Speedball C-Series Lettering Pen Set - 1 Penholder w/ 6 Nibs

Love this set! It's a great set for learning foundational hand and italics for left handed people. I would highly recommend this set. Be sure to keep the nibs clean with Windex on a regular basis so they don't clog or rust. The nibs are easy to load and remove. GREAT PRODUCT!

I'm using the nibs with my own oblique holder and they work very well. The 101 is extremely nice but takes a very light touch. The 103 is a bit of a challenge, at least with all the paper I tried it with using my typical black ink. However the 103 did well with thinned watercolors which I brushed into the nib. It requires an "extremely" light touch, so much so that it may be difficult to know if it's even touching the paper. Just a slight variation of touch can cause the tip to split, skip, and spatter. However, with a perfect touch, the stroke is likely the finest that can be achieved with any nib.

I am thrilled by this set of sketching pens/nibs. I have since upgraded the holders that I use, and settled on favorite nibs, so I don't frequently use anything from the set, but for less than $10 you're able to get two sizes of pens and several nibs. Everything that you need to get started, and to find out what you like and how you work (or even to find out that you don't like pens and nibs).Everything in this set is functional and a lot of fun to work with. There is enough variety in this inexpensive kit that I was able to zero in on what worked for me without buying 60 nibs and 10 holders. And I gotta say that I really appreciate these for being a good and economical way to start out with dip pens, it even comes with examples and instructions for starting out with pen and ink drawing and calligraphy.Too often entry-level products are so crappy they'll turn one off to a new field, and good products too expensive for the person who wants to experiment with something new.The Speedball nibs, holders, and inks are all good quality, and really inexpensive. Yes, there are better products out there in each of these categories (actually Speedball ink is still my favorite), but it was really nice to have all three available at a price that was not prohibitive. And really all three, the ink, nibs, and holders from Speedball are an adequate quality, I still use the "Hunt" 102 and 107 nibs and the holder, as well as Speedball black India ink all the time.

I have been doing calligraphy for a long time. Speedball C nibs are my current favorite. They get better with age.If you are a beginner - these will fight you until you learn how to show them respect and properly use them. Some complain that they grab the paper. some say the ink doesn't flow right. They are right. It's not working for them. Give me the same pen and I will have it working perfectly. Sometimes you have to carefully bend the metal a tiny bit. sometimes you have to slightly re-shape the brass ink channel.Beginners often use the wrong paper. This causes the edges to catch, or the paper to jam the ink channels. Poor paper can also cause the ink to run. Different inks act differently in the pen and on the paper. Try different inks and try different papers. Some papers are designed for calligraphy.It all comes down to experience. These nibs can glide like a good ice skater along the page and create beautiful works in the hands of someone with experience.I haven't yet tried the Brause Bandzug nibs yet. They are much more expensive and harder to get, but I'm sure they will probably be better. But when my Speedball pens are set up and broken in - they perform smoothly and perfectly, so I suspect they will be about the same.I suggest that beginners start with some well made Japanese or European felt or synthetic tipped calligraphy marker pens (Zig, Sakura, Yasutomo, Marvy etc.). Then graduate to Trustela Calligraphy Nibs, 18 Calligraphy Pen Nibs set or Mont Marte 9 Nib Calligraphy Set (the nibs on these pens are easier to use than the Speedball nibs). Get a good nib holder. I like wood ones. I like the Brause Calligraphy nib holders, they have a nice feel and a good width. Different inks work differently in the pen and on the paper. I like Pelikan 4001 series inks. Get a couple of 30 ml jars. I like their Royal Blue, Violet and Brown. I found this amazing looking ink -Diamine - Shimmering Fountain Pen Ink, Purple Pazzazz. I can't wait to try it out.Black is always good for practicing. ... and don't forget to clean your nibs well!! After rinsing under running water, gently slide a thin sheet of good paper under the brass ink channel on top and the one underneath the nib. don't use a paper that will disintegrate and get stuck under the channels. Ink solvent is good too.Watch some YouTube videos, and practice every few days. You'll get better and better.Once you've got them set up correctly, they will bring you great joy. Your friends and family will like getting your hand-made holiday cards, invitations and letters. Then they will ask you to do some for them. Maybe you can make some money at it.I find calligraphy to be relaxing and meditative. It is art. I love it! I hope you do too.

Great value

I’m in love! These nibs completely changed my inking game. These are so easy to utilize and just 1 is so versatile for different sized strokes . #99 is my favorite! Way better than micron Sakura pens.

This is but far the best nib holder as it’s so easy to easy and write with in comparison to others. It’s perfect size and shape just fits right in the hand. Love the Balck color. It’s definitely durable and easy to clean. Functions very well.

This dip pen is just ok... the nibs seem "scratchy" when drawing/sketching, and I didn't think there was much difference in the line width. I think the nibs are steel and not the best quality. I enjoyed dipping the pen and trying a new ink I got, and it served its' purpose for a few days.