The Superflex Category

[sebas0902]

Where did you learn to write like that?.

Yours is a really beautiful handwriting, and a great review as well.

[Bo Bo Olson]

"""""""""I have a Waterman BHR 12 ED and a BHR 56 LF as well as a Sheaffer BHR LF, all of which very flexxy nibs. But my Waterman BHR 42 and my larger BHR Sheaffer have very firm nibs. With a few exceptions, my pens from the twenties onward are pretty firm. I think some of this was because of onset of carbon copies, though I'm not sure when that invention took hold.""""""""""

 

I am not quite sure either late 1860's if I remember correctly. In the western I am writing 1881, it was used in making five copies on onion skin, in train dispatches. The man is using an Esterbrook pen, on his pen holder. Nibs use to be called pens.

 

You bought steel or bronze nibs in a little box of 1/4 gross for $0.14, stub- $0.16, Judge 0.17 and school...$0.12.

 

Gold pens :embarrassed_smile: (nibs) were more expensive, from $.35-for small number 1 size to, $1.45 for an 8, the largest nib made. Stubs were about the same, but started at 4-7.

 

In that with gold money, there was no significant inflation; so I can use Sears catalogs from 1900-1902 or Montgomery Ward from 1994-5, to find @ prices of goods, in 1881.

 

So I think flexible nibs were used by bosses, and not by middle management who had to make copies, even before the fountain pen was invented.

Edited April 30, 2010 by Bo Bo Olson

[Aleph]

Well, my Miss Swan (:inhale: Binderized super needlepoint Mabie Todd & Co. 'Swan' ringtop No. 2 flex nib c. 1925.. did I miss anything? :exhale:) isn't a superflex; she belongs in the somewhat vague, but wonderful category known as "vintage flex".

 

My very generous friend lent me five gorgeous pens that carry prestigious titles* such as "superflex", "triple flex", "copperplate-capable", "Spencerian style", etc. with them. Their pictures may be found <a href='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27617' target='_blank'>here</a>.

 

*Bestowed upon them by experts David Nishimura, Gary Lehrer, and John Mottishaw.

 

The differing amounts of force needed to fully flex these pens (without being vulgar.. i.e. spreading tines till the ink film bursts) are as follows**:

 

<i>Miss Swan</i> (for reference): 250g

<i>Nakaya soft flex</i> (also for reference): 300g

<b>Waterman 12</b>: 200g

<b>Aikin Lambert</b>: 200g

<b>John Holland</b>: 225g

<b>Waterman 42</b>: 175g

<b>Mottishaw Namiki Falcon</b> (please keep in mind this is a modern pen, and that it's not advertised as being as flexible as a vintage superflex): 350g

 

**Please keep in mind that these measurements are <i>very</i> rough estimates --they were crudely taken from a kitchen scale with a piece of paper taped to it <!--emo&:roflmho:--><img src='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/html/emoticons/roflmho.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='roflmho.gif' /><!--endemo-->

 

Here are the writing samples, all on Clairefontaine paper with NOS Skrip blue-black (gold top):

 

I love your post and the scientific way in which you approached it. And I'm downright jealous of your beautiful handwriting. But don't you think that the Omas Emotica should be included in the Superflex category? (*Bump* see my review :ltcapd: )

[drammamare]

Very very beautiful handwriting!

[gnomedeplume]

It may not take that long at all. I think I started just about a year or so ago-- with a roller ball! (later progressed to dip pen, then FP.. evolutionary stages lol <!--emo&--><img src='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/html/emoticons/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /><!--endemo--> )

 

-Hana

 

 

Thank you for sharing your beautiful penmanship, Hana. I aspire to write with half as much grace and am encouraged that you achieved this in one year. Can you tell us about the process? Did you learn from a book how to make your strokes? How much practice time have you put in over that year?

 

Grant

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have a flexible Rupp screw on nib from the mid fifties. Rupp was a German nib maker, with a lion's head on the 14 K nib. It is a fine.

I had bought a '50's, upper-low "No name" German piston filler black and gold cracked ice. I lucked out with the nib. It's brother pen, is a class higher to low-middle quality, semi-flex nib.

 

I don't know enough about flexible nibs, to know how flexible it is, but suspect it is a F-1 or just flexible. I had thought it maxi-semi-flex or F1; I now lean towards F1.

F-1, just flexible, F-2 middle flexible, F-3 wet noodle. I saw that category by a man who sells Diamond pens.

