[Scriptoris] Ultra Fine Calig markers or pens

[Elaine]

Gentles, please be kind. You are reading advice from an amnesiac who  
doesn't even know which age she's in, much less the year!!

When I needed a small nib, I would sometimes take a pointed pen nib  
(like Spencerian writers use) and shape it on a fine hone like knife  
blades are sharpened with as a next-to-the-final polishing. The steel  
nib was sharpened in the same way I did large (read "thick") quill  
ribs, including the bevel at the tip.

The bevel and the angle the pen point is held when making a stroke is  
what makes the fine lines. (Please note: When I sharpened nibs, I  
used a double lens jewelers bifocal headset that I got at a gem show.  
It doubles as a nifty help as a splinter-getter-outer.)

With those nibs, I have written Humanistic Minuscule in readable  
letters at 1/20th of an inch high. Some oldtimers may remember my  
small lettering in one body-of-work grouping I did some years back.  
Tiny writing was used of necessity in Period books called "sixteenmo".

(Try this site for sizes:  <http://cool.conservation-us.org/don/dt/ 
dt0434.html>  )

I never had much luck honing down the markers. They just flayed out  
and made a mess.

Besides all kinds of "found" feathers, I have also written with other  
tools shaped like quills are cut,  Actually, it's kinda fun to see  
what I can make into a tool. I have used everything from tongue  
depressors and popsicle sticks and bamboo fence trimmings to dry  
twigs I picked up, used-up tea bags (mushy, cloud letters), and even  
sharpened fingernails! This doesn't count the reverse lettering for  
woodblock prints.

Experimenting is very edifying even if it isn't SCA "Period".   
Besides, who's to say some monk high from the herb garden didn't try  
some weird tools on the sly himself!!  ; - )

YIS,
HL Lete Bithespring, Steppes

PS For those who obsess about "ye olde termes" for all kinds of  
measurements---
http://www.hemyockcastle.co.uk/measure.htm
Enjoy!!!
Lete
................................

On Dec 6, 2011, at 7:33 PM, Vyolante Oporto wrote:

> Greetings unto the List!
> I'm in need of some very very thin line producing calligraphy nibs,
> pens, markers, whatever works!
> I'm trying to do a bolder font in very small print and its just very
> hard to read with a 1.3mm "Extra Fine" calig marker.
> All referrals are appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Vyolante
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