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From "flex Freak" To "firm Fanatic"

GClef

By GClef
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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GClef Collectors Item

GClef

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http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-2423-1336603548972.jpg
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ticoun Collectors Item

ticoun

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Two different worlds, but I like them both. Flex is definitely much harder, much less practical and much more expensive.

-Eclipse Flat Top-|-Parker "51" Aero-|-Sheaffer's Snorkel Sentinel-|-Esterbrook SJ-|-Sheaffer Imperial II Deluxe TD-|-Sheaffer 330-|-Reform 1745-|-PenUsa Genesis-|-Hero 616-|-Noodler's Flex-|-Schneider Voice-|-TWSBI Vac 700-

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OcalaFlGuy Museum Piece

OcalaFlGuy

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I certainly don't have the skill level or patience for Flex writing. I have to pay enough attention as it is already. It took me about an hour with a semi-flex nib to know that if I were to fly a wet noodle, I'd crash it into the ground and kill every body on it. :roflmho:

 

Hence, my affection for Cursive Italics and Stubs.

 

It's still a nib insanity though, just a slightly different flavor insanity.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

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topaz Near Mint

topaz

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I've been a flex fanatic even though, in all reality, a firm nib would see more action at work. I have to write on thin carbon paper, write in teeny graph paper size boxes on thin cardboard type paper and need things to dry quickly. I have one Esterbrook J with an accountant nib that I've been taking to work but decided to branch out this week. I should get my Lamy Safari with a 1.1 nib (and an extra super fine nib) tomorrow. I'm looking forward to trying it at work.

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ticoun Collectors Item

ticoun

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I use mainly two pens at school: a medium triumph nibbed Sheaffer Snorkel and a Sheaffer 330 with a 1mm italic. And the Snorkel also writes as a fine when held with the feed up. Semiflex is very fun while still being practical, but I have some bleeding problems with my only semiflex pen.

-Eclipse Flat Top-|-Parker "51" Aero-|-Sheaffer's Snorkel Sentinel-|-Esterbrook SJ-|-Sheaffer Imperial II Deluxe TD-|-Sheaffer 330-|-Reform 1745-|-PenUsa Genesis-|-Hero 616-|-Noodler's Flex-|-Schneider Voice-|-TWSBI Vac 700-

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DreamInk Near Mint

DreamInk

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I myself have recently gone through a change of faith in regards to flexible and firm nibs. Just recently I have found myself preferring to write with a stiff cursive italic or stub grinded to an oblique angle than having to wield a super flexible nib. Not only can I write faster, but I much prefer the line variation that I get with an oblique italic. The line variation is beautiful in my eyes, and it only requires a fraction of the effort! I still adore the sort of penmanship that others achieve with flex, but for me, I can live without using such a magical nib.

Edited by DreamInk
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GClef Collectors Item

GClef

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Re-post from another topic:

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-25536-1336507748223.jpg

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GClef Collectors Item

GClef

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http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-2791-1336609236114.jpg
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krz Vintage

krz

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GClef: I use a firm XF most of the time for jotting but I always have a flex nearby for sketching/art.

 

Bruce: I was slow catching on to stubs and italics but I've been playing around with them lately. I grok now!

How can you tell when you're out of invisible ink?

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andybiotic Vintage

andybiotic

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http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-2791-1336609236114.jpg

 

post-47804-0-92305800-1336613046.jpg

:roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

Edited by andybiotic
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb345/Andybiotics/Writing%20Samples/P1020494j-1reversedcolour.jpg
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terminal Collectors Item

terminal

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Your writing is a million times better with the flex.

 

You've now made the journey from pre carbon paper to post carbon paper, so next you'll be using ball point pens. Congrats?

"One always looking for flaws leaves too little time for construction" ...

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SigmaZuiko Mint

SigmaZuiko

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Haha! Oh Andy

 

I understand GClef where you're coming from, but for me, ever since I realized I could print nicely with flex (Monday Night) and not just write in sudo-copperplate, I'm more hooked that I was last week!

http://i53.tinypic.com/vrzs7l.png
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GClef Collectors Item

GClef

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so next you'll be using ball point pens.

