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1950-60's 400 Vs 1980's 400 Nib Flex


maverick777

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Do nibs on m400's made in the 1980's have as much flex as semi flex nibs on vintage 400/400n/400nn? I'm looking at an m400 made in the 1980's with a W. Germany imprint on the cap and wanted to know if it has as much flex as a vintage 400. I'm scouting for my first vintage Pelikan.

 

Thanks.

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In my experience, no an 80s gold nib isn't as likely to have the flex of the typical 400/400N/400NN nib, but keep in mind there are a lot of variables at play and every nib has its own character. I have an 80s B nib that is quite a bit more flexy than others, but there is no way to tell other than to just try them. I'd suggest looking for a decent 400 or 400NN if you are craving some more reliable flex, but none of them are going to wow you with their flex. I'd call them 'just right'.

 

The 80s tend to be a little better than the 90s gold nibs with regards to nib character (in the eyes of some collectors), but I have seen that not always be the case as well, and we are getting to be pretty subjective here...

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In my experience, no an 80s gold nib isn't as likely to have the flex of the typical 400/400N/400NN nib, but keep in mind there are a lot of variables at play and every nib has its own character. I have an 80s B nib that is quite a bit more flexy than others, but there is no way to tell other than to just try them. I'd suggest looking for a decent 400 or 400NN if you are craving some more reliable flex, but none of them are going to wow you with their flex. I'd call them 'just right'.

 

The 80s tend to be a little better than the 90s gold nibs with regards to nib character (in the eyes of some collectors), but I have seen that not always be the case as well, and we are getting to be pretty subjective here...

I agree on the subjective portion of your comment. I have a 1958 400NN that isn't flexy at all compared to my dads 140. I would consider my nib springy.

 

Every pen/ nib is different. For me personally, I'd go for a 50's over and 80's pelikan.

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I agree on the subjective portion of your comment. I have a 1958 400NN that isn't flexy at all compared to my dads 140. I would consider my nib springy.

 

Every pen/ nib is different. For me personally, I'd go for a 50's over and 80's pelikan.

 

 

In my experience, no an 80s gold nib isn't as likely to have the flex of the typical 400/400N/400NN nib, but keep in mind there are a lot of variables at play and every nib has its own character. I have an 80s B nib that is quite a bit more flexy than others, but there is no way to tell other than to just try them. I'd suggest looking for a decent 400 or 400NN if you are craving some more reliable flex, but none of them are going to wow you with their flex. I'd call them 'just right'.

 

The 80s tend to be a little better than the 90s gold nibs with regards to nib character (in the eyes of some collectors), but I have seen that not always be the case as well, and we are getting to be pretty subjective here...

 

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep looking for a 1950-60's 400.

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Avoid the 'D' type nibs, DEF, DF, DM, etc. if you want some flex, as these are extremely stiff, manifold nibs for writing with significant pressure and they don't flex. They are great nibs, but they won't give you what you're wanting at this point.

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Avoid the 'D' type nibs, DEF, DF, DM, etc. if you want some flex, as these are extremely stiff, manifold nibs for writing with significant pressure and they don't flex. They are great nibs, but they won't give you what you're wanting at this point.

 

Thanks for the reminder. I had read about the 'D' types and manifold designations.

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I'm sure BoBo will be by at some point with a detailed post on flex or you might search out some of his past post where he has discussed the differences in nibs and flex extensively. For what it's worth, I'll second Brewsky and Risingsun's statements. Each nib is unique but those of the 50's and 60's are almost certain to be more springy if not semi-flexi. The nibs that were produced in the 80's are a different breed though not bad in their own right. They too can have some flex and character, much much more so than those examples from the later 90's and 2000's, but are generally just more springy than the modern examples. In my mind, Pelikan nibs go into three categories in terms of general performance characteristics; 1) Vintage (50's-60's), 2) 80's - Mid-90's, 3) Later-90's-today. Of those three categories, the vintage nibs are by far the most desirable. Like risingsun said, if flex is your aim, avoid the Durchschreib/Manifold (DEF, DF, DM) and Harte/Hard (HEF, HF, HM, HB) nibs.

PELIKAN - Too many birds in the flock to count. My pen chest has proven to be a most fertile breeding ground.

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The more I read, the less I know. :rolleyes:

Here is a 400nn, that is not at least a semi-flex. :o

Then another good poster informed me.... :yikes: ...that he has had nail 140's with out the D. And he's seen more than me....so another myth dies. :crybaby:

 

I've had great luck.... OM 400 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex. OBB maxi, 500, 400nn OF maxi.

Semi-flex 140's x 2 OB&OF, 400n B now on my 605, Ibis gold, looks OF no marking.

Very good springy regular flex , '90's M400, 2 Celebry gold&steel that are =, P-381.

Nice but slightly less springy 120 gold plated still good. For a long time until I pushed my '90's 400 nib in response to the Celebry pens, I had the 120 and '90's 400 nibs as even.

 

100n, easy full flex/superflex. Do have a regular flex steel CN 'war' nib.

 

Some seven 200's nibs that I trans-mailed, that impressed me. I might get a 215, but have too many 400's-140's to chase the 200's too.

 

I am lucky to live in Germany where those pens were easier to get. Having a read about semi-flex a long time ago, and the 140...at a flea market I tested a 140 against my thumb nail....and suddenly knew all the raving was correct. :notworthy1: :puddle: :drool:

 

Now have 30 semi-flex....It must be time to share....it's just they keep showing up, with a Geha on the way.

 

I have also a '50's 400 with a D nib....manifold, a nails-nail...something to poke holes in tanks with.

 

From my reading and good advice I was told that I was spoiled with my semi-flex 140 and 400nn maxi, was told it would not be worth up grading my '90's nib with an '80's.

The '90's 400 nib is very good one.

The '80's nib just a tad better. I was very impressed by a '87-89 800's nib...as one of the better springy regular flex nibs I've tried.

 

If one does not have a semi-vintage '90's or vintage 400 it could be worth $30-40 more to get one from the '80s'....at least you'd have bragging rights.

 

One of these days I got to how to link. Save my self a lot of time.

Edited by Bo Bo Olson

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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I've several 400/400N/400NN nibs, and to generalize, these are slightly more flexible than the '80's vintage nibs. The '80's nibs are still very good, certainly better than the stiff M400 nibs you get today (apart from the now discontinued M250 nib, which are pretty much similar to those of the '80's, at least the ones I have).

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