I met Richard Binder about two weeks ago at the Long Island Pen Show. He must be the nicest man in the world. He widened a slit on a pilot pen that was writing dry for me. He also ground me an extra fine and smoothened some Bexley and Edison pens I bought from him. Then he allowed me to pull up a chair and watch him work on other people’s pens. Susan Wirth showed up and asked him to look at a pen with a bad piston which he took apart in about two seconds.
@sbrebrown I think the Hatat is an example of a Hebrew italic, yes. It can be described as an italic or stub nib turned sideways (90º in either direction). So the up and down strokes are thin while the side strokes are wider. I think I may try to get the Hatat nib, if I can! :)
You definitely should. After a day of writing I can conclude that the nib is very smooth and the feed keeps up extremely well. I have had zero start up problems, and zero cases of skidding or skipping, or anything wrong at all :-)
I see. Thanks for clearing that up for me! I have somewhat small handwriting, and feel a bit cramped when writing with broad nibs, so I don't know if a stub would be for me. I was simply looking to have that slight calligraphic quality to my writing in lieu of actual fine penmanship! hahaha
I'll check it out! I just bought my first pen worth mentioning which's Lamy Safari, haha, sort of tells you how "new" i am in the "pen-game". Only had extremely cheap ones before it and I can't wait for it to arrive! It's going to be interesting to finally be able to change nibs! Thanks for the answer by the way! :)
Another great show. The site of Binder is indeed a very good source of information. They sell a lot of nice nibs. I have got a couple of great writers from them.
Good video. I use my calligraphy pen Nib (actually whole pen) as a red pen marker pen. This allows to make broader lines, ticks, highlights, etc.. I am a software architect and do lots of Networking research, so I use regular fountain pens for writing specs.. project planning, etc.. with regular blue/black ink pens. .. and a Calligraphy red pen for marking, etc :)
That's a good selection of specialty nibs. I'm not sure if an oblique nib would suit me, so it'd probably be a good idea for me to try one out first. One day, I would like to get a Hebrew Italic nib just for some interesting line variation!
What pens are the first oblique pen and the music pen? The beautiful matte finish on the oblique really caught my attention, and I need a pen with which to convince my brother, a composer, over to the world of fountain pens, and I feel that will pique his interest nicely!
I have one minor gripe: It is right that you have to angle an oblique nib very carefully. But not exclusively. I hear that very often 'oh I have problems with oblique nibs they are so difficult to use...'. But this applies to all kind of stub nibs (stub, italic, oblique, calligraphy). They are all sensitive to the writing angle. The angle is just different between them. Otherwise a very useful overview and Richard Binders Reference Pages are super duper useful.
my only fountain pen is a fine calligraphy pen and it writes fine for everyday use as well as making my writing look great if i'm writing a title for a piece of work.
That's right. You always find a parking lot with a tank. No matter if it is occupied or not but due to the high petrol prices here in Germany, I think I won't be able to afford one.
love your videos! quick question though, if the caligraphy pen doesnt have any iridium at the tip, does it wear out faster than normal nibs? sorry if this was asked before, i am on my mobile
@sbrebrown From what he said in his newsletter and also on Pentrace, he will still be doing customization on (a) the new pens he sells on his website and (b) customers' pens at pen shows that he attends. Mind you---you'd have to come to the U.S.A. to take advantage of the latter, but it's a great excuse to do some traveling! :)
Probably a dumb question, but do stub nibs come in different sizes? I mean could a person "stub-i-fy" a fine, medium, broad, etc. nib, or does the term "stub" itself indicate a particular cross and downstroke width?
Hello. For a long time already I am watching you, but has not yet commented. Do you have a complete list of all your pens? If you select your favorite three, what and with what feathers? What you write to handle a certain situation? Why do not like firm Parker, in principle, like to see these reviews and pens and particularly at the Centennial duo. a pen is more convenient for everyday letter, oblique or italic? thanks
Hey, what ink is all over your fingers? ;o) Looks like a pretty orange. Have you tried PR Orange Crush? Would be BRILLIANT in a flex! Another really informative and brilliant review!!
