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Calligraphy is fun and addictive. But for beginners, it can easily feel overwhelming with all the different kinds of nibs. This series created by artist Sandro Bonomo (Instagram @sandro.bonomo)with us will walk you through the basics of broad edge nibs and get you started with Speedball’s A-, B- and C-Series nibs.

Speedball A Series

Patented in 1913 and introduced two years later, the A-Series nib is where it all started for Speedball.  Its unique multi-purpose design allows artists to create a variety of strokes with just a flip of the pen. The A-Series nib is ideal for any Gothic or Monoline lettering style that has lines of uniform width with a squared finish. Suitable for use with any straight/classic style penholder.

Speedball A-Series Tech Overview

Speedball A-Series Demo

Speedball B Series

The B-Series nib made its debut in the 2nd edition of The Speedball Textbook®, in 1916. Like the A-Series, the B-Series has a bent end to form a “shoe” that can easily produce a uniform width line.  Unlike its counterpart, the Speedball B-Series nib has a rounded finish that makes it ideal for creating sans serif letters without thick and thin lines.

Speedball B-Series Tech Overview

Speedball B-Series Demo

Speedball C Series

The third addition to the Speedball series of pen nibs, the C-Series, was introduced in 1918 in the 4th edition of The Speedball Textbook. This series features a traditional broad edge nib with a great degree of flexibility.  Our most popular of the three broad edge offerings, the C-Series nib is meant to be held at a constant angle throughout the creation of any traditional calligraphic alphabet (with minor variations needed, depending upon the lettering style).  This consistent angle gives the lettering artist the desired thick and thin strokes usually associated with broad edge calligraphy, such as Roman, Carolingian, Uncial, Italic, Gothicized Italic, Blackletter or Neuland.

Speedball C-Series Tech Overview

Speedball C-Series Demo