Fountain Pen Alternative To Speedball C-6 Dip Pen

[maxgarn]

I used to do my comic strip hand-lettering with Micron pens. I'd like to experiment something different. I heard great comments about the Speedball C-6 dip pen but I'd prefer to use a fountain pen instead.

What would be a good fountain pen that could compare to the Speedball C-6 dip pen for comic lettering?

Thank you very much.

[maxgarn]

Actually any recommendation for a good fountain pen that I could use for comic hand lettering would be very welcomed.

Thanks

 

[Hooker56]

Maxgarn,

 

For an inexpensive FP alternative to Speedball dip nibs try to source an Osmiroid or Esterbrook Fp on ebay. Then search for Osmiroid nibs on ebay. The nibs are interchangeable and fit Osmiroid or Esterbrook pens and come in a variety of calligraphy points. The pens are cheap enough that you can have several inked at a time for different lettering.

[Hooker56]

For example:

 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/111518286070?nav=SEARCH

[maxgarn]

Thanks! Is there a big difference between what fountain pens can do compared to dip pens?

[FarmBoy]

If I remember my Speedball nibs correctly, a C-6 is essentially a flat stub in the smallest size. I believe it was officially called Oblong and had a slight right foot to it since there was an LC series as well. Comparing to a relatively stiff Speedball nib, most fine (size) nibs on a fountain pen will be about the same.

 

If you wanted to try a non-tipped nib similar to a C point something like a Nonsense Sheaffer comes to mind. Easy to find and easy to clean and get going.

 

For a more traditional tipped nib, I like the suggestion of starting with an Esterbrook. A 9556 nib is always a good starting point.

 

Which cartoon strip and are you close to any pen clubs where you could try out a pen or two. You can also post a writing sample which would help identifying the nib style you like that matches.

 

Short answer, with fountain pens anything is possible.

[maxgarn]

Thank you! I'll check that out.

[Gloucesterman]

The ad link above is quite expensive (imho) unless you are a rush. You can find other sources located here in the US for Osmiroid pens as well as their & Esterbrook nibs. Just a heads up that the Venus nibs that fit both Osmiroid and Esterbrook may be much less expensive and will serve the same purpose.

 

Osmiroid also has some nibs that are called "Rolatip" and come in many nib sizes/configurations. These go with the Osmiroid pens that take a cartridge/converter set up rather than the lever-fill ones.

[pendexter]

You could try out the Ackerman Pump Pen. I'm actually waiting for my second one in the mail. The guy found a way to put a dip nib in a fountain pen style housing. There are plenty of options, some for dip nibs, others for wash brushes, etc.

 

The customer service and reputation leaves something to be desired, but the product itself is good, especially for the price. (they run about $20-25 each, and nibs are about a buck)