Sailor's Fude / Calligraphy Nibs

[holgalee]

Hi all, I have a Sailor Profit calligraphy pen with a 55 degree nib. The angle is a little too steep for me, and I wonder if it's possible to very carefully bend a fude nib so that it suits my needs? I'll be getting a similar pen with a 55 degree nib through a trade, so I wonder if I can do so, instead of buying the 40 degree nib version. Call it saving the earth!

 

I imagine I'll need to use a pair of taped pliers to carefully change the angle without making it curved.

 

For those of you who want to chime in about which nib--the 40 or 55 degree--you prefer, feel free to do so!

 

 

[Algester]

I say 40 when I start holding the 55 degree nib I start to hold it like a chinese brush...

[miatagrrl]

I assume that's the one that costs about $20? Good luck with that! I have been using the Sailor "calligraphy" pen with the 55-degree nib (this one: http://www.jetpens.com/Sailor-DE-Brush-Stroke-Style-Calligraphy-Fountain-Pen-Bamboo-Green-Nib-Angle-55-Degrees/pd/4541) for two years, and I love it. I'm planning to upgrade to a better pen body soon with a custom fude nib. From photos I've seen, the custom fude nib is a bit curved rather than angled, so you might have OK results if it curves instead of bends. You've got not much to lose, so go for it, and please post your results! I've used the 40-degree nib too, but I found it harder to manipulate, and the ink didn't flow as well.

[holgalee]

Hi Tina, thanks for responding! I'd previously come across your blog posts about the Sailor Fude pens, and you have about 5 of the green ones, if I recall correctly!

 

The pen I have is identical to the one on this blog by Parka: http://www.parkablogs.com/content/review-sailor-special-script-calligraphy-pen. It's also referred to as the Sailor Profit calligraphy pen. I'm learning to sketch and love stationery--especially fountain pens--so that's quite a "lethal" combination of interests!

 

What's a custom fude nib like, and which brand will it be? I've seen the Chinese fude nib pens but they tend to be very heavy and I prefer lighter pens.

Edited November 26, 2014 by holgalee

[Algester]

The gold nibbed fude? Sailor also makes them not that I would say its cheap... But you can put it into your pro gear

[miatagrrl]

Holgalee, if you have not yet seen the Sailor specialty nibs, check this out, but hang onto your wallet! ;-)

http://www.engeika.com/diary-detail/43

[holgalee]

Thanks, Tina, but I can't afford those nibs nor do justice to them.

[Ernest]

This nib is turning out to be one of my favourites.

It is very versatile.

Out of the box , you cannot really use the reverse side of this nib.

But with a bit of polishing and smoothing , it can be used.

Here is a writing example.

[miatagrrl]

This nib is turning out to be one of my favourites.

It is very versatile.

Out of the box , you cannot really use the reverse side of this nib.

But with a bit of polishing and smoothing , it can be used.

Here is a writing example.

 

 

Ernest, that's exactly what I do -- I turn the nib upside-down to get a really fine line (mine was great right out of the box -- actually, it wasn't even a box, just a cheap bubble pack!). Once you get used to holding the nib at various angles to control the line width, it is amazingly versatile.