Binder's Pelikan XXF Flex Nib

[QM2]

The weather has finally cooperated for me to successfully use the Macro mode on my pitiful little digital camera. Enjoy!

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib1.jpg

 

Some time ago I ordered this Pelikan XXF Flex nib from Richard Binder. It is the 14K single-tone yellow gold nib, and fits

M2XX, M4XX and M7XX Pelikans. Since most of my Pelikans are of this category, the versatility is splendid. I can turn

six of my pens into flexible writers!

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib2.jpg

 

I chose to fit this one into my recently acquired White Honey Tortoise. Its delicate vintage looks were simply crying out for

a flex nib.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib3.jpg

 

And now for some quick writing samples! Don't even try to read the text; it is gibberish doodled during a phone conversation.

But I like the looks of it, and I think this accurately illustrates the flex properties.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample1.jpg

 

Yes, it is a full flex, inasmuch as possible in a modern pen. XXF when un-flexed, BBB+ when flexed.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample2.jpg

 

The nib is exceptionally smooth and easy to use. I am no Copperplate expert, but this nib does make it easier to practice.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample3.jpg

 

Without a doubt, this is the modern flex nib. Thank you Richard!

Edited May 9, 2009 by QM2

[encremental]

I have one of these, and agree with everything you say about it. Sheer delight, and highly recommended. Even if you use it with a light touch as a standard nib (which I do for most of the time - I'm afraid my semi-Spencerian isn't as controlled as yours, QM2 - and has a Victorian anonymous letter quality which is not that useful) it is really refreshing.

 

Until I got this nib, I was always loath to swap the nibs between my Beaky Babes, and consequently would use some pens more than others because.. well, that was just the way they were and some were better. Having a Binder flex as my 'bestest' nib has loosened me up, and I have now broken free and swap my nibs about with abandon.

 

Great ink choice. I will put this in my white 400 next - and use the flex nib - I don't think I've tried this combo yet.

 

John

[Inka]

...Don't even try to read the text;...

That's like saying "Don't think about elephants".

Your handwriting is exceptional and that nib makes it looks very classy.

If that's just scribbling while on the phone, I imagine deliberate and purposeful handwriting to look even better than while multi-tasking.

I've often read that anything softer than 14k gold is a huge gamble to make into a flex nib; more than 14k gold said to be too soft and has no memory.

That just proves it is possible to make an 18k nib into a nice flex nib and R.B. seems to have figured out how to do it.

 

Very nice and thanks for taking time to do all the work for this post.

[QM2]

Oops, my appologies! The nib is 14K, the "18K" was a typo (I've now changed it).

 

Regarding doodling vs practiced writing, I actually find it useful to write random things while I am talking or daydreaming, instead of practicing per se. When I try to specifically write something for an FPN writing sample, there is a forced and anxious look to it that I can't seem to get rid of. Not to mention the wasting of paper to get it right!

 

 

Edited May 9, 2009 by QM2

[MsLoathsome]

Very very nice. It's always great to see real writing samples.

[hilsedwards]

The weather has finally cooperated for me to successfully use the Macro mode on my pitiful little digital camera. Enjoy!

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib1.jpg

 

Some time ago I ordered this Pelikan XXF Flex nib from Richard Binder. It is the 14K single-tone yellow gold nib, and fits

M2XX, M4XX and M7XX Pelikans. Since most of my Pelikans are of this category, the versatility is splendid. I can turn

six of my pens into flexible writers!

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib2.jpg

 

I chose to fit this one into my recently acquired White Honey Tortoise. Its delicate vintage looks were simply crying out for

a flex nib.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib3.jpg

 

And now for some quick writing samples! Don't even try to read the text; it is gibberish doodled during a phone conversation.

But I like the looks of it, and I think this accurately illustrates the flex properties.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample1.jpg

 

Yes, it is a full flex, inasmuch as possible in a modern pen. XXF when un-flexed, BBB+ when flexed.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample2.jpg

 

The nib is exceptionally smooth and easy to use. I am no Copperplate expert, but this nib does make it easier to practice.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample3.jpg

 

Without a doubt, this is the modern flex nib. Thank you Richard!

Fab looking nib QM2 I am drooling.

Would you be so kind and put me out of my misery; what delicious looking green ink were you using ?

Edited May 9, 2009 by hilsedwards

[QM2]

Fab looking nib QM2 I am drooling.

Would you be so kind and put me out of my misery; what delicious looking green ink were you using ?

 

Thank you : )

 

The ink is Herbin Vert Empire. I have consistently found that Herbin inks work best in flex nibs. Here is a swab-sample:

 

http://queenmargot.com/inks_vertempire.jpg

Edited May 9, 2009 by QM2

[girlieg33k]

I have several orphaned Pelikan M400 nibs; I now know one of their fates. I'm also sold on yet another bottle of ink. Thanks for the beautiful writing samples.

