Inks suitable for flex nibs

[EyeZ]

With regard to my desire to learn using flexible nibs I've purchased two beautiful pens - a Waterman #12 and a Pelikan with a customised flex nib form a highly respected nib meister. Both pens/nibs are beautiful. I have some unpleasant experience using Sailor ink with these pens, though - they skip too ofter. I am very frustrated because Sailor Red-Brown is one of my favourite colours. It seems that the ink flow is not good when I use it, but I don't have such problem with Waterman inks. Is there such phenomenon, or it's just me and my lack of experience?

So my question is: Which inks are the best /or at least good/ to be used with flexible nibs?

 

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

Dimiter

 

[jbb]

I use Noodler's and Diamine inks with good flex results both in fountain and dip pens.

[Tony the Tiger]

In my Namiki Falcon I use Sheaffer Skrip Black. For my 1920's era Redipoint flex (due in this week), I plan on using either Noodler's Antietam or Apache Sunset.

Edited January 29, 2008 by Tony the Tiger

[ANM]

I am not at all adventerous when it comes to inks. I basically use black Pelikan 4001 or Cross black. I think they both come from the same souce.. both are in identical bottles and have the same properties. I have also used black Sheaffer Skrip ink. I have had no problems with either

[Ray-Vigo]

One of my favorites of late is Aurora black in these pens- being a lefty I find flex can be prone to scratching and digging in- but it seems the lubricity and flow of the Aurora black helps to minimize these qualities. The only draw back is that you get no shading- just plain, dark black. If you like black and want a smoother, wetter flex experience then I'd look into Aurora.

[loplop]

Some inks flow less well than others. Sailor red-brown could be like this, I don't know as I've never tried it.

 

You have 2 options. You can either search out another red-brown ink and see if it flows better, or have your nibmeister modify the nib to flow more ink (and thus, not skip with your ink of choice).

 

I personally would try the former first, but I like trying new inks

[FrankB]

Dimiter wrote:

 

" ... Is there such phenomenon, or it's just me and my lack of experience? ... "

 

As the other contributors have noted, there is a difference in how inks flow. It certainly is not your lack of experience. My first response would be that if Waterman inks are working for you and you like those colors, then stick with the Waterman inks.

 

All of my flex nibs are on vintage pens. I have a personal habit of using J. Herbin inks in my vintage pens as they are pH neutral and made with vegetable dyes. There are certain colors within the Herbin line that don't do well with flex, but most do and I have my favorites. There is no reason why I could not also use Waterman inks, I just choose not to do so in my vintage pens.

 

Keep using your flex nibs and practice. You will get the hang of it.

[Ray-Vigo]

You probably already know this but- when you're using the "flex" of the pen that you should go slowly- the nib will be starved for ink if you try to widen the line and write fast.

[BobR]

Sheaffer Skrip Blue-Black performs well in my few flex pens and gives a wonderfully vintage look.