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Vintage Flex And Modern Flex

pen tom

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pen tom Vintage

pen tom

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I'VE POSTED THIS SAME TOPIC IN THE NIBS SECTION BUT SINCE I'M LOOKING AT OLD WATERMANS FROM THE 1920-1930S I THOUGHT I'D PUT IT HERE ALSO:

 

For about the past year I've been moving towards flexible nibs. I like the feeling of springiness in a nib.

My best flexy nibs are the nib on my Omas Ogiva, Omas calls them "extra flessible" Also my Nakaya cigar pen with a medium, soft nib

I love that nib. I also have Pelikans from the 1930s to 1950s. The 100, 100n, 140 and the others of that type.

 

I also like the feel of the Pelikans and they give a fair amount of flex.

 

Now comes the mystery. I'm looking to expand into the world od vintage flex or maybe even wet-noodles.

I have an old Mabie Todd which has a similar amount of flex as the Omas and Nakaya but is not as much fun to write with. Possibly because its not as smooth an my modern semi-flexys.

 

I look at sites selling vintage flex and see that "flex from F-BB or even XF-BBB" along with writing samples showing lines with lots of flex, but not really much more

than my modern flex's will do. I'm told "its a whole 'nuther experience" but the results look pretty similar to what I do all the time.

 

I want to jump into the vintage flex market but its not cheap and I'm afraid that I'll be dissapointed.

I've been looking at pens such as the Waterman 52, 7, and 92

Are the vintage nibs that much different than the Omas or Nakaya? Is it just that they are vintage? Or is there really something special there? Because the written samples look pretty similar to what I'm doing wtth modern flex.

HELP

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Manalto Collectors Item

Manalto

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I'm going to stand by to see the responses here. I have a Waterman 52 on my tentative wishlist because that's the pen I've seen associated with some impressive line variation, but don't know how to choose one without holding it. (There is one pen seller nearby but his prices are somewhat inflated.) I, too, like the semi-flex of my vintage Pelikan. I'm ready for a little more.

James

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sidthecat Antique

sidthecat

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I've found a couple of Watermans with fantastic nibs - a couple of flexy stubs - on eBay. You have to learn what to look for and be prepared to ask the seller to test a pen for flex.

 

You also have to be willing to send them to the shop, because they're frequently in need of restoration. And my secret weapon: I collect ringtops, which are as obsolete as it gets.

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Cryptos Antique

Cryptos

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EoC has been after a noodle for a long time now. No luck though. May have to simply take out a second mortgage and get one from a dealer. It's funny how often people just happen to find one. What their secret is remains unknown. At least the US crowd have the advantage of finding stuff in meat space. Spare a little sympathy for those who do not have any other avenue but the interwebs.

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GClef Collectors Item

GClef

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EoC has been after a noodle for a long time now. No luck though. May have to simply take out a second mortgage and get one from a dealer. It's funny how often people just happen to find one. What their secret is remains unknown. At least the US crowd have the advantage of finding stuff in meat space. Spare a little sympathy for those who do not have any other avenue but the interwebs.

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Gibberish/AE71FC72-5844-4C86-87B2-5D54ADECBFD1.jpg

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max dog Collectors Item

max dog

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I think the biggest difference you will find between vintage flex and modern flex is that modern flex pens don't have feeds that can keep up to vintage flex. With a good condition vintage flex nib, you will be hard pressed to get it to rail road. I see demo's of modern flex, and the biggest shortcoming is the feed cannot keep up.

 

You really have to experience a vintage Waterman's Ideal flex nib to understand what I mean.

 

See the video demo below of a Waterman's vintage flex. Fast forward 6 minutes to where the nib is continuously flexed with no sign of railroading. Show me a modern flex nib that can do that!

 

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sidthecat Antique

sidthecat

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I actually find I'm getting more out of my medium-to-broad nibs lately. A left-handed writer puts one at a considerable disadvantage even with a very flexible pointed nib.

The word "cruddy" would not be too strong.

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RMN Museum Piece

RMN

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I think the biggest difference you will find between vintage flex and modern flex is that modern flex pens don't have feeds that can keep up to vintage flex. With a good condition vintage flex nib, you will be hard pressed to get it to rail road. I see demo's of modern flex, and the biggest shortcoming is the feed cannot keep up.

 

You really have to experience a vintage Waterman's Ideal flex nib to understand what I mean.

 

See the video demo below of a Waterman's vintage flex. Fast forward 6 minutes to where the nib is continuously flexed with no sign of railroading. Show me a modern flex nib that can do that!

 

 

 

I suppose the pun was unintended?

 

:)

 

 

 

D.ick

~

KEEP SAFE, WEAR A MASK, KEEP A DISTANCE.

Freedom exists by virtue of self limitation.

~

 

 

 

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max dog Collectors Item

max dog

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Yup, no pun intended. :)

In that video the fella was pressing hard that vintage nib to the point of tearing into the paper with no sign of railroading. What a testament.

 

Unfortunately they don't make them like that anymore.

Edited by max dog
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pen tom Vintage

pen tom

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I think the biggest difference you will find between vintage flex and modern flex is that modern flex pens don't have feeds that can keep up to vintage flex. With a good condition vintage flex nib, you will be hard pressed to get it to rail road. I see demo's of modern flex, and the biggest shortcoming is the feed cannot keep up.

 

You really have to experience a vintage Waterman's Ideal flex nib to understand what I mean.

 

I totally agree with you on the feeds. My Omas and my Nakaya both flex to a point but there is a lot of railroading. The feeds don't keep up

 

On the Waterman point, I will be finding out. I ordered a Waterman 7 with a flexible nib. Not a wet noodle, but flexy. If I keep moving in the direction that I've been on with my pens, a wet noodle may be in my future,

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max dog Collectors Item

max dog

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I totally agree with you on the feeds. My Omas and my Nakaya both flex to a point but there is a lot of railroading. The feeds don't keep up

 

On the Waterman point, I will be finding out. I ordered a Waterman 7 with a flexible nib. Not a wet noodle, but flexy. If I keep moving in the direction that I've been on with my pens, a wet noodle may be in my future,

Good choice. You wont be disappointed with a vintage Waterman flex.

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