Comments on Profile Post by Lyander

Pics!

And now it's suddenly a business negotiation because they asked for changes and I'm unexpectedly stressed AAAAAAAAARGH

@skem oh just saw this. It's just a quick doodle of their name. I'm unsure if it's fine to release that since that's private information and it is identifiable, sorry.

Got clearance to disclose and told her to pay what she felt was fair, haha. My skills are rusty so I'm a bit nervous asking for my usual rates: http://imgur.com/a/XKRHG2N

Free ad: she's a performer/voice actress/EMT and a generally cool person: https://www.abigail-hunt.com/. The fact that she said she wanted to reimburse for time made me cry a bit.

Damn impressive!

Wow, you did that by hand? Amazing work.

I've been doing italic calligraphy since the end of 2013 and variations of Engrosser's script, Spencerian, ornamental penmanship, etc. with an oblique holder since 2014 or so, so I've had time to get kinda decent haha. I really am out of practise though.

Thank you! The worst part is I can't ctrl+z if the nib snags or ink poops out haha.

Impressive, especially since the best I can personally muster is some minor line variation with a specialty stub or italic nib on my fountain pens.

Nah, it's actually way harder to keep steady with a flex nib haha. I gave up trying to chase flex in fountain pens ages ago since none really approaches dip nib capabilities, and if I over flex it costs much less.

Stubs are more for adding character to regular writing IME, but for italics I think it helps to have consistent hold, no rotation cuz that thickens crossstrokes

I have minimal experience with dip pens, but I have seen lots more focus on flex in Japanese and high end Eurpopean fountain pens. Sailor, Nakaya, and even Mont Blanc have models that some folks have great results with, just not me.

And I hear you about the difference in cost. Have you seen the Spencerian customization that Mike Mottishaw at Nibs.com can do? It's crazy what he can get a fountain pen nib to do. Super pricey though.

I've tried a few of the Mottishaw Spence, he really does add a certain snap to those nibs that lend to their strengths for styles that require responsive feel.

I love Sailor pens, have a Naginata (cracked unfortunately) from the elder Nagahara's era. I'm probably gonna have it repaired when finances allow; too sentimental to just have the nib replaced by Sailor.

I've never found Sailor nibs to be particularly good for flex. Platinum/Nakaya are far better for that, likely due to how their nibs have less curvature on the face.

I absolutely love the Montblanc flex nib. It's priced at a premium of course but while the line variation is far behind what you can get with a dip nib the writing experience does approach vintage flex: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RzMeXWRL21BaDjNj6

You'd think Aurora pens with their looooong tines would be grand, but they really just felt mushy to me. I didn't much appreciate Visconti's flex either, but I'm probably spoiled by dip nibs haha. They're cheap! Worth buying on a lark if you want super line variation :)

I'd love to get a Montblanc 149 with the calligraphy nib, but it just ins't practical for office use, lest someone grab it to sign a document. The pen would be like having a sports car that mostly lives in the shop/barn.

And your Naginata sounds wonderful. Someday I want to at least try the various specialty nibs at a show.

Yep there's a reason I keep a cheapo ballpoint on me at all times— too many horror stories.

The feel of the nib is different now. Had since 2013 so it's rather worn down; when new it did have a beautiful pencilly feedback and crisp variation, only was too broad from my lower writing angle haha.

Perhaps a Tohma pen might pique your interest instead of MB, haha.

Beautiful work @Lyander !

Appreciate it! The version I felt was more coarse was what she ultimately went with on her site which I feel a bit at odds about, but really glad she's happy with the quality. Also goes to show aesthetics are personal, haha.