Is A "fine Stub" Possible?

[wyldphyre]

I've recently found myself with an urge to try a stub or cursive italic at some point. I like the idea of having a little variation to the lines in my writing, but having thought about it a little I think I might have a problem. I want a Fine nib in a style that is, by definition, not really Fine.

 

A little background

I like fine nibs (Pilot F nibs are my gold standard for size) and I both have small writing and tend to need to use cheap paper, so nibs that are much bigger than Japanese F's aren't really suitable for me at this stage because they either bleed/feather too much on the paper or because my writing loses definition with the wider nib. For example, I've a Shaeffer Imperial II from the 60s with an F nib, and it's a little too wide for me.

 

The (possible) problem

Given the above, is it possible to get a stub or cursive italic that is wide enough to make a difference without ending up with a pen that writes too wet and/or wide for me to use as a regular writer on cheap paper and without needing to scale up my writing?

 

I've seen reference to a 0.7mm stub or CI from time to time, but given what I know of my writing I think that would be too big for me to be happy with.

 

I'm hoping some of you out there might have some experience with narrow stub and/or cursive italic nibs and can shed some light on whether I'm chasing a mythical non-existent creature.

 

Thanks

[Bigeddie]

Behold!

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6832643312_83497dd275.jpg

M405 Binder 0.4mm CI by Bigeddie100, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6978767301_a3b19106be.jpg

M405 / M400 Factory M v Binder CI by Bigeddie100, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6832641962_f410e010f4.jpg

IMG_0881 by Bigeddie100, on Flickr

 

I have since tracked down the little nibarama card that came with it, it is described as a 0.4mm italic stub rather than a cursive italic nib. It's very satisfying and lovely. I hope that helps

[wyldphyre]

I have since tracked down the little nibarama card that came with it, it is described as a 0.4mm italic stub rather than a cursive italic nib. It's very satisfying and lovely. I hope that helps

 

That looks quite promising, thanks! The variation on the loops doesn't look all that pronounced, but I guess there's nothing to be done about it when your nib is that small.

 

I assume that was a custom grind?

Edited September 23, 2012 by wyldphyre

[XiaoMG]

For what it's worth, I have a fine-ish stub as well, and it works reasonably well. You're not going to have an easy time getting much variation out of a narrow nib, but it does show up in places. For me it's not always welcome because it makes my Chinese even uglier than normal.

 

As far as I know, all such options are custom regrinds.

[Ghost Plane]

Conway Stewart does a lovely IF nib stock.

[Bigeddie]

I have since tracked down the little nibarama card that came with it, it is described as a 0.4mm italic stub rather than a cursive italic nib. It's very satisfying and lovely. I hope that helps

 

That looks quite promising, thanks! The variation on the loops doesn't look all that pronounced, but I guess there's nothing to be done about it when your nib is that small.

 

I assume that was a custom grind?

 

 

I imagine it would have been, I was fortunate in picking it up second hand, it wasn't described as a Binder nib and I got a very good deal. The difference is more pronounced on a harder paper like Rhodia, this paper was a little more absorbent and caused a some spread.

[wyldphyre]

Conway Stewart does a lovely IF nib stock.

 

Can I assume that IF = Italic Fine?

 

I just had a quick look at their site and wasn't able to locate any info nibs, but their pens look to be a long way outside my price range anyway

[wyldphyre]

I have since tracked down the little nibarama card that came with it, it is described as a 0.4mm italic stub rather than a cursive italic nib. It's very satisfying and lovely. I hope that helps

 

That looks quite promising, thanks! The variation on the loops doesn't look all that pronounced, but I guess there's nothing to be done about it when your nib is that small.

 

I assume that was a custom grind?

 

 

I imagine it would have been, I was fortunate in picking it up second hand, it wasn't described as a Binder nib and I got a very good deal. The difference is more pronounced on a harder paper like Rhodia, this paper was a little more absorbent and caused a some spread.

 

Ok. I've got an idea for a custom Edison I'd like to get made one day, so maybe I'll get a custom nib done at the same time.

