Independent buying guides for calligraphy

Best Oblique Pen Holders

Updated How we research

Our top pick

CHUANGRONG-US Dip Pen Holder, 2 PCS Oblique Calligraphy Pen with Multi-Fit Brass Flange, Right Handed

A pair of oblique pen holders with multi-fit brass flanges for right-handed copperplate writers.

Our score8.1/10

Best budget

Speedball 2-In-1 Penholder, Gunmetal Pen Holder, Dip Ink, Pen Ink, Convert Holder From Straight to Oblique, Writing, Handwriting, Calligraphy, Lettering Quill, Writers, Artists, Tool, Writers Pen Set

Speedball 2-in-1 penholder in gunmetal that converts from straight to oblique. Its brass flange accepts a broad range of pointed pen nibs, a flexible choice for pointed pen scripts and envelope addressing.

Our score8.1/10

An oblique pen holder positions the nib in an angled metal flange offset from the barrel, so the pen naturally meets the paper at the steep slant that Copperplate and Spencerian scripts demand. This geometry saves your wrist from contorting and keeps letter slant consistent across a whole page. Oblique holders help right-handed calligraphers most, though adjustable models also serve left-handed writers and hand letterers experimenting with pointed-pen styles. When choosing one, look at whether the flange is adjustable or fixed, which nib sizes it accepts, how the holder balances in your hand, and whether the grip section stays comfortable over long sessions. A properly fitted flange that holds the nib firmly at the correct angle makes clean, even shading dramatically easier.

The short version

We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.2 to 8.1 out of 10.

Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score

  1. 1.CHUANGRONG-US Dip Pen Holder, 2 PCS Oblique Calligraphy Pen with Multi-Fit Brass Flange, Right Handed
    8.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
  2. 2.Speedball 2-In-1 Penholder, Gunmetal Pen Holder, Dip Ink, Pen Ink, Convert Holder From Straight to Oblique, Writing, Handwriting, Calligraphy, Lettering Quill, Writers, Artists, Tool, Writers Pen Set
    8.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
  3. 3.Zonon 2 Sets Oblique Calligraphy Dip Pen Set, 2-in-1 Oblique or Straight Holder with 8 Replacement Nibs
    8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
  4. 4.Gullor Oblique Calligraphy Dip Pen Nib Holder, Removable Nib Pen Handle Stand with 33 Nibs, Blue
    8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
  5. 5.Wooden English Oblique Pointed Pen Nib Holder with Removable Metal Flange
    7.9/10See on AmazonCheck price
  6. 6.KooingTech Dip Pen Holder Oblique Calligraphy Pen 6.6in Nib Holder
    7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
  7. 7.Hillento Resin Oblique English Calligraphy Pen Nib Holder with 5 Flat Nibs, Purple and Blue
    7.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
Tick up to 3 picks to compare them side by side.
CHUANGRONG-US Dip Pen Holder, 2 PCS Oblique Calligraphy Pen with Multi-Fit Brass Flange, Right Handed#1
See on Amazon

A pair of oblique pen holders with multi-fit brass flanges for right-handed copperplate writers.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Multi-fit brass flange accepts many common nib sizes
  • + Oblique angle helps right-handed writers keep a consistent slant
  • + 2 holders let you keep different nibs loaded
  • - Designed for right-handed writers, so left-handers need a different holder
  • - Nibs are not included, so pair it with a pointed nib set
Speedball 2-In-1 Penholder, Gunmetal Pen Holder, Dip Ink, Pen Ink, Convert Holder From Straight to Oblique, Writing, Handwriting, Calligraphy, Lettering Quill, Writers, Artists, Tool, Writers Pen Set#2
See on Amazon

