Jump to content

Comparative Flex


Cryptos

Recommended Posts

Hi folks,

 

Just bumbling around the forums of late, nothing serious. Anyway I was hoping someone could offer some advice. I have been playing with a dip pen, namely a Zebra G. Now, a lot of fanatics enthusiasts talk about wet noodles and I do not know exactly what that is supposed to mean in this context. The Zebra G is flexible but requires pressure to do so. Would I be right in guessing that a wet noodle will flex without any appreciable pressure?

 

If that is the case I wonder if someone could recommend a wet noodly dip nib to try for myself, using the Zebra G as a point of reference - if you'll forgive the pun. Of course if anyone wants to donate a nib I would be happy to receive one (who wouldn't!).

 

Well, anyway, advise away...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 23
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Cryptos

    10

  • ac12

    6

  • bardiir

    2

  • Mickey

    1

Top Posters In This Topic

Brause Rose nibs are even more wet noodle as the Zebra G, but they are extremely scratchy compared, so currently for my Flex Modification on the TWSBI the Zebra Gs are my goto nibs.

My Pens/Nibs (inked/active): Lamy Studio/Vista/Joy (XXF slight-flex custom | 14k EF | EF | F | 14k M | M | B | 14k 1.1 custom | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.9), TWSBI Diamond 580 (F | Pendleton BadBoy | Zebra G | F.P.R. semi-flex), Pilot Falcon EF, Penkala Vintage 14k semi-flex, Pilot Parallel (2.4 | 3.8 | 6.0)

http://www.fp-ink.info/img/button.pngI'm still looking for help/data/supporters/sponsors for my Ink Database - It already contains over 900 Inks but is still low on data about the inks except on the Inks I got myself or where I found nice data sheets. So Im looking for these: InkSamples mailed to me, Permissions to use InkReviews - preferable by people who have a lot of InkReviews online, InkReviews mailed to me so I can scan them, Sponsors that will help me to finance InkSamples, People willing to trade InkSamples (list of available Inks from me is available via PM request - please include available Inks)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm pretty sure what the Zebra G does is already pretty much in full flex/wet noodle area on the fountain pens, it's pretty easy to flex compared to a let's say modded Noodler's Ahab which is referenced as full flex already most of the time.

My Pens/Nibs (inked/active): Lamy Studio/Vista/Joy (XXF slight-flex custom | 14k EF | EF | F | 14k M | M | B | 14k 1.1 custom | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.9), TWSBI Diamond 580 (F | Pendleton BadBoy | Zebra G | F.P.R. semi-flex), Pilot Falcon EF, Penkala Vintage 14k semi-flex, Pilot Parallel (2.4 | 3.8 | 6.0)

http://www.fp-ink.info/img/button.pngI'm still looking for help/data/supporters/sponsors for my Ink Database - It already contains over 900 Inks but is still low on data about the inks except on the Inks I got myself or where I found nice data sheets. So Im looking for these: InkSamples mailed to me, Permissions to use InkReviews - preferable by people who have a lot of InkReviews online, InkReviews mailed to me so I can scan them, Sponsors that will help me to finance InkSamples, People willing to trade InkSamples (list of available Inks from me is available via PM request - please include available Inks)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, if that's the case then I would have to conclude that I have a very light hand indeed, as I have to apply distinct pressure to make the G flex fully. It's just that a lot of reports tell of vintage flex nibs that flex almost under the weight of the pen itself. An exaggeration perhaps?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try a Hiro 41, it flexes much easier than the Nikko G.

In fact I don't use it much, because it flexes so easily.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard that Hiro 41 nibs were having problems with ink retention. Is this still an issue? With my Zebra G I give it a good lick before a writing session, which seems to work and I can do about 4 complete alphabets with no pressure on one dip - I do wipe it clean at the end of the session, although once I forgot and, well, Lamy Black doesn't taste that great that's all I'm sayin'...

Edited by Cryptos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes there was a bad batch of 41s, but that was corrected at the factory, and they are shipping good ones now.

Hopefully your order will not get any of that bad batch.

 

There are kinda solutions for that make that bad batch of nibs work.

