(Part 2) Best calligraphy pens according to redditors
We found 249 Reddit comments discussing the best calligraphy pens. We ranked the 72 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
![iWatch Charger Cable - for Apple Watch Series 4/3/2/1 - Charging Cable with Magnetic Portable Charger Pad - 3.3 ft/ 1.0m - [MFi Certified]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IGuQaw1hL.jpg)
Any idea where to start looking?
Edit: I think I found them. 5 Pack Fudenosuke Brush Pen Soft Tip Brush Pens with Original Sticky Note by Gift Japan -for Calligraphy and Art Drawings- (5 Pack Soft Tip) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H6MWKCX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qivXBbE5HS5RA
It's a calligraphy brush pen.
You actually probably do!
Platinum Preppy $5.67
Pilot Varsity $8.49 per 3 pack
Pilot V-Pen $6.99
Bic Disposable $5.06 per 2 pack
Jinhao X450 $4.54
Zebra V-301 $7.87
Jinhao X450 $4.54
Baoer Silver Cross Line $4.50
Pelikan 4001 Ink 30ml Royal Blue $8.65
Jinhao $5.21 for 15
So you see, you can buy one. Maybe not a Montblanc just yet, but don't worry, these are all still fun.
Hi all!
This is being cross-posted from /r/PenmanshipPorn upon suggestion.
In case you're curious...
The pens are, from top to bottom:
The paper is a Clairefontaine French Ruled pad
Thats a nice one. You can find some pretty cheap, decent pens that are Prime eligible as well. Heres a 6$ version. Link!
Personally I and I think I speak for most on this sub would advise against buying a set. There's a running joke that when you buy something that has calligraphy written on it that it's crap.
What do you think she would like to try out? Broad edge or pointed pen? Broad edge is your 'gothic', 'blackletter' and 'uncial (think LotR). Pointed pen is much closer to what you might recognise as cursive but also includes 'Engrosser's'. There are a lot of examples of scripts in the Bestof in the sidebar.
For Broad edge you can't go wrong with a pilot parallel (for rounded scripts like Uncial I hear the 2.4mm would be better), it looks like a marker and it's as simple as one. It will serve you well for a long time and there's no mess or fuss or start-up time if you would be getting out your ink pot and then cleaning down at the end, it's just a lot easier to squeeze into a busy schedule.
For pointed pen, you will need to get an 'Oblique holder', anything that isn't speedball will do, you can get ornamental ones which look a bit fancier but they're all the same. You will also need to buy nibs, The 'G' nibs are very beginner friendly but they're also really quite stiff so I'd advise buying a couple of them and (I'm bias here) a couple of 'Leonardt principal EF', they're a lot nicer to work with and a lot more flexible, not as easy to hop in and use though.
For paper, Rhodia is a solid bet and is available everywhere, you can get ones with subtle dots on which I find help at first keeping your lines straight.
For ink, I recommend Tim Norton's walnut ink, it's easy to use and comes off just as easy.
Check out the sellers list to find out where to get all this stuff in your country, for UK, I've had no trouble with Scribblers and they're customer service is great.
I know this isn't what you were after but I think you will get a lot better value for your money than buying a set that is frankly, shit.
I'm sure getting a nice box and some ribbon would make for a fantastic present that she would love. Sorry for a gigantic wall of text, any Q's, just ask.
I think understanding edged-pen calligraphy is crucial to understanding type and lettering. I highly recommend picking up some calligraphy markers to start. They are cheap and durable. If you like doing it, then you can invest in some better pens. Get a lettering book and try the hands they show. Once you get comfortable with a couple standard styles, start improvising.
Markers:
Staedler Calligraphic Duo (two different width nibs)
Itoya Doubleheader (two different width nibs)
Marvy Calligraphy Marker (I suggest getting a 2mm and a 5mm)
Books:
The Calligrapher's Bible by David Harris
Speedball textbooks (you can pick up used ones fairly cheaply.)
Enjoy!
Thanks! I use “Metallic Calligraphy Marker Pens” I bought for an unrelated craft project- and yes! They come off with soap and water with a regular dish sponge!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DTZBCF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uEmyCbSRVK189
Lalalalaa
Changing from speedball C nibs to some manuscript round hand nib did wonders. I've still got many small mistakes and too little word spacing on line two, but it feels like I'm getting back into the game :)
Nib is 2.05mm and ink is Diamine Orange. Script is German Text.
It should be.
Total price: £20.84
This is the set i got, should be here tomorrow.
https://www.amazon.com/Sakura-Pigma-50047-Micron-Blister/dp/B01NH5877O/ref=sr_1_1?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1518791534&sr=1-1&keywords=sakura+micron+003
Link. Link. Just the nib.
Get a pen like this one.
