Thread: Dip Pens

Originally Posted by MickR

My pen, ink and some messy chicken scratches on an envelope...
Mick

That's cool...

Originally Posted by SixNipples

Interesting thread. I'm actually looking for a pen. Maybe you gents can help with a recommendation.

I'm going to have my brother (who is a tattoo artist) do some fancy script place cards for my wedding in March. He mentioned getting a good pen to use, so I was thinking fountain pen but have no idea where to start.

Any advice?

Thanks!

I imagine he'd be used to a fine nib, so to speak...I think a fountain pen with a fine nib would be a good choice for such a job...

I'd also consider an italic nib.

James.

Originally Posted by MickR

My pen, ink and some messy chicken scratches on an envelope...


Mick

It is rather disconcerting when someone picks up a writing impliment like a dip pen for the first time, creates some beautiful writing, and then calls it chicken scratching.

If that is chicken scratching I hate to imagine what people would call my writing.

Your compliment is graciously accepted. I know I can achieve a higher standard, or a least a more artistic styling to my writing though. I hope to gain that through time and practice.


Mick

Here's a sad little bit for you gents, My wife and I have a 17 year old son (Jr in high school) who goes to a Christian school, and has been for 3 years now, I guess maybe we are out of the loop, but one day we were talking to a friend of ours who is an 8th grade public school teacher, and she told us that in the public schools, "At least here in south east Virginia" they do not teach cursive anymore, all but to sign your name. My 17 year old son has to write at least three papers, by hand, in cursive every Quarter.
My 20 year old son is in Premed were nothing gets written by hand, it all goes on to the computer, emailed to the teachers email address then emailed back to him Signs of the times my friends.
Rich

Originally Posted by RDM2

Here's a sad little bit for you gents, My wife and I have a 17 year old son (Jr in high school) who goes to a Christian school, and has been for 3 years now, I guess maybe we are out of the loop, but one day we were talking to a friend of ours who is an 8th grade public school teacher, and she told us that in the public schools, "At least here in south east Virginia" they do not teach cursive anymore, all but to sign your name. My 17 year old son has to write at least three papers, by hand, in cursive every Quarter.
My 20 year old son is in Premed were nothing gets written by hand, it all goes on to the computer, emailed to the teachers email address then emailed back to him Signs of the times my friends.
Rich

I understand! I have three children in 7th, 4th and 2nd grades. While they are allowed to write in cursive, it is no longer actively taught. When we were in school, handwriting was taught all the way through grammar school and cursive began in 3rd grade. Not only was it taught, but GRADED! My handwriting isn't too hot now, as I type all day and too many years of taking quick scratchy notes in college messed with me, but I have to admit that it's not too bad when I sit down and actually "try" to write.

My wife teaches high school and even with manuscript, many of the kids she teaches have handwriting no better than my 2nd grader. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Technology is great (thank God, it keeps me in a job writing software), but I think there will be a time in the very near future when we will look back and see what a disservice we have done to our children by teaching them to rely on technology, instead of using it appropriately (don't get me started on the sorry state of math education...)

Originally Posted by RDM2

...
My 20 year old son is in Premed were nothing gets written by hand, it all goes on to the computer, emailed to the teachers email address then emailed back to him Signs of the times my friends.
Rich

Depends who your professor is. My students get wrist cramps in lectures from taking hand-written notes (and if they have a computer, good luck trying to type mathematical formulae at the same rate as I can write them), and if anyone emails me an assignment they automatically lose 50% of the assigned mark for that item.

James.

I must say, I'm not a fan of the style of lettering that is taught to kids these days anyway. A cross between the printed letter and cursive. It even looks messy in its neatest computer printed form. I don't hold much hope for my children unless they decide to take up calligraphy and put the time and effort into neat handwriting skills. Or get Jimbo as a lecturer later on in their education .


Mick

I agree, in fact I would guess that writing in cursive has a positive effect on the brain; like learning another language or how to play an instrument. It's a pity it's not taught any more. I think it's important to preserve it. I was taught it but rarely use it. However, since I got my dip pen I have been practising it. You should see my honing journal, it's all written in the dip pen in the most flamboyant style I can muster.

I must say, though, that Mick is getting a post card (when I get around to posting it) that's pretty much illegible due to my lack of current skills :-)