I've been looking around to get a fountainpen with a calligraphy nib on/which i can put a calligraphy nib on but I can't seem to find it anywhere as I don't really know where to look, got any suggestions? :) Great videos by the way, they're helping me a lot!
I am pulling my hair out at the moment because I definitely want a italic nib but I don't know if it necessary to get a cursive one. I have only ever had a standard nib. You seem to do a lot of very 'curly' uninhibited writing in your videos but others say you can't do ordinary handwriting unless you have a cursive nib. I am very frustrated as I want to order a decent pen that will last me a long time. My writing style is similar to yours. Would I need a cursive nib? I would very much appreciate any info you can give me. Is it just the case that a cursive nib is easier without practice. Thank you in advance if you answer this. I was thinking of getting a Parson's Essential.
Was trying to explain this to a friend in under 30 mins. I didn't get very far before the confusion set in! She was flummoxed by the number of pens I carry around - "Aren't they all the same?" - sheesh...
Greetings Stephen: After seeing your video, I just had to try an italic nib. My handwriting tends to be on the smallish side so I ordered a 1.1mm stub for my TWSBI 580. All I can say is...WOW! The line variation actually gives my very mundane penmanship a bit of character. I'm not sure I would use it for everyday/work use, but everyone should have at least one italic nib in their stable...for when one really wants to express one's self.
Hahaha! Your weirdness is, in my point of view, somewhat a reason why I really enjoy watching your videos. It's refreshing. (Well and of course I watch them because of your exquisite knowledge which is very honorable). Now excuse me , I have to get an eydropper and ask the Army to sell me a tank =)
hello sir I am from India I am having parker vector with oblique nibs can you tell me how to write with these oblique nibs because I am very upset and not able to use this beautiful pen if you can help me then please upload a video so that I can learn how to use oblique nib pen.
Aaahh, hope not :( Grinding's really simple once you get the hang of it, just keep writing on abrasives to change the sweet spot, or remove tipping material to make new nib tips. I have no micromesh here, so I make do with two-sided corundum stones and brown paper bags. I'm still learning, I wouldn't dare make a video for fear of misleading others :D
Then I think that your pens have oblique italics! As explained on Mr. Binder's site, most purists consider modern rounded obliques NOT obliques. The "modern" oblique nib (rounded oblique) just makes some accommodations for pen turning in your hand, and the sweet spot should be very big. I've tried my hand at grinding one, and it's now one of my best pens. I just drool at your collection of obliques, I'm literally drowning in drool here....... Nice collection!
Awesome .....after watch your video then I just know that my Pelikan m400 is italic medium ...LoL....thanks. Ps. I did not receive the Lamy two tone yet. T.T ....will review after I got that.
Stephen, I really like your videos but I often think that close-ups in your videos are conspicuously missing. I thought maybe your camera was incapable of close-ups, but at 15:45 you demonstrated that you can do close-ups, though frankly, you moved around too fast. In my humble opinion you should do more close-ups.
I wonder why RUclips's iOS app recommended this vid to me "30 years ago," when RUclips would've been, what...-18 years old? O.o Good vid, though--learned something new. :)
On a more related note, your obliques DO write more like italics than obliques. Are they oblique italics, or just plain obliques? My experience with obliques are very annoying, as I cannot find ANY obliques that suit my hand position. I like to write with right-foot obliques or Arabic nibs, but most stocks are only left-foot. The few oblique nibs I have offer little to none line variation, in contrast with your writing samples with the OB nibs which look more like oblique italics.
I spy... a Conway Stewart!! Love love love that company. However, the stock nibs that come from CS are quite noisy in my experience, is yours noisy? Sometimes, that may be scratchy too, but mostly they are SOOOO LOOUUUDDD.... I had to waste 3 months breaking in my Churchill until it would finally write more smoothly and silently, much like an annoying wife who knows her tantrums aren't getting anywhere.
Interesting. Even though I can clearly see and understand your explanation of the different nib types, besides the calligraphy nib at the end of the video, all the other nibs really don't stand out from each other. When I look at your writing on its own, all of your words kind of the look the same. It's a bit underwhelming. Am I the only one to feel this way? There are so many different nib manufacturing and customization techniques but I am just not seeing much difference in the results.