And learn real calligraphy. Here's a stroke guide - there are more online.
http://cmcgavren.home.sprynet.com/azAZChancery.html
Not trying to be rude, I think it's awesome that you want to learn. I learned in high school, and it's a somewhat valuable skill if you enjoy typography/lettering.
Keeping in mind that, for the holder and the nibs, you'll have to try a lot to find the ones that you like best, and that you'll also have to experiment with inks to find one that flows well off the nib you like:
Folks who do a lot of manga art where you typically see less or more subtle line width variation swear by G model nibs (Zebra is a popular brand); they're too stiff for me, personally, and feel like drawing with a stick.
The classic Western comic book artist nib is a crowquill, the Hunt 102. Speedball makes them now, and the quality started to suffer as soon as they took over. They may have turned it around; I couldn't say for sure. The last time I used them they were hit and miss, and I had to toss out about 1 out of 3 immediately because they were faulty in one way or another. Personally I'd just say "Avoid Speedball nibs entirely", honestly, but if you're shopping options are limited they're just about the most easy to come by in the US, since chain stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby carry them.
Others to consider:
The Gillott 290: nice nib, very soft so not really suitable if you have a very heavy hand.
Gillott 303: medium soft, between the 290 and 170. I think the 290 and 170 are finer; the 303 is a good one if you're doing a lot of broad lines, but lays down a LOT of ink when you do.
Zebra Tama: stiff as hell, even more so than the G pen. Good for backgrounds or anywhere you want fine, consistent lines.
I used multiple pens, all from the micro-line set I just got.
https://www.amazon.com/Set-Black-Micro-Pen-Fineliner-Pens/dp/B075HP3GVC/ref=sr_1_sc_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1510407542&sr=1-3-spell&keywords=micro-line+black+finelinerr+pen+set
And I just highlighted first here.
But there are pens out there that will let you highlight over the top without a smear!
If it's any help, I have the 1.1 Lamy Joy and love it, if you decide you want to take that route instead.
It's the Brause 361, blue pumpkin and this holder
Boy am I glad you asked.
install the following mods
--requiem
--no gps //works-ish
--frostfall
--hunterborn
--immersiveFP
--realistic needs and diseases
--wet and cold
--animations
--better quest objectives
--enhanced character edit
--climates of tamriel
--hothtropper's armor pack
--Better Fast Travel
Then disable
compass -- bShowCompass=0
crosshairs -- bCrosshairEnabled=0
floating quest objectives -- bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=0
in your SkyrimPrefs.init (typically in documents/my games/skyrim)
Turn off all in game music. (in game->esc->settings->audio)
Download this image
Go to office depot or somewhere and have it printed. On a giant piece of paper.
Get a quill
Get an other weathered looking journal
Start a new game.
AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THE CAVE, you'll be told to go to river wood/dragons reach. DONT GO!
Open your journal and disable the main story quest. Instead of turning right and traveling downstream, turn left.
Requiem makes things super friggin hard, mostly because enemies are NOT set to your level. A werewolf is a werewolf, even at level 1, so you can definitely find yourself in an un-winnable fight. Setting the difficulty to easy doesn't do anything.
So if you want a more relaxing experience, try this.
Pick three skills, say one-handed, illusion, and speech craft. (Try to pick three or four unrelated skills to make things interesting. Weapons, magic, non-combat is usually pretty fun). Open the console and type
"Player.advskill illusion 1000"
"Player.advskill speech craft 1000"
"Player.advskill one-handed 1000"
Until you've reached say level 15. Level up and pick your perks. Regardless of what you picked, get the first perk in the lock-picking and speech craft skill tree. Without them, you'll get really raw deals at shop AND you won't be able to pick locks. Like, any lock. Ever.
And here are your game play rules.
--Don't use your quest log (j), write things down IRL.
--Don't look at your in-game world or local map. Use your printed map.
--Take notes. Potion recipes, ingredient locations, enemy weaknesses.
You can get surprisingly far without being told where to go and what to do. Quest dialogue and journals are usually descriptive enough, but you have to pay actual attention. If you see a dead adventurer and find a journal or book on him, read it. 100% of it. Even if it's not a quest starter, take notes. You'd be surprised how big and connected the skyrim world is. If you play to win, you'll glance over the depth of the world. Sure, you can beat the game is like, 6 hours if you fast travel and glitch your way through fights on easy. But why would you want to?
Right here, apparently.
I purchased the hard tips on amazon.
Fudenosuke Color Brush Pen, 10-Pack. Hard Tip Fudenosuke Brush Pens in Assorted Colors
I have these too, and love them. They’re softer tipped
Pentel Arts Sign Pen Touch, Fude Brush Tip, 12 Assorted Colors
I'm entirely belayed in this, but the pen is a Lamy Joy with a 1.1 mm calligraphic (italic) nib. The precise model can be found on Amazon here, though there's also a 1.3 mm nibbed model, a model with an aluminum cap instead of a plastic cap, and a box set that comes with both nibs.
