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View Full Version : New dip pen - arthritis and RSI friendly



amk
January 12th, 2017, 09:13 AM
I've just finished a new wooden dip pen (carved from a small branch I rescued from the firewood pile, using drawknife, drill, spokeshave, gouge and penknife). As I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis six months ago it's one of a series I'm working on to make my life easier, hence the bulky body and wide section. The thickness means I've had to carve out the top half so that it will balance properly when I'm writing. It's very comfortable to use.

http://i.imgur.com/4irOPj8l.jpg

It was sanded down to 400 grit and then oiled with linseed oil, and the inside part stained with strong tea and then rusted-iron-in-vinegar to darken it.

Dimensions: 190mm long, 28mm approx at widest, 14mm narrowest part of grip.

Unfortunately the more complex carved design that I made at the same time I managed to break in half. :-(

Robert
January 12th, 2017, 04:51 PM
Sorry to hear of your affliction; however, your penmanship is quite beautiful.

amk
January 13th, 2017, 03:09 AM
Not my penmanship I'm afraid! It's a page of a book I recently bought, 'English handwriting 1540-1833', which has the most splendid examples including a little monkey drawn entirely with flourishes.

The RA is now nicely under control and I look forward to doing a lot more carving - and practising my handwriting till it looks a bit more like the above, and a bit less like a drunk six year old's. :-)

Anne
January 17th, 2017, 02:17 PM
Awesome creation! I would love to try this for a dip nib I can't find a holder for. The one thing that intimidates me the most is making a fitting for the nib.
Did you use a ferrule at all or do you think it would be possible to make one without it?

amk
January 18th, 2017, 05:47 AM
I bought a grab bag of about fifty ferrules - very cheap if you buy in quantity. But you can also just drill a hole, if the wood is good and hard, and use a small dowel to secure the nib - it's a case of patiently sanding the dowel down till it is the right size. I have an old French dip pen that uses exactly that method.

Anne
January 18th, 2017, 12:06 PM
The dowel sounds like a good idea. I appreciate the information.

Tomdraug
January 19th, 2017, 08:21 AM
Wonderful dip pen!
The book you mentioned - is it "English Handwriting, 1540-1853"
Victoria and Albert Museum ?

amk
January 20th, 2017, 02:38 AM
Hi Tomdraug - yes, that's the book. It's really rather amazing. I'm still at the stage of just gawping at the pages and haven'ty dared to try to copy any yet!

jbb
January 20th, 2017, 08:15 AM
Awesome creation! I would love to try this for a dip nib I can't find a holder for. The one thing that intimidates me the most is making a fitting for the nib.
Did you use a ferrule at all or do you think it would be possible to make one without it?

I often use fountain pen bodies for dip pens -- just by putting the nib in the hole. What is the nib you can't find a holder for? is it big or small?

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5447/6911882188_8159f28131_b.jpg

Anne
January 20th, 2017, 11:54 AM
Awesome creation! I would love to try this for a dip nib I can't find a holder for. The one thing that intimidates me the most is making a fitting for the nib.
Did you use a ferrule at all or do you think it would be possible to make one without it?

I often use fountain pen bodies for dip pens -- just by putting the nib in the hole. What is the nib you can't find a holder for? is it big or small?

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5447/6911882188_8159f28131_b.jpg

Thank You - I am very thankful for the ideas that you have posted here and elsewhere ( that I have found in my research ).
I am trying to fit a Spencerian No. 1 nib. I thought it was a pretty common one or at least a common size. However, I have no experience with dip pens and their nibs.
This is the first and only one that I have purchased so far.