Blue Pumpkin Nibs Comparison - Brause 361 Steno VS Leonardt Hiro 40

Blue Pumpkin is one of the well known and loved pointed nib among calligraphers. Today’s video has been inspired by one of the calligrafriends’ curiosity as to the difference between the two nibs, which are both called Blue Pumpkin. Which one is better and what’s the difference? Let’s compare them together and find out all about Blue Pumpkin Nibs!

[@TheStyleGene]

Thanks for the comparison video, Liz! I have the Brause in my collection but it’s good to see how the Hiro performs side by side.

[@FlourishedHope]

The Style Gene Hi Jaime!! It’s so kind of you to drop by! I am glad you found the video somehow helpful 🤗 Always a fan of your work!

[@Bar10der82]

Thank you for this wonderfully clear and helpful side by side comparison!

[@FlourishedHope]

Oh I am glad you found the video helpful! ☺️ Thank you for your kind words!

[@maniacVeritas]

Nice to see nib comparison and with the Nikko G too! Thanks for this video.

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Joanna! I also love Nikko G too! I am grateful that you found the video helpful 🤗

[@robhead22]

Excellent comparison. Thank you!

[@FlourishedHope]

Thank you for your kind words! I hope the video was helpful for your creative journey ☺️

[@lilclucky22]

Very informative and helpful, Liz! Thank you for sharing!

[@careyroush7150]

Very nice comparison...well done. Clear voice can be heard over music.

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be a late reply but I appreciate your kind words! ☺️

[@kerisutt7579]

I prefer the Hiro, it just writes smoother for me.

[@buckrogers5331]

Solid video. Thank you. I'm going to pick up dip ink penning. Have always loved inked artwork such as those in Modesty Blaise.

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be a late reply but I appreciate your lovely comment! 🥰

[@marcb6444]

Nice comparison review of these nibs. Now I’m going for the Hiro 40. Thanks!

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be a late reply but I really appreciate your kind words Marc! I am glad the video was helpful 😊

[@Chafalota]

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO👍🏻👍🏻💯💯 WHAT KIND OF PAPER ARE YOU USING ON THIS VIDEO ? IS THE ANGLED LINE A 55 DEGREE ?

[@ssimp104]

oh my gosh that was so in detail. i subbed. i liked. and im probably coming back, i dont have the best memory ;-;

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be a late reply but nevertheless, I am grateful that you found the video helpful! Thank you for visiting!

[@VicV6511]

Thank you so much! Now I understand why I have to keep dipping the pen.

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi again Edwin! Oh I am very grateful you found my video helpful! 💕 Yes, it’s such a simple thing but without prepping the new nib, it really ruins the whole experience! 🤗

[@f-ms7vs]

Fantastic and in depth review. This was what i was looking for. Thank you so much. I just have one query. In terms of smoothness was there anybl significant difference between the Brause and Leonardt nibs?

[@FlourishedHope]

I am glad you found the video helpful ☺️ In terms of smoothness, it is very similar. If I close my eyes and write with both nibs, it would be difficult to feel any difference 🤔

[@ex-voto]

Brause is a German company & it is pronounced "Brow - suh" - a bit like "Internet browser". Thank you for the comparison its very useful :-) I have Hiro40, but 361 is sold out right now, I want to try it soon!

[@FlourishedHope]

Judge Death Oh thank you so much for your kind correction! I was not confident when pronouncing the names and now I learned something new! I hope the video was still helpful and wish you could also get to play with “browser” 361 soon! 😉

[@ex-voto]

@@FlourishedHope I am just passing on what I learned from someone else, I would have said it the same as you. Your video was very helpful, keep it up. Ive subscribed & thank you :-)

[@zahraabuji4901]

Loved the video!!thanks so much ❤😍

[@FlourishedHope]

Oh thank you for your kind words Zahra! I hope the video was helpful for your calligraphy practice! 🤗

[@zahraabuji4901]

@@FlourishedHope I'm eagerly waiting to begin with calligraphy!! Your videos are really great and so helpful.👍keep up the amazing work!

[@FlourishedHope]

@@zahraabuji4901 All the blessings to your creative journey Zahra! 🤗

[@fatihkulahci1556]

Perfect! Thank you

[@FlourishedHope]

I am so glad you found the video helpful! Thank you ☺️

[@bjornmundt5801]

The price for Brause Nibs in Germany is about 1€ - 1,5€.

