I'm looking for a flex nib and have been overwhelmed by the variety available. I've flex pens come and go in the marketplace and eBay and haven't bid because I have no idea what I should be looking for!

I'm after a nib that has really good spring back, better than a Hunt 101 if you've ever used that dip nib. I'd also like it in fine, so I can produce fine hairlines, not globby ones. As for the flex, the more the better, realistically though, I'd be happy with something that can go from a fine hairline to something about 1mm in width. I tend to use a light touch, so something really springy should be right up my alley (I think). Ink capacity isn't too much of worry, since it'll be a desk pen.

I'm not overly interested in a 'pretty' or collectible pen. As long as it's not chewed up or maltreated, I'm happy!

How much should I be looking to spend on such a pen, and suggestions for nib types would be more than welcome!

It's tough to find a fountain pen nib with the spring back of a Hunt 101. I wouldn't shop on line for it. It's something you need to try. If there's any possibility of getting to a pen show, especially one that Susan Wirth attends (are there any that she doesn't attend?).

If it's impossible to get to a pen show, then you may want to try your luck with Waterman #2 nibs - many are fairly flexy. Same with Mabie Todd and Wahl and Moore. My best spring-back flex nib is a Moore BCHR ring top, gold top cap.

Edit: Just thought of another possibility if you can't get to a pen show. Call or email Susan Wirth with the description you just gave. Susan Wirth web page

I am going to chime in here to thank you, Elaine. I was also very curious to see an answer to this question since I want to try some flex nibs myself. Just to let you know you helped at least two people.

If it's just for the home desk you are (IMHO) better off with your Hunt 101 (or various other old school dip pens).

The constant dipping gets pretty annoying Especially when I feel like doodling, I can use reservoirs with my square cut nibs, it makes the pain go away I may plunk out for a 50ish dollar pen to see what the how is... and you never know it might start moving off my desk! I never thought I'd be using an italic to take notes during lectures, but I'm doing it now, so I guess I shouldn't be so predictive of what I'll do.

Thanks for the advice Elaine, I live in Australia, so I'm a wee bit far from pen shows (time to move methinks, location is hampering my addiction). I think there was a Moore going recently in the Marketplace, too many hawks here, all the good flex's and stubs zip out before I ever see the listings. I'm going to keep my peepers peeled for Waterman 52's or #2 nibs or a nice Mabie Todd.

Have you tried vintagepens.com.au?

No affiliation, etc. I was just looking through their online catalog the other day.



I like dip pen nibs, too. I'll order a nib pump pen from Ackerman Pens soon, to see if I can really get away with not dipping.

vintagepens.com.au has a few Swan's with #2 semi-flex nibs. I had a look at them before, but I wonder if semi-flex is flex enough! One thing I'm still getting used to is dealing with seller's that are actually interested in what I want and not in just palming off a pen to me! What a culture shock I'll be enquiring more about these Swan's... a bit pricey but they're delicously minty.

So many decisions... Falcon's, 52's, Swan's, oh my!

I've had some success rigging dip nib points onto fountain pens. I have three functioning pens... though all are slightly hard starters. Once they start they write without dipping. I'm using fairly flexible Esterbrook nibs (761 & 556) but was not able to get either Gillott 404 or 303 (which are super-flexy and fine) working on the end of a fountain pen.

As for cost: I'm using some Ebay junkers bought for less than $2.00 each... pens sold because the nib is broken, etc. Then I replace the nib with dip nibs which cost less than a dollar each. It's a cheap date. (If you don't count your time.)

Like jbb, I've been experimenting with dip nibs on fountain pens - I have an Esterbrook drafting nib (I forget the number) attached to a broken Estie nib unit, and it works reasonably well. Very fine point.

I'd love to get a Gillott 404 working but haven't had any luck.

Wow... sticking a Hunt or Gillott on an FP feed, hmmm! I was thinking of getting a low cost Estie and a flex nib seperately, that way even if the flex doesnt work out, I still have a sparkly little number Or a Waterman 52, or a Namiki Falcon... or a vintage Platinum flex or hmm, better stop there for now.

Thanks for the input all... now I have to reconcile my needs with my wants

LOL! Yes... your niece reminds me of me.

PS. Can I have a cookie too?

I should clarify that my Gillott nibs work fine... just not on fountain pens.

I have one mounted on a Wearever Pennant feed that almost works, but the flow is inconsistent.

Inspired by jbb, am starting to get somewhere with a Viewpoint (cheap Sheaffer Calligraphy pen) with the nib removed and an old (brass) Esterbrook dip pen nib.
Requires a bit of a snap to make the ink flow now and then.
I wanted to use a Hunt 52 but the base is too narrow.
It's kind of trial and error what you can use.
I recommend buying various old nibs and trying it out.
Maybe will get out to sketch tomorrow.

A couple of the things I've tried in order to get the feed to fit the nib better is shortening the nib with cutters and using a bit of wax to fill the gap between the nib and the feed. Both seem to help. I'm excited that there are other people out there trying this -- maybe we'll get these dip/fountain combos working more smoothly.

One thing I have done with dip nibs is to rig an ad-on "reservoir" out of aluminum foil. I fold a thin sliver of aluminum foil around the nib and feed to hold extra ink. It lets me get a line or two out of a dip, rather than a word - probably 3 - 4 times more than you get without it. Worth a try. There were a ton of patents for making reservoir dip pens out there - you can find of the actual nibs if you look hard enough.

I have a good selection of Waterman #2 New Yorks, and some other nice flexy vintage nibs - though I do not know how they compare to a Hunt 101. It is best to try them out first however, as you never know what you might get with a Waterman NY nib - someone had one at the local pen club meeting that was stiff as a nail, and it was not marked as a manifold or anything.

John

Elaine

With new dip nibs (removing factory oil) I just put them in my mouth and suck them for about five minutes - works every time!

I thought everybody prepared them this way!!

Ken