Calligraphy Pens – Buying Guide

The ancient creative art of calligraphy narrows down to two essential tools: the right kind of pen and the right ink. When doing your calligraphy, the pen that you use for drawing or writing can either make a calligraphy masterpiece or an ink muddle.

It is imperative to note that calligraphy is not all that tricky when you have a good guide and the right pen. Additionally, the best calligraphy pen does not have to be expensive or have fancy features in order to create the best art pieces. What you need is the time to master it to be able to write clearly as you work towards achieving perfection. That said, there are different calligraphy pens in the market right now and the huge dizzying selection can make it hard for you to find the best one.

For this reason, we are here to review calligraphy pens and highlight how to choose the ideal one for your tasks. Choosing a pen will require that you take your experience, writing style, the paper to use, and the required results into consideration. Additionally, we have reviewed 3 top calligraphy pens today to help you get closer to your desired pen that will meet all your calligraphy needs.

How Do Calligraphy Pens Work?

Calligraphy pens work through a simple pressure system. When writing, you apply pressure to your pen which then pushes the nib against your paper. This separates the tines on your nibs, allowing the ink to flow down to your paper evenly and creating lines of ink. The sizes of these lines are determined by the amount of pressure that you put on your pen. If you put a lot of pressure on your pen, the tine split produces wider lines while less pressure will produce lines with a lesser width.

What to Look Out For When Buying Calligraphy Pens

To create beautiful calligraphy pieces, you will need the right calligraphy pen. Pairing the ideal pen even with a beginner can bring out unexpected excellence. Below are some of the considerations that you should have in mind when choosing the best calligraphy pen.

Pen style

The two main types of calligraphy pens are cartridge filled pens and dip pens. Most modern calligraphy pens are cartridge filled pens that are very easy to use, do not cause messes, and produce fine writing and drawing. The only downside is that you cannot use just any ink and the nibs are fixed. Traditional dip calligraphy pens, on the other hand, allow you to use different inks and nibs but they can be very messy and write thick.

Nibs 

Calligraphy pen nibs are available in two types: italic and flex nibs. Flex nibs have two tines and are rounded. These tines split to make different lines. Tine split is determined by the pressure that you apply on your pen. The more the tine split, the more the line width and vice versa. Italic nibs, on the other hand, are rigid and are used for more firm styles like italics and Gothic.

Grip

This is an often overlooked factor that is very important to consider. The grip should be ergonomically designed to give you maximum comfort. Calligraphy is a detailed and engrossing project that can require long hours of working. As such, a pen with a good grip is required. The grip also determines the precision of your work so it is important that you choose a pen with a good hold.

Ink

Cartridge filled calligraphy pens are more restrictive on the type of ink that you can use. You should only use the manufacturer recommended ink for best results. This is because using the ink of your choice will clog your pen, thus damaging it. Instead of common inks, you can use viscose ink. Viscose inks offer more diversity and flexibility for drawing and calligraphy in terms of colors and textures.

Brush Pens

Depending on the specific type of calligraphy that you wish to do, you can choose a brush pen over a regular tip pen. For example, Western and Chinese calligraphy mostly require brush pens. Brush calligraphy pens are thicker and are made from natural or synthetic hairs. These are also best for advanced calligraphers who are able to control the amount of ink used and the sizes of the strokes produced by these brush calligraphy pens.

Markers or felt tips

If you are on the move most of the times, you should consider getting calligraphy marker pens or felt tips. This is because they are cheaper, easier to pack, and they do not leak. Moving around can be unsettling for fountain calligraphy pens causing them to leak. An affordable calligraphy marker also reduces the amount of loss when you misplace it as compared to fountain calligraphy pens, which are extremely expensive.

Products Reviews

Pablo Calligraphy Pen Set

Whether you are a beginner or an expert at calligraphy, you will appreciate this 17 piece calligraphy set by Pablo. Not only is it extremely affordable but also it comes with a wide array of features and additions that will add all the excitement to your drawing and calligraphy projects.

Features:

Right-handed fountain pens: the package boasts of 3 right handed calligraphy pens. The calligraphy pens have their own caps that cover the pen when it is not being used to prevent the nibs from drying out.

Ink converter: an ink converter allows you to use bottled ink instead of cartridges in a pen. This pen by Pablo features an ink converter that allows you to fill water-based ink from a bottle into the pen. Water-based ink is the best since it does not clog your calligraphy pens.

12 calligraphy ink cartridges: This set contains 12 water-based ink cartridges in different colors. These are 4 blue, 4 black, 2 green, and 2 red cartridges. For this reason, you can use your calligraphy set for a wide range of calligraphy projects without having to invest in more ink colors.

