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The Brause Rose nib might be beautiful, but it’s not for the faint of heart! Today, we’ll examine what sets it apart from other nibs and how to overcome its quirks.
The Brause Rose nib is absolutely the “fairest of them all” with its embossed rose and beautiful contours. Its intense flex, however, presents a formidable challenge! If you have mastered calligraphy basics like pressure exertion and how to hold your pen, try the Rose when you need a change. This video guide and its accompanying article detail tips for using it, as well as a realistic idea of what to expect.
If you have ten minutes to spare, definitely watch this video. In it, you’ll learn about what sets the Brause Rose apart from other nibs and the number one secret to using it. I’ll also show you how to adjust an oblique flange to fit the Rose, and—vitally!—we’ll chat troubleshooting.
The Brause Rose nib is manufactured by the Brause company in Iserlohn, Germany. It has a gorgeous, vintage-inspired design that features a rose on the shank. You’ll find that the nib feels thin compared to peers like the Nikko G and the Brause Steno, but that also means that the Rose has a lot more flexibility. More flexibility equals more drama, so this nib is great for calligraphers who want to create bold, eye-catching downstrokes!
The Brause Rose nib is beloved by many due to its amazing flex. Whenever you exert pressure on the nib, the tines immediately spring far apart! As a result, the Rose will help you to create dramatic, bold calligraphy. In the comparison photo below, the Brause Rose creates downstrokes that are sumptuously thick. In fact, Brause Rose downstrokes make Brause EF66 and Nikko G downstrokes look a bit thin.
When the tines of the Brause Rose splay apart, they make a stroke of ink that corresponds with the width of that splay.
Let’s compare that to the Nikko G. In the photo below, I am applying just as much pressure as in the photo of the Brause Rose above. The Nikko G’s splay here would make a stroke that is approximately half as wide as a stroke made by the Rose.
In short, the Rose might have a delicate look, but the calligraphy it allows you to create is far from dainty. You can expect to create letters that are bold and commanding.
SHOP BRAUSE ROSE NIBS AT THE TPK SUPPLIES SHOP
Not in the USA? You can check this list to see if a local merchant stocks this nib.
The Brause Rose has a fairly blunt tip, which means that its upstrokes aren’t razor sharp. It’s not super noticeable, though, because the upstrokes contrast so well with the thick downstrokes! The blunt tip comes in quite handy if you’re working on a toothy surface like watercolor paper or handmade cotton paper. Because the tip isn’t super sharp, it doesn’t dig into the paper fibers.
The Brause Rose is also an excellent choice if you want to write with art masking fluid. The nib lays down generous upstrokes, which helps the fluid stand up to any ink or paint that you apply over it. Then, when you remove the masking fluid, the upstrokes will be crystal clear.
You can also consider using the nib on surfaces like agate. Fairly thick upstrokes are a plus on a non-traditional surface, especially one with color variation. In the case of agate, using the Brause Rose helps the calligraphy to stand out.
The Brause Rose nib is fussy. I would never recommend this nib to a beginner because it requires patience and a willingness to experiment! First, know that it’s very important to prep this nib in order to get the manufacturer’s oils off. That’s something I recommend for all nibs, but it’s a must for the Rose! Doing so will give you the best chance at decent ink flow.
The Rose is notorious for not being easy to “start”. Basically, you might find that you’ll load the nib with ink, put it to paper, and … gah! Despite your best efforts, the ink doesn’t descend. To fix that, hold the nib to meet the page at a nearly 90° angle, and wiggle it until a little dot of ink descends from the nib onto the paper. As long as you can get that “start dot” on the page, you’ll be able to write from it.
This isn’t necessarily a drawback, but good to keep in mind: the Rose tends to work best with thin inks. Something like iron gall, walnut (affiliate link), or a watery Bleed Proof White is ideal! Also, try not to hold your nib at too upright of an angle in relation to the paper. The more upright you write, the more chance your (highly flexible) tines will snag in the paper fibers.
My first tip for effectively using this nib is to use it in an oblique pen (if you’re right-handed). The majority of lefties should be fine using the Rose in a straight pen, but most right-handed people need a bit of help to achieve a good nib to paper angle. Most nibs are fairly tolerant if you don’t get the angle quite right or exert more pressure on one tine versus the other one. The Brause Rose is not one of those nibs.
Second, remember that experimentation is your friend. If the ink won’t descend from the nib, try the ink dot trick that I described. If that doesn’t work, dilute your ink with some water. If that’s a no-go, hold your pen at a closer angle to the paper. If all else fails, try writing on different paper. This nib requires patience and confidence in your abilities. Approach the nib with curiosity, and don’t let it discourage you!
It’s difficult not to admire the stroke contrast of calligraphy created with a Brause Rose nib. That stroke contrast makes the Rose a fantastic choice for wedding and event invitation envelopes! If there’s not a big event in your future, then you can just enjoy using this nib for mail art — that’s what I do.
I hope that this blog post serves as a helpful introduction to what may be a fun new calligraphy supply for you. If you have any questions about the nib or how to use it, please feel free to ask; I’m happy to help. Happy writing!
Warmly,
I first wrote this article back in 2016. Since then, I’ve spent a lot more time with the Brause Rose—and I’ve learned a few new things! This update includes those insights, new photos, and a fresh tutorial video.
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