I also had trouble with the pen being too big for the sample vial. I picked up an Ink shot (Goulet pens) container to help with those little ends of ink. It is nice for filling fountain pens too. Thanks for the share.
I have a no-brand pen that's identical to this which I purchased cheaply from Amazon; I suspect J Herbin are just repackaging and rebranding OEM glass pens. Given how easy it is to break a glass dip pen by accident I don't think I'd buy an expensive branded one! I have the same issue as you with the flare of the "nib" section blocking the mouth of the sample vial; I have found the best way to ink up the pen is to dip it as far as it'll go, then tilt the vial until the tip of the pen is in the ink, then rotate the pen to let capillary action draw up ink evenly around it. Another point in favour of glass dip pens -- the reverse end makes a really good tool for swatching ink! Dip the reverse end in the ink and lay down a nicely-shaped swab of ink to see how it pools and shades, then write the ink brand and name with the nib end -- it's a great all-in-one tool.
Yes! I actually made a video recently about various methods for swatching ink, including the back of the dip pen trick. It's my go-to method now. I like it a lot.
Well said, all valid points. I compared my swatch made with a glass dip pen vs. one made with a steel nib dip pen, and the inks looked vastly different.
@@DowntheBreatherHole not really. I typically use mapping nibs because they have some flex but don’t go too crazy. I just got some blue pumpkins and I like them but if I push down too much they lay down way too much ink so I’m still learning to use them.
Nice video. I was glad to hear both sides represented. I have a couple of these pens and enjoy them, partially because they have a fairly long history. The Japanese make exquisite versions with different size "nibs" and inclusions or designs in the body. They sell for hundreds of dollars when you can find one.
A fine analysis of this pen. Glass pens are esthetically pleasing, a delight for the eye. A positive may be shimmer inks that may/likely to clog fountain pens. Addressing holiday/celebratory cards would be an excellent reason for choosing this pen with those inks to give the envelop the extra touch. Definitely people prone to accidents should not purchase a glass pen. How refreshing to view this channel where negatives and positives are intermixed.
I use a similarly shaped glass dip pen to do ink swatches. I have come to realize that the perfect glass dip pen for such an exercise is actually one with a broad base (like the Noodler's muddler). Sadly, i haven't been able to find such a pen because the muddler seems to be sold out everywhere
I prefer a dip pen fitted with a large, fine-pointed steel nib that comes with a built-in metal piece on the underside of the nib. To further increase the usable ink capacity, I have clipped a compatible metal piece onto the top of the nib. Together, these two reservoirs on the nib greatly increase its ink capacity while still being easily rinsed out with water without being removed. That is what I use for ink swatching and for writing when I don’t want to fill a fountain pen. I don’t recall the brand of the nib with its optional over-feed, but the nib holder is my favorite, a Tachikawa T-40. It’s made of wood with a rubbery grip, it’s not expensive, it’s comfortable and non-slippery to hold, and it comes with a translucent plastic cap to protect the nib. I do take care to let the nib fully air dry before capping. I don’t want it to rust. I agree that glass pens usually produce a line that is too thick and wet. Worse, you can usually only write a sentence or less before the ink supply is exhausted. As you also said, glass nibs are often not smooth writers, and polishing the tip with an abrasive surface is problematic given its fragility and relative softness. It is virtually inevitable that a glass pen in use will eventually break. Overall, glass dip pens are very appealing esthetically but IMO they are impractical. Re filling: I have an Ink Miser that I have glued to a small Plexiglas rectangle for added stability. Its conical shape is ideal for filling large-nibbed fountain pens and would also accommodate a glass pen like yours. When a bottle of ink is too narrow-mouthed or the ink level gets too low for easy direct refilling, I use an ink syringe or a pipette to temporarily transfer ink from the bottle to the mounted Ink Miser, fill the pen, and then transfer the rest of the ink back to the bottle. Note that Ink Misers come in two types, the ones with holes high up on the sides that are supposed to be left in ink bottles like Noodler’s, and the ones that are a bit larger without holes. I used the latter for my plexiglas-mounted pen filling aid. Getting one that is translucent instead of opaque is helpful.
I prefer the Kakimori stainless steel dip pen to the glass dip pen because it is smoother and sturdier. The glass ones are pretty though. Thanks for the video!
I was gifted one several years ago, but I got too heavy-handed with it one time and chipped the tip ever so slightly. I've taken micro mesh to it and have fixed it some, but it's not perfect. Last year I got me an acrylic dip pen nib, but it doesn't work or feel the same as a glass dip pen. I may end up getting one these J. Herbin ones someday. Great video!
