Fountain Brush Pens

[elenita]

Hello all,

 

Anybody here have experience with brush pens, specifically fountain brush pens? I'm thinking of (re-) learning Chinese characters in 2011, and though I plan to start writing with a FP to start with, brush pens did catch my eye. Fountain brush pens, such as the Kuretake No 13 or Kaimei fountain brush pen seem like the ideal compromise. I admit, however, that I have no real idea what to expect; this has to be a minority taste even within the FP community. Any experiences, suggestions, tips, etc would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

PS: I seriously thought about posting in the Japan forum, but eventually decided not to because there's nothing inherently Japanese (or indeed, Asian) about the concept; J. Herbin also produces brush pens (albeit not fountain brush pens). That said, if it's more appropriate there, I have no objection to moving it.

[watch_art]

I used one that was gifted to me just before last summer by another fpner here. I really liked it, but it was natural hair, or sable hair, something... was very soft. Gave a very nice wet line. But the hairs grew fuzz over night. Had to rinse it off really well before I used it. Smelled bad. I think if you go for it, get one of the synthetic hair brushes instead of natural hair. And try to be very sanitary about it. and have fun!

 

and don't worry, i think you posted in the right place.

[AltecGreen]

I have a Kaimei and it's a lot of fun. It's perfect for Kanji aka Chinese characters. I bought the Kaimei because it uses the Japanese pocket pen body which makes it really portable. I use it for Chinese character since a FP or ballpoint, pencil, rollerball does not give the right look.

 

I call mine a F1000 flex pen in honor of Bo Bo Olson.

[watch_art]

I call mine a F1000 flex pen in honor of Bo Bo Olson.

 

:roflmho:

:roflmho:

[Astroix]

I use a Niji waterbrush. I admit that nylon flex tip isn't the best for calligraphy, but for less than $7 it fills the need.

[Struthious]

I favor my Kamei over my Kurtake, the brush is a little shorter so its easier to control line weights, and the brush has better snap.

 

I'm also happy with my cheaper plastic Pentel, although I'm only online right now because it takes that long for the ink to dry.

[TSWard]

I've had great experiences with the Pentel Pocket Brush pens. I picked one up on a whim and loved it, and have since found that many of my favorite cartoonists keep one on them when they are away from their drawing tables.

[tenney]

I don't recall the manufacturer of the brush pen I got many years ago... it was great. A real brush and looked like a very nice fountain pen. It used cartridges of some nice carbon based ink (and they had a rollerball that used the same cartridges and looked the same). I saw what seemed to be the same pens a couple of months ago at Ito-ya in Tokyo.

 

However, a few months ago I bought a couple of Platinum Plum Brush Fountain Pens on ebay (about US$14 plus shipping). They're a plastic brush IIRC, but it includes a piston converter to take any ink. My son used it with some of my Noodler's invisible ink and liked it... not as nice as a real brush, but he thought it worked just fine. I've been too busy to ink mine and try it.

[dexaco]

The Writing Desk here in the UK (no affiliation other than as satisfied customer) has the Sailor brush pen. see here - http://www.thewritin...sh+Pen&cat=pens

 

I don't have one but it's on my 'maybe one day' list.

 

Derick

[elenita]

Wow, thank you for all the replies—many more than I expected.

 

I used one that was gifted to me just before last summer by another fpner here. I really liked it, but it was natural hair, or sable hair, something... was very soft. Gave a very nice wet line. But the hairs grew fuzz over night. Had to rinse it off really well before I used it. Smelled bad. I think if you go for it, get one of the synthetic hair brushes instead of natural hair. And try to be very sanitary about it. and have fun!

 

Yikes! Do you think the ink might have been an issue also? I'll definitely keep your experience in mind, though.

 

 

I favor my Kamei over my Kurtake, the brush is a little shorter so its easier to control line weights, and the brush has better snap.

