eunice
Crayons
Posts: 47
Looking for Penpals?: Yes. Global penpals welcome
Country I live in is: Wales
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Post by eunice on Feb 9, 2019 16:18:21 GMT
I'd quite like to try using a dip pen. I remember the ones we used to use in primary school in the 60's, back when teachers cared about handwriting. As I remember, they had something called a reservoir on the back of the nib. I've looked around and I can't find anything like that. My local stationery shop used to sell quite a good range of dip pens, now there's only those novelty fake quills in bright colours. I'm not sure that would be any use for a "proper" letter.
So, any reccs? Preferably one I can buy from Cult Pens, that doesn't cost a fortune! Thank you so much!
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Post by Mia on Feb 9, 2019 21:24:00 GMT
Is that the art shop that was on (or almost on) a corner and was connected through to a charity shop (Barnardo's)? That is where I picked up the quill & ink Manuscript wax seal coin. Ha, Google Street View has Manuscript stuff in the window, including a red quill, calligraphy sets...
I don't know much about dip pens. I do have nibs and a holder but don't use them. I have two glass pens in two J. Herbin gift sets (with heart-shaped bottles of ink, and very small paper + envelopes). The swirly nib bit does hold a touch of ink, but I haven't mastered getting the ideal amount on to last more than a word or two.
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Post by although on Feb 10, 2019 3:56:59 GMT
Around here, most craft type stores carry basic nibs and holders. I see the speedball brand most often. Nibs usually show up in blister packs for just a couple bucks each.
I only see the folded metal reservoirs on the monster calligraphy nibs. The sort of normal flex nibs just have something like a keyhole slit. With India ink, I can get nearly two lines on paper per dip. But, I find that I need some pretty heavy paper to avoid bleed through. They aren't shy about laying down the ink. When the India ink dries, it's so thick that I can feel it on the paper.
I use fountain pens 95% of the time. But, every now and then I feel compelled to go old school and break out a dip pen. They are scratchy and kantankerous. They can also be glorious when it all comes together right. Totally worth the cost of a couple of nibs and a plastic holder
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eunice
Crayons
Posts: 47
Looking for Penpals?: Yes. Global penpals welcome
Country I live in is: Wales
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Post by eunice on Feb 10, 2019 10:00:20 GMT
Thanks, both of you. Yes, Mia, that's the shop! It's known as Inkwells now, used to be Paperway. So I'd guess the advice is just go for it? I will! Thank you!
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Post by filpot on Feb 10, 2019 13:28:34 GMT
You're probably thinking of William Mitchell reservoirs - little metallic things that were detachable from the nibs. You can get them at www.turnerartshop.co.uk either loose or in a calligraphy set. There are a couple of sets on there, one for round hand, one for calligraphy, coming in at £12-13 per set and including reservoirs. I bought a calligraphy gift set at Lidl a while ago (in fact, I found it a few days ago, having completely forgotten about it!!) and a couple of the nibs in that have a built in reservoir. Logic suggests to me that a reservoir wouldn't work with a flexible nib precisely because of the flex, but there are others on here who know much more about that stuff than I do.
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Post by MKB on Feb 10, 2019 16:31:46 GMT
Ink choice can make a fair amount of difference with how long before a dip is needed. Many fountain pen inks are great “as is” or diluted up to half with water to reduce the color intensity. Also a small amount of glycerin (less than a drop per 6 ml) can help if needed. For flex writing with a dip pen there is a product permanently attached to a zebra-g nib and a few other types called an Ink Cage. That thing can write a ton before needing a dip. It’s not needed though, as with a decent ink choice you can get a line out, and the dipping becomes habit and part of the fun. I have sampled a number of Diamine inks that work well. katiel has done a lot of letter writing with a dip pen and may have some ink recommendations.
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Post by stompie on Feb 11, 2019 17:56:05 GMT
You can buy separate reservoirs at a number of places here in the UK - just do a Google search - Scribblers, Penmandirect etc.
You can use these on almost any dip pen nib with the exception of drawing or mapping nibs. Whether the nib flex's or not doesn't make a difference. I use them on Italic nibs and still get flex out of them.
However, MKB's observation of dipping being part of the fun is valid! You also do not want to keep ink on the nib for too long otherwise it starts to dry out so, unless you are doing very heavy flourishing and shading, it is better to dip into ink frequently.
Have fun!!!
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Post by distractedmom on Feb 13, 2019 15:03:49 GMT
When the India ink dries, it's so thick that I can feel it on the paper. I love the idea of being able to feel the words.
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Post by katiel on Feb 13, 2019 15:27:43 GMT
katiel has done a lot of letter writing with a dip pen and may have some ink recommendations. I do! Most of my dipping inks are Diamine (regular fountain pen inks that I dilute a bit with water to make them more cooperative), and most of them work like a dream. Sunshine yellow is the only one I haven’t ever been able to get to work properly with the dip pen and Meadow Green occasionally gives me a bit of trouble, too, but the rest (so far) work like a dream. (Especially if you use a potato to lubricate the nib, first). If there’s a specific ink you have in mind, let me know, and I’ll be happy to let you know if I’ve tried dipping with it, and/or what dilution I’ve found works best. I haven’t tried them all (obviously), but I have tried a whole bunch.
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Post by MKB on Feb 13, 2019 16:53:32 GMT
And in case you are wondering about the potato comment, katiel is talking about actually stabbing the nib into a cut potato up to and above the ink hole. Something about the enzymes in the potato condition the nib to hold and flow ink well.
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Post by penguy on Feb 18, 2019 19:24:25 GMT
I am wondering if you mean a dip pen with something like a feed like as on a fountain pen for holding ink. I have several dip pens with a plastic backing behind the nib that holds an amount of ink just like on a fountain pen and does not need to be dipped each couple of words. You might find what you are looking for at Johnnealbooks.com, but that is here in the states. I would check in an art supply store in Wales
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Post by hoyabella on Mar 7, 2019 19:40:59 GMT
I have a few basic calligraphy items which I never used but for having fun with fonts because I had to dip the nib every couple of words. Last week I tried using pelikan black ink and... magic! I could write two whole lines with a single dip! I don't know about the nib quality, I don't think it's a good one because that which writes best scratches like mad but I like the result :-) One of the two nib holders is actually a quill with a metal connector for receiving the nib, it feels comfortable in my hand. You could have a look at "the postman's knock", there is plenty of information on her site. Lindsey, the site owner, says oblique holders are the best.
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