Dip pens

Bought a couple in Europe a few weeks ago - thought they might be fun
for writing letters.

Problem is, after each dip, I get only half a sentence or so of
writing time. Is that indicative of dip pens? If so, I pity the
writers of old. Or are these cheapies that just don't hold ink?

morten dipsy doos:

Bought a couple in Europe a few weeks ago - thought they might be fun
for writing letters.

Problem is, after each dip, I get only half a sentence or so of
writing time. Is that indicative of dip pens? If so, I pity the
writers of old. Or are these cheapies that just don't hold ink?

Quite a few factors involved here... how large your writing, how long your
sentences, what type of paper (absorbancy is very important - writing speed
too, as well as idle time between thinking waht to write), type of ink
(viscosity), nib width... without actually observing you in action there are
just too many variables for anyone to offer anything other than wild
speculation. But generally dip pen nibs are easily replaceable, I suggest you
try other nibs... the pen is merely a nib holder and has no bearing whatsoever
on quantity of writing between dips... and perchance yoose just not a very good
dipper. hehe

In any event a line or two between dips is within the range of normal.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

some wild speculation...

what ink are you using? many fp inks are too watery. When using a dip nib I
let small amounts of FP ink sit for a few moments in a shallow reservoir.
Higher viscosity usually means longer lasting dips. Calligraphy inks are
probably better in dip pens but I have so many FP inks that I've never
bothered to buy calligraphy inks.

some nibs need prep because of oils on them from the manufacturing process.
I believe the standard is to boil them for about 3 minutes, let them cool
and dry them off. another method is to flame them briefly. otherwise the
ink doesn't like to stick to the nib and just runs off.

Depending on the design of the nib, some just don't hold a lot of ink. You
can find nibs that allow you to attach "reservoirs" (Mitchell is probably
one of the most commonly used) that create a little space between the
reservoir and the nib that will hold a good full drop of ink.

A good choice, IMO, for finding out more about nibs is Paper and Ink Arts.
Their on-line catalog sorta sucks. But if you request a paper catalog
you'll find a ton of nibs (new and vintage) available some with built in
reservoirs, some that will accept mitchell reservoirs.

Another good source for dip nib information is Pendemonium. They sell quite
a few dip pens and nibs (both modern and vintage) and could probably help
you with the problem as well.

hth,
kcat

On 27 Aug 2004 09:51:35 -0700, (morten) wrote:

Bought a couple in Europe a few weeks ago - thought they might be fun
for writing letters.

Problem is, after each dip, I get only half a sentence or so of
writing time. Is that indicative of dip pens? If so, I pity the
writers of old. Or are these cheapies that just don't hold ink?

You might take a look at some of the glass dip pens. They hold
considerablly more ink than the simple metal nibs.

Ed Bailen

Ed Bailen wrote:

On 27 Aug 2004 09:51:35 -0700, (morten) wrote:

Bought a couple in Europe a few weeks ago - thought they might be fun
for writing letters.

Problem is, after each dip, I get only half a sentence or so of
writing time. Is that indicative of dip pens? If so, I pity the
writers of old. Or are these cheapies that just don't hold ink?

You might take a look at some of the glass dip pens. They hold
considerablly more ink than the simple metal nibs.


....but if you get one, make sure it's one of the ones that's actually
made so that it will write well, not one of the merely decorative ones.

David

You might take a look at some of the glass dip pens. They hold
considerablly more ink than the simple metal nibs.

Ed Bailen

Not necessarily, in fact not usually.


---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````

Just an FYI - Ernst glass pens are probably among the most respected in the
community. They are made of sturdy borosilicate glass and designed not only
for aesthetics but to hold onto a great deal of ink compared to most dip
pens.

of course, they cost more and I don't know if there is much variability WRT
"nib" shape.

http://www.glasspens.com/

From the website
"They write at least 1/3 of an 8 1/2" X 11" page with a single dip and some
will write up to a full page. As they are capillary feed, they do not
dribble or leave blotches unless shaken, and they will also write with the
tip elevated above the handle."

I have a few with glass nibs that hold quite a bit of ink, if you can
endure the scritching and scratching. I detest them, but they look nice
in the display case.


--
Regards,

Angela

Remove "not" from address to reply.

Another good source for dip nib information is Pendemonium. They sell quite
a few dip pens and nibs (both modern and vintage) and could probably help
you with the problem as well.

hth,
kcat


Pendemonium, http://www.pendemonium.com/, carries Herbin inks made for
dip pens, glass pens, and one that they say was formulated for Victor
Hugo's goose quills.

Vintage Nibs, http://www.nibs.tk/, may have more than you want to know
about dip nibs and much more.

"morten" wrote in message
m...
Bought a couple in Europe a few weeks ago - thought they might be fun
for writing letters.

Problem is, after each dip, I get only half a sentence or so of
writing time. Is that indicative of dip pens? If so, I pity the
writers of old. Or are these cheapies that just don't hold ink?

I get about 2 lines with an esterbrook 320 radio pen.
As I smooth out and get into it I get about 3 lines.
I've used herbins, noodlers, and penman, no appreciable difference.

Seems to work best if the nib's contact with the paper is just enough
for ink to flow.

I only get about 1 1/2 lines with the jackson probate nib but that has
a blunt italic type nib and lays down more ink.

The writers of old were happy that they didn't have to chase the goose
again.