Author Topic: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen  (Read 124532 times)

Offline YokePenCo

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #30 on: April 04, 2014, 08:44:05 AM »
My favorites are

1. Gillott 604EF (use this 95% of the time)
2. Musselman Perfection Red
3. Musselman Perfection Blue
4. Leonardt Principal EF
5. Esterbrook 358
Christopher J. Yoke
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Offline Linda Y.

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #31 on: April 04, 2014, 11:55:38 AM »
My favorites change all the time - currently it's the vintage Hunt 22. Beautiful fine hairlines. I had the opportunity to purchase a sealed box of various vintage Hunt nibs, it was like Christmas!

I recently found a Spencerian #1 at the flea market for $1 but I don't want to use it  :-\

Offline anamer

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #32 on: April 06, 2014, 04:52:45 PM »
Hi!

My favorite nibs right now are the Brause 66Ef, Esterbrook 358.  I recently purchased the Hiro 41 to try but I could not get ink to flow from that nib, if will flow somewhat but not enough at times to finish a letter, is this normal?  I ordered two and try the two to not avail.  A shame since I love the flexibility of the nib.  Anyone has had that same experience?

Ana


Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #33 on: April 06, 2014, 05:47:15 PM »
Hi Ana,
Yes, I saw you found our other post about the recent problems with the Hiro 41.  :(  I hope we find some solution to fix them soon or the next batch isn't bad. They were my favorite nib!
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline schin

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #34 on: April 07, 2014, 07:00:31 PM »
For letters and fine spencerian writing, I like Gillott 604EF and Leonardt Principal.

For thicker writing or envelopes, I like Brause Rose, Nikko G or Brause 66EF.

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Offline Jean Santos

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #35 on: April 14, 2014, 12:35:09 AM »
 My favourite nib is a french one : the Départementale Cementée 2552 that provides thin hairlines. The tins are hardened by adding caarbon to the steel.
I found two boxes  of 144 nibs in french ebay, I have nibs for my whole life  ;D

These nibs have  a little inconvenient:  they are too long, and need a very large flange, to have the point in the axis of the holder.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2014, 12:37:05 AM by Jean Santos »

Offline Brad franklin

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #36 on: April 14, 2014, 12:56:32 AM »
Thats cool Jean. Good fine!

Offline garyn

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #37 on: April 14, 2014, 11:42:55 AM »
Too bad there isn't much info out there on nibs other than US and English.
I've seen French and Soviet nibs on eBay, and had wondered how good they are.

Without knowing the nib, is there a way to know or estimate what a nib can do by how it looks?
I am thinking long tines, long slit = ability to flex the tines more.
But some of the short ones flex also.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2014, 12:14:01 PM by garyn »
Gary

Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #38 on: April 15, 2014, 01:10:32 PM »
That is a good question Gary. I'd be interested if anyone has any opinion on this as I've always been surprised by what a nib produces.  :)
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline YokePenCo

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #39 on: April 15, 2014, 01:52:53 PM »
The flex of the nib is determined by four things...

The thickness of the steel itself
The amount (width) of steel attaching the tines to the base of the nib
The temper of the steel
The actual alloy composition of the spring steel

These are all things which you would be unable to determine without actually trying to flex the nib unfortunately.
Christopher J. Yoke
www.yokepencompany.com

Offline garyn

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #40 on: April 15, 2014, 03:28:39 PM »
That is a good question Gary. I'd be interested if anyone has any opinion on this as I've always been surprised by what a nib produces.  :)

I started by reading the "Tips on Nibs" articles by BoB Hurford.
http://www.iampeth.com/lessons_getting_started.php
But the nibs in his articles are primarily US and English, a few French. 
It would be nice for someone in Europe to do a similar review of the European nibs.
I see French nibs pop up on eBay and Etsy, and it would be nice to something about them so I could determine if I want to bid on them or not.

But Bob categorizes the bowl nibs as mono-line writers.  However, I have been able to get a slight about of flex out of them so my general writing is not a boring mono-line that looks like my fountain pens.
Gary

Offline AndyT

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #41 on: April 15, 2014, 06:33:22 PM »
It would be nice for someone in Europe to do a similar review of the European nibs.

... Bob categorizes the bowl nibs as mono-line writers.  However, I have been able to get a slight about of flex out of them so my general writing is not a boring mono-line that looks like my fountain pens.

I can certainly run through a variety of vintage European nibs if there's an interest, but it'll take a while to arrange photos.

Truly monoline dip nibs seem to be rare beasties if my experience is anything to go by.  There are plenty which are intended to be used as such, but very few which are firmer than a semiflex fountain pen nib.  Waverleys, for instance, (with the turned up nose) were clearly designed with ease of writing on mediocre paper in mind rather than expressiveness, but once they've broken in they'll produce a fairly heavy shade if pushed - and spring back nicely.  Bowls are definitely amongst the stiffer patterns, but they're not like nails.  Stumpy little nibs like Wing Commanders are about the stiffest I've found ... they're generally italics anyway.

I don't think you can tell at a glance if a pen is going to flex easily, because as Christopher pointed out metallurgy and thickness are important factors.  There are one or two promising signs though: long tines with deep slits on either side (which relates to Christopher's second point), and fancy eyelets both bode well.  The real proof of the pudding only comes after a nib has been used for a while.

Offline Perfectsettings

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #42 on: April 20, 2014, 06:01:05 PM »
I'm reviving this thread for a few reasons.  First, the Hiro 41 problem... nuff said but I need to retire it and stop getting frustrated.  I'm putting in an order for nibs.  Second, I know that nibs for the oldies are trendy to try.  Which are you currently loving? 
Daisy
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Offline Erica McPhee

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #43 on: April 20, 2014, 08:40:26 PM »
  There are one or two promising signs though: long tines with deep slits on either side (which relates to Christopher's second point), and fancy eyelets both bode well.

On that note... I would suggest giving the Hiro Blue Pumpkin a try - it has both fancy eyelets, a bowl, and long tines. It is the sister (or brother) nib to the Hiro 41. I used to really like it. Of course, it's made by the same company so there is no guarantee they don't have the same problem.

I also liked the Hunt 56 and Gillott 303s.
Warm Regards,
Erica
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Offline AndyT

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Re: My Favorite Nibs for Pointed Pen
« Reply #44 on: April 21, 2014, 06:28:40 AM »
... I would suggest giving the Hiro Blue Pumpkin a try

Does it have a number, Erica?  I'm guessing that it's marketed here as the Leonardt Shorthand Nib No40, and resembles a Brause 361 Steno.