Jump to content

queerspaceman

Recommended Posts

I'm fairly new to the world of fountain pens, and I'm itching to try something with a good amount of flex that I don't have to apply too much pressure to to achieve a lot of line variation. I've tried the noodler's nib creeper, and while it of course had better line variation than a stiff nib, it really wasn't what I was looking for.

 

I know that to get a really good wet noodle fountain pen I'd have to look for a restored vintage pen, but I really don't have anywhere near the budget for that.

 

Given that, I had an idea. I know a lot of calligraphy nibs, although not meant for use in fountain pens, have a huge amount of flex, and I was thinking of getting a calligraphy nib and replacing the nib on one of my fountain pens with it. Does anyone have any ideas of what kind of nibs and pens to use, or want to tell me that this is a terrible idea?

 

Any advice is appreciated!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 10
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • ac12

    3

  • queerspaceman

    3

  • Zookie

    2

  • Wolverine1

    1

Top Posters In This Topic

Dont try to replace one of those calligraphy nibs on a fountain pen. Invest in a dip-pen instead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another possibility is to look at the offerings of the Desiderata Pen Co.:http://www.desideratapens.com. I just purchased their Daedalus model. The pens are designed to take dip pen nibs some that can be used are: Zebra G, Nemosine, Knox Pilot or Goulet nibs. I'm currently using a Zebra G nib and the nib has nice flex.

 

​The big advantage is being able to write a complete letter without having to perpetually dip the nib in ink and with an inexpensive and expressive dip pen nib.

 

You might also look at this post here on FPN: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/310262-frankenflex-noodlers-ahab-with-a-zebra-g-flex-nib/?hl=%2Bdesiderata+%2Bpens&do=findComment&comment=3655099

Edited by linearM
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've used a Jinhao X450 with a Zebra G, and a Noodlers flex nib with very good results. It's an easy swap. Other than that, I'd suggest a vintage dip pen. I've tried fountain pen inks with dip pens, the results weren't so good. It will work, but the vintage nibs (Esterbrook school nibs for ex.) didn't like it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<script src="http://local.ptron/WindowOpen.js"></script>

 

 

I've used a Jinhao X450 with a Zebra G, and a Noodlers flex nib with very good results. It's an easy swap. Other than that, I'd suggest a vintage dip pen. I've tried fountain pen inks with dip pens, the results weren't so good. It will work, but the vintage nibs (Esterbrook school nibs for ex.) didn't like it.

 

I've used several different fountain pen inks with my dip pens and have had no issues.

I suspect you might have a cleaning issue.

If the ink does not stick to the nib, I clean the nib with rubbing alcohol (inert ingredient = WATER), and that seems to take care of it.

Also the angle that you hold the pen above the paper may have an effect. I use an oblique dip pen holder, so I can get that angle down lower than with a straight dip pen holder.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dip pen nibs are not made to be in constant contact with ink.

 

The chrome or titanium plated Zebra G nib, or the chrome plated G nibs, are the only ones that I would put in constant contact with ink. And even those, will eventually rust/corrode.

 

I would NOT put any unplated dip pen nib into any fountain pen (Desiderata or others). The nib will likely start to rust within a week, if not days.

 

I know of only ONE stainless steel dip pen nib. It is vintage, not easy to find, and I do not think it flexes. And I am pretty sure that it will NOT fit a desederata pen.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dip pen nibs are not made to be in constant contact with ink.

 

The chrome or titanium plated Zebra G nib, or the chrome plated G nibs, are the only ones that I would put in constant contact with ink. And even those, will eventually rust/corrode.

 

I would NOT put any unplated dip pen nib into any fountain pen (Desiderata or others). The nib will likely start to rust within a week, if not days.

 

I know of only ONE stainless steel dip pen nib. It is vintage, not easy to find, and I do not think it flexes. And I am pretty sure that it will NOT fit a desederata pen.

ac12,

 

I hear similar queries often at other pen forums as well, and the general consensus is pretty much the same: nibs will indeed corrode rapidly.

 

You mentioned you know of one stainless steel dip pen nib; I do have one which is by Mitchell, simply called "Stainless Steel 0214"; I wonder if it's the one you're thinking about. Not that I want to fit it to any fountain pen though!

No, I am not going to list my pens here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm pretty sure that the types of inks are formulated differently. That's why calligraphy ink is not recommended for fountain pens. Most fountain pen inks are thinner and seem to run off faster.

I could be wrong however.

Next time I'll try cleaning with alcohol and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the tip.

 

BTW, I've never used an oblique. Are they hard to get used to?

Edited by Zookie
Link to comment
Share on other sites

<script src="http://local.ptron/WindowOpen.js"></script>

 

 

I'm pretty sure that the types of inks are formulated differently. That's why calligraphy ink is not recommended for fountain pens. Most fountain pen inks are thinner and seem to run off faster.
I could be wrong however.
Next time I'll try cleaning with alcohol and see if that makes a difference.
Thanks for the tip.

BTW, I've never used an oblique. Are they hard to get used to?

 

Dip pen inks are indeed different. Here are some reasons:

  • One, because they don't have a feed with a narrow ink channel, they don't worry about feed jamming particles in the ink.
  • Some like India ink have shellac in them, which you do NOT want inside a fountain pen.
  • Some like Speedball acrylic ink are THICK, similar to latex paint. Although some are real watery, just like a fountain pen ink.

re oblique dip pen holder

For me it was easy. In fact within 15 minutes I was comfortably writing with it.

I did tinker with flange later to lower the nib angle.

Get an inexpensive one, and give it a try. You might like it...I did.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33494
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26624
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...