How to Properly Put a Nib in Your Calligraphy Pen

When you’re starting out with calligraphy, you’ll encounter a few somewhat uncommon tools — the pen and nib. The truth is, we don’t regularly see people writing with true pen and ink, and that’s why what seems to be a simple part of the calligraphy process can be befuddling! Pen and Nib

Today, I’ll shed some light on a common first-time calligrapher question: “How do I put my pen nib in the holder?”

In this post, I’ll focus primarily on pointed pen nibs and holders, but this information is also applicable for broad-edged nibs.

Straight and oblique pen holders

Oblique and Straight Pen holder There are two main types of pen holders available to calligraphers:
  1. A straight pen holder, which is exactly as it sounds!
  2. An oblique or offset pen holder, which holds the pen nib at an angle away from the shaft of the pen.
The oblique pen holder facilitates writing your letters at the steep angle demanded by the copperplate & spencerian hands. (Oblique pen holders can also make calligraphy easier for left-handers — but thats for another blog post!) Here’s how to put your nibs into these two types of holders.

Keep this in mind!

Not all nibs fit all pen holders. Don’t damage your pen holder or break that vintage nib trying to put the two together. With all pen holders, regardless of the style, the nib should be firmly held by the pen holder. However, it shouldn’t take brute strength or swear words to get your pen nibs and holders ready to go. Here’s the key point: If you are breaking a sweat trying to get your nib in your pen holder, check again! Plastic pen holders

For a straight pen holder

Straight pen holders often have a claw-like mechanism, which is where the nib is inserted. Ensure the nib goes into the space at the back of the claws and the pen shaft — not into the center of the claws. Some straight pen holders have a small circular indentation for the nib to slide into. When the pen holder has a circular indentation, place the nib firmly into that indention. The vintage pen holder pictured below has a locking mechanism for keeping the nib in place. When the nib is inserted, the curved edged of the nib follows the curve of the pen holder. Straight Plastic Pen holder with nib

For an oblique pen holder

Oblique pen holders are available in two styles: As a solid plastic pen holder with a plastic flange and circular indentation for the nib, or a wood pen holder with a metal flange for the nib.

Plastic pen holder

plastic pen oblique nib When using a solid plastic pen holder with a plastic flange, the pen nib should be inserted firmly into circular indentation for the nib. Once the nib is inserted into the indentation, move the pen nib slightly to the left or right inside the indention so the pen nib aligns with the slope of your letters.

Pen holders with a metal flange

metal pen holder with oblique nib and pliers For pen holders with a metal flange, you’ll need a pair of small needle-nose pliers to properly adjust the flange to suit your pen nib. Use the pliers to gently shape the flange to the curve of the pen nib. Then, use the pliers to very gently adjust the flange to best suit your individual writing style. The goal is to have the flange positioned so that the tines of the pen nib are aligned with the slope of the letters you are writing. Be gentle and go slow, testing your nib and pen holder as you go, until you have your perfectly individualized writing system. Oblique nib Sometimes, I think an illustration really does tell it best! I hope the below illustrations answers any lingering questions you may have on your pen nibs and holders. How to put a nib in your calligraphy pen

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One Response to “How to Properly Put a Nib in Your Calligraphy Pen”

  1. Madeline Laird

    Laura...where did you get that beautiful oblique pen holder. Many thanks.....Madeline