How much pressure does a "semi-flexible" nib need

[TMann]

I've been playing around once again with the "semi-flexible" nib on my Eversharp Symphony. I can get a decent amount of line variation with it, but it seems to take a bit of pressure on the pen to do so. After spending a couple of hours writing this evening, my wrist and index finger are a bit sore from the new positioning and increased amount of pressure on the nib.

 

Is this common on most flexible or semi-flexible nibs? (Older Waterman's, Conklin's, etc.) Or would most of the vintage semi-flexible nibs out there require less pressure than my Symphony?

 

Just curious...

 

TMann

[Michael Wright]

I *think* the point about semi-flexible nibs is that, with normal writing, you get a small amount of line variation. Given enough pressure, you can get line variation out of a surprisingly large number of nibs, but it ain't good for them, or your hands.

 

I'd assume that flex, semi-flex, super-flex and so on are referenced to, roughly, the same amount of pressure, with which you get varying degrees of line variation.

 

I actually like semi-flex nibs. They're controllable enough to be good for fast writing, but you still get enough line variation to look interesting, and the semi-flex can also work as a kind of soft suspension, making them very comfortable to write with.

 

Best

 

Michael