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My Wonderful Custom Grinds From Fpnibs.com


truthpil

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Hello again to all my FP friends!

 

I just wanted to share some writing samples of the 4 nibs I had custom ground by fpnibs.com (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer).

Their work is fantastic, reasonably priced, and with excellent service. These nibs all write wonderfully.

The 1.1 Oblique Cursive Italic is especially dreamy and now a daily user for me.

 

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fpn_1506169846__fpnibs_3_compressed.jpg

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My extremely customized F-BBB 18k JoWo Flex nib was done by FPnibs and was the best nib I've ever used, vintage or otherwise, including my wet noodle 52 12/v needlepoint.

 

The TWSBI the nib was in was stolen from my car a few weeks ago though... When insurance finally pays out I'm going to have them make me an identical nib with a needlepoint grind.

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

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My extremely customized F-BBB 18k JoWo Flex nib was done by FPnibs and was the best nib I've ever used, vintage or otherwise, including my wet noodle 52 12/v needlepoint.

 

The TWSBI the nib was in was stolen from my car a few weeks ago though... When insurance finally pays out I'm going to have them make me an identical nib with a needlepoint grind.

 

Wow, I wasn't aware that they do flex customization. That sounds like my next project....about how much would it cost??

 

Sorry to hear about the theft! Looking forward to reviews of your customizations; I bet the needlepoint will be amazing. :thumbup:

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  • 3 months later...

My extremely customized F-BBB 18k JoWo Flex nib was done by FPnibs and was the best nib I've ever used, vintage or otherwise, including my wet noodle 52 12/v needlepoint.

 

The TWSBI the nib was in was stolen from my car a few weeks ago though... When insurance finally pays out I'm going to have them make me an identical nib with a needlepoint grind.

Did you ever get your needlepoint noodle from fpnibs??

 

Depending on your critique I'll decide whether or not to take the plunge.

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Did you ever get your needlepoint noodle from fpnibs??

 

Depending on your critique I'll decide whether or not to take the plunge.

 

I have an fpnibs.com steel XXXF and do *not* like it. It's substantially scratchy, despite the tines being perfectly aligned and making lines no thinner than my Platinum UEF.

 

However, I did get their 14k semi-flex ground to an XXF with a note saying "err on the side of smooth vs fine, I just want a bit of extra line variation" when I ordered. That nib is fantastic. Soft, smooth, and quite fine of line.

 

 

And I forget who, but on /r/fountainpens someone else got the XXXF and said they liked theirs. So YMMV, or maybe the grinds on something that fine vary.

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Did you ever get your needlepoint noodle from fpnibs??

 

Depending on your critique I'll decide whether or not to take the plunge.

 

I did. it's one hell of a nib. I went for full flex with a 14k and it blows the 18k F away, even softer, snappier, XXF-BBB and softer than a brause rose. Definitely not an everyday note taking pen, but for honest to god writing, I couldn't be happier (and pablo always reverse grinds his nibs, so it's a smooth XXXF reverse)

 

This one was closer to $250 shipped though. I asked for an insane amount of flex. He does make the needlepoint a little sharper than I was used to, but it's breaking in nicely.

 

Definitely be aware that pablo grinds things sharper than smoother. I personally prefer it and it reduces chances for hard starts, and I also like that it gives you a nice sharp edge to break in just how you want.

 

 

Skip to 57 seconds for the writing sample. This is a ludicrous wet noodle (softer than anything you've ever held) so that writing sample is pretty derpy. It does railroad a bit on my TWSBI feed, but not often and the inkflow is nicely metered, wet but not firehose. I was pushing it in this writing sample and it was already not a freshly filled feed (priming the feed is good for a good half page of serious flexing.

 

I'll post a picture later today of some actual handwriting and a spencerian sample.

Edited by Honeybadgers

Selling a boatload of restored, fairly rare, vintage Japanese gold nib pens, click here to see (more added as I finish restoring them)

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  • 1 month later...

Hello again Truthpil,

 

I'm happy to see you beat me to this neck of the woods. I like stubs a lot, but role my pen. So my research led me to obliques, which led me FPnibs for affordable obliques, which to all my pleasure offers Jowo's with such grinds : )

 

But when I looked at the menu I was uncertain which options to go with. I was thinking either a Medium or Broad nib to have the grind(s) done with. But I am not sure about the angles TBH, 30 or 15 degrees, and whether to get Round, Cursive, Italic, or Stub.

