Ruling Pens

[Lamyrada]

Are they still in use? Anyone that uses them?

[FPFan]

If I'm thinking correctly, I think you are referring to pens that used to be called Isograph. The modern day versions are predominantly called Rapid-O-Graph made by Koh-I-nor. Still widely available in the USA.

[Tweel]

If you mean technical pens, as FPFan referred to, I use them. I have a 0.5mm point in regular use right now.

 

If you mean the older type with an adjustable point gap, I haven't used any for years, but have some on hand.

[Floreat]

I use an adjustable-gap style ruling pen to do a line of watercolour around the mounts of artwork that I have framed. I use a paintbrush to pick out a colour from the watercolour washes that I've used in the painting, load the pen with it by sweeping the brush across the tines, and rule a line around the mount to compliment the pic. This is something I've learned to do from my mother, who is a successful watercolour artist herself and also used to use ruling pens when working drawing architects' plans back in the 1960s

[Lamyrada]

All: i dont even know how they were used. I am intrigued. So little i know about writing instruments. And would like to know more!

[ScottT]

Here I thought this was going to be a Lord of the Rings type of thread.

 

"The One Pen to Rule Them All"

[mab52]

Ruling pens were largely part of the arsenal used by draftsmen, architects, and also some signmakers. I took several drafting and architectural drawing classes when I was in high school. I'm not sure we actually used them for class as most of what we did was with pencil. Anything with pen was over lines or whatever already drawn with pencil. There are some uses now for calligraphy which would mostly be for creating borders or fairly fat lines.

[Orrell Post]

You can still buy a dip pen for ruling paper for music notation.

[Floreat]

I have that music-stave nib Orrell - it's a different thing to a ruling pen.

[Randal6393]

Sure, I have seen adjustable ruling pens offered on Amazon. Used for years to ink drafting, now used for calligraphy special effects. Also, John Neal Bookseller carries a line of ruling pens -- brass pens with a curved edge -- that are used for special effects. Needs practice and an expert hand to use any of these for lettering, though.

 

As a beginner, would recommend reading up on broad-edged pens, flex pens, and standard fountain pens. The differences affect what may be done with the pens and what lettering can be done with each.

 

Enjoy,

[Orrell Post]

I have that music-stave nib Orrell - it's a different thing to a ruling pen.

Thanks, I will do a bit more reading!!