What an incredible show this year! As usual, it was a total whirlwind, and so much fun. Big, big, big thanks to everyone who stopped by to get a grind or just to say hello!
Mr. Nagahara was gracious enough to let me watch him work.
My haul for the show: Sailor x Wancher Osamu Dazai Limited Edition, Noodler’s Harold’s Hearse, beautiful mug by Eileen Goldenberg, and a vintage pen case.
If you’re unsure where to start on your custom-nib journey, a Cursive Italic can be a great first (or second, or third, or fourth…) grind! The broader the tipping size you start out with, the more line-width variation you’ll be able to see. That means that the down strokes will be broader, making them more distinct from the narrow cross-strokes. Cursive Italic grinds do require some getting used to, though; they can’t be rotated while writing.
This Cursive Italic grind was done on a Broad JoWo nib on a beautiful Newton Pens body. The ink is Waterman Serenity Blue.
Needlepoint nibs (sometimes called an “Accountant’s Point”) are definitely not for everyone! By definition they are very, very, very fine, and the trade-off is this: they aren’t so smooth. But what you lose in smoothness, you gain in precision, detail, and the ability to make a hairline-thin mark.
Although best suited for an experienced fountain pen user, needlepoint nibs are great for journaling, drawing, and small writing. I’ve heard from some mathematicians and scientists that they’re also great for notations.
This Needlepoint was done on a Bock #8 Fine Titanium nib.
