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Rosebud41
278
May 17, 2016
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This excellent pen uses a #5 nib; the Churchman & Captains Commission use #6 sized nibs. The bigger costlier pens with the larger nibs give somewhat more line variation in the comparable nib grinds, but they cost more and have less interesting colors available for the bodies. The PE is the most colorful variant of the Italix models offered on MD, but because of the #5 nib, if you want an italic, I suggest going for at least a medium or better yet a broad italic if you want perceptible line variation. Also, if you have never used an Italix grind before, the italic grinds generally are smoother and have better flow than the stubs, which is contrary to the way most other custom grinds work (e.g. the Masuyama nibs from Franklin Christoph). If you have never used an italic or stub nib before, I would suggest getting a medium or broad italic for this model. The fine italic has nice enough flow, but basically writes like a stock medium, i.e. with not much line variation. The Italix ground stubs are OK, but the italics really shine, giving the best of all worlds: excellent ease of use (large sweet spot in the grip) with wet flow and good line variation. Just avoid the finest italic nib and you will be fine. Note also the colors are a bit darker in person than in the massively overexposed photos on the site. The amber one looks brown and the blue one is a darker swirl rather than a light one. Very well made pen, highly recommended.
May 17, 2016
Theroc
2318
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May 18, 2016
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Rosebud41Thanks for the useful info, Rosebud. I got the Churchman's from the last drop. I ordered it with a medium cursive nib. I loved it so much that I had to get the Parson's too. I had ignored Italix in the past, having too much on my wishlist to consider something else. Eventually, however the idea of a huge selection of custom nibs was too much to resist. I am very impressed with these nibs. My only niggle, and it's a small niggle, is that the cursive I ordered was only available in medium which turned out somewhat wider than what I prefer. This time I went with a fine italic; fine to suit my style, italic for more line variation than the cursive. However, your comments are giving me second thoughts. Do you, by any chance, have writing samples of a fine italic to compare with the medium cursive or fine standard nib?
May 18, 2016
Nightharper
41
May 18, 2016
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TherocSome people said fine stubs and italics do not show perceptible line variation but I disagree on this matter. It is not as obvious as mediums and broads but there is variations. If I find some time, I'll edit this post to add a written comparison between my italix and a standard western fine.
May 18, 2016
Theroc
2318
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May 18, 2016
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NightharperThanks Nightharper. That would be greatly appreciated, especially considering your neat handwriting :)
May 18, 2016
Nightharper
41
May 18, 2016
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TherocHere's your writing sample with a little bonus :) !
Paper is Clairefontaine Lined 90 g/m² and ink is Iroshizuku Kon-Peki (except for the Edson which is Diamine Sherwood Green).
Parson's Essential was dipped so wetness might be a little biaised but every other pen was freshly inked right before writing. I don't know why the Visconti was so light, I might have to work again on it but that was the only regular Fine at hand, I lent my Lamy to a friend so she could try the 1.1 stub.
Writing pressure was as even as possible. Bear in mind I'm writing with minimum pressure to none. Italics and stub were written with Chancery Italic Hand (as close as possible) and regular Fine with my normal "semi-cursive" handwriting. Hope all this will be useful !
Time to clean all these babies now !
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May 18, 2016
Theroc
2318
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May 18, 2016
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NightharperThanks for the effort. A steady hand, as always. That's more than I hoped for. I see enough line variation in the fine cursive Italix to stick with the fine italic on this pen, especially since the italic should show even more line variation than the cursive.
May 18, 2016
Nightharper
41
May 18, 2016
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TherocI guess a fine italic would look similar to the medium cursive italic by masuyama, it's around the same width of 0.85mm. It also depends on your handwriting. Mine is on the small side so I stick to fines and mediums but if you write larger, you could opt for those broads.
One trade-off of fines is smoothness, it has a little more feedback than broads. But that's something you can always work off with micromesh or a lot of writing!
I'm glad it was useful :)
May 18, 2016
Rosebud41
278
May 20, 2016
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Theroc
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Hope this helps. The fine italic PE is this picture is inked with a very wet Noodler ink which actually makes the line look _thicker_ than the medium italic English Curate. In general though, I do not see much line variation with the fine CI nib, but on the other hand, it is nice and smooth to write with, so you pay no real penalty for going the italic path.
May 20, 2016
Theroc
2318
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May 20, 2016
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Rosebud41Thanks Rosebud. The fine has just the right amount of variation for me.
May 20, 2016
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