3 nib sections for calligraphy: this calligraphy pen has 3 nib sections which are 1mm, 1.5mm, and 2mm for different sizes of letters and new techniques. These will give you the flexibility to handle different projects without worrying about getting different calligraphy pens with different sizes.

Buy on Amazon

Pros

• Very affordable
• Comes with a user manual
• Has a variety of colors to work with
• Has different nib sections for different writing needs

Cons

• Ideal for right-handed calligraphers which leaves out left-handed users

Final thoughts: what this calligraphy set gives you is value for your money. At such an affordable price, the manufacturer is extremely generous with the package contents because they allow you to undertake different calligraphy projects with one kit. Beginners and professionals alike will love this beautiful set that can be presented as a gift to your calligraphy loving friends.

Hand Lettering Pens, Calligraphy Pen Brush Markers Set

Undeniably elegant, this black calligraphy pen is perfect for making different drawing and lettering projects for beginners. It comes with a beginner lettering set that allows you to learn all you need to know about hand calligraphy.

Features:

Refillable: this pen by Nianpu can last as long as you need it to thanks to its refillable feature. When your pen runs out of ink, you just need to unscrew it and refill it.

Wide range of uses: this pen can be used for various projects. These include drawing, lettering, art, illustrations, calligraphy, designs, and signatures. You can also present the package as a gift to a calligraphy loving friend.

Safe to use: the ink that is used in this calligraphy pen is nontoxic. The pen is designed to prevent ink leakage to avoid messing your hands and paper. Even if it does spill over, your hands are protected thanks to its safe formulation. What’s more, the ink is water based. This means that there is less probability of your pen getting clogged by the ink.

Package contents: the package contains 5 brush calligraphy pens for calligraphy and lettering. They are differentiated on the nibs as extra fine, fine, medium, and two bushes. The soft tips with mezzo rigidity make it easy to write fluently.

Buy on Amazon

Pros

• Nontoxic ink
• Very affordable
• Features a manufacturer’s satisfaction guarantee
• Gift option for your calligraphy loving friends
• Refillable

Cons

• Only for black ink, which can be limiting

Final thoughts: looking for an inexpensive beginner calligraphy pen that is extremely easy to use? This basic pen has easy to use features and is best for beginner lettering and handwritten typefaces. It is very easy to handle and has different nib sizes to enable you to learn various calligraphy styles. What’s more, you can gift this set to a friend who is a fan of calligraphy.

Mont Marte 7 Nib Calligraphy Set

One can only marvel at how much calligraphy work 7 nibs of different sizes can do. That is what Mont Marte calligraphy set offers. The set, therefore, can be used for a wide range of calligraphy and lettering works. Whether you are new or experienced in the field of calligraphy, this pen is great for practice and designing calligraphy and art.

Features:

7 calligraphy nibs: this set contains 7 calligraphy nibs for different calligraphy projects. These are T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, N2 (right oblique), and Z2 (left oblique). The nibs have a high ink capacity for clear writing. They are made from sprung steel that is hard to wear off, thus making them extremely durable.

Ideal for most calligraphy projects: thanks to the generous set of nibs that are contained in the package, you can use this pen for different calligraphy styles. These include Italic, Roman Round Hand, Uncial, and Gothic.

Lacquered wooden handle: this set features a wooden handle that is attached to the nibs for writing and drawing. It has an ergonomic handle that gives it a strong grip. It is also easy to use and keeps you comfortable even when working on long projects.

Buy on Amazon

Pros

• Strong nib construction
• Has an ergonomic handle that is easy to grip
• Perfect for practice
• Ergonomic handle that is comfortable even for long hours
• Affordable

Cons

• The nib ferrule is made of plastic
• Users have complained that it does not release ink consistently

Final thoughts: for a more intense practice, you need a calligraphy pen that allows you to try different styles and designs. If you wish to acquire such a pen, there is no better set than one equipped with several nibs for a beginner like Mont Marte calligraphy pen. Moreover, you do not have to break the bank for this beautiful piece. What’s more, you can also gift your calligraphy loving friends.

Conclusion

Calligraphy is an art that requires the right set of equipment. I am confident that this buyer’s guide has given you more insight into calligraphy pens and helped you inch closer to the ideal pen for you. We have also reviewed three beautiful and functional pieces that you can order right away before you get time to venture out in the market and review more pens. When looking for the best calligraphy pen for you, remember to keep the considerations discussed in our buyer’s guide in mind.