dip pen but would never put it in a FP due to acidity, caramelisation, solidification, and oils. I was going to leave it there, however it ended up having a sheen/shine that was unexpected so thought it might be of interest to inky recipe makers. It didn't feather on Rhodia at all. It did bleed through but didn't seep on to the next page. It has a certain amount of permanence - wetting the page and rubbing across it with my finger caused an initial light smear but then the paper wore away before the 'ink' did. The ristretto was too fluid really. I put some in a vial and added a xanthan concentrate I use experimentally for viscosity adjustment but it caused a synergistic reaction I've never seen before that turned it into a thick gel. Unexpected. Perhaps acacia might work better to increase viscosity if anyone ever got that curious. edit: forgot to mention that the 'ink' is completely dry in these pics. That's sheeny/shiny dry ink. Here are the pics I posted elsewhere.

I got an old Esterbrook, with no nib, to try out as a dip pen. It's just an experiment Any suggestions on how to know which size/kind of nib would slide on? Alex....and Spock, just because.

I got this.....it's a tiny Esterbrook dip pen, with an e tea large dip nib(photos show it as it arrived....have as yet done nothing to it) On the nib : 314 R. Esterbrook relief( Im assuming "relief", as the 'r' is under the barrel) Altogether, capped around 6" I love how it has a cap, and plan to use it as a test pen, when Im trying to choose an ink. It's just a very pretty little thing, and I'd love to know more about it....anyone got any information? Also any advice on care, cleaning, and if/where such replacement nibs are available.... I hope it's ok to post in more than one place - wasnt sure where this should go. Mods. please give me a gentle ticking off if I shouldn't have done it Alex