Nib and Calligraphy ink suggestions?

[John W. Cooper]

Hello!  I'd like to get better at the lettering and artwork on my bows and am wondering if anyone has a winning combination of ink and nib.  I've tried with my speedball nib set with several different inks, but after a single line, it just stops flowing down the nib.  Thanks in advance for your help.

[Pat B]

I use India ink and either a store bought nib(not sure what size or style) or I make my own with a feather quill or small piece of cane. India ink now comes in many different colors although I've only used the black.

[mikekeswick]

I also use only Indian ink now (or sometimes a pyrography pen). As Pat says you can get it in just about any colour and mix it if needed. Any nib should work, just buy a few different ones and experiment. White looks great on dark woods.

[John W. Cooper]

Thanks for the quick answers.  I'll definitely try the inda ink.  I'm intrigued by your cane nib.  I have a lot of tonkin lying around.  Do you just cut a small piece of bamboo at an angle and dip it or do you split it, too?

[Pat B]

John, Google "Quill Pens". You will get a step by step on making quill pens and I just adapted it for small diameter bamboo.

[John W. Cooper]

Sorry...I suppose I could have done that, too.