Check Signing

[Bugmerc]

Hi everyone, I sign a lot of checks everyday and I have a Safari that I was looking to change nibs on and was thinking I could set it up just for my check signing.

Style wise my signature is quite large and curvy and I do it quickly. Sort of a large capital first letter and then the word "flourish" comes to mind. (not sure why). Any thoughts on what nib I should get? I think it should be at least a broad, but what about an italic? I have never written with one, do they need to used slowly, I definitely DO NOT sign slowly.

 

Also what is a good ink choice for checks? I like colors, but black is OK if it has to be, more thinking about security.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and input!

 

Chris

[cybaea]

Hi everyone, I sign a lot of checks everyday and I have a Safari that I was looking to change nibs on and was thinking I could set it up just for my check signing.

Style wise my signature is quite large and curvy and I do it quickly. Sort of a large capital first letter and then the word "flourish" comes to mind. (not sure why). Any thoughts on what nib I should get? I think it should be at least a broad, but what about an italic? I have never written with one, do they need to used slowly, I definitely DO NOT sign slowly.

 

Also what is a good ink choice for checks? I like colors, but black is OK if it has to be, more thinking about security.

 

Any Noodler's "Bulletproof" ink is great for this. Goulet has a list of Noodler's inks at https://www.gouletpens.com/v/vspfiles/files/noodlers-ink-properties.pdf (you don't have to buy from them to use the list).

 

Typically, a stub nib is fine for writing fast which a "sharp" italics is not. You might like the 1.1mm Lamy nib which is not very broad and allows fast writing. You could go 1.5mm but I have a long name so I wouldn't. Broad or 1.1mm would be my suggestions.

 

Hope this helps.

[Bugmerc]

Great! Thanks, I knew I had seen a chart like that somewhere and just couldn't place it! Gives me plenty of choices.

[Ike Levens]

Hi everyone, I sign a lot of checks everyday and I have a Safari that I was looking to change nibs on and was thinking I could set it up just for my check signing.

Style wise my signature is quite large and curvy and I do it quickly. Sort of a large capital first letter and then the word "flourish" comes to mind. (not sure why). Any thoughts on what nib I should get? I think it should be at least a broad, but what about an italic? I have never written with one, do they need to used slowly, I definitely DO NOT sign slowly.

 

Also what is a good ink choice for checks? I like colors, but black is OK if it has to be, more thinking about security.

 

Thanks for your thoughts and input!

 

Chris

Noodler's bulletproof inks. I use Noodler's black for checks. I tested it on a check I had left from my last bank, and the routing number came off before the Noodler's moved in both water and alcohol. I didn't test acetone, but others have.

[DRWWE]

I just replaced the nibs on two of my Safaris with 1.5 and 1.9mm italic nibs. I like the way they write and I do sign my name more slowly with these nibs, but that will probably change with practice. Why don't you order a few nibs to see what you like? They are cheap and easy to change. Since they have already been mentioned, Goulet Pen Co. can sell you the nibs.

[hbquikcomjamesl]

I use an EF nib. Because I bank with a credit union, 2-part NCR checks get shoved down my throat whether I like it or not. Pressing hard enough on the numbers and payee to go through to the duplicate scratches the surface -- a good thing on a check -- while floating the signature keeps it from going through to the duplicate -- again, a good thing, even with a privacy pattern printed on the signature area of the duplicate.

[Uncle Red]

I have a Sheaffer no Nonsense loaded with Diamine Registrar's Ink that is used for checks. No feathering or bleeding, Bleeding would make things difficult for the bank.

[Freddy]

At the present time usin' Waterman 52 with a sexy flexie fine

and Sheaffer's Skrip # 22..

 

Fred

 

Ps..And A Conklin Glilder with a wet noodle fine..

which is filled with Pelikan 4001 {TG1 50ml} Royal Blue..

 

[ravantra]

I use a 1.1 on a TWSBI and I always use either R&K Salix or Noodler's Kung Te Cheng.

[Bugmerc]

Thanks for all the replies! That Kung Te Cheng is a very interesting color, I really like that one.

[EKE]

I sign big stacks of checks at our office. I like Noodler's Bernanke Black because it dries super fast.

[sopa]

I use Montblanc Midnight Blue to sign checks. The nibs vary - a medium Sheaffer 300, a Lamy 1.1, a Broad Kaweco Sport, a fine Sheaffer NoNonsense.