 

I'm also happy with my cheaper plastic Pentel, although I'm only online right now because it takes that long for the ink to dry.

 

The Kamei uses natural hair, right? Any issues with the fuzz mentioned above?

 

 

However, a few months ago I bought a couple of Platinum Plum Brush Fountain Pens on ebay (about US$14 plus shipping). They're a plastic brush IIRC, but it includes a piston converter to take any ink. My son used it with some of my Noodler's invisible ink and liked it... not as nice as a real brush, but he thought it worked just fine. I've been too busy to ink mine and try it.

 

One of the pens I linked to above (can't remember which at the moment) is compatible with a Preppy c/c, presumably allowing it to use regular FP ink. That's a major draw for me because I'm not a huge fan of cartridges and the waste they generate.

 

While we're on the subject, can brush pens use run-of-the-mill ink, or does it need to be highly pigmented (e.g Noodler's, Platinum)?

 

Again, thank you all. I hope you all have a happy, healthy, and creative New Year!

[jsonewald]

I have a Kaimei with a natural hair brush. It is supposed to be weasel hair, but not having a lot weasel contact, I can't vouch for it. It is unusually soft and responsive for drawing purposes, more so than a couple of brush pens with man made fibers.

 

The ink that comes with these pens is fairly high maintenance. Letting it dry someplace where it shouldn't be, like the brush, is not a good idea. It is however, a really, really dark and deep black.

[tenney]

While we're on the subject, can brush pens use run-of-the-mill ink, or does it need to be highly pigmented (e.g Noodler's, Platinum)?

To the best of my understanding, the Platinum Plum Brush Fountain Pens that I bought (which come with a plunger converter) can use any ink. Don't know about other pens.

[watch_art]

I used montblanc black in it only. it was probably b/c the lid didn't make an airtight seal when closed. it was even a piston fill pen! pretty cool.

 

here's a drawing I did of it a while back, with it...

 

http://www.fountainp...73#entry1568373

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4671915198_1b4a0bf76b_b.jpg

Edited December 31, 2010 by watch_art

[galileo1225]

I have a Kaimei and it's a lot of fun. It's perfect for Kanji aka Chinese characters. I bought the Kaimei because it uses the Japanese pocket pen body which makes it really portable. I use it for Chinese character since a FP or ballpoint, pencil, rollerball does not give the right look.

 

I call mine a F1000 flex pen in honor of Bo Bo Olson.

 

I have the F8080 model in honor of Bo Bo Olson. I use it for chinese painting.

[elenita]

I used montblanc black in it only. it was probably b/c the lid didn't make an airtight seal when closed. it was even a piston fill pen! pretty cool.

 

here's a drawing I did of it a while back, with it...

 

http://www.fountainp...73#entry1568373

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4671915198_1b4a0bf76b_b.jpg

 

Watch Art, that drawing is incredible. Made me really tempted to order a brush pen right away.

 

Thank you again, all; this thread has been super helpful. My tentative plan is to get a Platinum refillable pen off eBay, convert it to an eyedropper pen, and use Platinum carbon black / waterproof blue-black / Noodler's Bulletproof Black in it until I get used to brush pens. And once I know for sure I'll be sticking to Chinese character practice for the long-term (unfortunately, there have been failures to launch before), I'll get one of the pens linked to above. Everyone's input has been invaluable and I really appreciate it.

 

I hasten to add that I haven't set anything in stone yet, so please free to chime in (again) if anything else occurs to you. I'll probably update this thread once I start writing in earnest.

 

A happy new year to all!

[watch_art]

What do you mean failure to launch before? Are you not interested in the medium? If not, get a brush pen and draw something else! You don't have to practice Kanji if it's not fun for you. Draw... oh I don't know... COFFEEMUGS!

Edited January 1, 2011 by watch_art

[ru32day]

I have bought (but not yet used) some stuff called "magic paper" and a brush pen that you fill with water. Both were pretty cheap her in Aus Magic Paper

 

You write on the "magic paper" with water and the characters appear. Theoretically by the time you get to the end of the page the first character has dried so you can start again.

