Messages

16

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: italian hand

« on: December 05, 2015, 07:11:32 PM »

I zipped up several examples I have and they are downloadable from my website below. Many are American Italian, which is Italian Flourished Caps combined with spencerian lowercase, but there is a mixture of files in this zipped file.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0229/9449/files/American_Italian.zip?15920833499146993719

I also know that Heather and Don Marsh are working on a book for Italian Hand currently. Now sure hwo close it is to being completed.

17

Tools & Supplies / Re: My latest penholders

« on: November 18, 2015, 05:07:59 PM »

This should explain it, the dot is the pin I insert on the underside.

18

Tools & Supplies / Antique Japan Ink

« on: November 13, 2015, 05:39:05 PM »

I just released the first batch of my Small Batch Historic Ink Series and have about 15 bottles left. I have about 75 antique recipes and will be doing other recipes in the future with all of them being 100 + year old. My plan is to make a different antique recipe every 3 months or so. It's something I always wanted to do but couldn't justify the cost of materials for the recipes for just myself.

The first batch is an antique recipe for Japan Ink. This is not a sumi, but an iron gall recipe. In an old magazine I read someone suggesting it for reproduction work as it goes on very black. You can see reviews and samples of writing at the below link.

http://www.yokepencompany.com/collections/accessories/products/japanink

Unfortunately the international shipping isn't as cheap as I would like, but it is the best I could do at $18.00. Some countries will be a couple dollars cheaper and I always refund the difference on the ink if it is less expensive.

19

Tools & Supplies / Re: Hourglass Oblique Nib Holder - replacement part

« on: November 13, 2015, 05:20:43 PM »

Shoot me an email, more than happy to help with any repair. Usually a nib flange replacement is $5-$15. If it's beyond that I would suggest a replacement pen holder.

20

Tools & Supplies / Re: My latest penholders

« on: November 13, 2015, 05:15:30 PM »

Ok, I cut my slots by hand, even in the large numbers I produce this is the simplest method IMO. I use an 8" Crown Gents Saw and a Golf Club Vise for holding the pen securely in a standard bench vise without damaging it. I attach by pin and epoxy method and the cut is a straight bottom, angle cut through the pen staff.

Gents Saw - http://www.amazon.com/Crown-187-8-Inch-203-mm-Gents/dp/B001V9KOFA

Golf Club Vise - http://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Shafts-Regripping-Premium-Quality/dp/B00SA5JBZW

If you want to do a Zanerian Type Mounting, simply overcut past the bottom of the shim hole with a small circular saw, like a dremel wood saw. The overcut is present in all antique pen holders. Although a mortise cut would be wonderful, I think the time invested to do this is over-complicating it IMO.

The key to both methods is a thin saw kerf so the flange doesn't move back and forth in the slot unnecessarily. The slot cut by the Gents Saw I use is about 0.023" wide, perfect for 0.010" brass

If anyone needs further help in this feel free to email me at any time, more than happy to help.

21

Tools & Supplies / Re: Flange making Pliers by Chris Yoke

« on: October 20, 2015, 09:49:50 AM »

Happy to say they are now back in stock and available Exclusively at Paper and Ink Arts!

Flat Nose - http://www.paperinkarts.com/ypcflat.html
Round Nose - http://www.paperinkarts.com/ypcround.html

They also now stock my lint free nib wipes! - http://www.paperinkarts.com/nibwipe.html

22

Tools & Supplies / Re: making ink from lichen?

« on: October 19, 2015, 08:28:31 PM »

Nortons Walnut Ink is made from peat moss, Iron Gall Ink is made from Oak Galls and also standard walnut ink is made from walnut husks. Any plant matter with tannin's will make ink, it's simply a matter of color and how dark it is based upon the concentration of tannin in the material. You technically could look up any natural dye recipes and add a binder to it (such as Gum Arabic) and it would be a usable ink.

23

Tools & Supplies / Re: Flange making Pliers by Chris Yoke

« on: October 04, 2015, 09:39:27 PM »

Thanks Prasad, glad you like them!

For those interested in them I expect a new shipment coming in this week. I ordered a bunch initially, but they sold MUCH quicker than I had ever anticipated. This order is very large and inventory in the future should not be an issue.

24

Tools & Supplies / Re: "Palmer Method" straight holder

« on: September 21, 2015, 09:46:36 PM »

They came in a seafoam green, red, black, marbled and other various colors. If I can remember I will pull out a few from my collection and take a photo. Seems like I recall having about 4-5 colors or so myself. Kinda nuts around here this week.

25

Tools & Supplies / Re: David and Goliath

« on: August 21, 2015, 11:18:48 PM »

That is a big one! Do you by any chance know how old it is? I've seen a few tools like that from when large lettering was still done by hand.

It's just a guess, but I would say 1890-1920, as this nib was part of a collection that had nibs from this time period.

Not sure when they started making those nibs but one of the Pens I have is from the 1934 Worlds Fair in Chicago.

26

Tools & Supplies / Re: David and Goliath

« on: August 21, 2015, 11:17:12 PM »

Michael,

Sorry for the delay in responding, for some reason the topic quit notifying me. Anyhow, yes the Midgets do fit the Mammoth Nib. Could I make an oblique, sure. I might just toss one together for fun, lol. If I do, I'll post an image. haha

27

Tools & Supplies / Re: David and Goliath

« on: August 19, 2015, 01:07:19 AM »

Image below of the few American Pencil Co. Midget Pen Holders I have. They pop up on eBay from time to time, I think I typically paid around $10-20 for each of them if I recall correctly.

Red Pen Holder at the top is a normal sized straight pen holder for scale.

28

Tools & Supplies / Re: David and Goliath

« on: August 19, 2015, 01:00:00 AM »

The mammoth nib was made to fit the mammoth holder. I have yet to find one, but I do have the Midget holder, by American Pencil Co., which was an advertising pen at one of the early world's fair. The image below is one I found on the internet some time back for the pen. I'll follow up with an image of my Midget Pen holders.

29

Copperplate, Engrosser's Script, Roundhand Calligraphy / Re: Large copperplate

« on: August 04, 2015, 11:26:26 PM »

I've been trying to get in touch with Bill's wife for some time with no luck for the Whopperplate. Bill died a couple years ago and his wife has moved since. Huge implications for reproducing with the patent. I have two people trying to track her down still and hopefully one day I can resurrect the thing. Until then...

30

Tools & Supplies / Re: Oblique pen for Brause EF66 nib

« on: August 04, 2015, 12:50:18 PM »

Also I don't recommend the Blackwell, the design can lead to deforming the nib and cause the tines to splay apart.

This will happen if you have the screw on very very tight and/or have a heavy hand. As I said previously, I've had my Blackwell for nearly 4 years and it works perfectly fine without any issue whatsoever. I only tighten the screw as much as it is needed and I have a light hand.

Absolutely true I always say this primarily in regards to anyone new and since the holder itself comes without any clear instructions.