Hi there. I like your enthusiasm tempered with thoughtfulness. Sorry about the length and being 4 years later, you may already know much of it. But others will read it. Nib 512 wasn't really inserted fully, the whole shank should go in. If it won't go in all the way up them keep trying it further around. The nib should be refilled before it runs out. Watch for it going slightly paler. Just do one or two test lines to see when it does run out so you can dip in time. You have fountain-pen ink which is formulated not to clog their filtering mechanisms. It's much too thin for dip pens. There is a suggestion below to use Gum Arabic. Avoid waterproof ink also as it contains 'shellac'. Unless you rinse the nib every few lines before it dries on the nib it will create a very hard to remove coating which will ruin the performance. Nib 56 was very overfilled after the good instructions earlier. Tap the nib on the jar or wipe the top not the bottom. One way not to overfill and speed things up is to put some ink in a small shallow container to the right depth (each nib will vary slightly) so when you gently touch the bottom it will fill the reservoir. The most popular container is called a 'Dinky dip'. Nib 99 isn't defective. The Hunt company which joined with Speedball wouldn't be still in business more than 100 years if their nibs were defective.The thin ink will easily flood out when the tines are wide open. You didn't mention washing them until the end so it may have been the protective oil coating interfering with ink flow. The first thing to do with new nibs is wash them with a toothbrush in soapy water. As the instructional leaflet shows each pointed nib has a range of uses. The stiffer ones like 512 makes a more restricted line width - it's not delicate but robust and can be pressed harder without damage. The more flexible 99 may make a lovely thick stroke but it can be bent beyond its ability if taken too far. It is flexible because it is thin. It's thin so it can hold the fine tip. The fine tip is excellent for delicate crosshatching. Check that the tines still come together after use. If they don't: you have pressed too hard. The trick is in learning the tool's limitations. With a pre-wash and a nice Sumi ink it may very well do what you want. You only have a small selection of nibs here - there are many more. Nibs 107, 108 and 102 need a little extra care when drying. Make sure you roll up a half piece of toilet paper and twist it up inside the tubular part or you'll get rust in there. Or just carefully wash the tip and not get water in the tubular section. You didn't dry them very well in this video. It's better to just scrub with a toothbrush and a little soap from a bar. I save the leftover pieces of soap when they're too small to use. Or one drop of detergent per nib is enough. Many food packages these days not to mention pockets in clothing have those little moisture absorbing packets of dessicated silicone. Put one or two into your nib storage to help prevent rust. When they become 'saturated' they can be dried in the microwave and reused indefinitely. (youtube has videos). You can buy these packets or the silicone and fill your own sachets but I save mine. You can also dry them on a sunny windowsill or on an oven proof dish on top of a bench-top oven when it's in use. You can buy the dessicated silicone and make your own silicone sachet like a teabag using tissue paper and a glue stick. If a bag gets too old, pour the contents into the new sachet. You will see that they are not overfilled. Many food sachets are some sort of breathable plastic which are more robust.
omg, i have been searching and searching for a video like this and with this specific set and this video finally came up! it's kinda old but still appreciated, thank you! The only thing missing was that I don't recall you saying that you cleaned them before using them, but maybe I missed it.
Hello. Hope my english is good enough. I've just ordered the set. Yes, you'll need different paper and ink. I'm a beginer and one thing that helped me was working on the grip. A strong grip work for ball pens (ball pens often need a strong grip), but dip pens can be used with a relaxed grip... that will allow you to make longer lines without getting tired fingers, moving your arm and even your shoulder. The advantage is also the possibility to write big if you want to. I also ordered india ink from speedball (is cheaper than fountain pen ink) I will test it. I am using 32lb printing paper and works great, no feathering (no hairy lines).
If the Ink is to fluid your Ink runs out much more faster. For writing a calligraphy Ink or a Sumi Ink could help the Ink staying longer on the nib. I have some different Inks it denpends often on the Nib wich Ink works perfect - the Paper is also important how it works with the Ink. If the Ink is to runny you can fix it with gummi arabicum. You can make some trops into your Ink to thicken it up - but do this not with your hole Jar. Maybe you need some runny ink for one Nib. If its to thick you can put some drops destilled Water to thin the Ink. Please be carefully and use a tropper.
I heard that manufacturers will put a oil on the nibs that you'll want to clean off, it may be the reason your nib isn't working correctly 🙂 And then I realized you said to wash them at the end of the vid right after I've posted my comment, nice
I got these as well, they are extremely scratchy and very difficult to use, does anyone know a great calligraphy set? Less scratchy, smoother edges that won't split???
