Dear Members of The Fountain Pen Network;

Being a fan of the Spencerian hand; the flexible nib is a must.

I am looking at: Namiki Falcon and Sailor's 1911M Fountain Pens

Anybody experience these pens and what have you found out above them?

I want an alternative, as to keep my Richard Binder customized pen and nib safe at home.

Respectfully submitted,
Maria

On Richard's web site, in the section regarding flex, he states that the Falcon is actually a semi-flex, and not capable of Spencerian. He maintains that true "wet-noodle" flex pens are only found among the vintage. He might be able to turn a Pelikan nib into a Spencerian-capable nib. On the other hand, Susan Wirth, at last year's Dallas Pen Show had some Esterbrook Spencerian nibs, which she was demonstrating to a prospective buyer, and she did some genuine Spencerian with an Esterbrook. I suspect you could get a J Esterbrook and Spencerian nib for less than the cost of a Falcon or a 1911, and the Falcon or 1911 would still have to be made more flexy (Falcon) or flexed at all (1911).

Donnie

Esterbrook did not make Spencerian nibs in its Renew-Point series. x048 (flexible fine), x128 (flexible extra fine), and x788 (flexible medium) nibs are actually fairly stiff semiflexes; the x128 was actually popular in Europe for Pitman shorthand, which relies on strokes that are either thick or thin, with no in-between. It's possible to create passable roundhand scripts (of which Spencerian is one variant) with one of these nibs, but you'll need to stock up on ibuprofen and/or other pain-relief medication; pressing hard enough to do the job with one of these nibs isn't something I'd want to do all day -- or even for five minutes.

The best OOTB flexie at this point is the Pilot Custom 742 or Custom 743 with an FA nib. Neither of these pens is available from authorized U.S. dealers, unfortunately, but you can find them on Ujuku's site in Japan.

A Sailor 1911M would be quite useless unless you have someone modify the nib (assuming it's a good candidate for such modification in the first place). They don't flex at all and thus provide zero line variation of the sort you're looking for. A Namiki Falcon comes much closer, but it's still not suitable without modification: the tines may not spread sufficiently wide to provide thick enough downstrokes and the nib probably isn't quite fine enough to give you hairlines when not flexing at all. More important, its return isn't fast enough. They're great nibs for general writing (they provide a wonderfully comfortable ride and do give you line variation if you want it), but not really designed for Spencerian script.

Your best bet, if you want a modern fountain pen, is to get a Pilot Custom 742/743 with a FA nib and have Richard Binder tweak it (unless you write slowly). Otherwise, look for a vintage pen with a suitable nib (for the combination of features necessary for Spencerian script, if my experience is any indication it will most likely be an American pen; European nibs can be at least as flexible, or even more so, but for the most part won't give you hairlines and won't give you as snappy a return). Conklin, Waterman's, and Wahl/Eversharp are good places to start (though unless you find a reliable seller or can sample them in person, a fair amount of trial and error may be involved because most suitable nibs aren't labeled as such - with obvious exceptions such as Waterman's Pink nib - and no two sellers seem to mean the same thing when using flex jargon).

Simon

Dear donwinn, Richard and simonrob;

Thank you all for your responses.

I will save my funds as to get another Binder customized nib

Richard--you know you have me addicted to your nib work. Much rather spend money on quality customized nibs rather than a poor imitation--

Thank you all for all your inputs.

Respectfully,
Maria

The cheapest option, get a dip pen set of speedball or hunter nibs.

Why not just buy a dip pen with a superflex nib?? Pen City has a large selection under its "calligraphy" tab that run about a buck a piece and 3-4 for a nib holder. There are a few great videos on youtube of artists writing in spencerian and copperplate that all use dip pens.

Just a thought.

MrR

I bought a Namiki Falcon from John Mottishaw at nibs.com. I asked that he grind the nib to a XXF point and add more flex to it. Compared to the unaltered one, I can get significantly more line variation with less pressure. Only issue is the bottom edge of the feed can be pressed into the paper and leave an ink smudge if I get overzealous with the flex. But I think it is a great modern pen for playing with line variation and calligraphy.

Dear Goshzilla, MrRogers and J-san;

J-san; thank you for your response about the Namiki Falcon. Very valuable observations.

Goshzilla and MrRogers; I am already writing with dip pens. I want to be able to carry a pen, without having to take a miniature box that contains my dip pen(s) and ink; where ever I go. This is why I bought the M200 Pelikan fountain pen; to which has a nib that is XXF by Richard Binder.

Because the nib and pen that Mr. Binder made for me, is sooooooooooooooooooooooo smooth and performs so well; I wanted to keep it home and safe; and if there was something passable; to use that outside the home; as it wouldn't be such a tragic thing if lost/stolen/misplaced.

I currently use Gillot 303, Gillot 5 [unable to read the three number series due to being rusted into an old vintage holder-not monkeying with it holder is fragile,] School nibs; Hunt #56 nib as my 'old faithfuls;' in Spencerian style writing. It just isn't very efficient to use at the check out line at the grocery store.
This is why I ordered my Pelikan M200 with Mr. Binder's nib customizing it full flex and XXF.

In the meantime, I am using a Pilot Vanishing Point "Fine Nib" as my writing instrument on the outside of home. It has me spoiled also but--isn't full flex or Italic nib. All my older Sheaffer's and Cross Fountain pens have been put into retirement because I love 'ultra fine' lines. And, with the reviews--I am going to save my money and have another customized pen by Richard Binder. But, this time--I am going to get the XXXF nib. As, I much rather have the quality over cost and convenience of an over the counter pen.

This is why I appreciate all of you responding!

Respectfully,
Maria