How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

[Parault]

I need instructions and a "how to" for this challenge.

I acquired a nib pen set & bottle of ink for Christmas. I have never wrote with one,much less had one in my hand. I have tried looking here and was not able to find anything on how to use this primitive insturment.
How do you hold it? How far do you dip in the ink? How often do you dip? Can you write like you do with a modern pen? If someone would be so kind,as to explain to me,the finer points of nib penmanship,or send me to the proper site to inquire the correct usage,I would be appreciative of the assistance.

[Rev]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

It's all about angles and pressure, both in the fingers and on the paper. Good paper is a must. Most modern folks choke the life out of the pen. It must be held properly. This link: http://www.iampeth.com/lessons.htm will take you to a page on calligraphy lessons. Though different, the pen control and angles are similar. Also, you can pick up a guide to Spencerian penmanship and it will contain all you need..

[Parault]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Thank you Mr. Underwood,

I found the site very informative,especially the fonts, and styles. While the site has a copious amounts of information, most questions were disclosed, however, I still have questions that were not established. I am still reviewing.

[mmartin4600]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Practice, practice, practice.

[Rob]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Since our modern hands are used to pressing pen down hard with ballpoints or roller balls onto the paper, the process almost has to be re-learned.

When you write with a dip pen, think of it not as writing, but as painting with a fine brush. Perhaps, when you were younger, you built model cars or planes? If you used the fine detail brush with too much pressure, the bristles would splay out and make a bloody mess.

Writing with a dip pen is much the same, especially if you use a very flexible nib such as the Gillott 303. The point will dig into the paper, catch there for a moment, and then spray little droplets of ink onto the page. You might consider starting off with a more rigid nib, such as the Gillott 1066 Registry. I don't know if these are still available, but I got about three dozen of them on eBay, and have even used them to make carbon copies. (You would not believe the looks I get when someone asks to borrow a pen, as I dip the point in the inkwell and hand it to them.) PM me with your name and address, and I'll send one your way.

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:IPY1yPXeNz0J:www.iampeth.com/lessons/tips_on_nibs/fine_and_not_flexible.pdf+1066+registry&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

http://www.iampeth.com/lessons/tips_on_nibs/fine_and_not_flexible.pdf

I hope you did not get India ink. It will clot and foul the nib. I use McCaffery's Penman's oak gall ink or Higgins Eternal.

You might consider joining the Scrivener's Mess group...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ScrivenersMess/

[Hardtack Baker]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Mr. Parault,
Congratulations on attempting to discover more about how to write with nib pen and ink. It is a neglected activity. It is one of my loves, since working many years at the Jostens awards company. Some customers required us to hand calligraphy "engross" names, dates, etc. on awards. One job I remember for U.S. Congressional Awards was particularly beautiful. Writing like this was once common to our American populace, but is sadly a lost art to the common person today. I liked the web site that Mr. Underwood provided very much. The basic idea, in my mind, after having done quite a bit of copperplate, or engraving, or engrossing --whatever you wish to call writing script with a pen nib-- is to: 1) maintain a nice, uniform slant to your script, 2) move on the slanted upswings with a very light, thin line, and 3) use increased pressure and a heavier, wider line on the down strokes. "Up strokes" are very slanted to the right. (tipped over more) Down strokes are pulled more straight down, but still angled to the left. Of course, a person should learn the correct capital and lowercase letters (forms) to write a beautiful copperplate script. Writing this way is quite a bit like "drawing letters" and takes more time than simply script handwriting. The result is a magnificent written document. I particularly like to write short letters with pen and ink to "put in the mail" when our regiment is at an event. Even writing to our soldiers I do not know as well feels like writing words of encouragement and general commentary to any soldier during the war. Imagine their surprise, when their name is called at mail call. Their eyes look upon a written hand, just like soldiers of the era. It is a special experience for myself and that young person (or older, seasoned soldier) that carries us back in time. Exchange of hand written thoughts is still a special experience. Good luck with your attempts. Enjoy your new pen set! You will improve and give yourself and others great pleasure.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Marie McNamara (aka Hardtack Baker)

[Greg Renault]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

I second Rob's advice. On ink, I would add that while my first choice is McCaffery's oak gall, my second is Higgins Calligraphy, which is waterproof (the Higgins "Eternal" is not).

