Topics

1

The Library / Flourish by Veiko Kespersaks

« on: July 02, 2021, 06:14:20 PM »

I just received an advance copy of this in the mail, I haven’t had much chance to look through it yet (it’s a pretty thick book) but it looks an amazing resource, covering much more than just copperplate.


 

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Tools & Supplies / New ergonomic oblique holders

« on: April 18, 2016, 11:10:12 AM »

Since making my first ergonomic holder a month or so back, I've been experimenting with the shape little.  At first, I assumed that it was all about comfort, until Chris Yoke mentioned in a previous thread that an ergonomic can put your fingers in the 'correct' position.  Taking that a bit further, I've also found that, by increasing the 'belly' size, you can actually restrict finger movement to the extent that you are almost forced into arm movement for flourishes, etc.  Sorry if this is old news to some of you, but it's been a voyage of discovery for me!

So, from left to right, 1 and 2 are mostly about comfort, whilst helping your fingers sit correctly.  3 is more about finger position (as well as comfort) and 4 is moving into restricting finger movement (that one takes a bit of getting used to!)  1-3 are Granadillo, 4 is spalted birch...flanges aren't fitted yet as I'm still applying the finishes.

3

Tools & Supplies / Hand Carved Ergonomic Holder

« on: March 18, 2016, 04:54:45 PM »

Spurred on by a bit of discussion on hand carving holders recently, yesterday I thought I'd have a go at carving an ergonomic pen.  I spent most of the day on it, but am pretty pleased with the result, especially for a first attempt.  I actually really enjoyed it, though my arm has been telling me differently...I can hardly move it today!  This one is just made from a soft pine wood, but I'd really like to try a nicer hardwood next time, so no doubt my arm will be ready to fall off once I've done that.  I guess I'll have to try and not be so impatient to get it finished all in one go...

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Tools & Supplies / How often do you use your 'other' nibs?

« on: January 29, 2016, 12:33:15 PM »

I know lots of us have large collections of different nibs, but I'm wondering how much use they actually get? 

I'm assuming most of us have 5 to 10 'go to' nibs, which cover the majority of our needs.  I know you may also have some which are too precious to use, or some which are very specialised so are only needed occasionally.  But what about all those other nibs, those ones which aren't quite as fine, or as flexible, or just aren't quite as nice to write with, as our favorites.  I'm interested to know if you ever use them?

What about things like the falcons, the stubs, the majority of shoulder pens, does anyone (except AAAndrew ;-) ) get any use out of them??

I'm starting to amass a large collection, and I'm trying to figure out what I really want to keep....

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Suggestions & Ideas / Nib and Ink Reviews and Info section

« on: December 27, 2015, 07:41:31 AM »

I'd love to have a nib reviews section, I'm constantly on the lookout for new nibs to try, and there is lots of information in the 'Tools and Supplies' section, but it's not set up for finding that information easily.  How about we have a section dedicated to nib reviews, where each nib gets it's own thread?  In that thread, people could post photos of the nib itself, the boxes, any different versions, changes over the years, and general reviews and information they have about the nib.

In a similar vain, we could also have an ink reviews section.  Again each ink gets it's own thread and people can post how well the ink performs with different nibs, papers, etc, and whether they need to dilute it, thicken it, etc.

I guess we could also have a paper review section....

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Merry Christmas! Any calligraphy related gifts?

« on: December 25, 2015, 08:38:07 AM »

I just wanted to wish those celebrating the festive season a very merry Christmas!  Did anyone get any calligraphy related gifts? 

I got some nice vintage Perry nibs - some 104, 27 (Elastic Pen), 81 (Flexible Pen) and 25s (Ladies Running Hand).  I haven't had much time to try them out, but they all feel really nice, with no scratchiness.  The 104s are very flexible and take a little getting used to, but the rest are all easy to use nibs.   

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Tools & Supplies / Nibaholics Anonymous?

« on: December 13, 2015, 03:31:04 PM »

Hi, my name is Melanie and I'm a vintage nibaholic.  I only started calligraphy a couple of months ago, but in that time have amassed a large collection of vintage nibs.  I'm embarrassed to admit how many.     I scour the internet, searching for my next fix.  I'm not content with single nibs, I want the whole box, or 2, or 3....  Each time I want it better than before; better quality, better price, better maker, etc.  I just can't stop myself.

Is there some kind of program to help me???

