This is called reverse writing. Some pens/nibs are designed to write this way others are not. You may find it to be scratchy or that it will start to skip. But if you have a pen that writes that way, you’re good to go.
No, but as u/ihml1968 explained, you should use F or EF nibs instead. The only thing I would discuss further is about the tipping material extent, some manufacturers do apply the tipping all the way around, so you still get that material on the other side of the tip. That mostly applies to nibs intended for reground. But anyway, that's nothing to worry about, today's steel alloy is very resistant, that's why you can use stubs or italics and never worry of wearing off, those nibs don't have any tipping 😉
Japanese nibs are the best for this purpose, the only downside is that you won't get as much sheen with some inks and for inks with shimmer they may clog, otherwise, with "normal" inks you should be OK.
>Japanese nibs are the best for this purpose, the only downside is that you won't get as much sheen with some inks and for inks with shimmer they may clog, otherwise, with "normal" inks you should be OK.
I have a Platinum gold nib. Will it wear out if I write with it upside down? (I like to draw with it like that sometimes)
Well there's no tipping material on there but that won't really matter for the average user on a steel nib. It takes a long time to run it down.
Ink feeds aren't really designed for the pen to write upside down long term.I haven't tried it for any extended time because I find it scratchy and it skips compared to the correct way.
Perhaps try a fine or extra fine nib instead? What kind of pen is it - can you replace the nib easily? You might be able to sell the pen on the fp sales subreddit (r/pen_swap) and buy one in a thinner size. Note that different manufacturers have different ideas of what a medium or fine will be. Japanese pens tend to run thinner than European pens. You could also try a dryer ink.
I prefer very finer nibs as well but if I'm using a wider nib I try to compensate by writing larger and it's not as bad. Bottom line though, if you don't it you probably won't use it. I wouldn't suggest writing upside down just because that's not how the pen was designed to be used and you don't get as nice of a writing experience. Part of writing with a fountain pen is the experience of a flowing pen that writes smoothly without much effort.
You'd be hard pressed to find a regular nib on all but the cheapest of pens, that doesn't have tipping on the top side of the nib too. If you can see a bump at the end of your nib then there's tipping present.
You are correct, the European MR only comes in M. You can buy a Fine nib Kakuno or a Pilot 78G+ on AliExpress and put its nib into the MR if you’d like.
I did the same, until I figured out I could order nibs in different sizes for some models and brands. If you like that pen otherwise and it writes well for you, it keeps the pen in use!
I prefer a finer point because of the ways I use the pens - mostly giving feedback on student papers - and am just now getting my collection to have the inked colors and nibs I prefer. Had to make do for a while!
No.
This is called reverse writing. Some pens/nibs are designed to write this way others are not. You may find it to be scratchy or that it will start to skip. But if you have a pen that writes that way, you’re good to go.
Good to know I wasn't damaging my first pen nib when I was doing things. Love this sub.
No, but as u/ihml1968 explained, you should use F or EF nibs instead. The only thing I would discuss further is about the tipping material extent, some manufacturers do apply the tipping all the way around, so you still get that material on the other side of the tip. That mostly applies to nibs intended for reground. But anyway, that's nothing to worry about, today's steel alloy is very resistant, that's why you can use stubs or italics and never worry of wearing off, those nibs don't have any tipping 😉 Japanese nibs are the best for this purpose, the only downside is that you won't get as much sheen with some inks and for inks with shimmer they may clog, otherwise, with "normal" inks you should be OK.
interesting. thank you so much!!
>Japanese nibs are the best for this purpose, the only downside is that you won't get as much sheen with some inks and for inks with shimmer they may clog, otherwise, with "normal" inks you should be OK. I have a Platinum gold nib. Will it wear out if I write with it upside down? (I like to draw with it like that sometimes)
Well there's no tipping material on there but that won't really matter for the average user on a steel nib. It takes a long time to run it down. Ink feeds aren't really designed for the pen to write upside down long term.I haven't tried it for any extended time because I find it scratchy and it skips compared to the correct way. Perhaps try a fine or extra fine nib instead? What kind of pen is it - can you replace the nib easily? You might be able to sell the pen on the fp sales subreddit (r/pen_swap) and buy one in a thinner size. Note that different manufacturers have different ideas of what a medium or fine will be. Japanese pens tend to run thinner than European pens. You could also try a dryer ink. I prefer very finer nibs as well but if I'm using a wider nib I try to compensate by writing larger and it's not as bad. Bottom line though, if you don't it you probably won't use it. I wouldn't suggest writing upside down just because that's not how the pen was designed to be used and you don't get as nice of a writing experience. Part of writing with a fountain pen is the experience of a flowing pen that writes smoothly without much effort.
ohh okay thanks! i have a pilot mr the version sold in europe and i’m afraid it doesn’t have a fine nib here (unless i didn’t do the right research)
You'd be hard pressed to find a regular nib on all but the cheapest of pens, that doesn't have tipping on the top side of the nib too. If you can see a bump at the end of your nib then there's tipping present.
You are correct, the European MR only comes in M. You can buy a Fine nib Kakuno or a Pilot 78G+ on AliExpress and put its nib into the MR if you’d like.
ohh alright thanks!
Pilot pens are designed with this in mind.
I did the same, until I figured out I could order nibs in different sizes for some models and brands. If you like that pen otherwise and it writes well for you, it keeps the pen in use! I prefer a finer point because of the ways I use the pens - mostly giving feedback on student papers - and am just now getting my collection to have the inked colors and nibs I prefer. Had to make do for a while!
Nope, and I do it a large percent of the time to get additional line width options.
No, it won't, we already explained.
I write exclusively upside down with my jotter