[@suzansh4582]

Where can I buy them in Germany

[@dmitryivanoff2799]

Excellent review. Pumpkin nib works well with Ackerman fountain pump pen

[@FlourishedHope]

Interesting! I didn't get a chance to use that pen but I am intrigued! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@casusbelli91]

I am an artist working regularly with Brause 361. I do believe I tried the Leonardt nib too, but somehow I ended up with Steno. I could move it with more ease and produce better looking lines when drawing. I have no idea how it works with calligraphy though, but it worked for me better than any nib I tried before (and I tried a lot of them already).

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be such a late reply but I loved reading your journey with the nibs! I also feel like blue pumpkin is such a steady and reliable nib. But for pointed pen calligraphy, I am leaning more favourable to either the Leonardt Principal EF or Hunt 101 to achieve the contrast between the thin hairline and thick shades. Thank you again for your lovely comment 💕

[@casusbelli91]

@@FlourishedHope Oh? Then I will make sure to check those out too. Maybe I can also use them to do art. :) They sound interesting to work with. No problem. :) Thank you for your video!

[@beniprasad6068]

Nice information

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Beni! I am glad you found the video helpful! Thank you for your kind words 😊

[@colorfulhippie3261]

Dated/Stale potato can be helpful. Brause has medium tip 0.7mm Manuscript is like fine I guess 0.5mm a little bit catchy and scratchy. I was assuming 'blue pumpkin' was hiro. Very good comparison.

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi there! Thank you for your helpful tips and knowledge! Yes, I guess the potato I was using was too fresh and new 🤔 I'm glad you found the video helpful!

[@THall-vi8cp]

The biggest difference I saw between the two nibs was more apparent with the ink. The Sumi Ink produced thicker hairlines with the Brause 361, but the Vermilion Ink produced similar hairlines with both the Brause and the Hiro. This is something I have been contending with. I've been working on viscosity on Yasutomo Ultra Black Ink and various Dr. Ph. Martin's Inks unsuccessfully (swells drag into the hairlines), but Higgins Eternal Black and vintage Sheaffer Skrip Inks produce beautiful swells and hairlines. I guess it comes down to knowing your materials.

[@FlourishedHope]

I really appreciate you sharing your journey with nibs and inks!! I haven't tried some of the inks you have mentioned and now I am extra curious 🧐 Thank you again!

[@fatimeh0]

Omg, you're creative

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be such a late reply but oh thank you kindly for your lovely comment! 🥰

[@Snowymae]

In my area Brause is 2x the price of the Leonardt but the Brause is always in stock

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Charles, this must be a late reply but still thank you for your comment! It is about the same here in Canada where Brause is about 2x the price of Hiro. I know how purchasing nibs are not easy in some parts of the world so I am so grateful that we have access to them, right? ☺️

[@jaydutta2308]

I have a brause steno 361 nib... unfortunately upper 2 part got separated while pulling out...any idea to fix it?

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Jay! Oh no! So the tines got misaligned :( I personally never had that issue so far... I researched if there is a way but I’ve only found some info on how to fix the tines of a fountain pen 🤔 I will keep my eyes and ears open for the solution as to the pointed pen nibs! Please do let me know if you ever get across of a good solution.

[@dmitryivanoff2799]

Excelent review. Thank you. I use Brause Steno for drawing. I put a reservoir on top of it. It has dramatically increased the amount of ink Do you know of any reservoirs for Steno and other nibs? Thank you

[@FlourishedHope]

This must be such a late reply. I have a Blue Pumpkin nib that has the cage spring attached to it on the curved side which elongates the time in between of dipping into the ink. Would that be what you meant when you referred to "reservoirs"?

[@schwarzerritter5724]

I have never seen a Brause Rose. The 66EF is rare too.

[@FlourishedHope]

I understand that access to these nibs are not easy in some parts of the world and I hope you get to explore them one way or another ☺️

[@schwarzerritter5724]

@@FlourishedHope I am German and I check every arts & crafts store I see for stuff I can use. No Brause Rose and only one single store had one single 66EF. So maybe they are export only?

[@curriee1]

Yup the Brause is around 5 times more expensive than the Leonardt here in India. One of the reasons why I've never tried it 😂 Do you know if the Brause lasts longer than the Leonardt? Cause it rusts really quick!

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Karishma! Wow, I wonder why that is because both of them must be coming from outer countries🤔 About the longevity of the nibs, I've started to use both of them almost at the same time and haven't had the need to change them yet. I'll perhaps keep you updated if I notice a significant difference in the near future! Thank you 😉

[@krutika.c]

Hey, can you please confirm is this the "manuscript leonardt copperplate shorthand nib" ?

