In an earlier post I started a discussion about finding the right experience for italic-ish writing. I've tried several things so far and have had some interesting successes and failures. Through a recommendation to seek-out the work of a nibsmith named Mike Masuyama, a came to the Franklin-Christoph offerings.
They are expensive pens (by my standards), but looked very nice, and I was immediately interested in their "SIG" nibs (Stub Italic Gradient). I've now purchased one of their models with an SIG nib, in a fine, and I have mixed feelings about it.
The pen itself is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and probably the highest quality, by far, in my collection. It's rather amazing, really. The nib is crazy-smooth, too. It absolutely glides across the paper. In terms of line-quality, though, I can't decide if I'm mildly encouraged or mildly disappointed. There is hardly any variation at all. By my way of thinking, the nib writes more like a normal broad than like anything offering significant line variation. Also, the line is not as clean and distinct as I'd like. The edges are a bit ragged. In a way, though, I'm finding that aspect of the experience -- with this particular nib -- to be kinda interesting. It's ragged in a way that actually looks kinda good.
At any rate, though, what I'm wondering about is the experience others have had with both Franklin-Christoph pens, in general, and more specifically with their SIG nibs. Would I have gotten closer to what I was looking for if I'd simply gotten an SIG broad, or medium, over the fine?
On a similar note, has anyone used the Masuyama Cursive Italic grinds? Would those, perhaps, get me to where I want to go?
Thanks!
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