Noodler's Ahab...?

[THRobinson]

Took a look but, price jumped up from $20US for a Konrad to $39US for that FPR pen... junior also makes me think small in size?

 

Though, the Konrad could be $20, or $5... no stock means no pen. Found one place last night that has it in stock, but they want more for shipping than the cost of the pen. :S

[mike.jane]

Yes, the Jr. is a smaller pen, you'd want the regular size Triveni.

Indeed the price is a bit higher than with the Noodler's models, but FPR might have a sale on them again soon (As they have sales quite frequently)

[perfaddict]

I just love the way the Ahab feels in my hand. One of the most comfortable pens to hold for me. Even more comfortable than any of my Nakayas The nib? Flex or not, i was not impressed with it all. Just got a Goulet No.6 broad nib and have fitted it into my Ahab. Happy times await

[edebill]

I just happen to have 12000 micromesh... been restoring old smoking pipes this winter and polishing the stems.

 

I saw lots of nice nibs on that Goulet site, but not seeing anything saying flex... I have the two LAMY pens that I'll use for writing. I don't want much more than that because I don't write as much as I use to, anything more than 2-3 pens and I'll spend more time cleaning dried out pens than using them.

 

If I dislike the flex, I'll look to grab the Goulet #6 and give it a try.

 

Thought the flex nibs would be a bit easier to find but, not so much. Kinda surprising to me. Even on eBay, expected to find no-name brand cheapo flex nibs from China, but not even finding that. If you can't find generic China made stuff on eBay, you know it's not popular.

 

Noodler's flex nibs and the ones at FPR are the only places I've found selling replacement flex nibs. I'd be leery of putting one in a non-flex pen, just because normal feeds can't keep up with flex. That's why Ahabs tend to be super wet when you swap in an aftermarket nib (of which I love both the FPR and Goulet EF models). FPR has a flex nib + feed combo "coming soon" which will open up all sorts of possibilities

 

I've not tried the #6 flex from FPR, but I've tried one of their smaller flex nibs and like it better than the Noodler's. That might just be because the smaller nib sizes flex more easily. The Nib Creaper actually flexes a little better than the Ahab. Unfortunately the Nib Creaper is also so small my hand stars to cramp up.

[J_MM]

I'd second the recommendation for FPR flex nib. Mine work great. In contrast, I never did get my Konrad to work. It rests in my drawer now.

[THRobinson]

So... while waiting for the pen to be back in stock, I started looking around and thought, there are a few nice Monteverde pens that take a #6 nib, could grab one and a $5 Noodlers flex and stick that on?

 

Also noticed that the LAMY pens have $15 calligraphy nibs available as well... would they be similar to flex?

 

What I am mainly after, is the ability to have thick/thin lines. My LAMY M nibs are nice, but, not much variance in thickness of lines.

[edebill]

Also noticed that the LAMY pens have $15 calligraphy nibs available as well... would they be similar to flex?

 

What I am mainly after, is the ability to have thick/thin lines. My LAMY M nibs are nice, but, not much variance in thickness of lines.

 

I've got a Lamy Joy with the 1.5mm calligraphy nib. It's great for Italic or Blackletter style calligraphy, but useless for English Roundhand or Copperplate style. The Lamy nib gives you different width based on which direction you're moving the pen. The flex nibs do it based on pressure. It's two different styles of decorative writing and you need 2 different kinds of nibs.

[delano]

+1 for the oft mentioned Ahab. Oft mentioned for a reason. Good luck, and let us know what you got, and why.

[THRobinson]

Older thread... since posting I got myself an Ahab (clear) about a week ago.

 

Flows well, liking the flex a lot... and like the larger size. My friend got a Konrad about 2 weeks ago, meeting up this weekend, with the pens, will give his a try and vice versa and see what we like.

 

Still like the looks and the converter on the Konrad, and would like either the Marbled Marianas or the Coral Sea... 50/50 which I like more... just wish we could see the pen before ordering because seen some with great marbling, and seen some online that had almost none at all. Downside to unique pens I guess... solid coloured pens at least are more consistent visually.

 

Cons though... and I'll probably post a pic because came up in another thread... my clear pen has weird milky streaks through it, and around the rubber for the plunger, on the plunger itself and the pen, it's turning yellow. Visually, the pen looks kinda cheap/crappy as a result.

 

Writes very well though. Would love to try a broader flex nib some day... keep looking on eBay at the Pelikan 400 and 140, but, the bids start small and jump up very very fast. Strange too since, it makes NO sense to bid on stuff until the last hour.

Edited May 28, 2015 by THRobinson