TemporaryBear817

I've been experimenting with dip pen calligraphy and I'm having some trouble getting a consistent ink flow... I've tried adjusting the nib, cleaning it, and even using different types of ink, but nothing seems to be working?? I'm starting to think it's the paper I'm using, but I've used this same paper before with a fountain pen and it worked fine... so I'm not really sure what's going on here. Does anyone have any experience with this type of problem?? I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions you might have... I've been struggling with this for a while now and it's getting pretty frustrating

Looking to build a calligraphy kit that seriously channels those ancient Mesopotamian scribes... but the modern options are all garbage, honestly. Why do so many 'professional-grade' nibs like the Speedball SA7 just feel... plasticky? I want something closer to those 1850s Reeves & Plume obliques, but my local art store only has the $2 Zebra nibs. Also, does anyone have experience with mixing iron gall ink? I tried the Edmund Sheppard version and my vellum just repelled it like... I don't even. What's the deal with binder ratios in historical formulas?? Need real recommendations from people who've actually done the replication work—not just TikTok aesthetes. Specifics on nib tapers and ink PH levels would be gold.