Let's see some examples of how you guys letter your bows and what you use for lettering

X2 one what he said
My pin tips that you dip in ink don't work worth a cra$
Need the name brand of what you use?

So I've tried just about everything and they all look like crap plus my handwriting is awful. I even purchased a professional drawing pen called an rapidograph which turned out to be a nightmare to use and I spent about 75 bucks on it, the ink and the cleaner for it. I tried the calligraphy style pen but just can't get used to them. Finally I've settled on a pen a found on Amazon called a neopiko paint pen. It works the best for me and doesn't run when I hit it with finish. It's still not great but better than the others.

This is with the neopiko pen.
[attachment=1]

Calligraphy pen (extra fine nib) and archival white acrylic ink, I put a couple coats of true oil over the lettering to lock it in place. If you goof up you can wipe the lettering off with a wet paper towel and start over.

The other picture is the same ink on osage several years down the road.

I wish I could write like that. That looks great Eric.

I have 3 pins with all the nibs.
I try to use the FINE nibs, but they dump alot of ink or not enough, whats up with that???

Quote from: Mad Max on August 14, 2020, 09:58:30 AM
I have 3 pins with all the nibs.
I try to use the FINE nibs, but they dump alot of ink or not enough, whats up with that???

Same here. Or I write about two letters and it stops writing and then when I get more ink it's a pain to get it started again.

I used an archival ink pen, can't recall the brand. I can go look in my shop the next time I am out there if it matters. The finish is Helmsman spar varnish. I put 2 coats on, then marked it and put the third coat over the markings. It took a bit of coaxing to get it to write on the hard surface but got there in the end.


Mark

What I do is dip the pen in water first and draw a water line on a piece of cardboard to get things flowing. Next I put a drop of ink on the bottom side of the nib and go back to the card board and make a bold line. I draw a couple of straight lines on the card board pulling the pen toward me until the line thins out to what I want. I go to my bow, press the nib point to the bow to make a dot to get thing flowing and work off that dot to make the first word.

I can usually do the entire inscription with one load of ink,  if the pen starts skipping I wipe that line off and start my pen loading process over starting with the drop of ink on the bottom of the nib and making lines on cardboard. I prefer the cardboard back of a legal pad for my test lines.

I've been using these pens. I don't have the skills to use nibs, bad handwriting
[attachment=1,msg2928380]

I really like the Uni- ball pen on the bottom, it's as close as I can get to the India ink look. I prime it, sort of like what Eric does. Ink choice might also depend on the finish used. Certain inks/pigments don't stand up to catalyzed finishes. Archival ink is good under any finish and stands up to UV.

Flem does that white pen at the bottom hold up against Krystal finish?

Quote from: Eric Krewson on August 14, 2020, 12:42:11 PM


I can usually do the entire inscription with one load of ink,  if the pen starts skipping I wipe that line off and start my pen loading process over starting with the drop of ink on the bottom of the nib and making lines on cardboard. I prefer the cardboard back of a legal pad for my test lines.

Im using Indian Ink, you can't wipe it off while you are doing it
most of it come off but no all, I have to sand it and start over

Are you using water based ink??

I use the same pens Flem uses...  Micron 01 and 08...  Depending where I am writing...  I hit it lightly with the heat gun to make sure it is good and dry before I apply the finish...

I use India Ink. It is permanent and doesn't bleed when the finish is applied. They come in different size tips and colors. If they make a white ink I don't have it but I like the gold and silver inks. I I apply at least one coat of finish before I do the writing.  I get them in the calligraphy section at the local craft store.  My lettering skills aren't that great either. It has been a while since I posted pictures. Hope it works
[attachment=1][attachment=2]

I wish I knew what Bear used back in the day to get those super fine gold lines.

My ink is water based acrylic.

 

I started using One shot lettering paint.  I've tried all kinds of other stuff and really like this one shot paint the best

I use a pen called Uni Posca . It comes in gold white and black that I know of. Just basically use it same way as one would a pen or pencil. Finish doesn't bother it at all.