But yes, it would be very practical if it would run on ink! When you're writing, while driving of course, and need some ink because your pen went out of some, you just stop and open the tank's tank! =)....... On your way to france........to invade it.
Stephen! I just got myself an 'Italix Parson's Essential Fountain Pen' from 'MrPen.co.uk', with a two tone steel italic medium nib. It is an amazing pen that I would definitely recommend to you. It is black lacquer with gold trim. I got the pen, a converter, my initials engraved on the pen and delivery for under £50. Check it out! :-)
"Gott Stephen" Are you sure you aint a personality disorder? (you know the meaning in german, you do, or at least your subconscious) Just kidding about that! Regards
I met Richard Binder about two weeks ago at the Long Island Pen Show. He must be the nicest man in the world. He widened a slit on a pilot pen that was writing dry for me. He also ground me an extra fine and smoothened some Bexley and Edison pens I bought from him. Then he allowed me to pull up a chair and watch him work on other people’s pens. Susan Wirth showed up and asked him to look at a pen with a bad piston which he took apart in about two seconds.
"I need some carrots and a tank to invade some country, or whatever type of groceries you do I'm not sure"...that actually made me laugh out loud 🤣
You always emphasize the basic things ... that's good for learners.
@sbrebrown I think the Hatat is an example of a Hebrew italic, yes. It can be described as an italic or stub nib turned sideways (90º in either direction). So the up and down strokes are thin while the side strokes are wider. I think I may try to get the Hatat nib, if I can! :)
You definitely should. After a day of writing I can conclude that the nib is very smooth and the feed keeps up extremely well. I have had zero start up problems, and zero cases of skidding or skipping, or anything wrong at all :-)
I see. Thanks for clearing that up for me! I have somewhat small handwriting, and feel a bit cramped when writing with broad nibs, so I don't know if a stub would be for me. I was simply looking to have that slight calligraphic quality to my writing in lieu of actual fine penmanship! hahaha
LOL tank! Oh Stephen you crack me up every single time. Very informative and incredibly useful video. Thanks again!
I'll check it out!
I just bought my first pen worth mentioning which's Lamy Safari, haha, sort of tells you how "new" i am in the "pen-game". Only had extremely cheap ones before it and I can't wait for it to arrive!
It's going to be interesting to finally be able to change nibs!
Thanks for the answer by the way! :)
"Tank"!
So, flat and dead-pan.
Love your work, SBRE...
Another great show. The site of Binder is indeed a very good source of information. They sell a lot of nice nibs. I have got a couple of great writers from them.
Good video. I use my calligraphy pen Nib (actually whole pen) as a red pen marker pen. This allows to make broader lines, ticks, highlights, etc.. I am a software architect and do lots of Networking research, so I use regular fountain pens for writing specs.. project planning, etc.. with regular blue/black ink pens. .. and a Calligraphy red pen for marking, etc :)
Excellent video, as always. Thank you!
That's a good selection of specialty nibs. I'm not sure if an oblique nib would suit me, so it'd probably be a good idea for me to try one out first. One day, I would like to get a Hebrew Italic nib just for some interesting line variation!
What pens are the first oblique pen and the music pen? The beautiful matte finish on the oblique really caught my attention, and I need a pen with which to convince my brother, a composer, over to the world of fountain pens, and I feel that will pique his interest nicely!
I have one minor gripe: It is right that you have to angle an oblique nib very carefully. But not exclusively. I hear that very often 'oh I have problems with oblique nibs they are so difficult to use...'. But this applies to all kind of stub nibs (stub, italic, oblique, calligraphy). They are all sensitive to the writing angle. The angle is just different between them.
Otherwise a very useful overview and Richard Binders Reference Pages are super duper useful.
Thanks, that is what I was thinking. I love your channel, very informative.
my only fountain pen is a fine calligraphy pen and it writes fine for everyday use as well as making my writing look great if i'm writing a title for a piece of work.
