Although modern day pens are more prevalent in this day and age, there's a place for old world writing instruments. One example is the dip pen—specifically the nib and nib holder pairing. What exactly is a nib and nib holder? A nib is a pointed piece of metal that deposits ink onto a writing surface. It is mounted onto a nib holder to create a dip pen.
There are actually practical reasons to choose a nib and nib holder over modern day pens, including flexibility in line width variation and tip size, which are advantageous for both writing and drawing purposes. We cover the basics of comic nibs, calligraphy nibs, and nib holders in this article and also include a table that details nib and nib holder compatibility.
The two main nib shapes are italic and point.
Similar to the nibs in fountain pens, tip size measurements for nibs in nib holders range from extra fine to broad (though some manufacturers specify the nib size in millimeters). These measurements are more accurate for Italic nibs, which are stiff and meant to hold their shape to product lines of consistent widths.
Although point nibs also have designated tip sizes like extra fine or fine, these labels refer to the line width produced by the nib when no pressure is applied. For these nibs, it’s important to consider their flexibility as well.
Typically only applicable to point nibs, flexibility refers to the tines’ ability to spread. The farther they spread, the thicker the line. Applying pressure to the nib causes the tines to separate. A flexible nib can produce more line variation than a stiff nib. Too much flexibility can be difficult to control, so it’s best to experiment and see what’s most comfortable for you.
It’s important to note that applying pressure to a nib will eventually cause the tines to separate permanently, which means that they no longer produce very fine lines or even stop writing altogether. Nibs that are designed for use with nib holders are not meant to be permanent fixtures: they will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
The two main types of nib holders are straight and oblique nib holders.
It's important to match a nib to the correct holder. Most nib holders are made for regular or standard comic size nibs. See the tables below to check compatibility. Hover over the nib holders to see which models are included.
It’s important to note that although Speedball nibs will fit into nib holders from other brands, the fit is much tighter than in their Japanese counterparts.
One of the primary advantages to using dip pens is that they do not have an internal filling system that can become clogged. They can be used with a variety of liquids, including thicker metallic and glitter inks, as well as homemade inks crafted from tea, berries, and more. Dip pens are also simple to clean, even when used with permanent inks like India inks: you can remove the nib from the nib holder and scrub it with a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol.
Additionally, dip pens are an inexpensive way to add unique flair to your writing. Flexible pointed pen nibs are far cheaper than fountain pens with flexible nibs, but they can create the dramatic downstrokes prized in cursive calligraphy. And if you get tired of writing in Copperplate, you can change it up by swapping nibs and inks easily.
Of course, dip pens have disadvantages too. Without an internal filling system, dip pens have to be dipped into ink over and over again. Additionally, dip pens tend to write very wetly and may need special paper to ensure that writing does not feather or bleed. The nibs can be finicky, requiring some preparation to remove machining oils and ensure they work properly. Nibs will eventually wear out, too, so they need to be replaced. It can be difficult to start writing with a dip pen in the first place: you will have to teach yourself the correct hand position, and slowly learn how to control your writing pressure. Finally, a dip pen simply isn’t as portable as a self-contained writing instrument like a fountain pen. It can get quite messy when you use a dip pen, even at your desk.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
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Products Used: Speedball Calligraphy Pen Set, Kuretake Sumi Calligraphy & Comic Ink
Products Used: Speedball Oblique Pen Nib Holder, Kuretake Calligraphy Ink - Gold
Products Used: Tachikawa Comic Pen Nib Holder - Model 25, Zebra Comic Pen Nib - G Model, Kuretake Sumi Calligraphy & Comic Ink
- Make sure the nib is compatible with the holder.
- Take the base of the nib and gently wedge it into the nib holder ring. The fit may be tighter depending on the nib holder and nib, but it should never be loose.
- Once it's secure, the nib holder is ready to use.
- Hold the nib holder like a regular pen.
- Dip the nib into the ink and wipe the excess on the bottle. Before writing, make sure the nib is at a 45 degree angle for optimal ink flow.
- Do some test strokes to see how the ink behaves with the nib and paper.
- To vary the line width when using a point nib, apply different amounts of pressure on the downstrokes. Do not apply pressure with upstrokes as the nib may catch on the paper.
- After installing the nib into the oblique holder, position the nib at the desired angle on the paper.
- Using this angle as a guide, hold the straight part of the nib holder like a regular pen.
- Dip the nib into the ink and practice different strokes to become accustomed to the shape of the nib holder.
- With practice, oblique holders can aid in various script calligraphy styles (Spencerian, Copperplate) by providing angles that are difficult to achieve with straight holders.
- Nibs often have an oil coating to protect against sticking together and rusting. To prep it, you can pass a flame under it a couple quick times, use rubbing alcohol, or toothpaste.
- Always remove the nib from the nib holder when not in use. Use a paper towel to remove it to avoid oil transference.
- Wash the ink off the nib with water or rubbing alcohol. Calligraphy inks tend to cake onto the nib and many are difficult to remove completely.
- If ink gets into the nib holder ring, dip it into water or alcohol to remove.
- Make sure to dry both the nib holder and nib completely to avoid rusting.
For more tips on how to care for nibs, read our beginner’s guide on calligraphy supplies.
- The Best Pointed Pen Calligraphy Supplies for Beginners
- Calligraphy Tips: Solving Common Problems
- How To Mix Calligraphy Inks
- The Best Watercolor Calligraphy Supplies for Beginners
- The Best Waterproof Calligraphy Inks
- The Best Manga and Comic Art Supplies
- How to Use Manga Pen Nibs
- The Best Nibs for Drawing Manga
- The Best Drawing Inks
- How to Use a Glass Dip Pen
A Modern Calligraphy Starter Kit is also available which includes everything you’ll need to get started with pointed calligraphy, such as nibs, nib holders, ink, and dip pen-friendly paper.
Whether you're a dip pen beginner or a seasoned master, we hope we've inspired you to consider using dip pens for everyday writing, calligraphy, or drawing. Do you have a favorite comic or calligraphy nib and nib holder combination? Let us know in the comments below!