 

Already there--more re-posts (because I'm already in bed):

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-23089-1336336700903.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-3727-1336150202097.jpg

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andybiotic Vintage

andybiotic

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post-47804-0-59356100-1336624600.jpg

 

:roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho: :roflmho:

Edited by andybiotic
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb345/Andybiotics/Writing%20Samples/P1020494j-1reversedcolour.jpg
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terminal Collectors Item

terminal

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so next you'll be using ball point pens.

Already there--more re-posts (because I'm already in bed):

 

Ok, fine, let's examine this in a bit more depth, shall we?

 

The case for firm fine nibs:

  • I can write this small and not have it hurt my hand
  • less ink use = more $$ in pocket
  • "firm" is firm - also, stiff - same thing no confusion with "soft" firm, "semi" firm, "full" firm, "super" firm or "wet-nail" firm.
  • and no need to buy more pens than you'd ever use in a lifetime just to find the "perfect" firm less pen purchases = more $$ in pocket!
  • regained sanity - lost in the lunacy of the search for any and all flex nibs
  • I cannot get this look or feel of from Palmer-like cursive with a flex-I know it can be done, but not by me, and certainly not with flex.

 

Let's change this to the case for ballpoints? Can a lot of the same things be said as you said about firm-fine nibs?

 

http://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/gnomeicontheme/16x16/stock/form/stock_form-checkbox.png Write smaller. Yup.

http://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/gnomeicontheme/16x16/stock/form/stock_form-checkbox.png Firm is firm etc. Yeah, maybe you get a choice of ball diameter.

http://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/gnomeicontheme/16x16/stock/form/stock_form-checkbox.png Regained sanity... well no need to search for the perfect pen with a fistful of BICs.

http://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/gnomeicontheme/16x16/stock/form/stock_form-checkbox.png Your cursive is gooder. I guess if you call that gooder...

http://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/uidesignicons/checkbox_no.png Less ink use / cost... lifetime... etc.... look, a big bag of BIC pens is almost free. People give out disposable pens, it's hard to make the case any kind of fountain pen is ever going to be cheaper than disposable pens. Can you get them for as little as 3 or 4 cents a piece? How long would those last? You'd be amazed I bet...

 

So, your supposition about firm nibs works EVEN BETTER for ballpoint pens! Seems clear to me ballpoints are the future of pens and we might as well all switch now!

"One always looking for flaws leaves too little time for construction" ...

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andybiotic Vintage

andybiotic

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post-47804-0-22321600-1336625092.jpg
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb345/Andybiotics/Writing%20Samples/P1020494j-1reversedcolour.jpg
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andybiotic Vintage

andybiotic

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Jesus! Why am I starting to hand write my posts like it is second nature! Darn it, GClef! :gaah:

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb345/Andybiotics/Writing%20Samples/P1020494j-1reversedcolour.jpg
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GClef Collectors Item

GClef

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http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2082-1336627393088.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8719-1336626689425.jpg

Mabie Todd Swan 4260

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2085-1336627393091.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8718-1336626689088.jpg

Eversharp Symphone 713

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2084-1336627393092.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8717-1336626688754.jpg

Conklin Crescent

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2083-1336627393094.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8729-1336626690106.jpg

Waterman's Ideal #7

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2072-1336627393085.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8730-1336626690428.jpg

Waterman's Ideal #32

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2071-1336627393086.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8567-1336626688421.jpg

Waterman's Ideal #5

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-763-1336627580599.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-8720-1336626689770.jpg

Sheaffer Snorkel "Special" (because it is!) FX3 flex nib

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-760-1336627580601.jpg

Edited by GClef
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andybiotic Vintage

andybiotic

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http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Scans/photobucket-2085-1336627393091.jpg

 

 

This is my favorite of all your Ex-es (love at first sight! :roflmho: )

 

Is that from the Eversharp or the Swan?

Edited by andybiotic
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb345/Andybiotics/Writing%20Samples/P1020494j-1reversedcolour.jpg
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