 

Any feedback on your preferences and/or experience. I was thinking about starting a thread to get a larger sample size and gather more information, but I thought I'd start here : )

 

I feel like I've opened up a pandora's box and I don't want to have to try all of them. It's not like they're local, you know? : (

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I feel like I've opened up a pandora's box and I don't want to have to try all of them. It's not like they're local, you know? : (

 

I know exactly what you mean!

Around a year ago, right after I felt I had satisfied my stub usage needs, I got into the world of obliques and everything changed.

I actually don't normally rotate the pen when I write, but I just really like the different angle of line variation you get from using an oblique as opposed to straight nib. Every time I grab one of my obliques, it takes me a few seconds to get back into the groove, but it might be totally natural for you. The reason I got into obliques in the first place is that vintage oblique nibs often have a little more line variation than standard stubbish vintage nibs.

 

If you prefer stubs then you'll probably be fine getting an oblique stub. It will have the same kind of subtle line variation you are used to. I wanted a little more line variation so I went down the middle road of getting a cursive italic. It is butter smooth, but there is a sweet spot so I have pay attention to my writing posture. A regular italic would be even less forgiving and would take some practice to be able to use for daily writing. I suggest trying a stub and a cursive italic. The cursive italic gives enough line variation that you could use it for some simple calligraphy if you wanted to. If I ever get a chance (i.e., if my wife ever lets me spend the money again haha) to make another order with them, I will definitely order a 1.1 oblique stub. My BB oblique stub is pure juicy goodness! As for rounded nibs smaller than 1.1, since the Knox OB and OBB nibs seem to be decent, I don't think you'd need to order a custom ground OB or OBB.

 

Unless you naturally turn the pen a lot, 15 degrees will probably be fine. The fpnibs folks have excellent customer service, so you could just email them some pictures of your writing posture from different angles (a video would probably be best) and they can tell you what would be best for you. Contrary to popular belief, writing samples don't really help determine much because they really need to see how you hold the pen to the paper to know how to customize the nib.

 

I had several emails back and forth with them when I ordered the architect grind because that has to be ground to your exact writing angle in order to feel smooth. I highly recommend them highly enough!

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I did. it's one hell of a nib. I went for full flex with a 14k and it blows the 18k F away, even softer, snappier, XXF-BBB and softer than a brause rose. Definitely not an everyday note taking pen, but for honest to god writing, I couldn't be happier (and pablo always reverse grinds his nibs, so it's a smooth XXXF reverse)

 

This one was closer to $250 shipped though. I asked for an insane amount of flex. He does make the needlepoint a little sharper than I was used to, but it's breaking in nicely.

 

Definitely be aware that pablo grinds things sharper than smoother. I personally prefer it and it reduces chances for hard starts, and I also like that it gives you a nice sharp edge to break in just how you want.

 

 

Skip to 57 seconds for the writing sample. This is a ludicrous wet noodle (softer than anything you've ever held) so that writing sample is pretty derpy. It does railroad a bit on my TWSBI feed, but not often and the inkflow is nicely metered, wet but not firehose. I was pushing it in this writing sample and it was already not a freshly filled feed (priming the feed is good for a good half page of serious flexing.

 

I'll post a picture later today of some actual handwriting and a spencerian sample.

 

That video, my friend, is some serious nib porn! :puddle: :puddle: :puddle:

I was toying with the idea of getting a Spencerian modified Pilot from nibs.com, but I think you've sold me on this nib. I'd probably put it in an Indian ebonite pen with wet ebonite feed and let it run wild. Thanks for the writing comparison with the Waterman, it really says a lot! I'm amazed to see that it's possible to make vintage-flex level flex today.

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I know exactly what you mean!

Around a year ago, right after I felt I had satisfied my stub usage needs, I got into the world of obliques and everything changed.

I actually don't normally rotate the pen when I write, but I just really like the different angle of line variation you get from using an oblique as opposed to straight nib. Every time I grab one of my obliques, it takes me a few seconds to get back into the groove, but it might be totally natural for you. The reason I got into obliques in the first place is that vintage oblique nibs often have a little more line variation than standard stubbish vintage nibs.

