Years, and years of watching Brian, this guy is still the MAN! Great explanation, for all those who complain that their cheaper pens write better than their more expensive ones. Here is your answer. One of the best fountain pen videos I have seen in a long time.
I am new to this channel but not new to fountain pens, sort of. I got into calligraphy years ago but picked it back up recently. I'm patiently awaiting for Goulet Pens to reopen because I have an order done a couple of weeks ago. In the mean time, I'm going through many of the videos getting some valuable tips and knowledge for when I get my prismatic purple diplomat magnum. I will be doing many, many more orders in the future as well because I am falling for fountain pens more than I expected all because of awesome videos like this. Thanks for all the contributions to the community you've done and will do!
Oh this is very helpful. I’m in the process of converting some of my fine nibs to broads because oh my gosh I love ink and I want to see it flooding the lines I draw. So thanks! That’s something to be aware of.
Haven't finished watching the video yet, but I think Brian might want to avoid wearing that shirt on camera. The video compression from YT seems to be freaking out from it.
kingtysonsworld It is called a Lissajous Pattern and was an issue during even the early days of television. Those appearing on TV were cautioned not to wear striped or pinstriped clothes on camera.
We all want to see Brian redo this episode wearing a 30's gangster suit and rocking a James Cagney accent. "Listen doll face, you're a cheeky gal with a nice baby bottom, see, but you're kinda scratchy. But we all love smooth broads!"
At the end of the video you touch on new FP users vs. experienced FP users and not having those data. Do you think there's a correlation between time in the hobby and price point? E.g. are newcomers to the hobby more likely to purchase a Metropolitan or an Eco than a Visconti or an Aurora? If so, you might be able to approximate how time in the hobby relates to nib size preference by looking at, say, nib size sales for sub-$30 pens vs. over-$300 pens. It comes as no surprise to hear from you that many tend to start small and increase nib size preference over time. My personal anecdote which corroborates this is that when I was starting out, I was drawn to pens/ink that mimicked ballpoints (fine line with little or no shading), but grew more into mediums/broads as I started to enjoy things that fountain pens could do that ballpoints couldn't; namely, shading and line variation. While everyone's journey in the hobby is unique, I imagine many others have followed a similar path.
I have always loved broad nibs best. I wish more quality Bs were offered with new pens and/or available for purchase separately. Two-thirds of my fountain pens have B nibs. That said, I’ve occasionally suffered unexpected problems with broads on brand new pens by upscale brands I have bought over the years. Invariably, as Brian correctly cited here, the problem is the baby’s bottom curse. I rarely tinker with my pens fearing that I’ll ruin the pen. So, unless I was able to have the nib fixed by somebody, I had to resign myself to living with the BB problem. And, on balance, BB is often not a huge hindrance to the enjoyment of broad nibs. The biggest, chronic problem with F nibs, though, are that they are, barring a miracle, lacklustre and underwhelming.
I am left handed and I ‘think’ asymmetric tipping on broads tends to be biased toward right handers on some makes. On fines it’s so slight it makes no difference. Based only on experience and observing the nibs but I have had broad nibs notably from Pelikan that work badly left handed but work fine right handed.
As a fellow lefty I totally agree with your comment. I would love to use a broad nib more but I find it's not as left hand friendly as a fine or extra fine.
Technically my first fountain pen had a broad nib, it was very cheap and the cartridges that came with it didn't fit. I don't really count it as my first fountain pen since I never got to use it.
it came with a book on fancy hand writing or something that I found in a book store. I lost it while moving a few years ago and I don't remember what it was.
I understand nibs from certain manufacturers or even different regions of the world will be different; for example, one company’s fine may be more like another’s medium. But I have two LAMYs with fine nibs, one of which writes like a sharpie the other like my TWSBI with an EF. Could this be because of the inks? Or is it adjustment of the nib? Or is it because, even though both are LAMYs, they are different models?
It could be any number of things! You'd need to eliminate the variables one by one. Does the tipping look the same? It might be stamped incorrectly. - Drew
Hey Brian I had an issue with a Lamy 2000 I bought from ya one of the tines was significantly shorter and the writing sample provided is imposible with this pen who can I contact to get this resolved I suspect your QA people probably sent the wrong pen on accident as I know you are one of the most honorable pen sellers on the Internet. They probably packaged the good pen where the reject was supposed to be packaged and vise-versa support on your website has been unresponsive.
hmm. back in your office?? hope you can reopen the warehouse... my husband is one of the delivery drivers with less customers.... I think you would be safe. Quarantine your deliveries for 3 days... not weeks and months...
Hey there! Not back in the office yet. This video is from a past Q&A episode. :) We'll definitely let everyone know when we are set to return. I hope your husband continues to stay safe! -Margaret
Years, and years of watching Brian, this guy is still the MAN! Great explanation, for all those who complain that their cheaper pens write better than their more expensive ones. Here is your answer. One of the best fountain pen videos I have seen in a long time.
Love Brian’s teaching 💕
I am new to this channel but not new to fountain pens, sort of. I got into calligraphy years ago but picked it back up recently. I'm patiently awaiting for Goulet Pens to reopen because I have an order done a couple of weeks ago. In the mean time, I'm going through many of the videos getting some valuable tips and knowledge for when I get my prismatic purple diplomat magnum. I will be doing many, many more orders in the future as well because I am falling for fountain pens more than I expected all because of awesome videos like this. Thanks for all the contributions to the community you've done and will do!
Oh this is very helpful. I’m in the process of converting some of my fine nibs to broads because oh my gosh I love ink and I want to see it flooding the lines I draw. So thanks! That’s something to be aware of.