@5:47 OMG, Yes!! That wasn't thee hardest for me.. I'd say 2nd hardest but only because the 1st (The EF tip is all it says 🤷) tip was user error. Apparently, it isn't meant to do both thick AND thin lines. I don't remember where i saw it-another video some place 🤷- but I saw someone somewhere say their tip (that appears to be the same) was that way. Idk. We'll see. I'm too new to decide just yet if that's right. But otherwise I'm having the same trouble you describe and hope it isn't that way always... I'm looking for answers.. like maybe if i hit play I'll get yours 😆
I just bought a set and there really was nothing in the way of what each nib did. Thanks so much for doing this video. I am sure we would love to see your dip pen video instructions.😃
It might be prudent for you to follow some fountain pen enthusiast/store channels to get an understanding of terminology. Railroading (the split lines with the empty space) could be because you are using fountain pen ink, which tends to be more fluid than calligraphy ink. Speedball and Higgins make ink for calligraphy that is more viscous. An "India" ink would also probably work for the surface tension requirements for flex nibs. Be sure that if you do end up getting fountain pens that the ink is dye based, otherwise it'll be ruined. You also dont necessary have to be at a 45 degree angle or use your whole hand. Different writing disciplines, like Spencerian might call for whole arm movements even. It depends on the style you are looking for.
Channels recommended: Jetpens (they also have a blog post on dip pens), Goulet Pens, SBRE Brown, and The Pen Habit (although Matt is no longer making new content)
First- That you can write at all with a drawing nib says something for your control, drawing nibs are generally pulled- not pushed. Second- don't be critical of yourself. Yes, I noticed the light change, but my interest is in the information you're passing along. Never heard you breathing because I was listening to the nib on the paper. I practice with HP 32 lb. copy paper. Reasonably smooth, and unless is unusually thin, doesn't bleed badly or feather. Not top quality paper, but passable for practice. You are a talented child and an able presenter. Good job.
I dont think its a defect. I think these just suck!!! And its total waste of money unless u just want to show off to ur buddies that you have a cool pen... Untill u start writing lol so dont write with it
Hi there. I like your enthusiasm tempered with thoughtfulness.
Sorry about the length and being 4 years later, you may already know much of it. But others will read it.
Nib 512 wasn't really inserted fully, the whole shank should go in. If it won't go in all the way up them keep trying it further around.
The nib should be refilled before it runs out. Watch for it going slightly paler. Just do one or two test lines to see when it does run out so you can dip in time.
You have fountain-pen ink which is formulated not to clog their filtering mechanisms. It's much too thin for dip pens. There is a suggestion below to use Gum Arabic. Avoid waterproof ink also as it contains 'shellac'. Unless you rinse the nib every few lines before it dries on the nib it will create a very hard to remove coating which will ruin the performance.
Nib 56 was very overfilled after the good instructions earlier. Tap the nib on the jar or wipe the top not the bottom. One way not to overfill and speed things up is to put some ink in a small shallow container to the right depth (each nib will vary slightly) so when you gently touch the bottom it will fill the reservoir. The most popular container is called a 'Dinky dip'.
Nib 99 isn't defective. The Hunt company which joined with Speedball wouldn't be still in business more than 100 years if their nibs were defective.The thin ink will easily flood out when the tines are wide open. You didn't mention washing them until the end so it may have been the protective oil coating interfering with ink flow. The first thing to do with new nibs is wash them with a toothbrush in soapy water.
As the instructional leaflet shows each pointed nib has a range of uses. The stiffer ones like 512 makes a more restricted line width - it's not delicate but robust and can be pressed harder without damage. The more flexible 99 may make a lovely thick stroke but it can be bent beyond its ability if taken too far. It is flexible because it is thin. It's thin so it can hold the fine tip. The fine tip is excellent for delicate crosshatching. Check that the tines still come together after use. If they don't: you have pressed too hard.
The trick is in learning the tool's limitations. With a pre-wash and a nice Sumi ink it may very well do what you want. You only have a small selection of nibs here - there are many more.
Nibs 107, 108 and 102 need a little extra care when drying. Make sure you roll up a half piece of toilet paper and twist it up inside the tubular part or you'll get rust in there. Or just carefully wash the tip and not get water in the tubular section. You didn't dry them very well in this video. It's better to just scrub with a toothbrush and a little soap from a bar. I save the leftover pieces of soap when they're too small to use. Or one drop of detergent per nib is enough.
Many food packages these days not to mention pockets in clothing have those little moisture absorbing packets of dessicated silicone. Put one or two into your nib storage to help prevent rust. When they become 'saturated' they can be dried in the microwave and reused indefinitely. (youtube has videos). You can buy these packets or the silicone and fill your own sachets but I save mine. You can also dry them on a sunny windowsill or on an oven proof dish on top of a bench-top oven when it's in use.