Thanks for watching! I haven't heard of acrylic dip pens, but it makes sense that that's a thing. I could see how it wouldn't have the same feel or cool factor as glass though. And acrylic, from my understanding, is fairly breakable as well, though not to the extent that glass is I'm sure.
I have a glass nib made by a local (Seattle area) glass maker and I love it, but also chipped the tip within about a month of having it (accident prone). I can still use it I just have to make sure it's facing the right direction! I've been eyeballing those J. Herbin ones though as a replacement! I have the Sailor Hocoro dip pen with the metal fude nib, but I just don't like the way it writes in comparison (especially ink capacity).
I was interested to hear about the capacity you get out of yours. I have a Herbin glass pen, but I only get maybe ten words max, sometimes much less. That was the reason I switched to the Kakimori steel nib. Maybe I have the slim profile one because mine definitely fits in a sample vial. Interesting!
That is interesting! I probably should have explained in the video that the way I get so much mileage out of a single dip with this pen is by rotating it as I write, the way you would with a pencil to find a sharper spot when one side has warn down. So when the glass dip pen starts writing dry, I rotate it a bit, and it begins to feed ink from a different groove. Have you tried that?
I had a glass pen from the Large Retailer, broke it, was sad, got a J. Herbin one and struggled with it being too big for sample vials, picked up a Komamono Lab glass pen body that can be capped, and then got very curious and got a Sailor Hocoro fude nib pen with a shimmering ink and a Pilot Iro-Utsushi metal-nib dip pen. Those are fun but the Komamono Lab pen is still the one I reach for most often. I am still ogling a Kakimori nib with hunger.
I find the reasons of why you should get it, or not get it, straight to the point. Well said! I don't have it, but i would like to get it some day. What color do you have btw, is that coral or sand?
I wouldn’t get one because of the delicate nature of glass pens. I know I can be prone to have hand syndrome, and don’t see one of these beauties lasting very long, no matter how careful I try to be.
You've convinced me to get a cute bird desk light.
Yeah! That was a fun yard sale find for me.
I also had trouble with the pen being too big for the sample vial. I picked up an Ink shot (Goulet pens) container to help with those little ends of ink. It is nice for filling fountain pens too. Thanks for the share.
I think I actually have one of those ink shots lying around, but I've never used it. I should give it a try!
I already have a J. Herbin glass dip pen and I love it!
Very nice!
@@DowntheBreatherHole Yep, it comes in handy for quickly testing inks.
I'm definitely gonna buy one.
I have a no-brand pen that's identical to this which I purchased cheaply from Amazon; I suspect J Herbin are just repackaging and rebranding OEM glass pens. Given how easy it is to break a glass dip pen by accident I don't think I'd buy an expensive branded one! I have the same issue as you with the flare of the "nib" section blocking the mouth of the sample vial; I have found the best way to ink up the pen is to dip it as far as it'll go, then tilt the vial until the tip of the pen is in the ink, then rotate the pen to let capillary action draw up ink evenly around it.
Another point in favour of glass dip pens -- the reverse end makes a really good tool for swatching ink! Dip the reverse end in the ink and lay down a nicely-shaped swab of ink to see how it pools and shades, then write the ink brand and name with the nib end -- it's a great all-in-one tool.
Yes! I actually made a video recently about various methods for swatching ink, including the back of the dip pen trick. It's my go-to method now. I like it a lot.
Well said, all valid points. I compared my swatch made with a glass dip pen vs. one made with a steel nib dip pen, and the inks looked vastly different.
I use a regular dip pen with a flexible map nib. I can get super thin lines and nice thick lines to simulate different nib widths and wetness.
I have some cheap flex dip pen nibs. Nothing fancy. Do you have any that you would recommend?
@@DowntheBreatherHole not really. I typically use mapping nibs because they have some flex but don’t go too crazy. I just got some blue pumpkins and I like them but if I push down too much they lay down way too much ink so I’m still learning to use them.
Nice video. I was glad to hear both sides represented. I have a couple of these pens and enjoy them, partially because they have a fairly long history. The Japanese make exquisite versions with different size "nibs" and inclusions or designs in the body. They sell for hundreds of dollars when you can find one.
A fine analysis of this pen. Glass pens are esthetically pleasing, a delight for the eye. A positive may be shimmer inks that may/likely to clog fountain pens. Addressing holiday/celebratory cards would be an excellent reason for choosing this pen with those inks to give the envelop the extra touch. Definitely people prone to accidents should not purchase a glass pen. How refreshing to view this channel where negatives and positives are intermixed.