Speedball 2-in-1 penholder in gunmetal that converts from straight to oblique. Its brass flange accepts a broad range of pointed pen nibs, a flexible choice for pointed pen scripts and envelope addressing.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Converts between straight and oblique, so one holder covers both ways of writing
  • + Brass flange accommodates a broad range of pointed pen nibs, per the listing
  • + From Speedball, a calligraphy supply maker that started in Camden, NJ in 1899
  • - Holder only: nibs and ink are not included in this listing
  • - Listing gives no length, weight or material details beyond the gunmetal color and brass flange
Zonon 2 Sets Oblique Calligraphy Dip Pen Set, 2-in-1 Oblique or Straight Holder with 8 Replacement Nibs#3
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Two oblique dip pen sets with holders that switch between oblique and straight, plus replacement nibs.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10

  • + 2-in-1 holders work as oblique or straight pens
  • + 2 sets are useful for sharing or classes
  • + 8 replacement nibs included, enough to share between both holders
  • - Convertible designs are less refined than dedicated oblique holders
  • - Flange fit may need adjustment for some nibs
Gullor Oblique Calligraphy Dip Pen Nib Holder, Removable Nib Pen Handle Stand with 33 Nibs, Blue#4
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An oblique nib holder with removable handle, stand and a large nib assortment.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10

  • + 33 nibs give plenty of options for pointed-pen practice
  • + Stand keeps the pen upright while ink dries
  • + Removable handle design makes nib swaps easier
  • - Large nib assortments often include lower-quality pieces
  • - Plastic parts may feel less premium than wooden holders
Wooden English Oblique Pointed Pen Nib Holder with Removable Metal Flange#5
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A wooden English oblique pen holder with removable metal flange for classic pointed-pen scripts.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Removable flange can be adjusted for different nib sizes
  • + Wooden handle offers a comfortable traditional grip
  • + Suited to copperplate and Spencerian lettering
  • - Nibs are sold separately and need to be chosen to fit the flange
  • - Flange may need fine adjustment for perfect alignment
KooingTech Dip Pen Holder Oblique Calligraphy Pen 6.6in Nib Holder#6
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A budget wooden oblique nib holder, about 6.6 in long, with a detachable metal flange. A lower-priced pick than the old horn-and-gold holder, for Copperplate and Spencerian practice.

Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10

  • + Detachable metal flange holds the nib and fits various nib sizes, which suits oblique pointed-pen scripts.
  • + Wood and metal construction with a hand-polished surface, described as free of burrs.
  • + Listed as suited to round and italic hands such as Copperplate and Spencerian, at a low price.
  • - Plain wooden holder with no nibs, ink or box included, so you need to buy nibs separately.
  • - The listing notes that wood color varies, and it lacks the premium inlay detail of a horn holder.
Hillento Resin Oblique English Calligraphy Pen Nib Holder with 5 Flat Nibs, Purple and Blue#7
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A resin oblique pen holder with a colourful finish and 5 flat nibs included.

Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Resin finish in purple and blue looks distinctive on the desk
  • + 5 flat nibs included to start straight away
  • + Lightweight holder is comfortable for longer sessions
  • - Flat nibs suit different styles than typical pointed-pen copperplate
  • - Resin holders are less traditional for purists

Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged

No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.

Frequently asked questions

›What is the best choice among oblique pen holders?

CHUANGRONG-US Dip Pen Holder, 2 PCS Oblique Calligraphy Pen with Multi-Fit Brass Flange, Right Handed is our top overall pick. A pair of oblique pen holders with multi-fit brass flanges for right-handed copperplate writers. It earns our score of 8.1/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.

›What is a good budget option?

Speedball 2-In-1 Penholder, Gunmetal Pen Holder, Dip Ink, Pen Ink, Convert Holder From Straight to Oblique, Writing, Handwriting, Calligraphy, Lettering Quill, Writers, Artists, Tool, Writers Pen Set is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Speedball 2-in-1 penholder in gunmetal that converts from straight to oblique. Its brass flange accepts a broad range of pointed pen nibs, a flexible choice for pointed pen scripts and envelope addressing.

›How much should I expect to spend?

Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.

›How were these products chosen?

We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.

Calligraphy Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.

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