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Information For First Time Flex Nib Fp User


Guest Ray Cornett

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Guest Ray Cornett

I was given a beautiful 1927 Waterman 512 1/2. I replaced the sac after the nervewracking process of getting the section off. I inked it up and have enjoyed writing with it but I know there is more to flex nibs than just normal writing. Where would you lead me for the best instruction on different writing styles for flex nibs and their care?

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The IAMPETH website is a great one for starting out with proper calligraphy. You can find a lot of good resources and references to help you get started, plus some beautiful exemplars for motivation.

 

www.iampeth.com

 

Cheers, and good luck!

 

Kevin

"The price of an object should not only be what you had to pay for it, but also what you've had to sacrifice in order to obtain it." - <i>The Wisdom of The Internet</i><p class='bbc_center'><center><img src="http://i59.tinypic.com/jr4g43.jpg"/></center>

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The IAMPETH website is a great one for starting out with proper calligraphy. You can find a lot of good resources and references to help you get started, plus some beautiful exemplars for motivation.

 

www.iampeth.com

 

 

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Be CAREFUL of how much you flex the nib.

There is a point of no return after which you have damaged the nib.

Until someone can tell you how much that is, I would be satisfied with just a little bit of flex.

Better safe than sorry.

 

For me, a new flex dip pen nib only cost about $2.

For you and the fountain pen nib, it would be EXPENSIVE and hard to find.

Edited by ac12

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Guest Ray Cornett

Be CAREFUL of how much you flex the nib.

There is a point of no return after which you have damaged the nib.

Until someone can tell you how much that is, I would be satisfied with just a little bit of flex.

Better safe than sorry.

 

For me, a new flex dip pen nib only cost about $2.

For you and the fountain pen nib, it would be EXPENSIVE and hard to find.

I am very careful. I had already read a bit of the horror stories about them being flexed too much before these were given to me. I also have experience with things such as harmonicas with brass reeds which can also be flexed too far and are just about as sensitive. And luckily the nibs for the pen are not terribly hard to find but they can be $50-80 or more, then there is the Eversharp Doric she gave me, too. It's nice and flexy but if that one goes i'm screwed as those are much higher due to the flex adjustment "slider".

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Well, Ray,

 

Would suggest looking at the videos on copperplate on the IAMPETH website, and the lessons on Engrosser's Script. (Pretty much the same style of writing and same hand in terms of learning.)

 

For learning, would get an elbow oblique holder (the Blackwell is my favorite since it takes about any dip pen around), three each of whatever pointed pens strike my fancy, some good ink -- McCaffrey's Penman, Old World, Ziller, one of several sumi inks, etc. And some decent paper, fairly smooth and that takes ink well. Then sit down and study and write. When you get a feel for what works with a dip pen, then start practicing with the Waterman. And, for the classic image and love of the style, would fill the Waterman with Chesterfield Archival Vault or another good IG designed to be used in a fountain pen.

 

All of these supplies can be bought online at Dick Blicks's or John Neal Books or Paper, Ink, and Arts, or ...

 

Best of luck to you,

Yours,
Randal

From a person's actions, we may infer attitudes, beliefs, --- and values. We do not know these characteristics outright. The human dichotomies of trust and distrust, honor and duplicity, love and hate --- all depend on internal states we cannot directly experience. Isn't this what adds zest to our life?

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I wouldn't be especially worried by overflexing the nib - it's very easy to tell when you've reached the edge of the nibs ability, the response and feedback it provides abruptly changes and sends a little signal telling you to ease up

 

i also wouldn't practice just with a dip pen - a dip pen is very different from a fountain pen, and whilst it is very useful for learning how to control pressure and many scripts, it wouldn't do you any good when you have to press down twice + as hard when using your fountain pen compared to it

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  • 5 weeks later...

Did you see this?

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/263587-poll-win-one-of-7-new-high-performance-flex-pens/page-2

I'm working on a flex pen option that might be up your alley.

 

I was given a beautiful 1927 Waterman 512 1/2. I replaced the sac after the nervewracking process of getting the section off. I inked it up and have enjoyed writing with it but I know there is more to flex nibs than just normal writing. Where would you lead me for the best instruction on different writing styles for flex nibs and their care?

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