Dip Pen Ink Problems?

[Lizz]

Hi,

 

I've just recently bought a dip pen with two italic nibs (from brause) and I was trying them out.

 

I only have regular fountain pen ink from Diamine, but when I first dip in my pen in the ink, the ink flows too much of the nib and I get a really really really thick line of ink. After a letter or three, the ink starts to flow normally and I can use it normally.

 

Can someone please advice me on what I need to do? Am I using it incorrectly (I just dip the nib in the ink)? Do I need to "shake off" some ink after dipping it? Or is it just because it is regular fountainpen ink that is too fluid to use for a dip pen?

 

I am a beginner, never used a dip pen before and I really like trying it out with all the different coloured inks I have so for, so any help would be welcome !

 

Thanks!

[Mickey]

Yes, tap off the excess before writing. For critical work, you may want to keep a piece of scrap paper handy for first strokes after dipping. (Not usually necessary.) Some FP inks work well with dip pens, many do not.

[ac12]

What you need is "dip pen ink."

Dip pen ink is a bit to a lot thicker than fountain pen ink, so it holds on to the nib better.

So sorry, you can't use many/most fountain pen inks with a dip pen, it is too fluid as you said.

 

I can't say what dip pen ink is available in Europe, maybe someone else can help there.

 

Normally I tap the tip of the nib against the side of the inkwell and that draws off the excess ink from the nib.

 

You also have to prepare/clean the dip pen nib. It usually has a coating of oil or other preservative, to prevent rust or as a result of manufacturing. This coating messes up the ink on the nib. I usually wipe the nib with alcohol to clean it off.

 

gud luk

Edited June 23, 2014 by ac12

[purplepen]

I have had pretty good luck using Noodler's "Heart of Darkness" ink with my dip pen. I do have to tap it lightly once to get the surplus off but otherwise it seems to work pretty well.

[FriedIceCream]

You also have to prepare/clean the dip pen nib. It usually has a coating of oil or other preservative, to prevent rust or as a result of manufacturing. This coating messes up the ink on the nib. I usually wipe the nib with alcohol to clean it off.

 

This is your problem right here. Try cleaning them really thoroughly before using your nibs again and then see if the inks you have are too viscous for dip pen use. You'll be surprised I think at the difference that this makes.

[Randal6393]

As Mickey says, "... tap off the excess ink." Another way to control the amount of ink is to use a small artist's brush or square bristle brush to apply ink to the pen. Various videos on YouTube and in the FPN archives show how to do this.

 

Best of luck,

[Gloucesterman]

What you need is "dip pen ink."

Dip pen ink is a bit to a lot thicker than fountain pen ink, so it holds on to the nib better.

So sorry, you can't use many/most fountain pen inks with a dip pen, it is too fluid as you said.

 

I can't say what dip pen ink is available in Europe, maybe someone else can help there.

 

Normally I tap the tip of the nib against the side of the inkwell and that draws off the excess ink from the nib.

 

You also have to prepare/clean the dip pen nib. It usually has a coating of oil or other preservative, to prevent rust or as a result of manufacturing. This coating messes up the ink on the nib. I usually wipe the nib with alcohol to clean it off.

 

gud luk

 

Disagree with the idea that you can't use regular fountain pen ink with a dip pen...

I do it all the time, it just takes a bit more care and attention.

 

I've used everything from the Noodlers, Widowmaker, Navaho Turquoise, Blue, Apache Sunset, etc. I've also used J. herbin, Rose Cyclamen, Saphir bleu, Even an occasional "dip" into Pilot Iroshizuku - all with no difficulty.

 

Yes, clean the nib well before using...

Yes, dip the nib and wipe off against the side of the bottle/container (sometimes I use an inkwell)

yes, a few swipes on a blank sheet to get any excess ink off the nib...

 

And you are ready to go and good luck...Happy practicing...

[Algester]

I also use it but some inks will just perform badly on a dip nib some will perform great which led me to make some threads on the inky thoughts that may seem far off but are all related
such as high surface tension inks = very viscous, inks that perform on vintage flex/dip nib flex, and other alternatives like Sumi ink with a modern ebonite feed (modern pens made in India in this case that includes Ahab, Konrad and the Creeper)

and I have modded my Ahab just for this as I use dip nibs on it case in point the Brause Rose nib

[Zilknitha]

I have used fountain pen ink with a dip pen, and have found that you can use pretty much anything that is a liquid with them; even paint. I have used black coffee and water with mine in the past. The thing you have to watch out for is how much you load the nib with, and how watery the ink is. If it is a watery ink, it will tend to soak the paper if you do not tap off the excess first. Just be careful not to tap off too much. When I work with watery inks like this, I only dip a small part of the nib in the ink.

 

With thicker inks or liquids you may still need to tap off any excess, but it tends to be less of a problem. As others have commented here, you do need to clean the nib after use. This will keep everything flowing smoothly.

 

Hope this was of help

[rwilsonedn]

+1 for preparing the nib before you use it. You can wash it with warm soapy water (and gentle scrubbing), or you can hold it over a low flame until it's hot to touch, but not hot enough to burn you, or you can just lick it, if you aren't concerned about ingesting unidentified oils. There is an oil coating on many nibs to prevent rust, and the oil sheds ink--just as you describe. Once you've done that you should have a lot less trouble with fountain-pen inks. If you do still find your favorite ink a little to runny for your taste, you can take a bit out and thicken it with gum arabic.

ron

[ac12]

OK, I change my mind.

I tried a Cross/Pelikan ink out of a Nikko G, and a bowl nib. The ink wrote just fine out of those nibs.

But the Cross/Pelikan ink is a dry ink, not a wet ink like Waterman.

I did not try any other inks, but now I may try some other inks, including Waterman, to see how it works.