Excellent video. Thank you. RS
I wonder what nib would be best for a left hander writing in a right-to-left language. Any advice you could give me?
That's right. You always find a parking lot with a tank. No matter if it is occupied or not but due to the high petrol prices here in Germany, I think I won't be able to afford one.
sir your old Parker vector is also oblique nib one
Brilliant! The picture really doesn't do it justice. Hope you like it as much as I do. Let me know what you think :-)
What is the name of the yellow/orange ink?
love your videos! quick question though, if the caligraphy pen doesnt have any iridium at the tip, does it wear out faster than normal nibs? sorry if this was asked before, i am on my mobile
@sbrebrown From what he said in his newsletter and also on Pentrace, he will still be doing customization on (a) the new pens he sells on his website and (b) customers' pens at pen shows that he attends. Mind you---you'd have to come to the U.S.A. to take advantage of the latter, but it's a great excuse to do some traveling! :)
Probably a dumb question, but do stub nibs come in different sizes? I mean could a person "stub-i-fy" a fine, medium, broad, etc. nib, or does the term "stub" itself indicate a particular cross and downstroke width?
Hello.
For a long time already I am watching you, but has not yet commented.
Do you have a complete list of all your pens?
If you select your favorite three, what and with what feathers?
What you write to handle a certain situation?
Why do not like firm Parker, in principle, like to see these reviews and pens and particularly at the Centennial duo. a pen is more convenient for everyday letter, oblique or italic?
thanks
Yes, check out my website for a list of all the pens I reviewed (including Parker). In my greatest of all time videos, I discuss my favourite pens.
Great video! I love to write music. Can you tell me were to get a fountain pen made to write music?
thank you very much sir can you suggest me any good but cheap parker fountain pen
Hey, what ink is all over your fingers? ;o) Looks like a pretty orange. Have you tried PR Orange Crush? Would be BRILLIANT in a flex! Another really informative and brilliant review!!
what were the inks you used? another good video
I've been looking around to get a fountainpen with a calligraphy nib on/which i can put a calligraphy nib on but I can't seem to find it anywhere as I don't really know where to look, got any suggestions? :)
Great videos by the way, they're helping me a lot!
Just a question Doc Brown. Do you use these types of nib for everyday writing ?? e.g. work/school. Are they practical for such things
I am pulling my hair out at the moment because I definitely want a italic nib but I don't know if it necessary to get a cursive one. I have only ever had a standard nib. You seem to do a lot of very 'curly' uninhibited writing in your videos but others say you can't do ordinary handwriting unless you have a cursive nib. I am very frustrated as I want to order a decent pen that will last me a long time. My writing style is similar to yours. Would I need a cursive nib? I would very much appreciate any info you can give me. Is it just the case that a cursive nib is easier without practice. Thank you in advance if you answer this. I was thinking of getting a Parson's Essential.
GAH! Just saw the Quink blue--what a beautiful true blue!!!! O-O Also--PLEASE tell me how you're getting past the 10 minute upload limit??
Was trying to explain this to a friend in under 30 mins. I didn't get very far before the confusion set in! She was flummoxed by the number of pens I carry around - "Aren't they all the same?" - sheesh...
If I want to use a fountain pen for drawing / inking, would a flex nib pen be best?
Greetings Stephen: After seeing your video, I just had to try an italic nib. My handwriting tends to be on the smallish side so I ordered a 1.1mm stub for my TWSBI 580. All I can say is...WOW! The line variation actually gives my very mundane penmanship a bit of character. I'm not sure I would use it for everyday/work use, but everyone should have at least one italic nib in their stable...for when one really wants to express one's self.
Hahaha! Your weirdness is, in my point of view, somewhat a reason why I really enjoy watching your videos. It's refreshing. (Well and of course I watch them because of your exquisite knowledge which is very honorable). Now excuse me
, I have to get an eydropper and ask the Army to sell me a tank =)
sir my nib is flat from lower point can you tell me which kind of nib is that
Hm, I need some carrots and ..... a tank! Yeah, right, I need a tank. Hope they have some in stock!
hello sir I am from India I am having parker vector with oblique nibs can you tell me how to write with these oblique nibs because I am very upset and not able to use this beautiful pen if you can help me then please upload a video so that I can learn how to use oblique nib pen.
