Since today is “Fude Friday” among online sketchers, and my recently made Frankenpen was filled and ready to go, I decided to end this sketchbook journal with an Fude nib drawing of my next journal and tools.
But try as I might, the Frankenpen would NOT write! Full of ink, pen nib freshly flushed, and yet nothing I did could coax the ink to come out to draw or write. Plenty of ink came out when I dipped it in a bit of water, and again when I held it up to a paper towel. But nothing to write or draw . . .
So I had to grab a Sailor Fude de Mannen pen to finish the sketch. A bit more clumsy than the Hero fude nib, but at least it responds. I removed the Frankenpen from the pocket protector after finishing the drawing; I’ll stick to my wee Liliput fountain pen and perhaps a Lamy Safari instead!
😕 Oh darn! 😠 And the Sailor Fude de Mannen to the rescue. Gotta love that Sailor. 😁😁 Have a wonderful weekend Vicky.
ReplyDeleteAt least the Sailor was already inked up with the same color ink! Blessings to you, Cheryl!
DeleteHi Vicky,
ReplyDeletePen recommendations are a dime a dozen on the internet but I thought I'd offer up one more. I own at least a dozen different fude pens and even did the conversion of a Noodler's Creaper like you did. Most are large and clunky (like the Sailor pens) and others are very heavy (many of the Hero pens). The one I use regularly is neither of those things. It's the Duke 209 "bent nib" pen.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Duke-209-Bent-Nib-Fountain-Pen-Set-with-Ink-Refills-Converter-Matte-Black-Other/112787311339?_trkparms=aid%3D555017%26algo%3DPL.CASSINI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150817211758%26meid%3Da75fcc2e64ef422cb280be6f4daaf1b4%26pid%3D100507%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D112787311339&_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226
You have to be a bit careful when ordering via eBay because the pen is also sold with a conventional nib. Pricing seems to vary a lot but I've gotten them as cheap as $6.
Larry, this helps a lot! I love drawing with fude nibs but my Hero M-86 was just too heavy and awkward, the Sailor Fude de Mannen is lightweight enough but still a bit awkward and the plastic feed sometimes leaves a ghost-line under broad strokes, and the Noodler’s conversion hasn’t worked out for me.
DeleteI went online to search for comparisons but was still undecided. Your experience with various fude pens is valuable — thank you!
I should have added that the one I linked to is expensive because you don't get free shipping. But it has good photos of the pen :-)
ReplyDeleteO.K. Vicky, I am in the dark--what is "Fude Friday"?
ReplyDeleteFude Friday is apparently something a group of sketchers on Facebook have been doing for a short while now (possibly from the Fountain Pen Sketchers group?) — Every Friday, they draw something using a fountain pen with a fude nib. It’s a Chinese or Japanese calligraphy pen nib that is bent at the tip, allowing thin or thick lines according to the angle you hold it at.
DeleteI'm sorry your Frankenpen failed you! I know you were looking forward to using it!
ReplyDeleteLOL — It all worked out fine, thanks to online friend Larry Marshall! He has experienced several bent nib pens, including a “Frankenpen” Noodler’s Creaper with Hero bent nib. I decided to buy the Duke 209 he recommended in his above content (under $10!). It just arrived today so I get to play!
Delete