I own a Phileas, which is a nice writer, but a bit rigid. I also have a vintage Waterman (says Ideal and 14 ct on the nib), which is a bit more flexible. That makes it a bit harder to write with, but also more interesting. Now, I have been looking at a Carene, and would like to know how flexible the nib is.

Btw, visited my local pen store here in Copenhagen, just to check out their stock and prices. I am NOT going to shop there - 375$ for a Carene. I can get them for around 150$ brand new on Ebay. I know that it is not completely fair to compare prices between webshops and brick and mortar establishments, but still. I also tried out a MontBlanc Legrand, which was quite nice - 890$ . Bet you can get that cheaper elsewhere too.

Henrik

Hi, Henrik. The nib on the Carène is about as flexible as a 90-year old man, at least in my experience (I've owned 3). Still, a great pen. Best,
David

NOT flexible at all. Inlaid nibs handle completely differently. That being said, you should try one [bias alert, I now have SEVEN Carenes] as they are so incredibly smooth and comfortable to write with that you may find them addictive. Once I got one, I sold my Phileas.

One brand that's definitely flexible in feel [for a modern pen] is Marlen if you get one of the traditionally styled nibs. Even the BB nibs squish a little if pushed [not that I recommend it].

One word: nail. 'Nuff said.

R*I*G*I*D Mine has been in the drawer for quite a while--probably never to return. Cap regularly falls off after posting and the absolute worst clip ever made!

You put it so poetically that it brought a tear to my eye....from laughing...

I agree...I bought a Fine-nibbed from J-M L and just lightly put nib to paper, then put it back in the box abd returned it.....to be xchanged for another model and different nib size, which I'll report-on when it arrives.

BTW Jean-Michel Lewertowski has been very patient and helpful

But on the generality about 'inlaid nibs', my 30yo Sheaffer Targa has a bit of flex and writes nicely(although it is really too fine for me).

I just commented in another thread that I have just one Carene with a stub nib. The nib is rigid. Yet that is a chacteristic that allows a stub nib to do its job very well. I have factory stubs on a number of my Waterman FP's because of that convergence of (fairly typical Waterman) rigidity and a quality stub nib.

What size nib has it got? She asks, sniffing a potential opportunity...

Ghost, I am thinking of allowing myself to be seduced by a black Carene with GT with medium nib. I tried it and found that nail of nib a beautiful intoduction to smooth uncompromising ink performance. Having been addicted to Carenes as ballpoints, do you think I would find the FP enough to forsake all BPs forever?!

Just found a better topic to post this in: carene ink flow...

evil chortle You're halfway there. Come over to the Carene side of the Farce!

Seriously, I have SEVEN of them. All users. The only ballpoint I keep any more is a disposable from the credit union tucked into the mileage log of my car where it can bake under extreme conditions.

I pop cartridges in when I travel, then throw the converter back in when I'm home and the pens aren't being joggled about. Waterman cartridge ink is so well behaved under extreme conditions.

Just wait 'til you realize that you're the only one at the end of a long meeting not waggling a sore hand or numb fingers. They're addictive!

OOh damn! Invoking the Dark Side!
I was just thinking of my choice of Carene as an Emperor of darkness LOL!
I have been thinking of a shiny silver Cross Apogee to lighten the mood, but, no, I think this baby is going to get me soon enough.
When it does, I'll let you know and you can take the credit

No, forget the Cross. I've still got 2 floating around [Verve Selenium and old Century II], but the nibs are NOTHING like and the performance isn't close to a Carene. They're decent enough starter pens, but once you've had a Carene, they just won't do. Seriously, a Carene will last years beyond the other pens. This is a long term love affair/purchase.

Yes, I agree! I love my Carene. It is one of the smoothest writers I have and it never dries out. It provides me with precision when I need it. It'll be back in rotation very soon...

Erick

Fine nib

Rats! If it'd been a B, I'd be taking it off your hands.

Thanks, GP! I know the Apogee looks initially promising and does feel nice to hold, but you're right; having held and written with the Carene, it's the only viable long term writing experience. Might even sell my Townsend and have the Carene complement and rank above my Philieas.
Or would I end up selling that too, like you?...

Having sold both a Townsend and a Phileas, I'm probably not the best person to ask.

Something tells me you had more than one Phileas to begin with
Hmm, I think would regret selling my Townsend, even for the love of a Carene!

Nope. Just the one. My dad got it for me.

Giving up the Townsend was easy. The ex bought it for me and it was an F nib. Amazing I kept it as long as I did...

Aw, well, at least you know what you like too keep
I take it broads are your preferred width of nib? I'm happy with mediums, and, in the case of my Phileas, a fine, which I like to use sometimes when I swap over the medium. In fact, the Phileas seems nicer balanced and more finely made than my Townsend.
That Carene and its medium nib are inexorably calling me

Yep, I'm a B nib kind of girl. In fact, I have 2 Marlens with BB and an Omas with BB. My fantasy is getting the cash flow to try a Carene stub.

I have two Carenes, and they have rigid nibs. Though both are very smooth writers.



I agree with Roger; just because a nib is inlaid, does not mean it's rigid. I have a vintage Sheaffer Imperial IV (which has an inlaid nib) that is quite flexible --- probably semi-flexible, though everyone has a different definition of semi-flex.

-Mike