Sheaffer flex nib from the 50s :)

[antoniosz]

It is being scrolled over at PT so I transfering it here. Enjoy it if you did not see it before.

 

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/f1.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b325/azavalia/f2.jpg

Edited April 4, 2007 by antoniosz

[Keith with a capital K]

Antonios - I am aware that Sheaffer was making some of their best pens ever in the 50's in the Snorkel and Touchdown models and was wondering where I misplaced that Saratoga with the FF3 nib I had.

 

I see you found it and if you would be so kind as to return it to me I'd be forever greatful.

 

Seriously, that is a spectacular pen and a wonderful exemplar.

 

If you ever tire of it you know who to call...

[Maja]

I'm so pleased that a "vintage" (there's that word again!) Sheaffer with a flexy nib found its way into your hands; it deserves beautiful handwriting like yours, Antonios

Thank you once again for posting a sample; I really enjoy reading hand-written reviews!

[Leslie J.]

I'm so envious. I'm convinced that you can make just about any somewhat flexy nib work to it's best advantage Antonios. Do you have to write slowly to achieve that style?

[antoniosz]

Maja, Keith and Leslie thank you for your kind words.

 

Leslie, in general I do not want to slow down when writing with a flex nib. The reality is that to achieve really high quality result I need to slow down. But I enjoy writing with flex nibs fast. In fact I appreciate the nibs that do not slow me down. For example a very very wet noodle nib requires very high attention - as it is possible to destroy it. I would use such a nib only when I want to get good quality result so slow writing is by default needed there. But I enjoy particularly springy flex nibs that put me in a fast rhythm and are forgiving to mild abuse . I am not sure if I explained this well but anyway..

[Arnav]

Antonios,

 

But I enjoy particularly springy flex nibs that put me in a fast rhythm and are forgiving to mild abuse .

 

Which nibs/pens do you have this experience with?

 

Thanks,

 

-Arnav

Edited March 31, 2005 by Arnav

[antoniosz]

Several. But not necessarily from the same maker.

In vintage nibs there is a lot of variation even within the same manufacturer. Of the top of my head I vividly recall a Waterman #12 eyedropper that I had bought from an Australian friend and I sold it. How foolish!... I have found many very good watermans but not as good as that one. A waterman #4 that I have is really nice. Some Wahls. Some Diamond Point (especially one that I had posted about here on FPN). I found some Warranted nibs to be quite nice (and many plain aweful).

 

At the end it takes time to try many and find the "better" ones.

But do not be "fooled". A nib will never suffice by itself

[wimg]

Hi Antonios,

 

Thanks for a marvelous exemplar, again! I just love looking at your well-executed flex script writing.

 

At the end it takes time to try many and find the "better" ones.

But do not be "fooled". A nib will never suffice by itself

Very true indeed, both statements!

 

Kind regards, Wim

[woodwindmaster06]

Simply amazing: from Sheaffer the company I thought only knew the art of nice stiff nibs.

[Bo Bo Olson]

That Saratoga is very much what I had in mind, come the Day of Sheaffer.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Bo Bo Olson

[freewheelingvagabond]

[georges zaslavsky]

great writing and great pen

[DrPJM1]

Most Sheaffer nibs are stiff but very smooth, however you can still find flexible nibs and veritable "wet noodles". Great find!