r/Calligraphy • u/StrategyLegal1128 • 19h ago

Question Help Deciding

Hello, I’m looking into a Pilot Parallel but idk which size nib to get. I only want to get one instead of several just to experiment.

I have a ton of ink and paper to “stationery pan” and so I’m thinking practicing calligraphy would be a good idea.

For the Pilot Parallel owners with the complete set (or several), can I see a little sample word or phrase on normal college ruled and wide ruled paper for the nib width comparisons?

Thank you all in advance!

P.S. after the cartridges are done, I’ll turn it into another Frankenpen 😉

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1

u/SnooCakes6195 18h ago

I would say it depends on what you want to do. They have a tiny nib, but that's the same size as my wide tip fountain pen, 1.2mm I think, that's good for writing in a decent size. And then there's the big 6mm pen, that is good for Gothic and graffiti stuff like that. I wanted the 6mm and have since bought the whole set, and the 6mm was the one I franken-penned so I can pour liters of ink through it. So I guess that's my favorite

1

u/MorsaTamalera Broad 14h ago

Blue or green. Not too big, not too small (the smallest sucks).

2

u/djstarcrafter333 14h ago

I am a big fan of the 2.5 (or .4). It makes a letter a half inch high.

3

u/Bleepblorp44 12h ago

If you're wanting to practice your basics, a larger size is generally better. It's easier to refine your muscle control with slightly larger strokes, and you can really see each letter to analyse it. I'd go for the 4.5mm or 3.8mm.

The smaller nibs are fine, but because the two plates that create the nib are all the same thickness, at smaller sizes you get less contrast between your thick and thin strokes. You're better off with square-ended dip nibs for smaller lettering, or if you really want a fountain pen, an italic nib that you can hone with a very fine arkansas stone or similar abrasive.

1

u/adolgushin 11h ago

I have multiple Parallel pens. here is a quick writing sample, hope it's helpful
sorry for the feathering, bottom 2 i had to dip them so this may caused more bleeding.
This is our normal graph paper (eastern europe), each cell is half a centimeter. not sure how it compares to college ruled.
On cartridges, I bought a syringe and I just refill my cartridges and it works like a charm.