Specialty nibs (italic, oblique, etc.)

[@michaelfernandez3182]

"I need some carrots and a tank to invade some country, or whatever type of groceries you do I'm not sure"...that actually made me laugh out loud 🤣

[@96TAWhite]

You definitely should. After a day of writing I can conclude that the nib is very smooth and the feed keeps up extremely well. I have had zero start up problems, and zero cases of skidding or skipping, or anything wrong at all :-)

[@sayantan2210]

You always emphasize the basic things ... that's good for learners.

[@lbhajdu1]

I met Richard Binder about two weeks ago at the Long Island Pen Show. He must be the nicest man in the world. He widened a slit on a pilot pen that was writing dry for me. He also ground me an extra fine and smoothened some Bexley and Edison pens I bought from him. Then he allowed me to pull up a chair and watch him work on other people’s pens. Susan Wirth showed up and asked him to look at a pen with a bad piston which he took apart in about two seconds.

[@antonyweaver357]

"Tank"! So, flat and dead-pan. Love your work, SBRE...

[@boshkodjordjevich7424]

Excellent video, as always. Thank you!

[@Lireoec]

LOL tank! Oh Stephen you crack me up every single time. Very informative and incredibly useful video. Thanks again!

[@Joehand87]

I see. Thanks for clearing that up for me! I have somewhat small handwriting, and feel a bit cramped when writing with broad nibs, so I don't know if a stub would be for me. I was simply looking to have that slight calligraphic quality to my writing in lieu of actual fine penmanship! hahaha

[@HermanvanCorbach]

Another great show. The site of Binder is indeed a very good source of information. They sell a lot of nice nibs. I have got a couple of great writers from them.

[@Luetzow1]

That's right. You always find a parking lot with a tank. No matter if it is occupied or not but due to the high petrol prices here in Germany, I think I won't be able to afford one.

[@kirankankipati-thelinuxcha689]

Good video. I use my calligraphy pen Nib (actually whole pen) as a red pen marker pen. This allows to make broader lines, ticks, highlights, etc.. I am a software architect and do lots of Networking research, so I use regular fountain pens for writing specs.. project planning, etc.. with regular blue/black ink pens. .. and a Calligraphy red pen for marking, etc :)

[@umue11]

I have one minor gripe: It is right that you have to angle an oblique nib very carefully. But not exclusively. I hear that very often 'oh I have problems with oblique nibs they are so difficult to use...'. But this applies to all kind of stub nibs (stub, italic, oblique, calligraphy). They are all sensitive to the writing angle. The angle is just different between them. Otherwise a very useful overview and Richard Binders Reference Pages are super duper useful.

[@mkglobetrotter]

@sbrebrown I think the Hatat is an example of a Hebrew italic, yes. It can be described as an italic or stub nib turned sideways (90º in either direction). So the up and down strokes are thin while the side strokes are wider. I think I may try to get the Hatat nib, if I can! :)

[@Joehand87]

Probably a dumb question, but do stub nibs come in different sizes? I mean could a person "stub-i-fy" a fine, medium, broad, etc. nib, or does the term "stub" itself indicate a particular cross and downstroke width?

[@CBEEBLE]

Was trying to explain this to a friend in under 30 mins. I didn't get very far before the confusion set in! She was flummoxed by the number of pens I carry around - "Aren't they all the same?" - sheesh...

[@medicinalfriedchicken6542]

my only fountain pen is a fine calligraphy pen and it writes fine for everyday use as well as making my writing look great if i'm writing a title for a piece of work.

[@dadov]

I'll check it out! I just bought my first pen worth mentioning which's Lamy Safari, haha, sort of tells you how "new" i am in the "pen-game". Only had extremely cheap ones before it and I can't wait for it to arrive! It's going to be interesting to finally be able to change nibs! Thanks for the answer by the way! :)

[@Socrates...]

Thanks, that is what I was thinking. I love your channel, very informative.

[@richardsimms251]

Excellent video. Thank you. RS

[@mechadrake]

:D tank in a groceries. Guess it's Russia's grocery list.

[@mkglobetrotter]

That's a good selection of specialty nibs. I'm not sure if an oblique nib would suit me, so it'd probably be a good idea for me to try one out first. One day, I would like to get a Hebrew Italic nib just for some interesting line variation!

[@talcual2138]

I wonder what nib would be best for a left hander writing in a right-to-left language. Any advice you could give me?

[@Fuogor]

What pens are the first oblique pen and the music pen? The beautiful matte finish on the oblique really caught my attention, and I need a pen with which to convince my brother, a composer, over to the world of fountain pens, and I feel that will pique his interest nicely!

