When To Use A Semi-Flex Nib?

[JDiver]

What role does the semi-flex nib have in a collection? Especially modern semiflex? They're always compared to vintage nibs that are full-flex/wet noodles, and the advice is almost always to go for the vintage flex when looking for flexibility. For people who have wet noodles, is there any reason to get a semi-flex nib?

[Bo Bo Olson]

I'm not really up on modern semi-flex...is possible to get one from Aurora, if you ask the factory.

Brian will make you a semi-flex nib on his pens.

Some of the nib masters can thin the nib and tines to make a semi-flex in 14 K or steel.

 

Semi-flex is not a 'flex' nib. :bonk:

True semi-flex is almost flexible, partially flexible semi-flexible.

 

Semi-flex and more flexible nibs are different alloys and then in second place...is nib geometry.

 

The Falcon is not a semi-flex, it is a springy nibbed pen. Those with little experience, think because it is a 'soft' nib it is semi-flex.

 

Some folks don't consider a Pelikan 1000 as a true semi-flex...claiming it is thin and mushy...no quick snapback.

 

Nail/manifold, stiff regular flex like a P-75, or a number of modern 'regular' flex pens, regular flex...vintage are 'springier' than modern, springy...tine bend but not much tine spread.

 

What is semi-flex? (A fun nib)

If you take a regular flex nib, you can mash it so it shows 3 X tine spread a light down stroke.

 

A semi-flex does that with half the pressure of a regular flex.

Semi-flex can be used by the ham fisted.

It makes the first letter, and or the last letter of a word a bit wider due to ease of flex.

One can press one to make a fancy stroke....but why?

Buy a nib that does fancy strokes easier; 'flexi' or easy full flex. Any nib you have to press hard to do fancy things is going to spring on you = $$$$ in repair.

 

'Flexi'/maxi-semi-flex, spreads and bends it's tines at half the pressure needed for a semi-flex or 1/4th the pressure needed to mash a regular flex.

Regular flex, semi-flex and 'flexi' spread their tines @ 3X a light down stroke.

 

Back to semi-flex, it is normally a wetter writer due ease of tine spread and bend. It is a 'springy ++' nib, that gives a real nice ride.

A fun nib. Gives a little flare to your writing, with out you having to learn to write.

 

The Ahab is not quite a flexible pen, in the tine spread, is there but the tine bend is missing. It needs semi-flex pressure which is a lot, to spread it's tines.

 

Flexible nibs spread 4-5-6 times a light down stroke. EF-B or BB. It is more important to have a nib with quick snap back for the thin like than making fat stroked letters.

 

When thinking about flexible pens like a easy full flex (half of pressure of a 'flexi' or 1/8th the pressure needed to spread the tines of a regular flex or a noodle that spread it's tines at half the pressure of the easy full flex or 1/16th that of a regular flex.

Wet noodles do that even easier.

 

I live in Germany where it is easier to get the semi-flex pre'66 nibs than in the States, where there were some Sheaffer's in the early '50's or Eversharps in the '40's with semi-flex nibs.

Swans from England up to 1955 made regular, semi-flex, flexi and easy full flex. Swan died in 1960.

 

I got mostly German @ 25 semi-flex nibbed pens. Those before the early '60's normally have a flat tip with minimum 'iridium' is said to be slightly stubbish.

I as noobie, thought some idiot took a file to the nibs, in the bump under neath was missing.

That is the way the Germans wanted their nibs...adding a bit of stub flair to their writing with their semi-flex pens.

Those from middle '60's have the 'American' bump under the tines.

 

In German pens, I suggest a Pelikan 140 or a Geha 790 as semi-flex pens.

On English Ebay are two pen restorers that sell buy now...you can get a semi-flex Swan from them.You will have to look, I have no names...in I did not buy.

 

Those who know the vintage Aurora's can point out semi-flex Italian pens.

 

It is a fun nib, a soft ride...the start to learning a light hand. Just as fast as a nail or regular flex nib, but with a bit of inbuilt flair.

Edited March 4, 2013 by Bo Bo Olson

[fuchsiaprincess]

I use it for everyday writing. I find stiff nibs too boring

[linearM]

I use my pens with semi-flex for general writing. With just a bit of additional pressure on the down stroke you get some line variation that makes your handwriting more interesting. It isn't always necessary to get the maximum flex out of your nib...likely to eventually get a stress crack around the breather hole. Try to use a very light hand but a bit more pressure on the down stroke and you can write at almost normal speed. With a bit of practice you get sort of a cadence in your writing and it becomes almost automatic.

[Mauricio]

Check the followiing article on the subject ... Flex NIbs & Fast Writing

[ethernautrix]

I use it for everyday writing. I find stiff nibs too boring

 

Your handwriting is certainly not boring. I can see why you choose the semi-flex nib. "You wear it well." :-)

[Uncle Red]

You use a semi flex nib when you feel like it.

[ANM]

Pens that give you a little line variation when you write with a little pressure and no line variation when you write with a light touch are simply more versatile and fun than one that doesn't.

[mirosc]

I prefer them for everyday writing, too. They are good for fast writing, give a bit of line variation, but the best thing is that little extra reserve in spread/flex I have when I want to emphasize something.

[akustyk]

This is a very good question because semi-flex nibs usually require good, fountain-pen-friendly paper. Otherwise, they tend to make a mess rather than add flourish or character. I am by no means an expert, so take my experience with a grain of salt, but I do sometimes enjoy the line variation offered by a semi-flex nib.

[searcher18]

I like to use Wahl Eversharp Doric pens with adjustable nibs. When I need to write quickly or conserve ink I move the slider down to the non flex position. Several of my Doric pens are close to full flex when the slide is up. The nibs seem smoother with the slider down since when the pen is in the flex mode the inner surface of the tines can catch and make for scratchy writing. Even when in the non flex mode most of the nibs have a little flex. Wahls with adjustable nibs are the most versatile in my collection.

[Bo Bo Olson]

I've never noticed my semi-flex pens catching.

 

That includes 80g copy paper.

 

Could be I'm not jackhammering on fuzzy paper.

 

Oh, my god, 80g is the good stuff.

 

If I buy it's 90g, if the wife buys it's 80g.

Edited March 5, 2013 by Bo Bo Olson

[mirosc]

I like to use Wahl Eversharp Doric pens with adjustable nibs.

[...]

Wahls with adjustable nibs are the most versatile in my collection.

 

So true.

I always have one in my outer bag pocket for emergencies. It's just a great concept of a nib for so many occasions.

[searcher18]

I've never noticed my semi-flex pens catching.

 

That includes 80g copy paper.

 

Could be I'm not jackhammering on fuzzy paper.

 

Oh, my god, 80g is the good stuff.

 

If I buy it's 90g, if the wife buys it's 80g.

 

 

I do not think that paper is the issue. I believe that flex pens tend to be scratchier than non flex and that that the medial surface of one of the tines catching on paper is one of the more common problems. I believe that it is related to tine alignment, position on paper and degree of flex. I estimate that I have 60 flex pens and 8-10 have this problem at any given time. If I correct the problem, tine misalignment reoccurs if I over flex the pen or turn when I write.

[Vshin]

People try to replicate Spencerian script using a semi-flex but the results are quite unimpressive. I think semi-flex works best for writing in non-cursive script, which lets you press down harder and write faster downstrokes without any "shakiness." Full-flex is a completely different animal and you will have to go vintage for that.

 

Just get a Noodler's Konrad piston-fill to see how you like it. Probably the best $20 pen on the market, if you don't mind the... aroma. Just make sure you first flush it well with diluted ammonia or detergent.