Brands That Produce Italic Nibs

[dudedembo]

Hi all,

 

I've finally decided to buy an expensive pen, about £100, (see my other exploratory posts) and know that my writing is greatly improved with italic nibs.

 

People have suggested cursive italic for everyday use, but I can't seem to find many brands that produce cursive italic nibs.

 

My favourite pens, aesthetically, are waterman's - does anyone known if they factory produce italics?

 

Or are there brands that are known for creating italic pens?

 

Thanks

[View from the Loft]

I wouldn't worry too much about finding a brand that produces italic nibs. Concentrate on finding the pen that is right in your hand, and then send it to one of he nib fetters to be ground as you desire.

 

All of my nibs are vintage stubs, some more recent italics or custom ground for me.

 

In your price range, I would suggest a Pelikan M200 with a custom ground nib. Others peak highly of he Italix range, but I've never tried I can't comment.

 

Or find a Parker 45 and buy an italic nib from Battersea Pen Home.

 

Good luck with your hunt.

Edited October 20, 2013 by View from the Loft

[brunico]

I can't seem to find many brands that produce cursive italic nibs

 

Yes, it's a nuisance, isn't it? And annoying that some manufacturers will make inexpensive italics - like the Pelikan Script - but then make you shell out for something at the top of the range if you want anything fancier.

 

I too wanted an italic for about £100, and I ended up buying a Sailor Sapporo on eBay and having John Sorowka (Oxonian on FPN) turn its music nib into an italic. Amazingly, the total cost, including postage to and from John, was less than buying a new Sapporo in the UK (they go for about £113).

 

Recently, Edison started supplying italic nibs, so that might be an option: there are several models for £115. Twsbi and Aurora (Ipsilon) will be quite a bit under £100 but you might want to check them out.

[plebrun]

Hi-

 

I too wanted to try an italic nib. Instead of buying one, I started by trying to grind my own, with the help of this:

http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/aboutpens/ludwig-tan.html

 

then this for the material.

http://www.pentrace.net/penbase/Data_Returns/full_article.asp?id=403

 

I ground two stainless steel nibs on cheap pens before trying it on the 18k medium nib of my Parker 75.

I didn't find it difficult and the result was quite satisfying if ou take the time to get it real smooth with the finest emery cloth.

 

-philippe

[linearM]

I have a Franklin-Christoph that I am very pleased with. They offer a variety of models with quite a few nib offerings. I have an Intrinsic with a steel cursive italic nib which writes very smoothly. I notice they offer free shipping on international orders over a certain amount, you could check at: http://www.franklin-christoph.com/. I have no connection with the company, just a customer.

[Runnin_Ute]

Lamy has no less than 3 different italic nibs - the 1.1 mm is closest to what could be called a cursive italic. The nib itself can be purchased for under $15 US and will fit several of their pens, including Al Star, Safari, Vista and others. (1.5 & 1.9 mm models are also available and perhaps one or two others)

 

Levenger's True Writer range of pens has a section/nib in a stub available separately - I have never seen it offered on a pen straight from the factory. As it is a ground medium, it runs around $60 US for the nib unit. True Writer pens can be had new from around $59-99 US. So right in your price range - even if you bought a $99 pen and then $59 for the stub. $160 US = 99 BP

[Harlequin]

The Italix Parson's Essential has both a sharp italic and a stub/cursive italic option in all sizes. I would DEFINITELY recommend taking a look at them- they are flat out great pens! Bonus that they come in under your stated budget too, so you could also get some ink or even another nib to your fancy. Additionally, the nibs are hand ground into the stub from a standard medium by the seller, Peter Ford of MrPen.co.uk (who is a member here at FPN).

[Ghost Plane]

Waterman makes an awesome stub nib with slightly sharper corners than many stubs, leaning toward cursive italic on the continuum. It comes on the Carene & falls between the M & B in width. Check Amazon & eBay.