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2018 Best Modern Flex Pen?

Beginnersmind0

By Beginnersmind0
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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Beginnersmind0 Near Mint

Beginnersmind0

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I have seen this topic covered a few years back but it seems that a lot of developments have taken place in the fountain pen world since then. So I ask: What is the most flexible modern fountain pen these days? Has anything changed?

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Runnin_Ute Museum Piece

Runnin_Ute

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I have been on these boards for over five years now, and in terms of flexible nibs that were available then (late 2012, early 2013) the same ones are still available. A Noodler's flex nib still takes a lot of pressure to flex. Flex nibs are a relatively low demand item. I don't believe we will see large numbers of vintage like flex nibs produced in large numbers ever again. I just don't think there is a valid business case for it. Like the ones Noodler's and FPR have, sure. But even like 1950's Pelikan nibs? Nope.

Brad

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind" - Rudyard Kipling
"None of us can have as many virtues as the fountain-pen, or half its cussedness; but we can try." - Mark Twain

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Kodiac136 Mint

Kodiac136

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My vote is a Pilot 823 with FA nib. Nothing but good experiences from them here.

"Why me?"
"That is a very Earthling question to ask, Mr. Pilgrim. Why you? Why us for that matter? Why anything? Because this moment simply is. Have you ever seen bugs trapped in amber?"
"Yes."

"Well, here we are, Mr. Pilgrim, trapped in the amber of this moment. There is no why."

-Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five

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SoulSamurai Vintage

SoulSamurai

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I have been on these boards for over five years now, and in terms of flexible nibs that were available then (late 2012, early 2013) the same ones are still available.

 

Doesn't Aurora have a new limited edition flex nib pen?

 

I'm pretty sure they did, I haven't checked if it's still available. Also Conklin did a run of flex nibs and they're supposed to be doing another soon.

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AG_ORD Near Mint

AG_ORD

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I don't believe there are any modern, mass produced nibs that are truly "flex". That said, a good option for getting a modern pen, (reliability, maintenance, contemporary styling etc.), is getting a modern pen that has been retrofitted with a vintage, flex nib.

 

I have purchased from Maricio Aguilar of VintagePen.net, (no affiliation, just a happy customer). Mauricio scours the market for vintage flex nibs and painstakingly marries them to modern pens and feeds. I believe he also makes small adjustments to the feeds so they can keep up with the flow of the vintage flex nibs. The Pelikan M800, burnt orange, I bought from him was married to a Warranted 14K flex nib; it is by far my favorite pen as the line variation I get cannot be matched with any other modern pen I own.

 

The reliability of the Pelikan M800 platform is fantastic too, as I have some vintage pens with flex nibs, but all of them have sac filling systems that require regular maintenance, as well as being a pain to clean, (can't get a bulb syringe in to clean unless you take apart the pen, which for some people here, is no big deal, but for me, I am too cautious taking apart the vintage pen).

 

Hope that helps and good luck on your quest!

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Bo Bo Olson Ancient Artifact

Bo Bo Olson

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I never had all that much trouble cleaning out a sack pen....but I was not using a supersaturated ink....which according to Ron Zorn can eat a sack inside a month.

 

I wish folks would use the proper term superflex, instead of 'flex', in there is semi-flex which I think Aurora went back too, and there is even regular flex..................which to some nail users would be a 'flex' pen. :P

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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ReadyFireAim Extremely Rare

ReadyFireAim

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....which to some nail users would be a 'flex' pen. :P

post-135048-0-64602700-1524167586_thumb.jpg :P :P

Ranga 3CS-5" w/ Creaper nib & KWZ Red #3

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Beginnersmind0 Near Mint

Beginnersmind0

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Thanks all for the ideas! I have owned vintage flex pens but always found them too wet for everyday use. I do have a couple of frankenpens that take advantage of the ink flow control of modern pens with vintage nibs, or nibs doctored for extra flexibility. Its just good to know what is in the pipeline. I currently have a Platinum pen with sf nib. It is very nice, but I always want more! I have been intrigued by the Pilot FA nib but want to know how it compares to other flex nibs. Thanks Kodiac136 for bringing the Pilot 823 tiny attention! Love that bigger 14kt nib! Thanks SoulSamurai for letting me know about Conklin flex nibs. I had now idea they had done that. That will be a fun search! And AG_ORD for the referral to VintagePen.Net, I have an Omas that I would LOVE to put an extra flex nib on! They sound like the perfect source since they understand what I am after!

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sidthecat Antique

sidthecat

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Shawn Newton was supposedly making flexible nibs...the inevitable next step. And Joey Grasty is putting his feeds aside to concentrate on nibs.

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Beginnersmind0 Near Mint

Beginnersmind0

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More juicy news! Thanks for all your input! I also wanted to mention, I saw something about putting Zebra G type comic nibs in a Jinhao pen. I havent had a chance to try that yet. I have the parts coming in the mail.

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ReadyFireAim Extremely Rare

ReadyFireAim

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Ain't no such thing.............ersatz at best..............

post-135048-0-96949400-1524251838_thumb.jpg

Desiderata w/ Hunt 101 nib & KWZ Red #3

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max dog Collectors Item

max dog

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My vote is a Pilot 823 with FA nib. Nothing but good experiences from them here.

+1. My vote is for the Pilot FA nibs as well.

I think it's only limitation is the feed which can be inadequate sometimes. You just have to find the right ink to use and a good technique.

 

Click on the images to see them in full size.

fpn_1522456302__pilot_custom_912_fa_marc

 

 

 

If you take the feed out of the equation, and dip the FA nib and saturate the feed, you got a vintage level flex pen. Just as wet as a Waterman #2 Ideal nib, and almost as flexible. Goes to show how soft the FA really is and how little effort/pressure is required to flex it. Ink = Parker Quink Washable Blue.

fpn_1523857375__fa_as_dip_pen.jpg

Got nearly half a page with one dip. You will notice towards the end as the feed starts to run out of ink, some railroading comes back. I tried this with the converter full of ink and dipping at the same time (hybrid fountain/dip pen :) .) and it flexes to no end. I can retire my vintage flex Waterman 52V if I want to.

 

 

Max dog, thanks for the video link!

You welcome. Hope you found the video useful.

 

fpn_1523225807__flex_samples_april_8_201

The Pilot nibs (Falcon and FA) have good snap back, reminiscent of vintage flex, especially the FA. Here the FA as just fountain pen with ink supplied from the converter (not dipped).

 

Not too shabby eh!

Edited by max dog
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