Wait, you have two vintage Montblancs? I thought you said you weren't going to buy any more vintage pens! :)
I also need a tank
:D tank in a groceries. Guess it's Russia's grocery list.
Aaahh, hope not :(
Grinding's really simple once you get the hang of it, just keep writing on abrasives to change the sweet spot, or remove tipping material to make new nib tips. I have no micromesh here, so I make do with two-sided corundum stones and brown paper bags. I'm still learning, I wouldn't dare make a video for fear of misleading others :D
Then I think that your pens have oblique italics! As explained on Mr. Binder's site, most purists consider modern rounded obliques NOT obliques. The "modern" oblique nib (rounded oblique) just makes some accommodations for pen turning in your hand, and the sweet spot should be very big. I've tried my hand at grinding one, and it's now one of my best pens.
I just drool at your collection of obliques, I'm literally drowning in drool here....... Nice collection!
Sorry this is late, but Amazon sell sets of calligraphy pens with different nibs at reasonable prices imo.
Awesome .....after watch your video then I just know that my Pelikan m400 is italic medium ...LoL....thanks. Ps. I did not receive the Lamy two tone yet. T.T ....will review after I got that.
Wow, just past the 5th anniversary of this video!
Is that Apache Sunset on your fingers? I approve.
Was your italic nib formal or cursive?
P.S. you're gloriously hilarious
How many do you have?
Stephen, I really like your videos but I often think that close-ups in your videos are conspicuously missing. I thought maybe your camera was incapable of close-ups, but at 15:45 you demonstrated that you can do close-ups, though frankly, you moved around too fast. In my humble opinion you should do more close-ups.
I wonder why RUclips's iOS app recommended this vid to me "30 years ago," when RUclips would've been, what...-18 years old? O.o Good vid, though--learned something new. :)
On a more related note, your obliques DO write more like italics than obliques. Are they oblique italics, or just plain obliques? My experience with obliques are very annoying, as I cannot find ANY obliques that suit my hand position. I like to write with right-foot obliques or Arabic nibs, but most stocks are only left-foot.
The few oblique nibs I have offer little to none line variation, in contrast with your writing samples with the OB nibs which look more like oblique italics.
Found it! Thanks for pointing this out :)
I spy... a Conway Stewart!! Love love love that company. However, the stock nibs that come from CS are quite noisy in my experience, is yours noisy?
Sometimes, that may be scratchy too, but mostly they are SOOOO LOOUUUDDD.... I had to waste 3 months breaking in my Churchill until it would finally write more smoothly and silently, much like an annoying wife who knows her tantrums aren't getting anywhere.
*yes*
Interesting. Even though I can clearly see and understand your explanation of the different nib types, besides the calligraphy nib at the end of the video, all the other nibs really don't stand out from each other. When I look at your writing on its own, all of your words kind of the look the same. It's a bit underwhelming. Am I the only one to feel this way? There are so many different nib manufacturing and customization techniques but I am just not seeing much difference in the results.
Thanks once again!
But yes, it would be very practical if it would run on ink! When you're writing, while driving of course, and need some ink because your pen went out of some, you just stop and open the tank's tank! =)....... On your way to france........to invade it.
@sbrebrown Sir your videos are quite informative. Do you have any personal mail ID which I could reach ?
Great ! Can you read minds or something similar?
_good_
Stephen! I just got myself an 'Italix Parson's Essential Fountain Pen' from 'MrPen.co.uk', with a two tone steel italic medium nib. It is an amazing pen that I would definitely recommend to you. It is black lacquer with gold trim. I got the pen, a converter, my initials engraved on the pen and delivery for under £50. Check it out! :-)
Tut tut. Inky fingers.
Lol!! I need some carrots and a tank to invade some country with!!
You are weird. I like you! =)
"Gott Stephen"
Are you sure you aint a personality disorder?
(you know the meaning in german, you do, or at least your subconscious)
Just kidding about that!
Regards