One SIZE DOES NOT fit all!

Nib Talk  by Nick Olmos-Lau MD

Different strokes for different folks or One SIZE DOES NOT fit all!

We will start our voyage with a visit to mythomania:

Gold nibs are better than steel because……. 

You can’t do quality (Calligraphy) writing unless you use a……..

A person’s mind is reflected in their handwriting just like in the cards…..

Music nibs are only for music writing… Stubs are only for stubby people…Italic nibs are scratchy….. Extra fine nibs are for timids…..

You should buy a pen or a nib without ever trying it, just like a car….

A pen or a nib is just like underwear one size fits all……

Forget it, you will never learn to write better because……you can’t teach an old 

dog new tricks…..

Next on the schedule is a visit to PROVERBIA

A right oblique is slanted like your hand, your foot, the pictures on the Parker, Sheaffer,  Esterbrook or the Osmiroid catalogues?

By that time you will be ready for a hand tour of EASY GROUPING

To see examples of nibs from different vintage and modern pen makers and

 learn to distinguish THE FOREST FROM THE TREES.

While looking at various handwriting styles produced by different nibs you will glance at the

 influence of pen angle, size, width and type of pen on the final result. 

At the end of the trip you will have gained more insight into the process of

 pen-nib selection by expanding your choices to find a more suitable writing 

implement that enhances your written message.

 

GROUPS:

 

A) MONOLINE writing tools;

Includes not only FP but also pencils, BP. RR. GEL and Felt tips.  The conventional ball shaped points or nib tips can be XXXF- XF, F, M, B, BB etc .The writing output is a line of uniform steady width and without variability. Varying weight or slant of the letters can alter the appearance or interest. The addition of Serifs can provide some texture. The simplicity of the output is perfect for clarity and legibility. There is no conventional relationship between letter size and width. Speedball nibs.

B) POINTED pen- flex nibs.

Pointed nibs allow the user the ability to obtain highly textured handwriting  (thick to thin variability) through the use of pressurized handwriting.

Fine and elegant writing can be obtained through consistent training and practice.

Some examples of this type of handwriting are the

Embossers or Copperplate and Spencerian hands

This writing tool can vary from extra-fine to wide. It is the result of flexible metal tip that allows maximum separation of tines for wider lines; a delicate touch will produce extremely fine hairline traces. Examples will be provided and explanation of what constitutes the Embossers or Copperplate and Spencerian styles.

C) ITALIC or Broad edged nibs

Italic or broad edged nibs are chisel or painter brush like tools.

This type of nib is used for many styles of Calligraphic Handwriting including Italic, Uncial, Roman Caps, Caroline, Foundational and Gothic among the most common hands. The texture of this writing is achieved by the nib shape and holding angle of the nib on the paper or writing material.

 The nib width determines the optimal size of the lettering (xxxxF- 4B or wider. Since conventional F, M, B sizes do not necessarily apply; customized nibs can be used once the size of the lettering is chosen.

The close relationship between nib width and desired or ideal letter size (Italic 5 nib widths, Uncial 4-5 NW, Roman caps 6-7 NW) can help determining the nib size.

Nib tweaking can spark the writing by creating crisp or cursive Italic hands. Flexible Italic nibs are useful to create pressurized Italic variation (advanced)

D) OBLIQUES-Slanted & Curved (right or left) and left-handed nibs. Slanted italic nibs are commonly used to facilitate Uncial and Gothic hands (usually 15 degree angulations). A more pronounced angulation (30 deg) or a curved nib could be used to facilitate left-handed writing. Writing with oblique or italic pens requires nib rotation and angulation.

E) SPECIAL use and designer nibs

 

Stub nibs – Less texture than italic but smoother line variation.

Music nibs (2-5 tine nibs) for music notation or bold lines. Pentagrams

Arabic - Hebrew handwriting nibs. Italic-nibs for textured right to left characters.

Split broad edged, “Scroll” or “Shadow” nibs  (2 separated tines) line effects

Japanese=Chinese handwriting style nibs: Selective width choices, formidable ink flow.

            Zoom

     Naginata Cross nib

     Nagainata Togi Upward turned

Concord Emperor nib Downward turned nib

Asian Calligraphy NIB

Brush Pens: Pointed (nylon) and Oriental (hair brushes)

Parallel Pens and parallel plate technology.

Automatic-Coit pens for wide steel brush like traces and rotational effects.

Ruling pen Width variability and angulations to resolve creative choices.

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