Bow Lettering

[hunting badger]

Let's see some examples of how you guys letter your bows and what you use for lettering

[Mad Max]

X2 one what he said
My pin tips that you dip in ink don't work worth a cra$
Need the name brand of what you use?

[buckeyebowhunter]

So I've tried just about everything and they all look like crap plus my handwriting is awful. I even purchased a professional drawing pen called an rapidograph which turned out to be a nightmare to use and I spent about 75 bucks on it, the ink and the cleaner for it. I tried the calligraphy style pen but just can't get used to them. Finally I've settled on a pen a found on Amazon called a neopiko paint pen. It works the best for me and doesn't run when I hit it with finish. It's still not great but better than the others.

[buckeyebowhunter]

This is with the neopiko pen.

[Eric Krewson]

Calligraphy pen (extra fine nib) and archival white acrylic ink, I put a couple coats of true oil over the lettering to lock it in place. If you goof up you can wipe the lettering off with a wet paper towel and start over.

The other picture is the same ink on osage several years down the road.

[buckeyebowhunter]

I wish I could write like that. That looks great Eric.

[Mad Max]

I have 3 pins with all the nibs.
I try to use the FINE nibs, but they dump alot of ink or not enough, whats up with that???

[buckeyebowhunter]

I have 3 pins with all the nibs.
I try to use the FINE nibs, but they dump alot of ink or not enough, whats up with that???

Same here. Or I write about two letters and it stops writing and then when I get more ink it's a pain to get it started again.

[mmattockx]

I used an archival ink pen, can't recall the brand. I can go look in my shop the next time I am out there if it matters. The finish is Helmsman spar varnish. I put 2 coats on, then marked it and put the third coat over the markings. It took a bit of coaxing to get it to write on the hard surface but got there in the end.


Mark

[Eric Krewson]

What I do is dip the pen in water first and draw a water line on a piece of cardboard to get things flowing. Next I put a drop of ink on the bottom side of the nib and go back to the card board and make a bold line. I draw a couple of straight lines on the card board pulling the pen toward me until the line thins out to what I want. I go to my bow, press the nib point to the bow to make a dot to get thing flowing and work off that dot to make the first word.

 I can usually do the entire inscription with one load of ink,  if the pen starts skipping I wipe that line off and start my pen loading process over starting with the drop of ink on the bottom of the nib and making lines on cardboard. I prefer the cardboard back of a legal pad for my test lines.

[Flem]

I've been using these pens. I don't have the skills to use nibs, bad handwriting

I really like the Uni- ball pen on the bottom, it's as close as I can get to the India ink look. I prime it, sort of like what Eric does. Ink choice might also depend on the finish used. Certain inks/pigments don't stand up to catalyzed finishes. Archival ink is good under any finish and stands up to UV.

[buckeyebowhunter]

Flem does that white pen at the bottom hold up against Krystal finish?

[Mad Max]

 I can usually do the entire inscription with one load of ink,  if the pen starts skipping I wipe that line off and start my pen loading process over starting with the drop of ink on the bottom of the nib and making lines on cardboard. I prefer the cardboard back of a legal pad for my test lines.

Im using Indian Ink, you can't wipe it off while you are doing it
most of it come off but no all, I have to sand it and start over

Are you using water based ink??

[Shredd]

I use the same pens Flem uses...  Micron 01 and 08...  Depending where I am writing...  I hit it lightly with the heat gun to make sure it is good and dry before I apply the finish...

[Bow Bender]

I use India Ink. It is permanent and doesn't bleed when the finish is applied. They come in different size tips and colors. If they make a white ink I don't have it but I like the gold and silver inks. I I apply at least one coat of finish before I do the writing.  I get them in the calligraphy section at the local craft store.  My lettering skills aren't that great either. It has been a while since I posted pictures. Hope it works
 

[Bvas]

I wish I knew what Bear used back in the day to get those super fine gold lines.

[Eric Krewson]

My ink is water based acrylic.

[Mad Max]

 

[bjansen]

I started using One shot lettering paint.  I’ve tried all kinds of other stuff and really like this one shot paint the best

[bigbob2]

I use a pen called Uni Posca . It comes in gold white and black that I know of. Just basically use it same way as one would a pen or pencil. Finish doesn't bother it at all.