 

If you prefer stubs then you'll probably be fine getting an oblique stub. It will have the same kind of subtle line variation you are used to. I wanted a little more line variation so I went down the middle road of getting a cursive italic. It is butter smooth, but there is a sweet spot so I have pay attention to my writing posture. A regular italic would be even less forgiving and would take some practice to be able to use for daily writing. I suggest trying a stub and a cursive italic. The cursive italic gives enough line variation that you could use it for some simple calligraphy if you wanted to. If I ever get a chance (i.e., if my wife ever lets me spend the money again haha) to make another order with them, I will definitely order a 1.1 oblique stub. My BB oblique stub is pure juicy goodness! As for rounded nibs smaller than 1.1, since the Knox OB and OBB nibs seem to be decent, I don't think you'd need to order a custom ground OB or OBB.

 

Unless you naturally turn the pen a lot, 15 degrees will probably be fine. The fpnibs folks have excellent customer service, so you could just email them some pictures of your writing posture from different angles (a video would probably be best) and they can tell you what would be best for you. Contrary to popular belief, writing samples don't really help determine much because they really need to see how you hold the pen to the paper to know how to customize the nib.

 

I had several emails back and forth with them when I ordered the architect grind because that has to be ground to your exact writing angle in order to feel smooth. I highly recommend them highly enough!

 

 

Thank you for your feedback!

 

Yes, after I posted on this thread I emailed FPnibs for the more in depths.

 

Your feedback is right where I was thinking of going myself. I think I'd be more comfortable with an Oblique Stub, but I do wish to try a Cursive Italic Oblique.

 

I did see Honeybadgers' review of the Knox Oblique's, but I didn't see much line variation in them. I am interested in finer oblique nibs if they provide descent line variation.

 

I was seriously all set with pens, ink, paper, and nibs, but then I saw the Lamy Oblique nibs that hit a sweet spot for my dilemma with Subs v Round nibs... so I searched for affordable ones and it led me to FPnibs and low and behold this thread and apparently, and hopefully, a final pandora's box :doh: .

 

I honestly love the line variation of my 1.1 Goulet nib (I wouldn't mind a finer line width option on top of it), but I had to settle for round nibs cuz I roll my pen... These just seem too good right now lolol. Like that final tweak to hit the bullseye :happycloud9: .

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Thank you for your feedback!

 

Yes, after I posted on this thread I emailed FPnibs for the more in depths.

 

Your feedback is right where I was thinking of going myself. I think I'd be more comfortable with an Oblique Stub, but I do wish to try a Cursive Italic Oblique.

 

I did see Honeybadgers' review of the Knox Oblique's, but I didn't see much line variation in them. I am interested in finer oblique nibs if they provide descent line variation.

 

I was seriously all set with pens, ink, paper, and nibs, but then I saw the Lamy Oblique nibs that hit a sweet spot for my dilemma with Subs v Round nibs... so I searched for affordable ones and it led me to FPnibs and low and behold this thread and apparently, and hopefully, a final pandora's box :doh: .

 

I honestly love the line variation of my 1.1 Goulet nib (I wouldn't mind a finer line width option on top of it), but I had to settle for round nibs cuz I roll my pen... These just seem too good right now lolol. Like that final tweak to hit the bullseye :happycloud9: .

 

I'm excited for you! Finding the right combination of features that match what you want can be a real challenge (and can cost a lot after several failed attempts haha). It definitely sounds like a 1.1 oblique stub would hit the spot for you.

 

Uh oh, you just let another monster fly out of my already open Pandora's box....I hadn't even thought about trying out a smaller oblique nib, but something like an OB cursive italic might work nicely for daily writing in my planner. The 1.1 and OBB are too wet and broad for that. If you want line variation with smaller nibs, you have to go with a more crisp grind. For example, if you got an OM stub it probably wouldn't have any noticeable line variation since the nib is so small.

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I'm excited for you! Finding the right combination of features that match what you want can be a real challenge (and can cost a lot after several failed attempts haha). It definitely sounds like a 1.1 oblique stub would hit the spot for you.

 

Uh oh, you just let another monster fly out of my already open Pandora's box....I hadn't even thought about trying out a smaller oblique nib, but something like an OB cursive italic might work nicely for daily writing in my planner. The 1.1 and OBB are too wet and broad for that. If you want line variation with smaller nibs, you have to go with a more crisp grind. For example, if you got an OM stub it probably wouldn't have any noticeable line variation since the nib is so small.

