I'm considering a flexible nib as they seem to have the flair I'm looking for.
It appears early Waterman nibs seem to capture the proper flex characteristics, but I don't want a nib that takes a lot of "thought" to work with.
By that, I mean I don't want to have to actively concentrate on my writing style to get that great old-timey look. I want to write normally and have the nib "just do it" passively.
Is an early Waterman nib what I'm looking for? If so, which one?
Full Version: which waterman nib is easiest to flex?
In general terms, earlier are more likely to be flexy BUT there's a lot of variation. I've got a 1940s cheapie that's got as much flex as a slightly disappointing 12 (early 1920s), and a 52 1/2 V made somewhere in between that's flexier than either. All with #2 points, too.
There's a thread in the general topics forum pondering H.P. Lovecraft's pens which includes an anecdote about him spending an age selecting a new pen (the pen store counter buried under piles of pens in the "rejected" and "possible" camps). It's probably because there's so much individual variation in the points, each one hand made of course, that the Son of Providence had so much trouble finding one that suited.
There's a thread in the general topics forum pondering H.P. Lovecraft's pens which includes an anecdote about him spending an age selecting a new pen (the pen store counter buried under piles of pens in the "rejected" and "possible" camps). It's probably because there's so much individual variation in the points, each one hand made of course, that the Son of Providence had so much trouble finding one that suited.
I've had great luck with Canadian Waterman's nibs from the '40s. They're no wet noodles, but they have a fair amount of flex without too much pressure.
Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd keep an eye out for a Skywriter, Junior, 3V or 32V. I have a few different versions of all of these and all are quite flexy. Of course, all nibs will be different and if they've been replaced then who knows, but in general these are inexpensive pens ($20-$40) with flexible nibs. For what it's worth, my Canadian Skywriter is very flexible but is also quite broad and wet to start with, whereas my Junior is very fine but can flex quite well.
See this thread for writing samples from my Junior and 3V. Those were written with slight/moderate pressure but not much extra effort or change to writing style.
Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd keep an eye out for a Skywriter, Junior, 3V or 32V. I have a few different versions of all of these and all are quite flexy. Of course, all nibs will be different and if they've been replaced then who knows, but in general these are inexpensive pens ($20-$40) with flexible nibs. For what it's worth, my Canadian Skywriter is very flexible but is also quite broad and wet to start with, whereas my Junior is very fine but can flex quite well.
See this thread for writing samples from my Junior and 3V. Those were written with slight/moderate pressure but not much extra effort or change to writing style.
QUOTE (johnboz @ Aug 20 2008, 01:16 AM) 
I've had great luck with Canadian Waterman's nibs from the '40s. They're no wet noodles, but they have a fair amount of flex without too much pressure.
Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd keep an eye out for a Skywriter, Junior, 3V or 32V. I have a few different versions of all of these and all are quite flexy. Of course, all nibs will be different and if they've been replaced then who knows, but in general these are inexpensive pens ($20-$40) with flexible nibs. For what it's worth, my Canadian Skywriter is very flexible but is also quite broad and wet to start with, whereas my Junior is very fine but can flex quite well.
See this thread for writing samples from my Junior and 3V. Those were written with slight/moderate pressure but not much extra effort or change to writing style.
Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd keep an eye out for a Skywriter, Junior, 3V or 32V. I have a few different versions of all of these and all are quite flexy. Of course, all nibs will be different and if they've been replaced then who knows, but in general these are inexpensive pens ($20-$40) with flexible nibs. For what it's worth, my Canadian Skywriter is very flexible but is also quite broad and wet to start with, whereas my Junior is very fine but can flex quite well.
See this thread for writing samples from my Junior and 3V. Those were written with slight/moderate pressure but not much extra effort or change to writing style.
Most English W5 and 515 pens fitted wit 5, W5 and NW5 nibs demonstrate sufficient flex for it to be noticeable.
QUOTE (Ernst Bitterman @ Aug 19 2008, 06:21 PM)
In general terms, earlier are more likely to be flexy BUT there's a lot of variation. I've got a 1940s cheapie that's got as much flex as a slightly disappointing 12 (early 1920s), and a 52 1/2 V made somewhere in between that's flexier than either. All with #2 points, too.
There's a thread in the general topics forum pondering H.P. Lovecraft's pens which includes an anecdote about him spending an age selecting a new pen (the pen store counter buried under piles of pens in the "rejected" and "possible" camps). It's probably because there's so much individual variation in the points, each one hand made of course, that the Son of Providence had so much trouble finding one that suited.
There's a thread in the general topics forum pondering H.P. Lovecraft's pens which includes an anecdote about him spending an age selecting a new pen (the pen store counter buried under piles of pens in the "rejected" and "possible" camps). It's probably because there's so much individual variation in the points, each one hand made of course, that the Son of Providence had so much trouble finding one that suited.
I can truly understand Lovecraft's actions, flexible nibs seem to hold some mysterious set of unknowns that one can only see through exploration in the trenches, hence it would appear I need to make it to a pen show or two to engage in some test drives of my own.
QUOTE (johnboz @ Aug 19 2008, 08:16 PM)
I've had great luck with Canadian Waterman's nibs from the '40s. They're no wet noodles, but they have a fair amount of flex without too much pressure.
Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd keep an eye out for a Skywriter, Junior, 3V or 32V. I have a few different versions of all of these and all are quite flexy. Of course, all nibs will be different and if they've been replaced then who knows, but in general these are inexpensive pens ($20-$40) with flexible nibs. For what it's worth, my Canadian Skywriter is very flexible but is also quite broad and wet to start with, whereas my Junior is very fine but can flex quite well.
See this thread for writing samples from my Junior and 3V. Those were written with slight/moderate pressure but not much extra effort or change to writing style.
Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd keep an eye out for a Skywriter, Junior, 3V or 32V. I have a few different versions of all of these and all are quite flexy. Of course, all nibs will be different and if they've been replaced then who knows, but in general these are inexpensive pens ($20-$40) with flexible nibs. For what it's worth, my Canadian Skywriter is very flexible but is also quite broad and wet to start with, whereas my Junior is very fine but can flex quite well.
See this thread for writing samples from my Junior and 3V. Those were written with slight/moderate pressure but not much extra effort or change to writing style.
Wow, you're not kidding, that 3V seems to be on the right track. Very Nice!
If you don't want to change your writing style much, then you want to stay away from super-flex, or "wet noodles" which can be very hard to control. A semi-flex or semi-flex-plus is better for the beginner. Even then, to get a nice flex hand you really need to write in a flex style - it takes a few changes in most writing styles and is not that hard. Most important is to remember to pull your thick lines and not push them, and to watch the angle of slope (you get better results if the pen is held at the same angle as the letter slope - sort of the opposite of Italic.)
Unfortunately, Waterman did not generally grade their nibs as to flexibility (unless they say "Manifold" or "account" which mean no-flex). Only the "color" nib series gives you an indication of flexibility, and they are pricey. The average #2 nib can vary from super-flex to stiff with no indication.
A Wahl #2 "Flexible" nib is a good way to find a sure-fire flex nib, and they tend to be just the right amount of flex for beginners.
John
Unfortunately, Waterman did not generally grade their nibs as to flexibility (unless they say "Manifold" or "account" which mean no-flex). Only the "color" nib series gives you an indication of flexibility, and they are pricey. The average #2 nib can vary from super-flex to stiff with no indication.
A Wahl #2 "Flexible" nib is a good way to find a sure-fire flex nib, and they tend to be just the right amount of flex for beginners.
John
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