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Thread: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Default First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Hi all,

    I have been replying to people recently with very small letters (not all, but some replies of course), and after being recently challenged to a small-letter writing contest myself, I wanted to share the fun with others.

    So here's how it works:
    From the topic InCoPenPals, it seems many people including my want to continue to write letters (albeit at a slower pace ) after the 28 day challenge period. To write a mini/micro, you simply need to write a letter to anyone who has an active account here (responses included of course) just as you would otherwise, but simply make it as small as you wish(or can).
    To be entered into the contest though, the letter must be at least 50 words long, be written with a fountain or dip pen, and the piece of paper it is written on must have the proportions of an 8 1/2X11'' piece of paper (just an approximation).
    If you get a mini letter from someone with these specifications, post a picture of it next to a ruler here. There will be an award of some sort (any recommendations?) for the smallest and the most beautiful letters...the latter being voted upon I guess.


    Have Fun and write small!
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

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    Senior Member Bogon07's Avatar
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    Hi Will, is that size correct? 8 1/2X11''sounds like a normal letter size to me.

    I thought you were going to go for something micro like 3.5 x 5.5" or a letter no longer than 50 words.
    sinistral hypergraphica - a slurry of ink
    "Nothing means less than zero"

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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon07 View Post
    Hi Will, is that size correct? 8 1/2X11''sounds like a normal letter size to me.

    I thought you were going to go for something micro like 3.5 x 5.5" or a letter no longer than 50 words.
    Sorry for the misunderstanding. The letter must have the PROPORTIONS of an 8.5/11 piece of paper. Just get as close as you can if you don't want to measure.
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

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    Senior Member southpaw52's Avatar
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    Sounds interesting and challenging.


    InCoWri 2018, Letter Writers Alliance Member, Postable link: www.postable.com/bradharris, postcrossing

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Wish I still had my old .18 mm Unibal Signo-bit pens.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    Wish I still had my old .18 mm Unibal Signo-bit pens.
    Those would help . But I've been using the backside of my nibs..some turn out to be good writers on both sides!
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

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    Senior Member Bogon07's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    Sorry for the misunderstanding. The letter must have the PROPORTIONS of an 8.5/11 piece of paper. Just get as close as you can if you don't want to measure.
    No sorry my fault, my brain ignored the word "proportions". I'll blame that on my medical condition.

    Gee you will have to be careful not to use a fibreous paper with 0.18 mm Unibal Signo-bit pens.
    To be safe try the 0.28mm ones.
    sinistral hypergraphica - a slurry of ink
    "Nothing means less than zero"

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    FPD earthdawn's Avatar
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    @ KrazyIvan - Or take your new set up and try your hand at grinding out an XXX-fine nib ... extra extra extra that is ....


    sounds cool

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    lol, that would be a "by hand" grind I think. The stone would probably go right through the nib and I would have another stub on my hand. Not that it is a bad thing.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member cedargirl's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    Hi all,

    I have been replying to people recently with very small letters (not all, but some replies of course), and after being recently challenged to a small-letter writing contest myself, I wanted to share the fun with others.

    So here's how it works:
    From the topic InCoPenPals, it seems many people including my want to continue to write letters (albeit at a slower pace ) after the 28 day challenge period. To write a mini/micro, you simply need to write a letter to anyone who has an active account here (responses included of course) just as you would otherwise, but simply make it as small as you wish(or can).
    To be entered into the contest though, the letter must be at least 50 words long, be written with a fountain or dip pen, and the piece of paper it is written on must have the proportions of an 8 1/2X11'' piece of paper (just an approximation).
    If you get a mini letter from someone with these specifications, post a picture of it next to a ruler here. There will be an award of some sort (any recommendations?) for the smallest and the most beautiful letters...the latter being voted upon I guess.


    Have Fun and write small!
    You mean I can't use my 0.2mm rotring Variant?
    I'd probably have to use my loupe to write it anyway - and read them!
    ... Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working [Pablo Picasso] ...

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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cedargirl View Post
    You mean I can't use my 0.2mm rotring Variant?
    I'd probably have to use my loupe to write it anyway - and read them!
    Fine, you can now use whatever the rotring things you guys speak of... I'd love a letter so small I need a loupe to read it!
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

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    Senior Member Bogon07's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cedargirl View Post
    You mean I can't use my 0.2mm rotring Variant?
    I'd probably have to use my loupe to write it anyway - and read them!
    That is a good point what is really different between a fountain pen and a technical drawing pen ?
    sinistral hypergraphica - a slurry of ink
    "Nothing means less than zero"

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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bogon07 View Post
    That is a good point what is really different between a fountain pen and a technical drawing pen ?
    Not that much I guess! I have some myself, but they don't seem to work very well.
    Will
    If my p.m box is full, feel free to email me at dabantur@gmail.com.

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    Senior Member jbb's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    This sounds so fun. I think iron gall ink might give you the thinnest lines. Is anyone still doing this?
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

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    Senior Member ardgedee's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    Wish I still had my old .18 mm Unibal Signo-bit pens.
    I have a couple 0.18mm ball pens, but never found paper they could write on well. They might be better for tattooing than writing.

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Quote Originally Posted by ardgedee View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    Wish I still had my old .18 mm Unibal Signo-bit pens.
    I have a couple 0.18mm ball pens, but never found paper they could write on well. They might be better for tattooing than writing.
    Rhodia DotPad does fine with them but I mainly used them in Moleskines. No show through!
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Senior Member ardgedee's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Hm, I didn't have any Moleskines available when I last tried tried them out. And when I got some, I hadn't thought about those pens. I should get them together sometime and see.

    By my recollection, though, the difference between the 0.18 and 0.25 was not so much line thickness as ink density. the 0.25 was more or less what I had wanted to get out of the 0.18, but the writing felt smoother and the results were easier to read.

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    Senior Member BikerBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Too bad that ink tend to bleed a lot when I write on my cigarette papers!

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    Senior Member jbb's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Quote Originally Posted by BikerBabe View Post
    Too bad that ink tend to bleed a lot when I write on my cigarette papers!

    Have you ever tried pouncing paper with gum sandarac and then writing on it with a dip pen. Gum sandarac gives you thinner lines. It might not work enough on cigarette papers.
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

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    fountainpenkid (May 17th, 2013)

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    Senior Member BikerBabe's Avatar
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    Default Re: First Annual Micro-Letter Contest!

    Quote Originally Posted by jbb View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by BikerBabe View Post
    Too bad that ink tend to bleed a lot when I write on my cigarette papers!

    Have you ever tried pouncing paper with gum sandarac and then writing on it with a dip pen. Gum sandarac gives you thinner lines. It might not work enough on cigarette papers.

    Mmm nope, I'm not even sure where or if I can get that here in DK. Thank God for online shopping possibilities!

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