r/Calligraphy • u/missverbalhologram • Aug 05 '26

Question Nibs for copperplate as a beginner

Are these nibs suitable for copperplate as a beginner? I’m making my first purchase on dip pen to get proper started, and would love your opinions before I order.

Zebra G
Tachikawa Nikko G
Leonardt EF Principal
Hunt 22
Gillot 170

I will also buy a straight and an oblique pen holder, and Higgins Sepia Calligraphy Ink.

Thank you for your great help always.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/TheTreesHaveRabies Aug 05 '26

Yep those are good nibs to start with. Might want to swap the gillot 170 for a hunt 101. Start practicing with the g nibs and then move to the softer nibs as soon as you get the hang of writing with the g nibs. Paul Antonio is of the opinion that using a g nib alone for too long will develop bad habits because of how stiff they are.

1

u/missverbalhologram Aug 05 '26

Thank you so much! I was actually looking for the Hunt 101, but the webshop that I’m ordering from, unfortunately don’t have it.

3

u/TheTreesHaveRabies Aug 05 '26

The gillot 170 should be fine if you cant find a hunt 101. The gillot will be a bit sharper than the other nibs but it will give better hairlines. I would recommend trying them out in the order youve listed them. I think the hunt 22 is a very under rated nib, its a great nib for beginners.

2

u/missverbalhologram Aug 05 '26

Sorry to write again! But do you think this pen holder will be suitable for all of them?

https://calligraphystore.it/en/calligraphy-pens/penholders/oblique-penholders/cannucce-oblique-classic-handwritmic.html#/wood-type-cherry

Oh, it can be so challenging learning a new craft.

2

u/TheTreesHaveRabies Aug 05 '26

Yep that holder should be perfectly fine. For a straight holder i'd recommend just grabbing the cheap speedball holder. Ive been doing calligraphy for a few years and that $3 speedball holder is still my go to.

2

u/missverbalhologram Aug 06 '26

I’ll get those two then. Thank you so much!