I use a similarly shaped glass dip pen to do ink swatches. I have come to realize that the perfect glass dip pen for such an exercise is actually one with a broad base (like the Noodler's muddler). Sadly, i haven't been able to find such a pen because the muddler seems to be sold out everywhere
I prefer a dip pen fitted with a large, fine-pointed steel nib that comes with a built-in metal piece on the underside of the nib. To further increase the usable ink capacity, I have clipped a compatible metal piece onto the top of the nib. Together, these two reservoirs on the nib greatly increase its ink capacity while still being easily rinsed out with water without being removed. That is what I use for ink swatching and for writing when I don’t want to fill a fountain pen. I don’t recall the brand of the nib with its optional over-feed, but the nib holder is my favorite, a Tachikawa T-40. It’s made of wood with a rubbery grip, it’s not expensive, it’s comfortable and non-slippery to hold, and it comes with a translucent plastic cap to protect the nib. I do take care to let the nib fully air dry before capping. I don’t want it to rust.
I agree that glass pens usually produce a line that is too thick and wet. Worse, you can usually only write a sentence or less before the ink supply is exhausted. As you also said, glass nibs are often not smooth writers, and polishing the tip with an abrasive surface is problematic given its fragility and relative softness. It is virtually inevitable that a glass pen in use will eventually break. Overall, glass dip pens are very appealing esthetically but IMO they are impractical.
Re filling: I have an Ink Miser that I have glued to a small Plexiglas rectangle for added stability. Its conical shape is ideal for filling large-nibbed fountain pens and would also accommodate a glass pen like yours. When a bottle of ink is too narrow-mouthed or the ink level gets too low for easy direct refilling, I use an ink syringe or a pipette to temporarily transfer ink from the bottle to the mounted Ink Miser, fill the pen, and then transfer the rest of the ink back to the bottle. Note that Ink Misers come in two types, the ones with holes high up on the sides that are supposed to be left in ink bottles like Noodler’s, and the ones that are a bit larger without holes. I used the latter for my plexiglas-mounted pen filling aid. Getting one that is translucent instead of opaque is helpful.
I prefer the Kakimori stainless steel dip pen to the glass dip pen because it is smoother and sturdier. The glass ones are pretty though. Thanks for the video!
Thanks, Sara, for watching!
I was gifted one several years ago, but I got too heavy-handed with it one time and chipped the tip ever so slightly. I've taken micro mesh to it and have fixed it some, but it's not perfect. Last year I got me an acrylic dip pen nib, but it doesn't work or feel the same as a glass dip pen. I may end up getting one these J. Herbin ones someday. Great video!
Thanks for watching! I haven't heard of acrylic dip pens, but it makes sense that that's a thing. I could see how it wouldn't have the same feel or cool factor as glass though. And acrylic, from my understanding, is fairly breakable as well, though not to the extent that glass is I'm sure.
I have a glass nib made by a local (Seattle area) glass maker and I love it, but also chipped the tip within about a month of having it (accident prone). I can still use it I just have to make sure it's facing the right direction! I've been eyeballing those J. Herbin ones though as a replacement! I have the Sailor Hocoro dip pen with the metal fude nib, but I just don't like the way it writes in comparison (especially ink capacity).
The Herbin glass pen is definitely worth considering! I enjoy mine quite a bit.
I was interested to hear about the capacity you get out of yours. I have a Herbin glass pen, but I only get maybe ten words max, sometimes much less. That was the reason I switched to the Kakimori steel nib. Maybe I have the slim profile one because mine definitely fits in a sample vial. Interesting!
That is interesting! I probably should have explained in the video that the way I get so much mileage out of a single dip with this pen is by rotating it as I write, the way you would with a pencil to find a sharper spot when one side has warn down. So when the glass dip pen starts writing dry, I rotate it a bit, and it begins to feed ink from a different groove. Have you tried that?
I had a glass pen from the Large Retailer, broke it, was sad, got a J. Herbin one and struggled with it being too big for sample vials, picked up a Komamono Lab glass pen body that can be capped, and then got very curious and got a Sailor Hocoro fude nib pen with a shimmering ink and a Pilot Iro-Utsushi metal-nib dip pen. Those are fun but the Komamono Lab pen is still the one I reach for most often. I am still ogling a Kakimori nib with hunger.
Nice! Those sound like fun dip pens to try.
I find the reasons of why you should get it, or not get it, straight to the point. Well said!
I don't have it, but i would like to get it some day.
What color do you have btw, is that coral or sand?
Thanks! I believe mine is the rose color, though I got it as a gift so I'm not sure.
❤
I wouldn’t get one because of the delicate nature of glass pens. I know I can be prone to have hand syndrome, and don’t see one of these beauties lasting very long, no matter how careful I try to be.
That's understandable!