- automotive carburetor cleaner (this is what I used)

- pine-sol (but only for a second and immediately wash it, too long and it does nasty things to the nib)

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The G nibs are not what would be considered a very flexible nib. Among modern dip nibs, the Leonardt Principal EF and the Gillott 303 are some of the most flexible available. The tines of a very flexible nib should separate with minimal pressure; if you have to bear down on the nib, it's not very flexible. In my experience, some dip nibs flex easily because the tines are very thin and some flex easily because of the design of the nib. The former feel soft and mushy to me, while the latter have a snap to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Zebra G as a highly flexible nib?

Hmm Im going to have to disagree with that. Personally, there are only two classes of nibs that I consider so-called wet noodle. The first is the principality type nibs, whose sharpness and fine-ness are unrivaled in almost every way. The modern principal from Leonhardt does a fine job too.

The second class is the Gillott 303 class, which is superlatively flexible. But not quite the type of spring and elasticity of the principal. I have had both the G nibs, and I find them unsuitable for ornamental practice of my degree... when I write, I don't have the strength or pressure variation to use a G nib - they are just too stiff.

 

Another interesting class of nibs would be the Spencerian no. 1 nibs, which spawned copies such as the 128 and 358 - in terms of flexibility. Even the so-called dream point, the Spencerian no. 1 is not flexible enough for me. Nor is it as fine. The elasticity just doesn't stick well with me.

These nibs have very thinly pressed steel, and they often wear out quickly.

I have never used a 41 - I have used 356 and 357 nibs, and both are very very fine. Hairlines are drawn by less than the weight of the pen - you must have a very, very light hand to use them properly.

In Ornamental Writing, the beauty of light line and shade must be harmonious.

... The best ornamental penmen write each word one letter at a time, the best they can, the same as you do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great! I am looking around for Leonhardt EF nibs and Gillott 303s but they don't seem as common on our favourite auction site as I may have hoped. Either that or my search terms are wrong.

 

 

EDIT: found some and boy are they expensive. I'll have to stick with the cheapie Zebras for the time being.

Edited by Cryptos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great! I am looking around for Leonhardt EF nibs and Gillott 303s but they don't seem as common on our favourite auction site as I may have hoped. Either that or my search terms are wrong.

 

 

EDIT: found some and boy are they expensive. I'll have to stick with the cheapie Zebras for the time being.

I'm not sure I am understanding what you are doing? Are you installing these nibs in a fountain pen somehow? Or are you using them in a dip pen holder?

Maker of Custom Oblique Pen Holders

 

Visit me at http://uniqueobliques.etsy.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, in a cheap E+M holder. Some guy in the States just tried to sell me 3 Leonardts for $17 plus $25 shipping. Whereas I can get 10 Gs for about $12 all in. So, forgoing the pleasure of the Leonardt is inevitable for the moment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey, I should have checked out their shipping rates. Looks like less than $10! Itchy fingers now as they also have Gillot 303. May have to put together a small bundle of different ones to try. Cool. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, I've looked at the site and I see Leonardt Principality, Hiro 41, Hunt 101, Gillott 303, and Brause Rose. Is there enough difference between these to warrant trying them all?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, I've looked at the site and I see Leonardt Principality, Hiro 41, Hunt 101, Gillott 303, and Brause Rose. Is there enough difference between these to warrant trying them all?

 

They are very different. As long as you're trying out points, you should probably include the Hunt 22 and 56 on your list. The Hunt 22 is often over-looked, but it would probably be my default point if I didn't have a large stash of Esterbrook 358 and 128 nibs. The 22 is flexible and sharp enough for pro quality Copperplate or Spencerian, but not so finicky that beginners can't use them.

The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press; but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity. (4 Bl. Com. 151, 152.) Blackstone's Commentaries

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with Mickey,

If you are going to place an order, get 1 or 2 of each of the other nibs you are curious about. That way you can try them yourself to see if you like them or not. Even if you don't like them hold on to them. After a while and more experience with dip nibs, you might try them again and see if your feeling has changed or remains the same.

For me, switching to the oblique holder made all the difference in the world. With the oblique holder I could write with pointed nibs that I could not write with using a straight holder. I still needed to use a light hand, but it was easier.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43844
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      33494
    3. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    4. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      26624
    5. jar
      jar
      26101
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

    • Shanghai Knife Dude
      I have the Sailor Naginata and some fancy blade nibs coming after 2022 by a number of new workshop from China.  With all my respect, IMHO, they are all (bleep) in doing chinese characters.  Go use a bush, or at least a bush pen. 
    • A Smug Dill
      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o
  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...