[Rob Weaver]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Good paper is easier to write on than, say, copier paper. Your pens actually change over time, so they'll hold a different amount of ink. I'll second that advice to hold the pen lightly and don't push down. That's how to blot the page (like St Peter did when the littlest angel snuffled upon presenting himself at the heavenly gates - not a period reference but one I think of every time I do the same thing.) I have given up hope of having a godd hand and merely settle for legible at this point. First of all, my modern writing isn't that good, and I don't use all the cursive capitals. I'm forever trying to remember things like "How do you make a darn Q anyway?" Second, and probably more damning, I'm left-handed. I have to hold my hand up or the line will smear as my wrist passes over it. Given that left-handedness was a good bit rarer then than now, and one of the few things I really can't do with my right hand is write, I've decided that the cramped script looking like it came from a palsied hand is about the best I'm going to get. (BTW - Stow your inkwell in your haversack rather than your knapsack. I'd rather clean ink off ration bags than my precious belongings anyday.)

[Joanna Jones]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Just a quick google search for those of us who are blessed with being lefties:
Left Handed Calligraphy by Vance Studley: http://tinyurl.com/38jggv

FAQ about being left-handed, including a question about left-handed calligraphy resources(question # 35): http://www.faqs.org/faqs/lefty-faq/

I know calligraphy is not the same as the handwriting from our period, but it is a place to start.

HTH, Joanna Jones

[Becky Morgan]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Nothing to add but my thanks to all of you. Son is left-handed and constantly complains about his handwriting. Moreover, he's a throwback who would be perfectly happy living in 186-something. These links may be right up his alley.

[Drygoods]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Dear Sir,
I also received a similar gift for Christmas, but already have several different kinds of pens and use them often. I would suggest that you look online through ebay and the other auction houses, or abebooks.com for some good period penmanship or letterwriting books. This is your best way to learn how to hold the pen, what sorts of nibs are necessary for various letters or documents, and general maintenance of how to care for a dip pen. The most common name for these kinds of books, for adult or children, is yadayada letter writer, (letter writer seems to be in most titles.)

[Tarheel]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

Dear Mr. Parault,
The very best source I can recommend to you and others who are interested in penmanship appropriate to the mid-nineteenth century is John Neal Bookseller, www.johnnealbooks.com, email: info@johnnealbooks.com or call toll-free 800-369-9598.
Their catalogue is a treasure-trove of information, products, books and videos on the art of calligraphy and penmanship. I understand that the most popular "taught" form of writing for our period was called Spencerian Script. Page 32 of the catalogue contains many books and products to assist in the mastery of this art. Many months ago I purchased "Learning to Write Spencerian Script" by Michael Sull and Debra Rapp (cat item B1816) which has been wonderfully useful. The entire catalogue is a joy to read for those having this interest.
With best wishes to all for 2008,
Patrick Reardon.
The Lazy Jack Mess, UK

[Rob]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

More writing links:

http://www.blotspens.co.uk/

http://www.mottmedia.com/pages/publications.asp?Pub=spencer

http://www.pendemonium.com/

http://www.zanerian.com/

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

For those interested in learning how to write in a period style, we have a set of five Spencerian copybooks and an adult textbook for learning how to write in the Spencerian manner (found in the School supplies section on our webpage). The adult book shows the student how to sit, hold the pen, and gives instructions for using the pen.

The best way to learn how to use the pen is to learn how to form the letters first with a pencil and then learn how to use the pen. It is easier to learn in the period manner rather then using modern techniques since modern instructions suggest using an oblique pen and those were not common in the 19th century.

After learning how to form the letters, using the pen takes practice to have the pen pressure become second nature for forming specific letters.

It is fun to learn but after learning, one needs to continue to practice in order to keep the muscle memory. Another thing to remember is that not everyone had a picture perfect, copybook handwriting style and their style had a great deal to do with how they learned to write and who they learned from.

When using a period pen, I like the Higgins Eternal ink because it is easy to find and doesn't glop up the pen as much as some inks do. I also try to use 100% cotton rag paper rather than regular copy paper, since the copy paper has too much size on it and it is not rag paper. I would not recommend using a linen laid paper because the pen tends to catch on the lines of the laid pattern.

[Rob]

Re: How to write with nib pens & bottled ink

A good paper to use is Southworth's "Exceptional Resumé Paper". It is 100 per cent cotton and is available at office-supply stores.