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Nib Ability
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How to fit Dip Pen Nibs to Holders
You may wonder why I am writing about something ‘as
simple’ as fitting a dip pen nib to a holder, well for anyone new to
using dip pens, this the first step in using a dip pen
successfully. As with all things, it can turn out successful or
otherwise, if you have your pen working happily then the ‘chances are’
you will be happy working with it. So….. a dip pen nib has a tip and at
its opposite end is the shank, the shank is straight and has a tubular
or curved profile - the shank is used to attach the nib to the holder.
Dip pen nibs with a tubular shank were a ‘follow-on’ from nibs being
attached to a feather; they were used mainly in map making before use by
the general public and are referred to as ‘mapping’ pen nibs. They were
also named after the equivalent feather version, as in a ‘crow quill’,
for easy reference to their size and type before being given ‘just a
number’.
Nibs with a tubular shank need a special pen holder with a protruding
rod.
To fit the nib to the holder, gently push the tubular shank onto the
rod. Make sure the tubular shank is pushed fully onto the rod otherwise
the nib will ‘wobble’ when pressure is applied to the nib. If the nib
shank is difficult to push onto the rod, dip the rod into talcum powder
or similar, this will act as a lubricant and make fitting the nib much
easier.
Once you have the nib and holder ‘married’ together it’s best to leave
them that way. Removing the nib from the rod end can cause the tines of
the nib to twist or go out of shape.
For nibs with a straight shank, hold the nib securely as near to the
shank end as possible. Line the shank up with the opening and with
controlled firm movement; push the nib shank into its intended opening.
Try not to hold the tines of the nib as they can be twisted out of shape
as you push the nib into the opening. Once again when you have ‘married’
the nib and holder together leave them that way.
Holders are not expensive and come in a variety of colours, choose
colour families to identify the various nibs. For example, use light
wood colour for pointed nibs, green for italic and say marbled for round
hand nibs, what every takes your fancy. This makes selecting the nibs
type much easier and you don’t have to inspect each nib every time.
A word of caution! The needle pointed nibs are just that – a needle
point. When fitting one to a holder it is easy to slip and end up
stabbing yourself in the finger or other part of the hand. If you have
not experienced this then well done, if you have, then you will know how
painful it is and it’s not something to be repeated!
Years ago most Scribes would have a ‘pen wipe’ close to hand. A ‘pen
wipe’ is a small piece of Chamois leather, dampened and used for, would
you believe, wiping pen nibs! But it was also a handy bit of kit for
fitting new nibs; you could hold the nib without it slipping in your
fingers, therefore helping to protect the fingers from the sharp point.
Pen Wipes coming soon.
Jacqui© 2007