Showing posts with label dip pens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dip pens. Show all posts

Monday, April 7, 2025

gourmetpens LIVE | episode 26 | what's a folded brass nib?

  Hello jello!

LIVE | episode 26 | what's a folded brass nib?

kbai.


If you enjoy and/or appreciate it and you want to lend your continued support, please do check me out on Patreon. You can pledge your support and/or undying love for as little as $3. You are in no way obligated to do so. I appreciate your readership, viewership, and your support so much - thank you! 

Monday, March 31, 2025

gourmetpens LIVE | episode 25 | kakimori brass nib vs. steel nib

  Hello jello!

LIVE | episode 25 | kakimori brass nib vs. steel nib

kbai.


If you enjoy and/or appreciate it and you want to lend your continued support, please do check me out on Patreon. You can pledge your support and/or undying love for as little as $3. You are in no way obligated to do so. I appreciate your readership, viewership, and your support so much - thank you! 

Friday, July 16, 2021

DRILLOG - Precision Drill Tipped Dip Pen

DRILLOG Made in Japan the drill tipped pen

A huge thank you to DRILLOG for providing these samples so I could create this fun video and get to know the goodies! The project is up on Kickstarter now and it's perfect for artists, writers, experimenters, explorers!


If you enjoy and/or appreciate and you want to lend your continued support, please do check me out on Patreon. You can pledge your support and/or undying love for as little as $1. You are in no way obligated to do so. I appreciate your readership, viewership, and your support so much - thank you! 

The P.W. Akkerman x Gourmet Pens Pink Ink Collaboration:
Need some more PINK in your life?

/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\*ᵖᵘʳʳ*

P.W. Akkerman
Vanness Pens
Lemur Ink
Bookbinders Design
Laywine's (call or email)

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Wordless Wednesday

April 4. 2018 - Wordless Wednesday 1
April 4. 2018 - Wordless Wednesday 2

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Review: Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy! @NoteMakerTweets

People ask how they can get started with calligraphy pretty often, so here's a great way. Get a small set and go to town! You can also buy individual items, but sometimes it's just easier to have the items grouped together in a package for you. This drawing set is perfect for beginners and experienced calligraphers alike.
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  4

ABOUT



CONTENTS:
1 x Brause 66 EF
1 x Brause No. 513 (blue)
1 x Brause No. 511
1 x Wooden Holder + Universal Prongs
1 x Small Brush
1 x Bottle Black Ink
1 x Calligraphy Booklet
Price: $45.72 USD
Where to buy: NoteMaker Australia


PACKAGING


Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  1

All of these items are snugly presented and held in place in a plastic tray inside a cardboard box with a window. The calligraphy booklet is tucked under the tray inside. One of the most useful things in the booklet is not just the scripts (if you don't already have a calligraphy book or some other guide), but prep details for your nib. Brause recommends:
  1. Wash the nib with water and a little soap [dish soap].
  2. Dry the nib. Dip it in the ink.
  3. Write 2 or 3 words then dry your nib again.
  4. Your nib is ready.
This is straight forward and easy enough for a new user to pick up and figure out. Prepping a nib is also important because without removing the protective oils on the nib, ink won't stick properly and you won't get proper flow.
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  2
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  3

APPEARANCE


Let's whip through this part, because it's not that exciting. The wooden holder is straight, wood, and has a four prong holder in a metal collar. The brush is slim, wood, and has a small brush on the end. The bottle of ink is a small, clear glass jar. The box says the ink is India Ink, but it doesn't smell like India Ink to me - maybe it is Brause's calligraphy ink?
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  15
The three nibs are small nibs, each with a single slit and a breather hole. The name of each nib is stamped on its base.


NIB & PERFORMANCE


  • Brause 66 EF - extra-fine, agile nib
  • Brause No. 513 - hard nib with a fine point
  • Brause No. 511 - medium soft with a fine point
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  7
Getting to know the nibs...
I prepped all three nibs before trying them out. Let's start with the 513B - the blue nib. This is a nib that feels harder, but still offers some line variation. Of the three nibs in the set, this is a good one to start out with if you have never used a dip nib before. The reason for this is that it's not so soft that it requires a lot of experience to control. You can feel what kind of pressure it needs by just touching the nib to the page and seeing how it responds. I think it gives a nice amount of line variation and is easy to work with.
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  11
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  9
The 511 resembles the 513 in shape, but it is a little softer. It requires less pressure to achieve a little more line variation, and it may not show up in a writing sample, but you can feel it when using the nibs. The 511 is a little easier to flex than the 513.
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  10
All three nibs are capable of some very fine lines, as well as some serious variation - 513, 511, 66, in increasing variation order.