[cybaea]

Hi everyone, I sign a lot of checks everyday [...]

Chris

 

 

I sign big stacks of checks at our office.[...]

 

Off-topic: What is it with Americans and cheques ("checks")? I just looked it up: the last one I wrote was in 2010 and our corporate chequebook is unused since our formation in 2002.

 

I am not complaining: any excuse to use a fountain pen is fine by me. I may even be a little envious.....

 

The Bernanke inks are supposed to be good, but I haven't tried them. I use Noodler's standard black (for signing stuff, though obviously not many cheques) or, before I discovered Noodler's, the Montblanc Midnight Blue (which was still called Blue-Black about the time I wrote my last cheque and had more iron gall contents).

 

The question of feathering is an interesting one - I don't know how the banks verify the signatures and if that would make a difference. (Or even if they verify the signatures at all.) I am guessing that at worst they would still be processed for payment but sent for human validation?

[cbaytan]

If you wanna listen this newbie a sec, I say Noodler's bad blue heron, and Pilot 78G with B nib would be my combo, the only thing I am not confident about durability of the 78G which is plastic but cost me 8 bucks. But their B nibs are actually italic nibs it let me scribble my handsomest signatures ever, it even has a bit line variability, very soft writing and ink flow is great especially with Noodlers Eels. I am sure guru's know the durable pens we can fit this 78G's awesome nib and the feed.

 

Thanks for reading this newbie.

Edited May 17, 2013 by cbaytan

[Edwaroth]

About cheques ( this is just a personal thing)...I rather don't trust computers,websites and most of all online banking. My wife does a bit of auto-pay for her bills and has had a world of problems, ie; bank sites being down, inadvertent double paying and the like. I may be olde school but it's cheques for me, and it IS an excuse for using for using my Onoto. Besides, I get paper proof that I paid in the form of a cashed cheque. I use Diamine Eclipse for that.

 

Regards,

 

Ed

[Ike Levens]

Off-topic: What is it with Americans and cheques ("checks")? I just looked it up: the last one I wrote was in 2010 and our corporate chequebook is unused since our formation in 2002.

 

I am not complaining: any excuse to use a fountain pen is fine by me. I may even be a little envious.....

 

The Bernanke inks are supposed to be good, but I haven't tried them. I use Noodler's standard black (for signing stuff, though obviously not many cheques) or, before I discovered Noodler's, the Montblanc Midnight Blue (which was still called Blue-Black about the time I wrote my last cheque and had more iron gall contents).

 

The question of feathering is an interesting one - I don't know how the banks verify the signatures and if that would make a difference. (Or even if they verify the signatures at all.) I am guessing that at worst they would still be processed for payment but sent for human validation?

I haven't written a personal check in the last five years. For businesses, I think it has to do with the lack of pretty cash drawers in most small businesses here. My father is a music teacher, and in his studio he keeps a check book instead of a can drawer and register book because that way he doesn't have to worry about security. (I'm actually guessing here, I've never asked him why he uses checks.) As for signature, they are checked. I had a check that I deposited using my banks mobile app for which I got an email back stating the deposit was unsuccessful because the maker's signature was unreadable, so I had to bring it in to the branch office. I used to be pretty happy with my bank's (PNC) combination of security and convenience until they closed the branch in my town. I'd switch banks now, except that none of the other banks have branches here either. It's a good thing we have the internet.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Noodler's Bad Green Gator (passed every water test) in a Hero 329, because not only do I sign checks but fill in all the rest of the info and thus need a fine-ish nib.

[EKE]

I too haven't written a personal check in a very long time, but we do process hundreds of checks in our business practice. It's a kind of universal common denomination, and since it requires a live signature, it adds a level of security to our business accounting. Vendors, consultants, refunds to clients, rent and lease payments, supplies, etc. Hundreds per week. We do use electronic means of payment for some things.

[htdearden]

Am I missing something, why does 'bulletproof' ink enhance security? Changing a signature would not be a risk - it would reduce chances of being honoured?

[N2theBreach]

Am I missing something, why does 'bulletproof' ink enhance security? Changing a signature would not be a risk - it would reduce chances of being honoured?

I'm with you there, however, if the recipient of the check altered the amount, that would be different story.