[@rosepinkskyblue]

@@krutika.c I checked that on Amazon India and I can see steno 40 is written on the nib and it also has same appearance so it’s most likely same

[@user-xf9hb8zo5c]

What paper did you use for the writing examples?

[@FlourishedHope]

Hello! The papers I have used is Rhodia dot grid paper and John Neal Bookseller Copperplate/Engrosser Pad! This must be a late reply but I hope it helps :)

[@user-xf9hb8zo5c]

@@FlourishedHope thank you, you are a wizard! Do you know much about fountain pens? I have a special type of writing and I am afraid no fountain pen or even just a penholder + a nib wont be able to get my handwriting nuances. I can even make some photos of the way I write characters. Just need to buy a fountain pen and don't know which to use according to my situation... :(

[@Chris_M_Romero]

Hello, can you help me? Which one is the best nib for super thin lines? Like the thinnest lines possible? I hope you can lend me a hand with this. Thank you, it's a great video.

[@FlourishedHope]

Hello Cristian, as far as my experience, I've noticed that Principal EF creates lovely thin hairlines. I would also recommend Hunt 101. It is a very flexible nib where you get a great contrast between thin hairline & wider swells. But please keep in mind that not only does the type of nib selection effects the thinness of the line, but the density of ink (how much water is diluted into the ink) also determines the thinness. Having the right flow of ink is very crucial as well. Hope this helps your practice! :)

[@Chris_M_Romero]

@@FlourishedHope thank you so much! I happen to have the Hunt 101, but I couldn't manage to get the desired thin lines, but that you mention it, it must be the ink. I'm using Speedball India Ink and is super dense and thick, almost oily. I've seen that people in videos sometimes dilutes it with water but it loses blackness. I'll give it a try and also see if I can find the Principal EF. Thank you.

[@suzansh4582]

@@Chris_M_Romeroyou try pilot ink

[@RiieryWiduri]

Do you know how to prevent the ink to blob using this nibs? Thanks!

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Riiery! Hmm... When we talk about ink blob there are many other factors such as the type of paper and the consistency of the ink, plus what kind of nib you are using. Are you getting a constant blob using Blue Pumpkin nib in particular? If you could share which ink and paper you were using with, I think we could look for a better answer! 🤗

[@schwarzerritter5724]

Could be the ink you are using. Rohrer & Klingner Ausziehtusche barely blobs. But considering it is a German brand like Brause, it is probably expensive where you live too.

[@Dimon851]

Hello! I'm from Russia! What kind of calligraphy pens do you recommend?

[@FlourishedHope]

Oh this must be such a late reply! 😅 But if you are still interested, I have created a FREE Calligraphy Supply Guidebook where I show exact tools I use everyday and would highly recommend! Please let me know if you would like to download it today ☺️

[@-PE53]

Please can you tell us where to get the ruler in Europe? I can't find it anywhere. Thank you.

[@FlourishedHope]

Hello! This might be a late reply but I know that Tom's Studio in UK sells the AB ruler if you are still interested 😉

[@-PE53]

@@FlourishedHope Thank you!

[@dipakrajbongshi658]

Where to buy? Can you send it to me in India, Assam

[@FlourishedHope]

Both Blue Pumpkin nibs are available at John Neal Books or Paper and Ink Arts! I hope this helps ☺️

[@amitkumartechnical6730]

I want to buy this pen can you help me

[@FlourishedHope]

Hi Amit! When you say pen, I am guessing that the oblique pen holder that I'm using, correct?... If so, it's called TURNED WOOD OBLIQUE HOLDER from John Neal. It's one of my favourite go-to pen holder! Hope this info helps you :) www.johnnealbooks.com/product/turned-wood-oblique-holder

[@cyilliz.]

I find it funny how a nib is at least €5 in my country, my country's currency is 5 times weaker than euro...

[@FlourishedHope]

Oh my! Yes, these price points seem to vary a lot depending on the currency. Nevertheless, I hope you get to enjoy each nib to its fullest!

[@xingyuzhou1891]

When people say "browse" instead of "Brause"...

[@FlourishedHope]

So true! It's one of those words that I've tried to google to hear the correct pronunciation but didn't find any good ones. Well, now I know!

[@emilyeden_writes]

green potato...

[@FlourishedHope]

lol I know! That was what I had available at the time but over the years, I have learned how it is even more effective to cut the potato in half and push the nib into the cut side. This will protect the sensitive nibs even better ☺️

[@LaZPoWeR81]

🤗❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@FlourishedHope]

Thank you for your lovely cheer! 🤗