My All-Time Favourite Calligraphy Nib
A MODERN CALLIGRAPHY NIB THAT’S great for beginners too!
Have you discovered your favourite nib for modern calligraphy yet?
If not, I'd definitely recommend seeking one out and having a nib bestie who'll stick by you through the 'thick' and 'thin' (excuse the bad attempt at making a calligraphy-related joke. No more from now on. Promise).
Choosing a favourite dip pen nib is like choosing a favourite cocktail - why narrow yourself down to one when there's so much choice out there?
Buuuut...there's always one trusty nib that I keep coming back to which is the Blue Pumpkin or not-so-catchy-named Brause Steno 361. If you look at it’s colour and rounded-belly shape then you’ll understand it’s nickname.
Reliable and loyal, sumptuous and impressive, it's my everyday calligraphy nib as it never fails to bring me joy with it's smooth process and aesthetic results.
Without fail, I use the Brause 361 with an oblique pen for optimum results. If you’re not sure how to use an oblique pen then visit here - you’ll be surprised at how easy and natural it feels to hold an oblique pen despite it’s appearance.
Thick, juicy downstrokes and delicate upstrokes combined with its effortless motion make this a calligrapher’s dream.
Why the Brause Steno 361 is a fabulous calligraphy nib
• The Brause 361 is great for using on textured paper (I write on watercolour paper. A lot) as its smooth-ended tines don’t scratch but glide. I always liken it to writing through butter - or so I imagine. Use this nib on handmade paper too as it doesn't get stuck in the fibres so much. Be wary of paper that isn’t so absorbent though as all that ink won’t have anywhere to go and you’ll be left with inky puddles; adjusting your pressure on the downstrokes will help but you may not be able to make them quite so wide.
• It holds lots of ink so you don't need to re-dip so often. It’s also good for thicker ink as there’s more flexibility in the tines for the ink to flow.
• The Blue Pumpkin is long-lasting, but like all good things, they come to an end eventually :( although I've never broken one. I have a loving collection of my past nibs as throwing them away would be unbearable. Anyone else or just me?!
I'd love to know what your favourite nib is (feel free to leave a comment below), but if you're yet to decide then you can read my guide to calligraphy nibs here. Enjoy!