which is the most flexible nib? namiki falcon, pilot 742fa or pilot743fa?

[lucifinial]

hello,I have a question about the flexible nib. I want to know which is the most flexible nib? Many people in the forum feel that the namiki falcon has a flexible nib. How does it compare with pilot 742 fa or 743 fa? Which is the most flexible and can draw different width line? Of course, if you know some better pen, tell me. Thanks......

 

p.s what's the shipping charge of if you send a pen from USA to China? I'm a Chinese student and I want to buy some pen in the forum . You know, some pens is rarely seen or much more expensive in China

[cl0123]

Welcome to FPN!

 

Line variations

Among the 3, the 742 FA nib appears to be the most flexible. Variation-wise, the two FA nibs are quite close, where the Falcon pen nib (not the custom FA) does not quite deliver the hair-thin line like an FA nib can.

 

Writing speed

If you write relatively light-handed, the Falcon pen nib allows you to write a bit faster than FA nib.

 

Hope that helps

 

With Aloha,

 

Clarence

[Immoteus]

Welcome to the FPN.

 

I'm glad you asked this question lucifinial. Because its a very good question that has been a curious topic for some of the member on this board. However at the end of the day, after all things considered the consensus has unfortunately remained neither here nor there due to the unfortunate financial circumstances involved in procuring the proper and required equipment to proceed in obtaining the results of the delayed trial experiments.

 

The shipping rate from the US to China will vary depending on the weight, courier services and the postal class chosen for the parcel. For some pens it would be in your interest to order the pens from Japan due to the distance and possibly the exchange rate (if they're favourable).

Edited October 31, 2009 by Immoteus

[Siv]

The Namiki Falcon does not have a flexible nib. The nib is soft and will give a little line variation but it cannot, and should not, be called flexible or even semi-flex.

 

The Pilot Custom 742 and 743 FA nibbed pens are called flexible by some and semi-flex by others (particularly when compared to a vintage wet noodle).

 

Now here is the problem - the Namiki Falcon seems to be a pen of choice for nibmeisters to add flex. Some people are able to modify the Falcon enough such that it gives performance similar to a vintage fully flexible nib. The popularity of the Falcon for this modification has led to the confusion that the pen in its "off the shelf" state is flexible - it is not.

Edited November 1, 2009 by Siv

[The Grim Sheaffer]

The Fa nib offers a lot of flex. It is a very soft nib and requires more attention when writing. The falcon can be used for fast writing like note taking. I see above it should not be called a semiflex but it does offer as much line variation.

 

If you are looking for a pen to write letters to your girlfriend get the FA nib. General writing and note taking the Falcon.

 

Pm me if you are interested I can do samples of each.

[Stormbringer]

If I may add... What's the difference between the 742 and 743? I understand the last one is a bit bigger, but there should be something else to justify the price difference...

 

PS: PM sent to the Grim Sheaffer.

[Lloyd]

I had a fine nibbed Falcon that had a stiff (barely semi-flex) nib. I now own a medium nibbed Falcon that, with the dry writing Noodlers Black, yield hairlines and is quite flexible. In contrast, I have a 743 FA that was too broad for me when unflexed so I had Mike-it-Work make it into a very smooth Sailor XF or narrower with its flex remaining. However, I find it no more flexible than the medium nibbed Falcon. In other words, there is inconsistency in these nibs.

[Stormbringer]

If I may add... What's the difference between the 742 and 743? I understand the last one is a bit bigger, but there should be something else to justify the price difference...

 

PS: PM sent to the Grim Sheaffer.

I can't edit my post anymore?

 

Anyway, I found the differences. Pen-wise they are almost identical, but the nib of the 742 is a 10, and the 743 has a 15 nib. So the last one is bigger. And since it's gold, the price goes up quite easily.

[feiye]

In my experience, my 743FA has been the easiest to use in terms of flex and control. It also doesn't have the railroading problem my 742 had.

 

The Namiki Falcon isn't really a flexible nib. It's soft is all.

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/souveran/743FA.jpg

 

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/souveran/pilot.jpg

 

From the photos you can see that the 743 flexes to a greater extent than the 742 although the hairlines on the 742 are finer.

[rollerboy]

I understand the last one is a bit bigger, but there should be something else to justify the price difference...

 

It must be nice to be you. The world must seem so fresh and new to you ... since apparently you were born yesterday.

[Stormbringer]

It must be nice to be you. The world must seem so fresh and new to you ... since apparently you were born yesterday.

1) I have answered my own question already

2) What has "not knowing the difference between two particular pens" to do with "born yesterday"?

3) It is nice to be me!!! But for other reasons...

 

@feiye: Thanks for the comparison!