Hey folks,
I'm new to the Forum and just wanted to say hello. I'm relatively new to writing with an oblique holder, so I've not yet gotten to the point where I feel I can appreciate any nib enough for it to be my favorite. I'll get there. These are the 16 I've got to work with, all vintage I believe:
- Brandauer "Oriental" #342 Grey Ex-Fine
- E.S. Perry #440 Bronze Ex-Fine
- Esterbrook #126 Double Spring
- Esterbrook #128 "Extra-Fine Elastic"
- Esterbrook #354 "Art & Drafting"
- Esterbrook #355 "Art & Drafting"
- Esterbrook #356 "Art & Drafting"
- Gillott #170 "Warranted"
- Gillott #290 "Lithographic Pen"
- Gillott #303 Ex-Fine
- Gillott #404 "Warranted"
- Goode & Co. #801 Ex-Fine
- Goode & Co. #99 Ex-Fine
- Hinks Wells Shell Pointed #2438 Ex-Fine
- John Mitchell #0286 Ex-Fine
- Spencerian #1 Double Elastic Ivison Phinney & Co.
I know of the reputation of the Spencerian #1, the Gillott nibs and a couple of the Esterbrooks. I'm quite impressed though with the E.S. Perry #440 EF, the Goode & Co #801 EF and the John Mitchell #0286 EF. Do any of you folks work regularly with these last three? What are your thoughts on the quality of them relative to the more prized Spencerian #1 and the Gillott nibs?
Also, I'm not able to fit the tiny ones into my oblique holder. Any suggestions for the best place to get flanges customized to hold the tinier nibs? Much appreciated.
K
@Krapprot It's always fun testing new nibs. Thanks for the samples--I'll send you the original test sheet (plus a few nibs you might find interesting), as no matter how good the scan, seeing the ink with your eye is better.
I start my tests with a line of Gillott 604ef, which is what I use most for what I do, and use as a standard of comparison. Note: there is no nib that will do everything or is best for everything. What your favorite will be will depend on many things--what script you're doing, what paper you're using, what ink, what size of letters, the lightness of your hand, etc., etc. For most of my work, I use x-fine or sharper, x-flex or softer.
My scale for sharpness runs
xxxx fine--Esterbrook 355 for example
xxx fine--Gillott 303 vintage
xx fine--Gillott 604 ef
x fine--Spencerian 1 (England)
v fine--Zebra G
fine--Nikko G
Med--Esterbrook 942
For flexibility
xxx flex--Brandauer 342
xx flex--Gillott 604ef
x flex --Spencerian 1
flex Nikko G
slight flex--Esterbrook 126
inflexible--many
Esterbrook 126--slight flex, xx fine. A good ledger pen where you don't need shades, but need to write small.
Mitchell 0286-- x flex, x fine. Good for larger Spencerian with moderate shades--don't go all Lupfer with this one.
Perry 440ef--x fine, x flex--good all around nib
Goode 99--fine, flex--most similar to a Nikko G
The Brandauer 342ef I could not give a good test, as it was sprung, but I would say its xxx-flex, x-fine (maybe sharper). Need a super light touch with this one.
(x height = 1/10 inch)