Should I Try Another Noodler's Ahab?

[Pterodactylus]

I bought an Ahab and have had it 3 days. I picked it because I wanted to try the flex experience, and because it had a large girth. I was also intrigued by the Moby Dick references.

 

I followed the setup suggestions found elsewhere on FPN, cleaning the feed with a brush and ammonia water, etc., and inked it up. It writes reasonably well, considering its price, and I do like the size of the pen in my hand. But I get hardly any flex. I wondered if I had the wrong nib.

 

I'll keep the pen and use it, but not because it has line variation. I get that from italic and stub nibs.

 

As for the Moby Dick pen elements, I loved the book and I found them very amusing and clever. There is a personality behind these pens, for sure.

 

Bill

I don´t think you have a wrong nib.

As I said, to flex an unmodified one really a lot of force is needed (Chuck Norris flex ).

I suggest to take a look at the EMF mod if you are not afraid to modify it.

[cbaytan]

 

I'll keep the pen and use it, but not because it has line variation. I get that from italic and stub nibs.

 

 

There is no flexing issues in the initial setup tt just railroads I mean ink flow issue exists in the beginning when you flex. I wonder if you stick the nib too much inside, I let the nib tip is in front of feed tip 3-4 mm away, you can try further away, but if you get to much distance between two tips ink flow will stop intermittently, you need to find the farthest distance that won't cut the ink flow, it's no rocket science you'd do it in minutes.. All it takes is inky fingers.

[Avocet]

My Ahabs are tempermental, but I do get them working and enjoy using them. They often are too wet .... No mods, just good cleanings and careful setups of feed and nib.

 

 

Cheap pen, Cheap ink (Private Reserve Purple Mojo). I dont find them reprehensible at all, but I've only been practicing my spencerian influenced flexing for a few short months. I have 2 each of Ahabs and Konrads ...

Edited October 30, 2013 by Avocet

[brewsky]

Wow... this thread blew up! I appreciate all the replies. I have dug out probably 1mm of the channel in the feed.. so it sounds like I need to dig that out a bit more.

 

 

Oh and ps I just bought a autofiller bchr ringtop flex pen from the classifieds here. I am anxiously awaoting its arrival. I will still be trying to get my noodlers working as I want. You can never have too many fully functioning pens.

 

 

 

On the topic of online auctions, I have never really seen or heard of any to buy pens outside of ebay. Can anyone give more insight into this? I'd love to restore a few pens and gift them or keep them for my selfish needs!

[cbaytan]

On the topic of online auctions, I have never really seen or heard of any to buy pens outside of ebay. Can anyone give more insight into this? I'd love to restore a few pens and gift them or keep them for my selfish needs!

 

I know one auction site in Germany. Most speak sufficient English and all accept paypal.

 

http://www.martiniauctions.com/

Edited October 31, 2013 by cbaytan

[HBM]

I have an Ahab. I love the shape and size, and like how well the clip works. When the pen works, it is fun to write a few words with. When working, I get very nice line variation, though it takes much force. Usually it does not work. I monkeyed with the feed and nib for far too long.

 

Later added a Knox Italic nib, but the feed now drops ink on the section and my fingers, so the pen is retired. A pity, because I liked the form of the pen very much.