Hope that's helpful!
If you're interested in something a bit more conventional in terms of the line it puts down, I'm currently using a Lamy Vista. An example of my work with it -- is here.
They are several programs and apps that can help with spelling. I didn't have the luxury of using them but I am sure someone here can suggest some.
I learned how to write in cursive and how to use a calligraphy pen. It helped me write neater and kept me from writting down the page. It takes some time and practice and isn't for everyone.
You already mentioned overlays. I use these to help keep me from dropping or skipping lines when I read.
Color printer paper if you need to print something out for him to read. My color is goldenrod.
Another thing you may want to look at in the future is a text to speech app. I use dragon but it cost alot and they are some free or less expensive out there. This is because he could hear or see a word many times but not correlate it as the same word.
The last thing is a calendar and a note pad. Even though people know we have reading problems, we also have problems with memory. Having someway of keeping track when something is going to happen or due helps alot. He can use the note pad to just write down anything he needed to remember like meeting with friends or doing homework. Teach him this early and it will become 2nd nature.
I like the universal holders with a cork grip. Cheap and comfortable. Something like this though I don't think the brand makes much of a difference. Only major downside to the cork is that it is easily stained by ink -- if that would drive you crazy, I'd go with something plastic or a treated wood.
It's nice to have a "universal" nib holder - this allows you to insert nibs of any size into the nib, rather than having to buy specific holders for particular nibs, or having to force them in. It will look like this -- kind of like the way a dremel tool looks.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RZRTR38/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
​
The comments were saying they were good for fountain pens
ZZKOKO Calligraphy Pen Ink, 10 Colors Fountain Dip Pen Ink Set Non-Carbon Drawing Writing Art Craft Calligraphy Inks Bottles, 15ml Bottle 10 Colors Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RZRTR38/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5WWxDbXJA6H1D
plugging the italic version of the intro Lamy since i've been loving it the last few months dope pen
Molshine Hot Sale Handmade High Borosilicate Glass Glass Dip Pen Glass Signature Pen Business Present (Silvery) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071SLWJ8J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NEmmDbS4H48T4
Only $7 on Amazon, I think the more colorful one would be more expensive.
Also r/FountainPens for more inked goodness.
Edit: Found the one in OP’s picture for $10.
See if you can find some pens like this and play around with them—look up hand lettering on YouTube and you can find some good tutorials on how to form the letters :)
I love Leonardt Roundhand nibs. I'd recommend the set if you must buy from Amazon.
Lamy and Rotring both have good starter sets, but they are not cheap. Staedtler has cheap set that might be ideal for you to see if calligraphy is for you.
If you decide to pursue it further, there is no end to the options available to you. I do all of my calligraphy with fountain pens and get very good results.
Good luck and check out r/calligraphy for more information.
If you score a great fountain pen, post a picture here so we can congratulate you and share your joy.
This is the one I have: http://www.amazon.de/Pilot-Pen-FP3-38-F%C3%BCllhalter-Parallel-Pen/dp/B003L1YWSG/ref=sr_1_1?s=officeproduct&ie=UTF8&qid=1396343329&sr=1-1&keywords=F%C3%BCllhalter+Parallel-Pen
Bought it after finding out an artist that I really dig uses it (Joe Wierenga), so I felt inspired. Guess I need to practice more with it.
Quill pens still exist, and they're still used by many people. Checking on Amazon, I see 5504 results for the query "Quill Pen"-and one has 175 reviews. Are they less common than regular pens? Of course. Would it be unusual to see one in someone's home? Absolutely. But it wouldn't be in the realm of the unreal (sorry, couldn't resist).
Typewriters existed in the 1960's, and many people used them. Typing was often seen as women's work though, and it was considered a specialized skill, many people (mostly women) being hired solely to transcribe manuscript into type. I know many people who were alive at the time who'd confirm this. A seventy year old non college educated janitor using one would have been seen as unusual in the 1960's (though not as unusual as a janitor writing a 15,145 page fantasy manuscript).
Would it have been as strange as seeing someone with a quill pen today? I don't know, that would be a matter of individual opinion. The answer would change depending on who you asked. But as both would be uncommon, it's not an unfair analogy. A bit exaggerated? Perhaps-but most analogies are.
All of this is my opinion as a complete beginner with my experience limited to the products I'm reviewing.
Daler Rowney India ink. I bought it since cheap, and at Wal-Mart. Just way too frustrating. I had the same problem as you. Gets crusty, too wet, and blobby. I bought their Watercolors though, I'm liking those.
This pen set They're...not good. A couple of the larger nibs just simply won't write at all. The smaller ones I have to press hard to get anything going. Or I have a very light touch naturally, I dunno. I'll be shopping around for some new nibs soon.