Artists usually want to get line-width variation with a fountain pen. There are two main ways to achieve this - through a regrind to oblique or italic, which provides line-width variation depending on the angle at which the pen is held, and through adding flex, which creates line-width variation depending on the amount of pressure applied to the point while drawing or writing.

Combining flex with a regrind to italic or oblique can result in the greatest potential for expression, but will also result in a nib that is more challenging to use. The same applies to John's popular Spencerian customization, which combines added flex with a regrind to needlepoint to allow for Spencerian copperplate calligraphy.

Italic regrinds allow for broad downstrokes and narrow cross-strokes, while oblique customizations provide for broadest strokes on the diagonal. Every artist has her or his own unique set of needs - if you have questions about which customization or customizations would be best for you, or even if you need a customization at all, feel free to call or e-mail us for more information.