You can buy the dessicated silicone and make your own silicone sachet like a teabag using tissue paper and a glue stick. If a bag gets too old, pour the contents into the new sachet. You will see that they are not overfilled. Many food sachets are some sort of breathable plastic which are more robust.
omg, i have been searching and searching for a video like this and with this specific set and this video finally came up! it's kinda old but still appreciated, thank you!
The only thing missing was that I don't recall you saying that you cleaned them before using them, but maybe I missed it.
Hello. Hope my english is good enough. I've just ordered the set. Yes, you'll need different paper and ink. I'm a beginer and one thing that helped me was working on the grip. A strong grip work for ball pens (ball pens often need a strong grip), but dip pens can be used with a relaxed grip... that will allow you to make longer lines without getting tired fingers, moving your arm and even your shoulder. The advantage is also the possibility to write big if you want to.
I also ordered india ink from speedball (is cheaper than fountain pen ink) I will test it. I am using 32lb printing paper and works great, no feathering (no hairy lines).
Abraham Ortiz Hi there! thank you for the tips!!! That’s so awesome, best of luck with those! 👍
Already love them :)
How much?
About 25 USD (Amazon México)
If the Ink is to fluid your Ink runs out much more faster. For writing a calligraphy Ink or a Sumi Ink could help the Ink staying longer on the nib. I have some different Inks it denpends often on the Nib wich Ink works perfect - the Paper is also important how it works with the Ink. If the Ink is to runny you can fix it with gummi arabicum. You can make some trops into your Ink to thicken it up - but do this not with your hole Jar. Maybe you need some runny ink for one Nib. If its to thick you can put some drops destilled Water to thin the Ink. Please be carefully and use a tropper.
Yvy Z. Thank you so much for these helpful tips!
I heard that manufacturers will put a oil on the nibs that you'll want to clean off, it may be the reason your nib isn't working correctly 🙂
And then I realized you said to wash them at the end of the vid right after I've posted my comment, nice
I got these as well, they are extremely scratchy and very difficult to use, does anyone know a great calligraphy set? Less scratchy, smoother edges that won't split???
@5:47 OMG, Yes!! That wasn't thee hardest for me.. I'd say 2nd hardest but only because the 1st (The EF tip is all it says 🤷) tip was user error. Apparently, it isn't meant to do both thick AND thin lines. I don't remember where i saw it-another video some place 🤷- but I saw someone somewhere say their tip (that appears to be the same) was that way. Idk. We'll see. I'm too new to decide just yet if that's right. But otherwise I'm having the same trouble you describe and hope it isn't that way always... I'm looking for answers.. like maybe if i hit play I'll get yours 😆
Nice video. Very usefull for us "the beginners".
I just bought a set and there really was nothing in the way of what each nib did.
Thanks so much for doing this video.
I am sure we would love to see your dip pen video instructions.😃
Glad it was helpful! Thank you ☺️
It might be prudent for you to follow some fountain pen enthusiast/store channels to get an understanding of terminology. Railroading (the split lines with the empty space) could be because you are using fountain pen ink, which tends to be more fluid than calligraphy ink. Speedball and Higgins make ink for calligraphy that is more viscous. An "India" ink would also probably work for the surface tension requirements for flex nibs. Be sure that if you do end up getting fountain pens that the ink is dye based, otherwise it'll be ruined. You also dont necessary have to be at a 45 degree angle or use your whole hand. Different writing disciplines, like Spencerian might call for whole arm movements even. It depends on the style you are looking for.
Channels recommended: Jetpens (they also have a blog post on dip pens), Goulet Pens, SBRE Brown, and The Pen Habit (although Matt is no longer making new content)
Hi Liam, thank you for your feedback! I didn't know I was using the wrong ink! I'll definitely check those channels out:)
I have the same problems with 108 Hunt, it split in two the nib :/
I remember using these, I forgot why I hated them. I prefer tachikawa nibs
Very nice review 😎✍️
Thank you!!
Nice review
Hello Himalaya thank you!
First- That you can write at all with a drawing nib says something for your control, drawing nibs are generally pulled- not pushed. Second- don't be critical of yourself. Yes, I noticed the light change, but my interest is in the information you're passing along. Never heard you breathing because I was listening to the nib on the paper. I practice with HP 32 lb. copy paper. Reasonably smooth, and unless is unusually thin, doesn't bleed badly or feather. Not top quality paper, but passable for practice.
You are a talented child and an able presenter. Good job.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment! Appreciate the feedback ☺️
Merci beaucoup Mademoiselle
you are using he wrong paper
I dont think its a defect. I think these just suck!!! And its total waste of money unless u just want to show off to ur buddies that you have a cool pen... Untill u start writing lol so dont write with it
Salud.