 

For practicing without going through heaps of ink and paper.

 

I'm hoping to be able to learn some simple Sumi art (bamboo etc) and maybe a letter or two. Haven't used it yet because I'm spending so much time practicing Western calligraphy and can't quite put my head in both spaces at once.

[Struthious]

I've had the Kamei for at least a decade, the Kurtake for more than a year,

the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen and the Pentel Color Brush for a month or two.

• The Kamei and Kurtake have natural bristles and you get what you pay for, they are excellent!
• I haven't had any problems with mold or fuzz.
• I did let the Kamei dry out. It sat for years unused and I had to replace the nib/brush tip.
• The Pentel Color Brush is close to garbage - you squeeze the barrel to get ink out.
  The ink takes forever to dry. I haven't finished the ink it came with so
  I haven't had the opportunity to see if I can refill it with my own inks.
• The Pentel Pocket Brush can be refilled with anything. Hooray!
• There's a variety of cheapo water brushes that are easy to fill with all sorts of inks.
  I keep one filled with Walnut Ink and one filled with Carbon Black.
  Again, with water brushes you have to squeeze the barrel to feed the brush.
  Its a junky brush, but a handy way to use Carbon Black in settings where spills
  would be unforgivable.

Hmmm... I think I'll look to see if theres a discussion on carbon black. You gotta love your carbon black!

[elenita]

What do you mean failure to launch before? Are you not interested in the medium? If not, get a brush pen and draw something else! You don't have to practice Kanji if it's not fun for you. Draw... oh I don't know... COFFEEMUGS!

 

Watch Art, if I had your talent, I probably would give drawing with a brush pen a shot—but I suspect the only thing I'll do with it will be Hanja (i.e., Kanji) practice. But in previous years, I haven't had the discipline to stick with that for more than a few weeks. I just want to make sure history doesn't repeat itself before I drop ~$40 on a quality brush pen; otherwise, that money would be far better put towards a regular fountain pen.

 

ru32day, thanks for the tip about the magic paper; I'll have to look for some locally.

 

[/size][*]There's a variety of cheapo water brushes that are easy to fill with all sorts of inks.

I keep one filled with Walnut Ink and one filled with Carbon Black.

Again, with water brushes you have to squeeze the barrel to feed the brush.

Its a junky brush, but a handy way to use Carbon Black in settings where spills

would be unforgivable.

Hmmm... I think I'll look to see if theres a discussion on carbon black. You gotta love your carbon black!

 

Ooh, walnut ink never occurred to me until I read this, but now I think I'll have to get some. Have you tried using it with a regular fountain pen at all? Would it clog the feed?

 

And the Carbon Black definitely intrigues me, but I have to wonder why a 60 ml bottle costs more than two 30 ml bottles.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Hello all,

 

Anybody here have experience with brush pens, specifically fountain brush pens? I'm thinking of (re-) learning Chinese characters in 2011, and though I plan to start writing with a FP to start with, brush pens did catch my eye. Fountain brush pens, such as the Kuretake No 13 or Kaimei fountain brush pen seem like the ideal compromise. I admit, however, that I have no real idea what to expect; this has to be a minority taste even within the FP community. Any experiences, suggestions, tips, etc would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

PS: I seriously thought about posting in the Japan forum, but eventually decided not to because there's nothing inherently Japanese (or indeed, Asian) about the concept; J. Herbin also produces brush pens (albeit not fountain brush pens). That said, if it's more appropriate there, I have no objection to moving it.

 

I use all kinds, from the sturdy and reliable Elmer's to the Sai Watercolor pen and a couple of Japanese names that escape me.

 

I actually like the Sai and the Elmer's best, and they're among the cheapest. You might still be able to find Elmer's in any crafts store and I think Sai is available at Paper and Ink Arts.