My favorite of the bunch, but also the one that took me the longest to really get the hang of, is the tiny, very cute 66EF. It is quite soft, more than the other two, and as such, it requires a light hand. Mild pressure produces extreme, monster line variation. It's rather amazing, especially considering the size of the nib. One might not expect such flex from this!
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  12
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  8
This is sold and marketed as a drawing set, but I don't really draw. I did play with line variation a lot, so I can see how these could be useful for artists to outline, fill, and shade, and the brush can easily be used with the ink as an ink wash. Those previous writing samples are when I was getting the hang of the nibs. See below for a more appropriate sample of each!
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  14
I very much enjoy this trio of nibs. I experimented with some other inks - I personally enjoy Daler Rowney liquid acrylic ink the most. The ink held on to the nibs well, so I did not have to focus on the ink so much as controlling the nib. The brush has a small tip and maintains its shape quite well, but I'm not a brush expert. All I know is it was a lot of fun to do brush lettering with and it's easy to clean.
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  5
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  6
Getting better...
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  13
The nibs are inserted into the holder by placing the base of the nib between the prongs and the metal collar. The springy prongs hold the nib in place against the collar.
Review Brause Dip Pen Set - A Starter Dip Nib Set for Calligraphy @NoteMakerTweets  16

PROS


  • A great all-in-one set for yourself (or anyone else) not only for drawing, but for hand lettering, calligraphy, modern calligraphy and/or brush lettering.
  • Includes a basic booklet that gets you started with prep and nib details.
  • Nice gift for someone who may be interested in trying out calligraphy, or for an artist.
  • Works for beginners or experienced users.
  • Fun, easy way to experiment with flexible nibs - huge line variation, more affordable than a flex nib fountain pen, and safer because if you spring it, you can replace it.

CONS


  • More nib details would be beneficial - for example, how to use a dip nib for new users. 
  • A bit pricy - the total price seems higher than the individual components.
  • Real India Ink would be, I think, easier for a new user to work with.

OVERALL



This is a great set for starting out in calligraphy, modern calligraphy, hand lettering, or brush lettering. It's also great for experienced users. It's easier to get this all in one set rather than buying individual components although I think the price is a little steep - but this would be a matter of convenience, especially for a new user. In addition, if you do want to gift this, it's nicely set up. That 66 nib is UNREAL. What a blast I've had playing with these nibs and I can't wait to improve my skills with these!

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I received this item at no charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. 

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Review: Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany

Thank you to Kaweco for sending this dip pen for review! I didn't even realize they made a dip nib holder, so this is a fun one.
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 1

ABOUT


Body Material: Aluminum
Trim: Metal (holder)
Holder Type: Universal Prongs
Length:  170.1 mm/6.69"
Barrel Diameter: 9.8 mm/0.38"
Section Diameter: 9.8 mm/0.38"
Weight (all): 18 g
Price: $ 36.00USD
Where to buy: JetPens | Shop Nibs
JetPens-Sponsored-Blog-Banner

PACKAGING


The Kaweco Special dip pen is presented in a simple squared plastic tube. The back end of the holder is held by a hole in the cap/plug. In place, the nib does not reach the end of the container, and the pen body is held secure. It is a nice box because it wastes little space, it protects the aluminum pen, and most importantly, it protects the nib at the end.

The downside to this set up is if your nib or holder is wet and you store it like this, in an enclosed, inevitably humid environment, it will likely rust faster. Be sure to dry it well, or only use it for storage without the nib/long term storage. 

APPEARANCE


The Kaweco Special dip pen is part of the Special line up - it includes a lead holder, fountain pen, etc. It is a long pen with an octagonal body, and a smooth, tapered point at the end. The tip tapers to a chrome end with the metal collar and four prongs set inside the barrel. The barrel is engraved with "Kaweco Special Germany" in silver. Otherwise, the whole barrel is matte black aluminum.
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 2
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 4
At this price, scrutinizing the finish seems silly - I'm more accepting of cosmetic/finishing issues when it isn't an insanely expensive pen. However, the holder looks pretty good. There is a small seam visible where the tapered end is attached to the back of the barrel, but it's quite minor and doesn't affect function. Overall, it's a simple, attractive dip holder.