 

I do have a Soennecken wet noodle; that needs to be re-tipped, and there limited on my knowledge of flexible nibs.

 

As a flexible nib noobie, and having some 10 semi-flex nibs, my definition of a flexible nib is if it rail road tracks, it is a flexible nib.

 

"""such as "superflex", "triple flex", "copperplate-capable", "Spencerian style""""are beautiful words.

Flexible nib's final grind were made by man, so will of course vary.

 

Is there some where else where the degree of flexibility are more defined or is it more or less vague....no F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4 or F-5?

[yuletide]

Holy moly. The letters. Are so... preettyy!

Edited July 30, 2010 by yuletide

[khymeera]

Must. start. practicing!

[dewdrops777]

Very nice reviews. I like your handwriting. The copperplate style, particularly names of the pen are written nicely. eye-catching. Keep it up.

[orange lamy]

omg, must print out calligraphy books! :notworthy1: :notworthy1: :notworthy1: :clap1: :clap1: :clap1:

[oakm]

Hana, your review has been very informative. I love your handwriting. Thanks for sharing what inspires your copperplate style.

[Raiden]

Excellent review! Helpful information

[jiamu166]

It looks great!

[Nelson Sousa]

Hana, was your falcon nib modified for additional flex by Mottishaw?Stephen

I have the same question. I was thinking of taking my Falcon fine down to an EF with added flex, as stated on John's Falcon page: http://www.nibs.com/PilotFalconMetal.htmlWas that done on your pen? Beautiful writing!

 

olá!

 

It would be most helpfull to know about this

 

thanks!

Edited September 16, 2011 by Nelson Sousa

[mhphoto]

I still come back and look at your review from time to time for a little inspiration

[ninjandrew]

Beautiful writing Hana! Did John just add flex to your Namiki, or does it have the full Spencerian customization?

[goldiesdad]

I am getting exhausted looking for flexible nibs ... I discovered Noodler's flex so I can't wait to get them ...

[deherrerajames]

Thanks for the review. I wonder how a Platinum 3776 extra fine 18k flexi nib compares, For my writting style the 3776 is like writting with a spring nib. --- Jim

[deherrerajames]

Well, my Miss Swan (:inhale: Binderized super needlepoint Mabie Todd & Co. 'Swan' ringtop No. 2 flex nib c. 1925.. did I miss anything? :exhale:) isn't a superflex; she belongs in the somewhat vague, but wonderful category known as "vintage flex".

 

My very generous friend lent me five gorgeous pens that carry prestigious titles* such as "superflex", "triple flex", "copperplate-capable", "Spencerian style", etc. with them. Their pictures may be found <a href='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27617' target='_blank'>here</a>.

 

*Bestowed upon them by experts David Nishimura, Gary Lehrer, and John Mottishaw.

 

The differing amounts of force needed to fully flex these pens (without being vulgar.. i.e. spreading tines till the ink film bursts) are as follows**:

 

<i>Miss Swan</i> (for reference): 250g

<i>Nakaya soft flex</i> (also for reference): 300g

<b>Waterman 12</b>: 200g

<b>Aikin Lambert</b>: 200g

<b>John Holland</b>: 225g

<b>Waterman 42</b>: 175g

<b>Mottishaw Namiki Falcon</b> (please keep in mind this is a modern pen, and that it's not advertised as being as flexible as a vintage superflex): 350g

 

**Please keep in mind that these measurements are <i>very</i> rough estimates --they were crudely taken from a kitchen scale with a piece of paper taped to it <!--emo&:roflmho:--><img src='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/html/emoticons/roflmho.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='roflmho.gif' /><!--endemo-->

 

Here are the writing samples, all on Clairefontaine paper with NOS Skrip blue-black (gold top):

 

Today I was able to spreading tines till the ink film burst on a New Namiki Falcon. I am looking at a Vintage Waterman and Estebrook 9xxx flexi for simular results. Thanks for you writting sample.

[duane]

The original 2007 post was so inspirational I sought out and obtained a c.1918 Waterman 42 Safety Pen, and it came today. all the way from the UK courtesy of the nice folks at the rutlandpenpeople eBay web presence.

 

I love the 42! It is very much like a paint brush! But woe be it to anyone who takes off the cap without holding it upright! Zowie - I hope that's not me!

 

Thanks for opening my eyes to the beauty of flexing. I think I'll try my hand at copperplate -- I have a cheapie oblique and a few nibs on order already.

 

As they say, practice, yes, but study in equal measure.