Cheap Pen/Flexy Nib

[jackoguit]

I am at the tail end of a cheap pen buying bender. Here is what I've found:

If the nib isn't broken and it is a wing type nib, the cheper pen nibs are much more flexible than the higher priced Sheaffer and Parkers I now have.

They often require a little smoothing on 2500 grit paper, but then, watch out! Given that I don't apply too much pressure, to the point that the nib can't get ink 'cause there is no capillary action, but up until then they are down right calligraphic!

Case in point- I bought 3 Parker Parkette/PARCO. I wanted to replace a nib on a cool tortise one that I got before. When I cleaned 'em and replaced the sacs, these little guys are great! I can see that they are a cheaper pen- the nibs have less iridium and they are all sort of small, but they really cook when the nibs get smoothed out.

Second Case- my wife picked up a real cheap looking no-name at a local antique mall. The body is so cheap that the black and ivory plastic has no shading- the marble effect is sort of like leopard spots. Anyway, I took it apart, resaced it and cleaned the nib, feed and section. I couldn't get all the rust and corrosion off the nib. I put Pelikan Brilliant Blue in it and I haven't put it away since then!

I read somewhere that in order to reduce the amount of warranty repairs, the Lifetime and Blue Diamond nibs were stiffened and thickened. I am in love with my smooth, wet writing Parker 51. I have a Balance Lifetime in green that I can use for a long time without tiring. But ain't it cool to swirl and swoop on a personal letter with a nice flexible nib?