PERFORMANCE & FEEL


The nib that is supplied with this pen is a Leonardt 30 pointed nib. It is a silver colored metal nib with a single slit, an elongated oval breather hole, and long, thin tines. The base is engraved with: Leonardt England. 
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 5
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 7
Before using a dip nib, it must be prepped - dip nibs leave the factory with an oily coating to protect them. Not surprisingly, this repels ink when you try to use it, and results in skippy, inconsistent writing to varying degrees. Sometimes it's worse than others. There are a few ways to prep a nib, including using toothpaste, potatoes, and/or dish soap. I have heard the potato method is superior to the dish soap method, but what if you don't have a potato on hand? I use the boring method of dish soap and hot water: 
  • Put some hot water and a few drops of dish soap in a small container. 
  • Let sit for a minute.
  • Carefully remove nib from container and flush it thoroughly with clean water.
  • Dip the nib in ink once or twice, wipe the ink off.
  • Dip again and write!
No doubt, you can find different ways to clean nibs online but this is just what I do. The nib comes installed but obviously, you may remove it to clean it. To insert the nib in the holder, place the base of the nib between the prongs and the metal collar. That is, not inside the prongs, but on the outside. They are snug and springy and will hold your nib against the collar. I am no dip nib expert. I use them and I have fun with them casually, but they have a lot of potential and are well worth getting the hang of. So, that said, prep your nib and put it in the holder!
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 10
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 11
You can use many types of media with dip nibs, and that's what's so fun. The thicker inks are easier to get the hang of. I tried fountain pen ink but I found the nib fairly sharp and wanted something more lubricated. I was moderately successful with a bottle of J. Herbin Calligraphy Ink - it was not bad but didn't feel smooth enough. Of course, your miles may vary. My favorite dip pen ink is Daler Rowney Liquid Acrylic, in this case, Process Magenta. I didn't dilute the ink and I found it flowed well and held on to the nib well.
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 6
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 8
The nib offers some fine lines and decent line variation with medium flexibility. It's scratchy but works with a light hand. Remember: use a light hand for upstrokes and only apply pressure on the downstrokes. It's a lot of fun for hand lettering, calligraphy, drawing, and whatever else you may come up with!
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 9
I like the design of the pen and it doesn't roll away because of the facets. That's a good thing! It's comfortable to grip for use, but since it is an aluminum body, I felt my hand tiring after awhile of use. The metal pen is a bit heavier than the wood and plastic holders I am more used to. It's also a bit longer so there's more weight added on. I'm sure some users will find it comfortable and it is, but for lots of writing and practice, it's tiresome for me.
Review Kaweco Special Dip Pen @JetPens @Kaweco_Germany 3

PROS


  • Attractive aluminum design.
  • Easy to clean material - minimal ink staining and it can be wiped off.
  • Doesn't roll away!
  • Matches Kaweco's Special models.
  • Packaging is useful, minimal, and easy to store.
  • Affordable pen.
  • Universal holder - you can put larger nibs in (like this one) as well as smaller nibs.
  • Decent nib - not too soft so that it feels difficult to control, but offers medium flexibility for fun line variation.
  • Great for trying out pointed pen calligraphy.
  • Can use a variety of inks - India Ink, gouache, liquid acrylics, etc. You are not restricted to fountain pen inks.

CONS


  • I find the length and weight of the holder tiresome during longer writing sessions.
  • Nib is scratchy - at least this particular one is. It's also a fairly fine nib, so it may require some getting used to.
  • Nib can catch on paper, resulting in feathering and fibers collecting in the tines.
  • Holder is more expensive than a plain plastic one.

OVERALL


Pros definitely outweigh the cons here. For casual, fun use, most dip nib holders do the job. This one is a little nicer and still affordable. The universal holder lets you use a variety of nibs, and it's safe and easy to store. Thumbs up!


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I received this item at no charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. 

Friday, July 22, 2016

Winsor & Newton Gold Ink @winsorandnewton

In case you aren't subscribed to my YouTube channel, I wanted to share this here. I also wanted to share it because it's sexy as heck.

This Leonardt Shorthand Copperplate nib is affordable and totally worth it. Grab one at Anderson Pens and have some fun!

