Serwex Mb Flex

[WestLothian]

 

I recently ordered a Serwex MB Flex from the "fountain pen revolution" website www.fountainpenrevolution.com

 

I am very pleased with the pen - especially at the price ($19).

 

I was aware that there had been reports here of a problem with the MB where the bigger "flex" nib can be twisted due to contact with the inner cap. I would like to share my solution to this as a simple note.

 

The plastic inner cap liner prevents scratching to the pen when posted or capped. This can be unscrewed by turning the pen anti-clockwise. With the inner cap away from the pen and cap I drilled out the inner cap top to 4.0 mm (5/32") to clear the tip of the flex nib and then removed a small amount of steel from the shoulders of the nib until all contact is avoided when the inner cap is rotated. These two simple modifications will ensure that the nib is protected from contact with the cap interior.

 

I hope this is a useful tip.

 

PS I just noticed my spelling of Ecclesiastical Stationery - oops!

Edited April 20, 2013 by WestLothian

[arkan15]

Great handwriting and thanks for the review!

I'm glad that you found a solution to the inner cap problems since that was the major reason I didn't buy that pen (yet). I'm still a little wary about drilling into my pens though...

[WestLothian]

Thanks. I am not happy about drilling into my pens either

 

Fortunately the inner cap is a soft white plastic part that comes right out so that you can drill it by hand or just use a Swiss file to enlarge a clearance for the nib.

 

Edited April 20, 2013 by WestLothian

[carretera18]

My Serwex MB with flex nib arrived today and I like it very much. A good pen with reasonable price.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5xqlz3pmAk/Ummg4-pFVhI/AAAAAAAAAgg/5godeQSFKIc/s400/foto.JPG

My writing sample.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeMoILuHZRg/Ummm-aIc5tI/AAAAAAAAAgw/cjdXSALPx9w/s320/sample.JPG

Read the post at my blog: Serwex fountain pen with flex nib

[VillersCotterets]

I like the Serwex MB also.

 

Unfortunately, it has several annoyances :

 

1. The inner cap has a weird square shape. One can very easily destroy the nib by putting the cap back on. I've destroyed one nib that way the first week I've used the pen. On my pen, the inner cap doesn't seem to unscrew.
2. The piston converter is a total piece of $h17. It leaks. But, you can easily replaced it with any international converter or cartridge.
3. The threads on the barrel are made of a soft polymer. After unscrewing the barrel a few times, the threads worned out. I had to use a little bit of teflon tape to repair the pen.

Fortunately, the pen has qualities that compensate for its shortcomings :

 

1. The pen doesn't look cheap while being very affordable. The barrel and the cap are made of metal painted with a beautiful shinny black lacquer. I love his classy design.
2. The pen can be used posted or unposted, as one wishes. The cap clips on the barrel with a reassuring clic. The cap is held securely.
3. The feed provides with a good ink flow.
4. A large selection of nibs (fine, medium, stub, flex). The flex nib mounted on the Serwex outperformes the stiff Noodler's nib on the Konrad/Ahab.
5. The clip works well.

I often travel with the reliable MB, while most of my other Serwex pen don't leave home (because they tend to dry up and/or burp ink)

 

Inked permenently with a black or a grey ink.

Edited October 28, 2013 by VillersCotterets

[mhguda]

Funny you should mention the square end of the inner cap. I poked around in that with a small screwdriver, trying to open it up a little, and succeeded in pushing back enough of the material of the inner cap to make capping the pen less of a problem.

I agree with the threads problem, and indeed have solved it the same way you have, with a little teflon tape.

[carretera18]

VillersCotterets

 

I agree with your fair impressions about the pen.

 

[maximme]

its interesting that it out flex the Ahab.

i wonder if there is any side by side comparision.

[Rosser]

[grainweevil]

Don't know that I found the Serwex to outflex the Ahab in terms of width, but to me it does to seem to have more natural bounce to it. The Ahab feels dead in comparison.

 

All told I think Villers Cotterets' summary is very fair.

 

Cheers, Al

[maximme]

thanks for the link

[maximme]

according to this video,

The most flex :

1) Creeper

2) Ahab

3) konrad

4)Serwex

 

Serwex scored the least, while Creeper is the most inconsistent.

hahaha

BUt its good to know, such options are available.

Edited November 14, 2013 by maximme

[WestLothian]

The pressure he uses could hardly be described as constant.

The Creaper is certainly more yellow