Stylosuite: Serious Nibbage
PEN WORLD|December 2021
From flexible to italic, nibmaster Les Sheely's expressive points help users find their own writing style.
AZIZAH ASGARALI
Stylosuite: Serious Nibbage

One of the wonderful people in the pen community making customized writing experiences and tools more accessible is Les Sheely. His shop, Stylosuite, specializes in nib modifications and grinds to produce expressive writing in fountain pens.

Sheely, a curious explorer who loves solving problems, has been enamored with fountain pens since he was a little kid.

What started out as fascination with his grandfather's pen on a table progressed into an adventure of visiting local stationery shops to browse their selections of pens and inks. These days, with much tinkering and learning along the way, Sheely is considered a nibmaster extraordinaire.

Sheely's interest in pens took on a new focus when he discovered one of his favorites: “A big change occurred when Pelikan introduced the M800 in red and black stripes. I ordered one from John Mottishaw with a custom italic grind. That springy nib with a custom grind was a game changer for me. I loved the resulting line variation that an italic grind with a springy nib made on the page."

Following this experience, Sheely sent many of his pens to Mottishaw, Richard Binder, and Mike Masuyama—three big names in the nibmaster circle—for custom grinds. He sold off many pens along the way to thin the herd but kept his favorites.

Sheely notes, “There was a problem with that strategy: 1 had developed a taste for many different writing styles and pen types. During one visit with Richard Binder at the Philadelphia Pen Show, we were talking about various nib types when he asked if I had tried writing with vintage flexible nib pens. I had not, and that conversation started a whole new journey of exploring pens with flex 1 nibs. A good flex nib pen can be a real joy to write with, but it can take a bit of practice to develop your own style.”

Denne historien er fra December 2021-utgaven av PEN WORLD.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2021-utgaven av PEN WORLD.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA PEN WORLDSe alt
Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
PEN WORLD

Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)

On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
PEN WORLD

The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot

Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
PEN WORLD

Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show

Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
PEN WORLD

"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)

The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
PEN WORLD

GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit

With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
PEN WORLD

Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "

The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
PEN WORLD

S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne

The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
More Mail, More Dip-Less
PEN WORLD

More Mail, More Dip-Less

The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
David Oscarson: A Reflection
PEN WORLD

David Oscarson: A Reflection

The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
PEN WORLD

The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen

The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024