[@DubstepLyricalGenius]

love your videos! quick question though, if the caligraphy pen doesnt have any iridium at the tip, does it wear out faster than normal nibs? sorry if this was asked before, i am on my mobile

[@beatleapostle]

Stephen, I really like your videos but I often think that close-ups in your videos are conspicuously missing. I thought maybe your camera was incapable of close-ups, but at 15:45 you demonstrated that you can do close-ups, though frankly, you moved around too fast. In my humble opinion you should do more close-ups.

[@Proj8ct]

Just a question Doc Brown. Do you use these types of nib for everyday writing ?? e.g. work/school. Are they practical for such things

[@96TAWhite]

Brilliant! The picture really doesn't do it justice. Hope you like it as much as I do. Let me know what you think :-)

[@paulturtle92]

Then I think that your pens have oblique italics! As explained on Mr. Binder's site, most purists consider modern rounded obliques NOT obliques. The "modern" oblique nib (rounded oblique) just makes some accommodations for pen turning in your hand, and the sweet spot should be very big. I've tried my hand at grinding one, and it's now one of my best pens. I just drool at your collection of obliques, I'm literally drowning in drool here....... Nice collection!

[@redforrori]

GAH! Just saw the Quink blue--what a beautiful true blue!!!! O-O Also--PLEASE tell me how you're getting past the 10 minute upload limit??

[@retro51fan]

@sbrebrown From what he said in his newsletter and also on Pentrace, he will still be doing customization on (a) the new pens he sells on his website and (b) customers' pens at pen shows that he attends. Mind you---you'd have to come to the U.S.A. to take advantage of the latter, but it's a great excuse to do some traveling! :)

[@Luetzow1]

Hahaha! Your weirdness is, in my point of view, somewhat a reason why I really enjoy watching your videos. It's refreshing. (Well and of course I watch them because of your exquisite knowledge which is very honorable). Now excuse me , I have to get an eydropper and ask the Army to sell me a tank =)

[@yetanotherperson6436]

I am pulling my hair out at the moment because I definitely want a italic nib but I don't know if it necessary to get a cursive one. I have only ever had a standard nib. You seem to do a lot of very 'curly' uninhibited writing in your videos but others say you can't do ordinary handwriting unless you have a cursive nib. I am very frustrated as I want to order a decent pen that will last me a long time. My writing style is similar to yours. Would I need a cursive nib? I would very much appreciate any info you can give me. Is it just the case that a cursive nib is easier without practice. Thank you in advance if you answer this. I was thinking of getting a Parson's Essential.

[@stevendavid9321]

sir your old Parker vector is also oblique nib one

[@Luetzow1]

Hm, I need some carrots and ..... a tank! Yeah, right, I need a tank. Hope they have some in stock!

[@fapl985]

After watching your other videos about inks, I would guess that the orange one is Noodler's Apache Sunset or Shoreline Gold (by Private Reserve, if I'm not mistaken).

[@redforrori]

Hey, what ink is all over your fingers? ;o) Looks like a pretty orange. Have you tried PR Orange Crush? Would be BRILLIANT in a flex! Another really informative and brilliant review!!

[@Lab1982]

Hello. For a long time already I am watching you, but has not yet commented. Do you have a complete list of all your pens? If you select your favorite three, what and with what feathers? What you write to handle a certain situation? Why do not like firm Parker, in principle, like to see these reviews and pens and particularly at the Centennial duo. a pen is more convenient for everyday letter, oblique or italic? thanks

[@sbrebrown]

Yes, check out my website for a list of all the pens I reviewed (including Parker). In my greatest of all time videos, I discuss my favourite pens.

[@dadov]

I've been looking around to get a fountainpen with a calligraphy nib on/which i can put a calligraphy nib on but I can't seem to find it anywhere as I don't really know where to look, got any suggestions? :) Great videos by the way, they're helping me a lot!

[@fapl985]

What are the names of the first two inks you used? The burgundy redish and the golden orangish ones?

[@michaelb.7505]

What is the name of the yellow/orange ink?

[@pchips6300]

I also need a tank

[@davidhunternyc1]

Interesting. Even though I can clearly see and understand your explanation of the different nib types, besides the calligraphy nib at the end of the video, all the other nibs really don't stand out from each other. When I look at your writing on its own, all of your words kind of the look the same. It's a bit underwhelming. Am I the only one to feel this way? There are so many different nib manufacturing and customization techniques but I am just not seeing much difference in the results.

