Pilot (Namiki) Falcon Vs. Firm-Flex Dip Nibs

[AAAndrew]

My recent birthday present of a new Pilot Falcon with a Soft Extra-fine nib, made me want to do a head-to head comparison with some of the similar firm-flex dip pens I'm used to using. I didn't do a big, formal comparison, perhaps when I get the time, but last night I just wrote out with a group of nibs I could easily grab. And today I took a crappy picture with my iPad, but still thought someone might find it mildly interesting.

 

Now, "firm-flex" is a totally subjective term. To me, these are nibs that have some flex, but require some effort and will only flex so far. The next step up would be the semi-flex nibs like the 048 Falcon, and they go up in flexiness along a continuum from there to the full flex super nibs.

 

The Pilot (formerly Namiki) Falcon definitely falls into the firm-flex category, so I dug out a bunch of nibs that more or less fall into the same category.

 

I picked out some pretty common nibs as well as a couple that aren't so common. Except for grouping the Esterbrooks, and thinking the Hunt is probably closest to the Pilot, they're in no particular order. All pens used R&K Salix.You can see the definite difference in the amount of the same ink put down by the fountain vs the dip pens. If I get a moment later today I'll see if I can scan it as well to get a better view of the writing.

 

The Hunt 69 All Round

Esterbrook 702 Modified Slant

Esterbrook 531 Flyer

Esterbrook 556 "556 Pen"

Esterbrook 655 Vertical Writer

Esterbrook 761 Natural Slant

Esterbrook 126 Double Spring

Turner and Harrison 50

J. L. Hammet "Kendell"

E.E. Ball No. 2 School

Eagle E840 "Modern Writer"

Z.R.B. Corp "Bancogilt" Falcon

 

[Randal6393]

Great job, AAAndrew, gives an excellent comparison. Been thinking about getting a Pilot Falcon for some time now. May have to do that. One question, did you use a straight or oblique holder for the dip pens?

 

Enjoy,

[AAAndrew]

Straight holder. Some of them, like the Barcogilt Falcon couldn't fit in an oblique holder. So, I wrote with each the same, with pretty much the same grip, in the same orientation, same ink, same paper.

[httpmom]

This is quite useful. I thank you for your effort here.