[QM2]

I have several orphaned Pelikan M400 nibs; I now know one of their fates. I'm also sold on yet another bottle of ink. Thanks for the beautiful writing samples.

 

I have too many "orphans" as well. It is faster to buy new nibs from Richard than to send your own to him for regrinding (plus, the cost is the same in some cases!), so many of my native Pelikan nibs have been replaced by more exciting italic and flex nibs, and I now have 4 nibs on the loose that almost never get used. I think it makes more sense to sell them than to get them reground, so I will probably try to do that soon.

[Triplet Mom]

I am in awe of your beautiful penmanship!! I too will now be sending a stray Pelikan nib of mine to Richard for the same regrind, as well as get a bottle of that pretty green ink. Thanks for posting such great examples of what the art of fountain pen owning is all about!

 

Warm regards,

Lynne

[Inka]

Oops, my apologies! The nib is 14K, the "18K" was a typo (I've now changed it).

I figured as much but didn't want to correct you.

I am very new to Pelikans but have researched them for years, thought the solid/monotone yellow color gold nibs only came in 14k and in the M250 range only.

No apology necessary, as I make type-os and errors all the time as do many of us.

 

I'd love to see how Richard grinds or re-works these nibs into a flex.

I'm very impressed with his work and the work of others, so much so I've begun doing similar work for myself only, unable to afford to pay the "experts".

 

As for nice handwriting, compared to yours mine is appalling despite my getting compliments all of the time.

Mine is just basic Cursive Italic taught in grade school and seldom mastered, legible and semi-clean but not even close to perfect.

Funny how I can write better with a Cursive Italic nib I've ground & smoothed myself than with any of my ball-tip nibs.

I guess the wider tipping and the near-flat edge of a CI nib forces me to concentrate, since unlike ball tips any nib rotation can cause these nibs to skip.

My Levenger: Plumpster has a German Stainless Steel nib and the metal isn't tempered enough for good flex, I wouldn't even call them semi-flex and that's a bit unfortunate.

That's one reason I reshaped my Bold nib into a Medium Cursive Italic [almost a Music Nib grind/shape], to get really nice line variation out of it without the need for more flex.

 

The Herbin Vert Empire ink you're using looks far better from your flex nib than in the swab sample.

If I were to consider getting some, based soley on the swab shot, I would have passed without a second glance.

Seeing it from your pen & written with your own hand makes it really jump out at me nicely.

Never had any Herbin inks but your writing makes me at least want to try some and that nicely shaded green with the flex nib makes it look even better.

[Aslan]

Love your penmanship!

[QM2]

As for nice handwriting, compared to yours mine is appalling despite my getting compliments all of the time.

Mine is just basic Cursive Italic taught in grade school and seldom mastered, legible and semi-clean but not even close to perfect.

...

The Herbin Vert Empire ink you're using looks far better from your flex nib than in the swab sample.

If I were to consider getting some, based soley on the swab shot, I would have passed without a second glance.

Seeing it from your pen & written with your own hand makes it really jump out at me nicely.

Never had any Herbin inks but your writing makes me at least want to try some and that nicely shaded green with the flex nib makes it look even better.

 

My handwriting has improved dramatically over the past 2 years, and it was entirely a result of playing around with italic and flex nibs. If you don't believe me, just look at the writing in some of my older posts : )

 

Here is my first attempt at flex, in January 2008:

 

http://queenmargot.com/overlaythabnkyou.jpg

 

and here it is, using the same pen, in December 2008:

 

http://queenmargot.com/morrison_flex1.jpg

 

even further improvement by February 2009 (different pen though):

 

http://queenmargot.com/indian_flex7.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/indian_flex6.jpg

 

...and so on, until we arrive at the Pelikan writing sample on this thread. So just keep playing around with those nibs, and your writing with keep improving.

 

The extent to which I can grind my own nibs is limited to a Lamy Safari so far. I turned the weak 1.1mm stub into a nice cursive italic with dramatic line variation. It was a proud day!

 

 

[Canoodler]

And now for some quick writing samples! Don't even try to read the text; it is gibberish doodled during a phone conversation.

But I like the looks of it, and I think this accurately illustrates the flex properties.

 

Thanks for sharing this very attractive penmanship. The line variation is remarkable. Now I want one too--isn't it always thus?

 

I am struck by darker edges and pastel interiors of the broad lines as revealed by your magnified images. Could this effect be caused by the nib's tines rotating individually outward as pressure is applied? I had to experiment myself with the closest approximation in my little pen arsenal--a cursive italic by Binder. It's in an Aurora Optima. (Following your example closely I used Herbin ink and pulled the pen out of a case like the one you showed recently in a case thread. ) Under strong magnification my broad line segments are uniformly dark, totally unlike your flex nib lines.

