|
Post by penguy on Mar 5, 2018 2:25:50 GMT
If you are using a dip pen you may get better results with your nibs if you follow a cleaning process on your nibs first. A good source of information is to be found here:http://www.desideratapens.com/usermanual/. Go down to where you see 'Cleaning and Tuning a Steel Flex Nib.' Also, you mention diluting your ink, you might want to try a few drops of gum arabic instead. I made some walnut ink and iron gal ink and in both cases added gum arabic and found that I could get many more words per dip. You can find gum arabic in the watercolor section of an art supply store.
The Desiderata Pen is a contemporary eyedropper filler that makes use of a Zebra G dip pen nib rather than a standard fountain pen nib. And that is the pen in the video.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Mar 5, 2018 14:16:01 GMT
Thanks for the info, penguy, I will definitely check out the video on my lunch break. And never fear, Matt sent me the nib fully prepped and cleaned so that I was ready to go. And I was pretty religious about cleaning the nib well (I think) after each use. I’m looking forward to checking out the new info. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Pukka-J on Mar 20, 2018 6:39:17 GMT
I love dip pens and I always address my envelopes with dip pen and Indian ink (nicely waterproof). Sometimes I draw or write with dip pens too.
Allthough I have special drawing ink that is a little more saturated I more often than not use my fountain pen inks to dip.
Nice free tip: Before the first dip I always wet my nib a little with saliva (I lick it) and let it dry for a minute. Then dip. That way the ink sticks to the nib nice and evenly and doesn’t form drops. This little trick was taught to me by an older person who learned to write with dip pens in school back in the old days.
|
|
|
Post by Pukka-J on Mar 20, 2018 8:13:37 GMT
Oops...doublepost...
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Mar 20, 2018 14:59:43 GMT
Nice free tip: Before the first dip I always wet my nib a little with saliva (I lick it) and let it dry for a minute. Then dip. That way the ink sticks to the nib nice and evenly and doesn’t form drops. This little trick was taught to me by an older person who learned to write with dip pens in school back in the old days. Interesting! I haven’t tried that yet. Right now I’ve been using the potato trick MKB taught me, to get the ink to stick evenly, and that works great, too. If I’m ever without my trusty potato, I’ll definitely try the saliva thing ...or maybe I might just try it anyway. For science. Thanks for the tip! P.S. I love my dip pen too! (in case you hadn’t guessed).
|
|
|
Post by Pukka-J on Mar 20, 2018 18:01:56 GMT
I think the potatoe thing is to get rid of the initial oil, whereas the spitting is done before use every time, so before every letter or so.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Mar 20, 2018 18:06:54 GMT
I think the potatoe thing is to get rid of the initial oil, whereas the spitting is done before use every time, so before every letter or so. Oh, really? I’ve been potato-ing before every letter. There was one time I didn’t, and the ink didn’t work quite as nicely (noticeable difference), so now I just use the potato every time. I’m learning new things all the time.
|
|
|
Post by Pukka-J on Mar 20, 2018 18:26:50 GMT
Oh, really? I’ve been potato-ing before every letter. There was one time I didn’t, and the ink didn’t work quite as nicely (noticeable difference), so now I just use the potato every time. I’m learning new things all the time. And so do I 😀
|
|
|
Post by schnacks on Mar 21, 2018 12:32:10 GMT
Interesting! I haven’t tried that yet. Right now I’ve been using the potato trick MKB taught me, to get the ink to stick evenly, and that works great, too. If I’m ever without my trusty potato, I’ll definitely try the saliva thing ...or maybe I might just try it anyway. For science. Thanks for the tip! P.S. I love my dip pen too! (in case you hadn’t guessed). What is this potato witchcraft that you speak of?
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Mar 21, 2018 12:35:40 GMT
Haha! It’s the most wonderful of spells!
You stick the nib into a potato, pull it out, and dry it off (this is especially great if you have been bad, and accidentally touched the nib with your finger and gotten oils on it), and then the ink clings evenly and flows off smoothly. It’s a wonderous thing.
|
|
|
Post by penguy on Mar 21, 2018 17:39:24 GMT
This is sort of going off in a different direction but still with dip pens. I was wondering if anyone had also purchased from dippens.net. I have two of their pen holders and they are beautiful, hand turned with some beautiful woods. They also have some nibs.
I hadn't heard of using a magic potato, may just have to try it!
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Mar 23, 2018 17:12:38 GMT
purchased from dippens.net. I have two of their pen holders and they are beautiful, hand turned with some beautiful woods. Oh no! Now who is creating monsters??? Those are absolutely beautiful. I love the ones made from the darker woods. I am going to be keeping an eye on this site so I’m ready to snap one up when he lists some more for sale. I use my pen every day, I think that justifies the purchase of an especially pretty one, right? Haha! Thanks for sharing this.
|
|
|
Post by penguy on Mar 23, 2018 18:19:18 GMT
Katie,
You might want to contact them and tell them what kind of wood you would like to see in a pen holder and ask when more will be coming up on their site.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Mar 23, 2018 19:17:23 GMT
Good idea! I did not think to contact them since they stated they did not do special orders, but it would be worth trying, if just to know when more will be listed. Thanks!
Edit: message sent! Now, I excitedly wait for an answer.
|
|
|
Post by MKB on Mar 24, 2018 6:18:19 GMT
|
|