[@thomasgreen8843]

Great video! I love to write music. Can you tell me were to get a fountain pen made to write music?

[@eluvvv]

Was your italic nib formal or cursive? P.S. you're gloriously hilarious

[@paprile57]

Greetings Stephen: After seeing your video, I just had to try an italic nib. My handwriting tends to be on the smallish side so I ordered a 1.1mm stub for my TWSBI 580. All I can say is...WOW! The line variation actually gives my very mundane penmanship a bit of character. I'm not sure I would use it for everyday/work use, but everyone should have at least one italic nib in their stable...for when one really wants to express one's self.

[@paulturtle92]

Aaahh, hope not :( Grinding's really simple once you get the hang of it, just keep writing on abrasives to change the sweet spot, or remove tipping material to make new nib tips. I have no micromesh here, so I make do with two-sided corundum stones and brown paper bags. I'm still learning, I wouldn't dare make a video for fear of misleading others :D

[@stevendavid9321]

hello sir I am from India I am having parker vector with oblique nibs can you tell me how to write with these oblique nibs because I am very upset and not able to use this beautiful pen if you can help me then please upload a video so that I can learn how to use oblique nib pen.

[@Socrates...]

If I want to use a fountain pen for drawing / inking, would a flex nib pen be best?

[@heynewgirl]

what were the inks you used? another good video

[@paulturtle92]

On a more related note, your obliques DO write more like italics than obliques. Are they oblique italics, or just plain obliques? My experience with obliques are very annoying, as I cannot find ANY obliques that suit my hand position. I like to write with right-foot obliques or Arabic nibs, but most stocks are only left-foot. The few oblique nibs I have offer little to none line variation, in contrast with your writing samples with the OB nibs which look more like oblique italics.

[@stevendavid9321]

thank you very much sir can you suggest me any good but cheap parker fountain pen

[@muskndusk]

Found it! Thanks for pointing this out :)

[@muskndusk]

Sorry this is late, but Amazon sell sets of calligraphy pens with different nibs at reasonable prices imo.

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

I wonder why KZbin's iOS app recommended this vid to me "30 years ago," when KZbin would've been, what...-18 years old? O.o Good vid, though--learned something new. :)

[@stevendavid9321]

sir my nib is flat from lower point can you tell me which kind of nib is that

[@TheScarletSonata]

Wait, you have two vintage Montblancs? I thought you said you weren't going to buy any more vintage pens! :)

[@Joehand87]

Thanks once again!

[@rainbowfirewave]

Is that Apache Sunset on your fingers? I approve.

[@clarenceyee3529]

Wow, just past the 5th anniversary of this video!

[@pauldavid30]

Awesome .....after watch your video then I just know that my Pelikan m400 is italic medium ...LoL....thanks. Ps. I did not receive the Lamy two tone yet. T.T ....will review after I got that.

[@paulturtle92]

I spy... a Conway Stewart!! Love love love that company. However, the stock nibs that come from CS are quite noisy in my experience, is yours noisy? Sometimes, that may be scratchy too, but mostly they are SOOOO LOOUUUDDD.... I had to waste 3 months breaking in my Churchill until it would finally write more smoothly and silently, much like an annoying wife who knows her tantrums aren't getting anywhere.

[@waasiqmasood5944]

How many do you have?

[@-WondersofCreation]

*yes*

[@Luetzow1]

But yes, it would be very practical if it would run on ink! When you're writing, while driving of course, and need some ink because your pen went out of some, you just stop and open the tank's tank! =)....... On your way to france........to invade it.

[@nimotaranger8252]

_good_

[@Lukergamer]

Tut tut. Inky fingers.

[@96TAWhite]

Stephen! I just got myself an 'Italix Parson's Essential Fountain Pen' from 'MrPen.co.uk', with a two tone steel italic medium nib. It is an amazing pen that I would definitely recommend to you. It is black lacquer with gold trim. I got the pen, a converter, my initials engraved on the pen and delivery for under £50. Check it out! :-)

[@sasuke4414]

Lol!! I need some carrots and a tank to invade some country with!!

[@MetalMind28]

@sbrebrown Sir your videos are quite informative. Do you have any personal mail ID which I could reach ?

[@kshirsagar45]

Great ! Can you read minds or something similar?

[@Luetzow1]

You are weird. I like you! =)

[@marievenom3565]

"Gott Stephen" Are you sure you aint a personality disorder? (you know the meaning in german, you do, or at least your subconscious) Just kidding about that! Regards