Broads are the best! :) -Rachel
I always enjoy your videos. It's funny your fingers are always covered in ink.
Hello, Brian ! Recently I went to your website in order to buy ink but I could not find my country on the list what can I do ?
My Sailor 1911L has a broad nib, and it has never had an issue. I love that pen.
its a sailor :-) try a Lamy Safari mist broad nibs have QC issues
Haven't finished watching the video yet, but I think Brian might want to avoid wearing that shirt on camera. The video compression from YT seems to be freaking out from it.
kingtysonsworld It is called a Lissajous Pattern and was an issue during even the early days of television. Those appearing on TV were cautioned not to wear striped or pinstriped clothes on camera.
It's not just UA-cam, just the way video works.
@@gutfinski wrong, it's a Moiré Patten
It's caused by the interlaced scanning of non-film imaging paired with the fine repetitious lines on Brian's shirt.
Good to know! I'll let him know not to wear that shirt again. :) -Rachel
We all want to see Brian redo this episode wearing a 30's gangster suit and rocking a James Cagney accent. "Listen doll face, you're a cheeky gal with a nice baby bottom, see, but you're kinda scratchy. But we all love smooth broads!"
9:35
This taken out of context 😂
At the end of the video you touch on new FP users vs. experienced FP users and not having those data. Do you think there's a correlation between time in the hobby and price point? E.g. are newcomers to the hobby more likely to purchase a Metropolitan or an Eco than a Visconti or an Aurora?
If so, you might be able to approximate how time in the hobby relates to nib size preference by looking at, say, nib size sales for sub-$30 pens vs. over-$300 pens.
It comes as no surprise to hear from you that many tend to start small and increase nib size preference over time. My personal anecdote which corroborates this is that when I was starting out, I was drawn to pens/ink that mimicked ballpoints (fine line with little or no shading), but grew more into mediums/broads as I started to enjoy things that fountain pens could do that ballpoints couldn't; namely, shading and line variation. While everyone's journey in the hobby is unique, I imagine many others have followed a similar path.
I have always loved broad nibs best. I wish more quality Bs were offered with new pens and/or available for purchase separately. Two-thirds of my fountain pens have B nibs. That said, I’ve occasionally suffered unexpected problems with broads on brand new pens by upscale brands I have bought over the years. Invariably, as Brian correctly cited here, the problem is the baby’s bottom curse. I rarely tinker with my pens fearing that I’ll ruin the pen. So, unless I was able to have the nib fixed by somebody, I had to resign myself to living with the BB problem. And, on balance, BB is often not a huge hindrance to the enjoyment of broad nibs. The biggest, chronic problem with F nibs, though, are that they are, barring a miracle, lacklustre and underwhelming.
I am left handed and I ‘think’ asymmetric tipping on broads tends to be biased toward right handers on some makes. On fines it’s so slight it makes no difference. Based only on experience and observing the nibs but I have had broad nibs notably from Pelikan that work badly left handed but work fine right handed.
As a fellow lefty I totally agree with your comment. I would love to use a broad nib more but I find it's not as left hand friendly as a fine or extra fine.
Technically my first fountain pen had a broad nib, it was very cheap and the cartridges that came with it didn't fit. I don't really count it as my first fountain pen since I never got to use it.
What was it?
@@finalbossd he probably got it on in the grocery store stationery isle.
it came with a book on fancy hand writing or something that I found in a book store. I lost it while moving a few years ago and I don't remember what it was.
What about the Soft versions?
Are "soft nibs more prone to have baby's bottom problem than normal ones?
cheeks? loved it!
I understand nibs from certain manufacturers or even different regions of the world will be different; for example, one company’s fine may be more like another’s medium. But I have two LAMYs with fine nibs, one of which writes like a sharpie the other like my TWSBI with an EF. Could this be because of the inks? Or is it adjustment of the nib? Or is it because, even though both are LAMYs, they are different models?
It could be any number of things! You'd need to eliminate the variables one by one. Does the tipping look the same? It might be stamped incorrectly. - Drew
Review some Indian fountain pens..like beena Lincoln or other models
They only review what they sell and they don't stock Indian pens as far as I know.
Hey Brian I had an issue with a Lamy 2000 I bought from ya one of the tines was significantly shorter and the writing sample provided is imposible with this pen who can I contact to get this resolved I suspect your QA people probably sent the wrong pen on accident as I know you are one of the most honorable pen sellers on the Internet. They probably packaged the good pen where the reject was supposed to be packaged and vise-versa support on your website has been unresponsive.
You probably had an Oblique nib. The angled nature of the nib makes one tine appear shorter or longer than the other.
Hope you guys stay safe. Maybe a giveaway or two would be a good way to keep customers engaged. I would sure love to profit from that hehe.
We just had one yesterday on our Instagram channel! We'll see what else we can do. -Rachel
@@Gouletpens thanks for the reply! Stay safe and i hope brian and the kids are okay. Love your new livestreams.
WOW! NEXT THING I KNOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT “BABY’S BOTTOM.” I AM GLAD I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. :)
hmm. back in your office?? hope you can reopen the warehouse... my husband is one of the delivery drivers with less customers.... I think you would be safe. Quarantine your deliveries for 3 days... not weeks and months...
Hey there! Not back in the office yet. This video is from a past Q&A episode. :) We'll definitely let everyone know when we are set to return. I hope your husband continues to stay safe! -Margaret
TO THE ANCIENTS IN YOUR AUDIENCE, MAKE SURE YOU COMBINE BOTH WORDS “BROAD NIBS.” OF COURSE, THOSE WHO WATCH OLD MOVIES MIGHT OBJECT TOO. :)