[Laura N]

Richard Binder sells pre-ground stubs or cursive italics for Pelikan in fine, medium and broad. Just check his website. I have the medium stub, which is .6mm, and is excellent. It looks like Bigeddie has the fine.

 

If you want a custom fine stub, I think any nibmeister can do that for you. I've had Pendleton make two, and as everyone says, the variation is less dramatic but you can see it. You probably want to be specific about how wide you want the line when it's finished.

[opus7600]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/32136-xxxf-and-xxxxf-round-and-italic-points/

[Bo Bo Olson]

Why don't you get a maxi-semi-flex/'flexi' EF like a 400NN, it will if you write with a light hand give you line variation.

An pre'66 German EF Oblique semi-flex like a Pelikan 140 or the 'flexi' 400NN in EF would do what you want, in giving you line variation.

I have lost nothing in EF, but have a wonderful 400NN in OF.

Vintage German nibs are narrower than modern.

Aurora might also be something to look at, if you can get it in Semi-flex as I understand that you can still get from the factory. That is @ Japanese narrow.

[tonybelding]

I like fine nibs, and I like fine stubs... However, my idea of a fine stub is something like 0.8-0.9mm width.

 

If you aren't used to writing with a stub, it may take a bit of getting used to, and it may seem too wide at first, but with a bit of practice you may grow to like it. I've rarely ever seen a stub that was love at first write. They almost all require some familiarization.

[Octo]

I had a Cross Solo F (equivalent to Japanese EF, I think) ground to cursive italic by the nibmistress at Pendemonium.com. I like it very much. The line variation is small, of course, but adds character to my writing. As a bonus, she also adjusted the flow.

 

For F or EF nibs you might be happier with cursive italic than italic or stub as CI would be less likely to hook into the paper.

 

Perhaps you can find someone in Australia who does good work. If not, consult Pendemonium.com in Iowa, USA. Prices are moderate and turnaround time is reasonable. Usual disclaimer.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Yes, fine stubs are possible. I have made quite a few in the past. It's not a bad nib for everyday writing with a little bit of extra flair. It is also fairly forgiving.

 

Dillon

[Joe in Seattle]

Only HERE could one get an answer that fast.

[carlos.q]

I have an Esterbrook J pen with an 2314 fine stub nib. Very nice!

 

The 2314 also comes as a medium and broad stub, but these nibs are more expensive and difficult to get.

[wyldphyre]

Why don't you get a maxi-semi-flex/'flexi' EF like a 400NN, it will if you write with a light hand give you line variation.

An pre'66 German EF Oblique semi-flex like a Pelikan 140 or the 'flexi' 400NN in EF would do what you want, in giving you line variation.

I have lost nothing in EF, but have a wonderful 400NN in OF.

Vintage German nibs are narrower than modern.

Aurora might also be something to look at, if you can get it in Semi-flex as I understand that you can still get from the factory. That is @ Japanese narrow.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to keep the idea of a flex nib in mind, but I have to say that at this stage I'm not a fan of flex, simply because I don't really want to have to pay attention to how much pressure I'm using. Admittedly my only experience so far is with an Ahab, which I liked for it's regular fine line but didn't like for flex at all, possibly because it required too much pressure to use.

[wyldphyre]

For F or EF nibs you might be happier with cursive italic than italic or stub as CI would be less likely to hook into the paper.

 

That's interesting. I was under the impression that a stub would be less likely to hook the page than a CI. My (vague) recollection is that stubs are rounder than a CI. I'll have to track down some nib pictures.

 

Perhaps you can find someone in Australia who does good work. If not, consult Pendemonium.com in Iowa, USA. Prices are moderate and turnaround time is reasonable. Usual disclaimer.

 

I've not used him yet, but I believe Jack of Aussie Pen Repair could probably do the job if I wanted.

[PaperDarts]

I've got a .8 Online italic factory nib that didn't cost much (about $40 at the time) and it works very well with my small writing. Reports of narrower italic nibs intrigue me!

[wyldphyre]

Only HERE could one get an answer that fast.

 

Indeed! My thanks to all who have replied so far. Now I know I have options and will have to spend some time thinking about what I want to get/do in the future.