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Open Flourish | General Discussion / Christmas Cards Wanted for Girl in New York

« on: December 09, 2015, 10:49:57 AM »

I hope it's OK to post this here, but my parents showed me this story about a badly burned girl in New York who just wants Christmas cards for Christmas.  I'm not sure whether the story has been much publicised in the US, but the story is from a UK newspaper.  I though that some of the calligraphy community might like to help make this little girl's Christmas.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3351386/Severely-burned-girl-5-lost-entire-family-act-arson-wants-cards-Christmas.html

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Tools & Supplies / How many boxes?

« on: November 11, 2015, 12:59:16 PM »

Let's say you found a shop selling boxes of vintage nibs at good prices (and you have money in the bank).  Amongst them you found a huge pile of your favourite nibs.  You know you won't have an opportunity to visit again.  How many boxes would would you buy (for your own use)?

*No, I haven't come across a secret stash of vintage nibs....but I'm always on the lookout for good nibs at decent prices.  Just wondering how many of your favourite nibs you think you'd need to see you through a lifetime of calligraphy.

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Tools & Supplies / My latest penholders

« on: November 08, 2015, 02:42:35 PM »

I posted a little while ago about my current obsession with making oblique penholders, so I thought I'd show you my latest batch.  I turn them myself on a lathe we have at home.  By far the hardest part is cutting the slot for the flange.  Well, cutting a slot is fairly easy, but cutting a neat slot is far more difficult.  For the moment I've settled on cutting it by hand with a very fine saw, but I'm still investigating other ways of doing it, as cutting the slot seams to take longer than making the rest of the pen.  Other than that, I'm experimenting with different lengths and widths.  It's amazing how much difference just and extra 0.5mm in width can make to the feel of a pen.

Anyway, here they are - I haven't fitted the flanges yet (although the slots are all cut), since I'm putting them on Etsy and want people to be able to choose the nib they want them to fit, so I'll make and fit the flanges once I have an order.

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Tools & Supplies / Distracted by penholders...

« on: October 28, 2015, 08:55:39 AM »

I've only just started calligraphy and have been busy amassing all of the relevant bits and pieces over the past few weeks.  I'm in the UK, and it's hard to find a decent oblique pen holder over here.  We have a lathe (not that I'd ever used it before - but I'm of the opinion that if someone else can do it, then so can I), so I thought I'd have a go at making my own.  I now have several nice usable oblique pens.  Is it wrong that I'm now engrossed in making penholders, and haven't had time to practise the calligraphy??!    

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Tools & Supplies / How can I keep vintage nibs rust free?

« on: September 28, 2015, 01:17:19 PM »

So, despite not actually having started calligraphy yet (holders and inks arriving soon  ), I seem to have gotten myself quite a vintage nib habit....they're just so lovely in their little vintage boxes!!

Anyway, I have a few which are showing some small bits of rust.  It's generally not enough to be a problem as it is, but I don't want it getting any worse.  Is there anything I can do, other than keep them in a very dry environment to stop the rust getting any worse?

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Tools & Supplies / Any of these vintage nibs any good for a beginner?

« on: September 16, 2015, 08:00:10 AM »

Hi, I'm totally new to pointed pen calligraphy (or any form of calligraphy for that matter) and I'm in the process of aquiring all of the bits and pieces to get me started.  I was going to buy a few of the Nikko G nibs which everyone seems to recommend for a beginner, but I've been given some vintage nibs, and wondered if any of them would be a suitable substitute (or if any of them are particularly nice/useful once I progress).  I have the following:-

M Myers & Son Post Office Pen
Goode & Co 801 EF
Brause 230 EF Iserlohn
Brause 309 Iserlohn
Hinks & Wells 2411 F
Esterbrook Falcon Pen 048
John Heath Telephone Pen 0278
Gilbert & Blanzy Poure Departementale 552
Gilbert & Blanzy Poure Departementale Cementee 2552
Blanzy Conte Gilbert Omicron 2082
Baignol & Farjon Velleda
Baignol & Farjon Velleda Cemente
Blanzy Sergent Major 2500

If anyone has any experience or opinions on  any of these, please let me know.  I know some of the French ones are quite popular, but maybe they're not so great for starting out with? 

Thanks, Mel

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Introductions / Hello from England

« on: September 16, 2015, 07:32:22 AM »

Hi, I'm a new starter to calligraphy (well, I say that, I haven't even started yet!) from Washington in England.  I'm starting from the very beginning, so I'm here looking for help and advice on supplies as well as help with instruction.  I see that there are some great lessons which start from the very beginning, so I'll be going through those once I have all of my bits and pieces.

I have been given a bag of vintage nibs, so I'll go and ask in the Tools and Supplies section whether any of them are any good to get stated with, or whether I'm better off starting with the Nikko G which everyone recommends.

I'm sure I'll be back often with my progress and plenty of questions!

Mel