CONNECT: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Google

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Wordless Wednesday

July 13. 2016 - Wordless Wednesday
A beautiful oblique dip nib holder, from Rodger. Reviewed here!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs

Ben Rowley contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing this paper and spreading the word about it. He found this paper in his quest to find paper that would work well both with smooth fountain pen nibs, as well as with sharp, flexy vintage steel dip nibs. He found the dip nibs often cut the fibers of the page and the ink would feather. Sometimes, with a very sharp nib, the fibers may be cut and you don't even realize it, then your ink feathers. This can be incredibly frustrating! (Check out Ben on YouTube)
Azizah's Pens For Giveaway
Image courtesy of Ben Rowley.
Details below!
If you order a pad of this paper, you will also receive a free handmade dip pen out of reclaimed urban woods and three vintage dip nibs (an italic, a medium, and the Esterbrook Falcon 048) with your order. Offer will be available to the first five customers. The next five customers will receive the three dip nibs.

1. English Walnut (not Black Walnut) shaft and Cherry sapwood (from my grandfathers cherry tree).
2. Figured Cottonwood shaft and black walnut.
3. The shaft of this pen is straight grained cottonwood but the tree died of a fungus which caused some streaking in the wood it is very unique. The grip section is sycamore.
4. Figured Apple and black walnut.
5. Unknown pallet wood from tiles shipped from Europe. The wood is straight grained, greenish brown and hard.  The section is Black Walnut.

ABOUT

Size: 8.5" x 11"
Color: White
Ruling: Pads are handmade, so if you want a different ruling, you can always talk to Ben about that.
Sheet Count: 100 per notepad
Where to buy: ordersn2paper@gmail.com
Shipping via lowest USPS flat rate (starts at $5.00USD per order)
Pricing as follows:

BOUND NOTEPADS
Size Ruling Sheet Count Price USD
8.5” x 11”  Standard Descender 100$9.50
5.5” x 8.5”  Standard Descender 100$6.00
4.25” x 5.5”  Standard Descender 100$3.50
8.5” x 11” Blank 100$9.50
5.5” x 8.5” Blank 100$6.00
4.25” x 5.5” Blank 100$3.50

UNBOUND/LOOSE SHEETS
Size Ruling Sheet Count Price USD
8.5” x 11”  Standard Descender 100$9.00
5.5” x 8.5”  Standard Descender 100$5.50
4.25” x 5.5”  Standard Descender 100$3.00
8.5” x 11” Blank 100$9.00
5.5” x 8.5” Blank 100$5.50
4.25” x 5.5” Blank 100$3.00

APPEARANCE
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
Each notepad is hand assembled by Ben Rowley. They are simple but functional. They have metallic silver covers that are flush with the paper inside, and cardboard backs. The spine is a black hinged binding with a linen appearance, but is actually a high grade card stock. It's very strong but folds back easily. The front has information about the notepad itself: name, size, ruling. The paper inside is white, although sometimes there are small specks of brown or black in the page. These specks are quite small, but some prefer pure white sheets. The ruling is green-grey and was printed on by Ben.
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
The spine is glue bound and it is done in a clean way. There was no glue dripped or blobbed on the paper. It's a simple notepad.
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
The nib I received is an Esterbrook Falcon 048; a sharp nib with moderate flex.
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs Falcon 048
Blank sheets will come with a printed ruled card stock as a guideline.

PERFORMANCE & FEEL

Immediately upon touching the paper, the tooth is noticeable. If the paper is tilted in light, the texture is visible. It's isn't a significant amount of tooth, but it is a fair amount, and enough that you can feel it when writing, even with very smooth nibs. I tried writing on this paper with a straight dip pen first and found the nib got caught in the tooth a few times and splattered. While it looks cool, it's not necessarily the most desirable thing. When I switched to an oblique nib holder, the incidence of this dropped. The more I wrote on the paper, the more I got the hang of it. I also think this means I learned how to hold my nib holders properly!

I think by the end of running through the Rohrer & Klingner Drawing and Calligraphy Inks I have, I wasn't doing too bad with the straight holder. My writing with the oblique holder could use some work, but that's considerably harder for me just because I'm less familiar with it. Despite my inability to write properly, what I did NOT experience was the nib cutting into the paper and subsequent feathering.
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
Writting with oblique nib holder and Falcon 048 sharp vintage nib.
Using dip nibs again, I gave the paper a run with Rohrer & Klinger Drawing and Calligraphy inks. I absolutely loved writing with these inks on this paper. The paper tolerated the inks so well! I think artists (or tragic, hopeless people like myself who try to be artistic) may enjoy this paper.
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
Written with oblique nib holder and Nikko G dip nib.
Furthermore, the paper performed admirably with a wide range of fountain pens and inks. Nibs, even fine nibs, didn't catch the paper either. I tested various nibs, from fine to triple broads, as well as stubs and flexible nibs.
SN2 Paper - FPs
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
The paper doesn't suck the ink out of the nib, so the writing experience is pleasant. It isn't overly smooth and buttery because of the tooth to it. Pooled ink on the page doesn't feather or bleed either.
SN2 Paper Pooled Ink
It's quite great. Drying times are pretty quick, given the performance of the paper as well, even with very wet nibs like my Waterman 94 music nib.
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs Music Nib Test
Music nib writing sample close up. Stayed in place very well!
The spreading I noted actually occurred on the printed ruling, therefore I think blank pages may be best for this paper. It's really quite nice, so if blank pages work for you, give it a shot!
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs

Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
Yep, that's Noodler's Baystate Blue. Not bad, eh?
PROS
  • Tolerates many inks very well - no feathering (to the naked eye, at least!), minimal show through, and very, very little bleed through (and only where I scribbled way too much ink). 
  • Quick drying times. 
  • Has a touch of tooth; a pleasant writing experience. If you prefer less tooth, you can always flip the paper over as the other side is a little smoother. Each sheet in the pad should be oriented in the right direction so they all have tooth up, smooth down. 
  • Works well with fountain pens and dip nibs - nibs don't cut into the paper. 
Review: sn^2 Paper For Smooth & Sharp Nibs
CONS  
  • Despite the wonderful ink pooling, there is no sheen.
  • Some inks spread on the printed ruling (many do not). This is likely because an inkjet printer is used to print the ruling - this can be resolved with commercial printing (or having blank paper, which suits my fancy).
OVERALL 

I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of this paper, and by the way it felt. Sometimes paper with a little bit of tooth is nice, particularly with dip nibs (which I'm not so good with). I would never have had the opportunity to try this paper without Ben's generosity (and curiosity and relentless search for the right paper). Ben has a great and generous offer going on right now, for the first ten people to pick up some of this paper from him, so do check it out. I really think it's worth a shot.

I received this paper and nib as a gift for review purposes. I was not compensated monetarily for this review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. There are no affiliate links in this review.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Review: RodgersPenBox Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders

Ah! A new thing to review! Rodger contacted me and kindly offered me a straight pen holder and an oblique holder as well if I was interested. Having never used an oblique holder before, I was thrilled by his offer and accepted! Not long after, two gorgeous holders arrived. I did tell Rodger I would review them, but he didn't ask me to share his Etsy shop or even mention it, but the pen holders are so lovely, and I could do no less, of course. He also offered a lot of follow up help on care and further information on dip pens and flange adjustment, etc. Anyway, long ramble aside: thank you Rodger! Do check out Rodger's shop.

Ok, but before I go on... a DISCLAIMER! I am NOT a professional and I am not a calligrapher (obviously). I'm just someone who enjoys scribbling and trying out new writing tools. All I can offer you is my opinion and my take on things, and tell you what I have learned and try to guide you that way. If you don't like it, sorry, but you're probably looking in the wrong place. If you want something more structured or real, I'm not going to be able to offer that. If you're just here to have fun and test the waters, then read on and have a good time. Cheers!
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
ABOUT
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Body Material: Cocobolo
Length (straight): 6.10"
Length (oblique): 6.08" (not including flange)
Barrel Diameter (both): 0.48"
Section Diameter: 0.37"
Weight (straight): 12 g
Weight (oblique): 12 g
Price: Starts at $35.00USD
Where to buy: Etsy - RodgersPenBox