 

Something tells me that the beautiful results you show also reflect a good amount of practice. But I still have the beginning lust for one of these nibs in my Pelikan.

Edited May 10, 2009 by Canoodler

[QM2]

I am struck by darker edges and pastel interiors of the broad lines as revealed by your magnified images. Could this effect be caused by the nib's tines rotating individually outward as pressure is applied? I had to experiment myself with the closest approximation in my little pen arsenal--a cursive italic by Binder. It's in an Aurora Optima. (Following your example closely I used Herbin ink and pulled the pen out of a case like the one you showed recently in a case thread. ) Under strong magnification my broad line segments are uniformly dark, totally unlike your flex nib lines.

 

When I first saw flex nib writing samples, this effect fascinated me the most. You cannot get this effect with an italic nib; it is specific to flex nibs.

 

Consider the mechanics of how flex writing works:

 

When the nib is used with normal pressure, the tines stay together and produce a thin, single line of ink. When pressure is applied, the tines spread, making two separate sharply indented tracks as they write, where the ink concentrates as it flows. As the open tines glide along in parallel, more ink pores from in between. But the more pressure you apply, the greater the space between the two tracks where the ink concentrates, and the more the feed begins to starve, making the amount of ink delivered grow thinner and thinner towards the middle. At the extreme of this is the "railroading effect", where only the two outlines remain and the middle of the line is empty. You can see this on the bottom of the letter "S" of the word "Shortly" in the sample below.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample1.jpg

 

The "railroading effect" happens when you flex too much, too quickly: the feed cannot keep up, and the ink does not just grown thinner in the middle, but stops coming altogether. So the trick to producing the inner shading effect, is to starve the feed in a controlled fashion.

 

This takes some practice, and each pen has a different rhythm that the writer needs to fall in with, in order to control it. I am not very good at this yet, but whenever I do fall into the rhythm of using a good flex nib, the experience is exhilarating!

Edited May 10, 2009 by QM2

[Canoodler]

Thank you, QM2, for your explanation of the mechanics of the flex nib. Not only technical, but very clear. The text and photos of your reply and your initial post should be models for FPN communicators.

 

Now to start scheming to acquire a flex nib.

 

[diplomat]

The weather has finally cooperated for me to successfully use the Macro mode on my pitiful little digital camera. Enjoy!

 

Oh, the spring in bloom is one of the most refreshing and beautiful things we have in life! And your photographies represent it in full glory.

 

Don't even try to read the text; it is gibberish doodled during a phone conversation.

But I like the looks of it, and I think this accurately illustrates the flex properties.

 

Wow, that's amazing. The maximum I am able to do when at the phone or talking with others (or attend a meeting, for that matter...) is some circle and straight line...

However I agree that since my interest in fountain pens revamped few years ago my handwriting improved dramatically. If I take some copybook from the high school I can barely read what's on it!

 

Thank you again for such inspiring combination.

[QM2]

Thank you everybody again for the nice feedback about the writing : )) It is nice to be able to justify the expense of fountain pens with concrete results! (Yeah, right.)

 

I have now posted photos of the pen itself in a separate thread.

Edited May 10, 2009 by QM2

[dandelion]

I really like (besides all the beautiful photos) the comparison between your penmanship two years ago and now. Interesting. The closeups at text and pen is very inspiring. Mille grazie.

[Garfield]

The weather has finally cooperated for me to successfully use the Macro mode on my pitiful little digital camera. Enjoy!

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib1.jpg

 

Some time ago I ordered this Pelikan XXF Flex nib from Richard Binder. It is the 14K single-tone yellow gold nib, and fits

M2XX, M4XX and M7XX Pelikans. Since most of my Pelikans are of this category, the versatility is splendid. I can turn

six of my pens into flexible writers!

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib2.jpg

 

I chose to fit this one into my recently acquired White Honey Tortoise. Its delicate vintage looks were simply crying out for

a flex nib.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_Nib3.jpg

 

And now for some quick writing samples! Don't even try to read the text; it is gibberish doodled during a phone conversation.

But I like the looks of it, and I think this accurately illustrates the flex properties.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample1.jpg

 

Yes, it is a full flex, inasmuch as possible in a modern pen. XXF when un-flexed, BBB+ when flexed.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample2.jpg

 

The nib is exceptionally smooth and easy to use. I am no Copperplate expert, but this nib does make it easier to practice.

 

http://queenmargot.com/Pel_Flex_sample3.jpg

 

Without a doubt, this is the modern flex nib. Thank you Richard!

 

 

Your writing is glorious!