 

 

My thoughts as well about the smaller oblique nibs. I was thinking it may require a crisper grind, a cursive italic at least as well in order to get descent line variation for that pleasing character. I think you'll get some character with an OB stub, but not close to as much. I tried a Masuyama Medium stub from Franklin-Christoph and it was OK. It felt fantastic, but it really didn't do it for me.

 

I'm definitely going with a 1.1 cursive Italic and possibly with an OB cursive Italic as well. I couldn't do a full on Italic and I don't think a Stub OB or OM is really what I'm looking for right now, but I'm open to them for later especially depending on how the Cursive Italic's feel.

 

When I was using my Goulet 1.1 and having trouble with rolling the pen, I found that the best inks in my inventory were my Sailor Jentle's because of how lubricated they are. Miruai really took the edge off. I didn't try my Shigure, but it behaved very similarly in other pens. Sailor makes great inks for these types of nibs.

 

Unfortunately sailor also spiked the price up on the interesting Jentle Inks : (

Edited by IndigoBOB
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When I was using my Goulet 1.1 and having trouble with rolling the pen, I found that the best inks in my inventory were my Sailor Jentle's because of how lubricated they are. Miruai really took the edge off. I didn't try my Shigure, but it behaved very similarly in other pens. Sailor makes great inks for these types of nibs.

 

Unfortunately sailor also spiked the price up on the interesting Jentle Inks : (

Speaking of pandoras boxes, once you have a nib that fits your pen rotation, you'll be able to enjoy a lot more inks and not have to worry about the lubricating factor.

 

I'm glad I was able to grab my bottles of Miruai and Yamadori right before the price went up at the new year. I think I'll ink up my 1.1 oblique cursive italic with Miruai and see how it feels.

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Speaking of pandoras boxes, once you have a nib that fits your pen rotation, you'll be able to enjoy a lot more inks and not have to worry about the lubricating factor.

 

I'm glad I was able to grab my bottles of Miruai and Yamadori right before the price went up at the new year. I think I'll ink up my 1.1 oblique cursive italic with Miruai and see how it feels.

 

 

That's good to hear : )

 

I'm curious if you like the Jentle ink with your Oblique or if it makes much of a difference.

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I've been thinking about ordering an oblique for quite a while.

Do you like the stub oblique or the cursive italic oblique better?

 

Can you comfortably use an oblique nib to achieve the visual effect of an architect nib?

I've been doing this with a Lamy 1.1 stub and although I like the result, I have to hold the pen almost perpendicular to the paper for it to work smoothly.

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That's good to hear : )

 

I'm curious if you like the Jentle ink with your Oblique or if it makes much of a difference.

 

Pardon my ugly scrawl, but this combination was intoxicating...one of the best writing experiences I've ever had.

Actually, it was kind of therapeutic for me because last week I had some very frustrating fp experiences with inks clogging and pens writing too dry.

After trying this combination, I feel like this new week is going to be amazing. :happycloud9:

 

fpn_1518331349__p1090356.jpg

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Pardon my ugly scrawl, but this combination was intoxicating...one of the best writing experiences I've ever had.

Actually, it was kind of therapeutic for me because last week I had some very frustrating fp experiences with inks clogging and pens writing too dry.

After trying this combination, I feel like this new week is going to be amazing. :happycloud9:

 

fpn_1518331349__p1090356.jpg

 

 

That's wonderful news!

 

It surprised the heck out of me when I first tried it with my Jowo Goulet 1.1.

 

That ink is what makes me more comfortable with venturing into crisper grinds like the Cursive Italic. I love how dark and legible that ink is. I feel more compelled now to order a couple more bottles of Jentles while some can still be found at a descent price.

 

I'm totally jealous of you right now (jeally in a good way ;) ). I've been talking to FPnibs. They responded to my first email and recommended the Cursive Italic. I think I may have to venture into a Broad OCI, but I'm very happy to see such wonderful results from your 1.1 OCI :D .

 

The stub is nice and something I'll have to experiment with down the road along with other grinds, but that OCI is on my bullseye right now. I'm very glad you put the sample writings of all these options : )

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