Dip Pens

[AndyT]

The reason why I asked about the oblique holder is because you can adjust the flange to give a lower angle without changing your grip - sounds like that might be a good solution in this case. Unless it's a basic Speedball with a rigid flange. You can adjust the angle of attack with those, sort of, by rotating the pen and the nib in relation to it, but it looks and feels weird.

[ac12]

Andy
You are correct.
To hold a straight holder at a low angle is "odd." When I tried it a couple of time it felt odd and was quite difficult to write.
I held the pen with my fingers in the usual place, but with the tail of the pen down by my thumb, rather than up near my knuckle.
It would be much easier to hold the pen somewhat normally and bend the brass part of the oblique holder.
I have 2 oblique holders coming, one has a brass flange, the other is the Speedball with the rigid flange.
I can't wait for them to arrive...

[AndyT]

And I look forward to hearing how you like them.

[ac12]

Just got an email from the vendor, the oblique holder is on backorder, so I have to wait about a week more, maybe it will arrive end of next week.
Bummer, that was the key item in the order.

[naimitsu]

JBB I got some dip nibs and a bolder from you months ago... But I can't get the ink to STICK on the nib and so writing more than half a character doesn't happen.

I read on another thread that 2 people suggest saliva. Not sure if they mean lick it or spit on it... but there you go. Another option (though I suppose it makes sense as I've heard stories of people back in the day when that's what they wrote with having permanent ink stains on their tongue from constantly tapping the tip of their dip pen there before dipping or writing)

[RuiFromUK]

JBB I got some dip nibs and a bolder from you months ago... But I can't get the ink to STICK on the nib and so writing more than half a character doesn't happen.

I read on another thread that 2 people suggest saliva. Not sure if they mean lick it or spit on it... but there you go. Another option (though I suppose it makes sense as I've heard stories of people back in the day when that's what they wrote with having permanent ink stains on their tongue from constantly tapping the tip of their dip pen there before dipping or writing)

Another way of applying saliva on the dip pen nibs is putting saliva on q-tips or ear buds and use those to prime the nibs. A lot safer that way.

[jbb]

I just pass my nibs through a candle flame if the ink isn't sticking.

[Lady Onogaro]

I just pass my nibs through a candle flame if the ink isn't sticking.

Those are so beautiful, Jill (as is your handwriting)!