Where To Buy Affordable Vintage Flex?

[Bo Bo Olson]

Esterbrook has always had that reputation of being a hard 'semi-flex'.

 

I've never tried to get one of those Esterbrook nibs, in I had and have a slew of German ones....up from when answered back in the dark ages. 30 semi-flex (now that I think about it, is a bit too much...shouldn't be so greedy) and 15 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex. Those ranges only spread their tines 3 X a light down stroke.

 

Outside the Osmia Supra for the 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex, and Osmia diamond nibs for semi-flex all others I have are luck of the draw: (vintage '50-60's) Pelikan, Geha, MB, lesser names, or no names; to whether they are semi or maxi. Those makes I expect a bit of flex in the nibs of that era.

 

I think one needs to go back to the '30's and before to get superflex nibs....three levels of it; easy full flex, wet noodle and weak kneed wet noodle...like perhaps the fabled Waterman Pink nib.

 

I do have to check my 'new' MB 146 OB beater, against my other superflex nibs. It appears to spread 4 X and has an easier flex. Could be easy full flex.

 

For me it is not essential that I grade that nib immediately; I do have other 'un-inked' superflex nibs.In my 'lower' tine spread super flex nibs, I'd be checking it against a 100n's nib that spreads 5 X but I only use to 4..

I have three '50's MB's, a semi-flex, 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex and this one that might be an easy full flex/superflex.

I did see and test a '20's broken tined MB Safety Pen, a Wet Noodle.....couldn't afford to repair it when adding the price of what it cost at a live auction. Big when putting that nib to the thumbnail.

 

Sigh, I really don't have the Hand for Wet Noodles.

[Ste_S]

Why not a dip pen ? Nibs are incredibly cheap. Not practical for out and about, but then I'd argue you'd probably want a smooth stiffer nibbed fountain pen for note taking rather than a full flex nib.

 

I use a dip pen at home for journaling and fountain pen at work for note taking.

[discopig]

I've gotten all (which is about 20+) my flex pens from ebay, most of them for under $50-75 shipped, with a majority of them being around full flex or superflex and a few being right around wet noodle area. You just have to spend hours hunting and be willing to take risks on blurry pictures.

Edited December 6, 2014 by discopig

[keswickmouse]

Any member has experience with http://vintageflex.com/?

 

It's website is beautiful. I was so enchanted by the video and made an impulse purchase three weeks ago. Still, I didn't receive the pen and couldn't get a response from brian@vintageflex. Then, I realized that there are no phone numbers or physical address listed. I am getting really worried.

 

Thank you very much for your help.

Edited June 26, 2015 by keswickmouse

[Freddy]

Any member has experience with http://vintageflex.com/?

 

It's website is beautiful. I was so enchanted by the video and made a impulse purchase three weeks ago. Still I didn't receive the pen and couldn't get response from email inquiries from brian@vintageflex. Then I realized that there are no phone numbers or physical address information listed. I am getting really worried.

 

Thank you very much for your help.

 

Concur with the aforementioned..........................................

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/292748-experience-with-vintageflexnet/?p=3392157

 

Fred

When it is seventy five below zero, a man must not

fail in his first attempt to build a fire....that is if his

feet are wet..............Jack London.............................

[sidthecat]

A real pen-porn site, but frustrating, since most of the pens are long gone.

[Freddy]

A real pen-porn site, but frustrating, since most of the pens are long gone.

 

Yes....But I know it when I see it and the pen-porn in this

case is hard core snuff pen-porn....Yup..that's the ticket.

{with apologies to Mr. Justice Potter Stewart}

 

Fred