PACKAGING & APPEARANCE
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Each nib holder is packaged inside a felt sleeve to protect the wood. They slide out easily so I don't use them for storage. Both pens are made of cocobolo wood: a very warm, rich coloured wood that seems to be a base of yellow-amber with darker swirls in it.
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
They flare near the tip, thin out a little, then flare out again at the center of the bodies before tapering to a long and thin end. Aesthetically, both in terms of design and colour, they are gorgeous. I absolutely love them and they are without a doubt the most attractive dip pen holders I have.
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
PERFORMANCE
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
The straight holder works fabulously: no adjustment required there.The springs hold nibs tightly. They don't slide around while I'm writing or dipping - which can be very annoying when using really crappy nib holders that just won't grip the nib. What I love about these snug springs though is that I can put a lot of pressure on the nib to really flex it and draw out as much line variation from it as possible. With a loose or weak grip on the nib from a lesser holder, I can't comfortably put pressure on the nib like this. Straight holder is an immediate hit!
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
The oblique holder was adjusted by Rodger for Nikko G nibs before he sent them for me, but as he informed me, it was adjusted for his grip. I found the flange a little loose still, although it held other nibs more snugly. No problem though, Rodger let me know I could adjust the flange myself (gently with some pliers).
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Flanges can be adjusted for different nibs. From what I understand, people who use different nibs have different oblique pens for them because if the flange is adjusted too many times, it will eventually harden and crack. If the flange is not pinned (like mine), it can be replaced. If it is pinned, it would have to be carefully repaired, though I suppose it may be easier just to replace it, unless it's a sentimental or valuable holder. These issues obviously do not exist with the straight holders. By request, Rodger will pin a flange at no extra charge, or he will include brass shim material should the flange become loose and you don't want it pinned. If none of this makes sense, get in touch with Rodger through his Etsy shop. He's very, very nice and very helpful, and was most patient with  me (despite my lack of knowledge on all things dip pen).
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
I tightened up the flange a little and adjusted the angle ever so slightly, my nib sat more snugly, I could readjust my grip to one that was comfortable with the oblique holder, and ta-da! It felt just right. Errr... not sure I'm ready for flourishing yet... I really don't think I do the oblique holder justice, but should I ever learn how to flourish, at least I won't destroy the nib or paper on the upstroke.
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Straight holder writing sample.
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Oblique holder writing sample. (Please don't laugh. I'm learning, okay?)
These two holders have replaced all others that I use because they are the smoothest in hand, and I love the slightly thinned out grip area in between the flared pieces - this helps hold my fingers in place. It's just a small matter of comfort.

INKS

A question I often get is "what inks can I use?" - and it's a good question. Fountain pen ink tends to be thin so it's difficult to work with, and while it can be done with a bit of practice, it may be easier to start with calligraphy inks and/or acrylic inks. (Never, ever put calligraphy or acrylic inks in your fountain pens!) Alternately, you can always thicken your fountain pen ink. Here is a recipe from Mr. Bill Lilly, Master Penman.

1 1/2 oz. Pelikan (4001) ink - or any other fountain pen ink
1 heaping teaspoon of powdered gum Arabic
Stir in small amounts of ink and powder, mix until smooth (make sure you get the lumps out)

Work in small batches. Maybe don't use your precious, discontinued, very expensive inks. Liquid gum arabic works with watercolour paints. Easy peasy. This will likely change the colour of your ink very slightly though.

PROS & CONS
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
These are beautiful handmade pieces in which you can select the wood they are made from. You can talk to the maker and be specific about what you are looking for, especially if you know what you want! (I clearly didn't.)
Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
Cons? That's really tough. The only thing I can really say is an oblique holder is not for the weak of heart: you have to be willing to use it and adjust it to your liking, or it's not going to fit your grip perfectly, and it won't feel just right. A straight holder is a pretty safe bet, although going for a handmade holder in exotic wood is not as inexpensive as picking up a Tachikawa for $5.00USD from your favourite online stationery shop. Is this really a con? Well, no... but it could be a deterrent.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

Rodger suggests occasionally wiping down the bodies with a clean, soft, dry rag. If (when) I get ink on them, try to remove the ink with a moist rag or paper towel. Usually I just use my finger to smear the ink off. Over time, oils from your hands and hand lotions will remove the luster from the pens, but alas, they are tools and are meant to be used!

OVERALL

If you're looking for dip nib holders, and you can spare the extra cash (between a $5.00 and $30.00 holder), spoil yourself and get yourself a nice handmade one. Or two. Or three. If you're looking to get one as a gift for someone, then you definitely should get them a handmade one like this! It would be a unique, beautiful gift that your budding or practiced calligrapher would certainly enjoy. While practiced calligraphers will likely be very particular about the tools for their trade, they would probably still enjoy doodling on the side with a thoughtful gift that was made just for them! And if you have never used a dip nib holder before, seriously: get one and venture into this extremely fun world. It's the most affordable way to experience flex nibs. 

Thank you again to Rodger for his generosity, help, kindness, and patience with me as I explored these holders and learned more about the oblique holders. Please do visit his Etsy shop!

Review: Handmade Oblique & Straight Dip Nib Holders
These nib holders were sent as a gift. I was not asked to do a review nor was I asked to share Rodger's Etsy shop: I'm sharing these holders because I really enjoy them and Rodger has been most helpful and I think his shop should be shared! All opinions here are uninfluenced by monetary compensation. There are no affiliate links in this review. 
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