Manuscript Calligraphy Pen

[Mendes]

G'day all,

this is my first review, so thanks for being patient.

 

Background:

I like italic nibbed pens and play around with some calligraphy, I have a couple of dip in pens which give you some beautiful lines but I wanted something that was inexpensive that I could write with, every day without filling it all the time. after some careful research I narrowed it down to a few pens and finally brought a Lamy Joy 1.1 nib, which was great and well designed but it started to leak after a month round the thick section of the nib. My money was refunded but the postage both ways wasn't so it was all a bit disappointing.

So I thought I would try these Manuscript pens from the UK they were really cheap for 3 nibs for just over five pounds +postage and a free cartridge converter. I brought them online from http://www.qdsupplies.co.uk

 

I cleaned each pen out on arrival in lukewarm water. Its a lightweight pen but for the money it is incredible value, and writes smoothly, highly recommended

 

Joy (this was better joy than the Lamy)

Bill

[777]

Nice first review, thank you! Looks like a fun pen for calligraphy use. How much was it? How much is a Lamy Joy?

 

Regards,

777

[Edgar Allan Bo]

I love the MANUSCRIPT pens for their sharp nibs, they are soo thin like dip pen nibs, they produce very thin sharp lines, ideal for italic!

[Ernst Bitterman]

I'm also a big fan, both functionally and because they look very much like pens from the early part of last century. I got one with a single point at a Big Box craft store a few years ago for about $10-- they are not expensive at all.

[kwpalzang]

I like them. However, I do not like their flaw: weak caps. The plastic broke, and now the cap is free to come off at the slightest disruption, and it isn't very airtight anymore either. If I could change one thing about how these pens are made, I would make the caps more sturdy. I don't know how. I don't know anything about pen manufacture, but that would be a suggestion I would make to Manuscript.

[SimonJamesLucas]

I think the Manuscipt nib sections are great and mine worked brilliantly but even as a fan of British made pens I was flabbergasted at how awful the barrels and caps were, both stylistically and quality wise. Tragic, the only remaining cheapish British made fountain pen and they turn it out looking this cheap and nasty, come on Manuscrtipt, put your lovely engine in a decent body!

 

There is one fix that can be done by the user to the above problem and that is to put Manuscript sections into the classic American style kit pens (which is what the standard Italix pen is) and hey presto, one smart italic pen. One needs to carefully file the section at the top of the thread to make it go all the way in but it's worth the effort.

 

Simon

[Mendes]

Nice first review, thank you! Looks like a fun pen for calligraphy use. How much was it? How much is a Lamy Joy?

 

Regards,

777

the lamy Joy was around 19 pounds sterling with cartridge converter the manuscript was around 5 ponds with 3 nibs and converter

[Mendes]

I think the Manuscipt nib sections are great and mine worked brilliantly but even as a fan of British made pens I was flabbergasted at how awful the barrels and caps were, both stylistically and quality wise. Tragic, the only remaining cheapish British made fountain pen and they turn it out looking this cheap and nasty, come on Manuscrtipt, put your lovely engine in a decent body!

 

There is one fix that can be done by the user to the above problem and that is to put Manuscript sections into the classic American style kit pens (which is what the standard Italix pen is) and hey presto, one smart italic pen. One needs to carefully file the section at the top of the thread to make it go all the way in but it's worth the effort.

 

Simon

I agree about the design/plastic they have 'spoilt the ship for a 'aypeth of tar' i wouldn't mind paying some more money and get a better pen.... but its still incredible value...

[vans4444]

Thanks for the review. There is always quite a few Manuscript pens and ink in our local HobbyCraft store. I bought a set with three nibs in one of their sales for not much money but I am yet to use it. After reading your review I will dig it out and try it.

 

I also have some old Manuscript ink which is OK to use in fountain pens.

[Scribble Monboddo]

New Manuscript model reviewed here! http://scribbledemonboddo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/manuscript-master-11-italic-nib-2014.html

[chickoryblue]

My mother recently gave me her Manuscript pen set from the 1990s, and I love writing with it! I'm looking for new fine nibs to slide in the barrel, so that I can switch colors easily by using the extra barrels. The Manuscript website doesn't seem to have individual nibs for sale, and I can't find Manuscript fountain nibs for sale a la carte online.

 

My question is: does anyone know if there are any other brands of nib that will fit into the Manuscript barrel?

 

Thank you!

Edited April 29, 2015 by chickoryblue

[Scribble Monboddo]

Manuscript do also make simple, round-ended nibs. These are inexpensive but actually write very well; in the UK, one discount shop (Boyes) sells these in a basic pen for 99p. Chickoryblue, if you're elsewhere and would like one posted (mailed) to you, drop me a line - I don't work for them or anything, but it can't cost too much to get one your way!

[chickoryblue]

Thank you, Scribble Monboddo, that would be really nice! How can I send you an email?

 

(I am unfamiliar with how the Fountain Pen Network works. If there is a way to send a message to you, I can't seem to find it.)

[GeneralSynopsis]

Cult pens now have extra nib sections for both the Classic and the Dodec pen bodies.

Edited June 5, 2015 by GeneralSynopsis