Red Nib Questions

[varoonv]

Hello guys,

 

I have read richardpens on color coding, red is medium point and semi-flex. However, on Vintagepen.net, there is the red ripple model number 5 with red nib but from the writing example, it is very flexible. So, it is really difficult for beginner like me to explore the ebay and bid with confidence without seeing the writing samples. Could you guys please educate me? How flex of the nib can tell by only color coding? Or every pen is different? Because of personal modification?

 

Thanks a lot.

 

http://wwww.richardspens.com/?page=ref/misc/wat_nib_colors.htm

 

http://www.vintagepen.net/-waterman---pg-1.html

 

[Vintagepens]

Waterman's color-coding was an attempt to classify nibs, but there was still a good range of performance difference within a given color. Easy enough to grind tips to a consistent width -- consistent flexibility is another matter.

When in doubt, go by the writing samples.

And, of course, know your seller.

[Vintagepens]

Oh, and I should add that Red nibs typically have a very nice degree of flex -- Waterman may have called them semiflex, but that really understates the ease with which they provide line width variation.

Note too that not all Pink nibs open up with minimal pressure.

[drop_m]

I was interested to this topic too, thank you for the clear explanation!

[Mauricio]

Hello guys,

 

I have read richardpens on color coding, red is medium point and semi-flex. However, on Vintagepen.net, there is the red ripple model number 5 with red nib but from the writing example, it is very flexible. So, it is really difficult for beginner like me to explore the ebay and bid with confidence without seeing the writing samples. Could you guys please educate me? How flex of the nib can tell by only color coding? Or every pen is different? Because of personal modification?

 

 

When you venture into flexible nibs, there are not two nibs that are identical in terms of al of their different flex attributes. I encourage you to study the Flex Nib Grading article I put together a few years ago. It is very informative and it will thoroughly elaborate on your inquiry.

 

You can only buy with confidence if you pick a seller who truly understands about the subject of flexible nibs. You must "buy the seller before you buy a pen". Anything different will be a gamble! And also bear in mind, that the degree of flexibility of a nib is simply one independent element in the entire Flex Performance realms of fountain pens with flexible nibs. Whether a pen has all of its correct parts, whether those parts are not warped or worn, and whether a very flexible nib has been professionally installed, micro adjusted and tested to perform the way it should is not entry level work or the result of putting a new sac or doing some basic cleaning to the pen.

[drop_m]

I've read your guide more than once! It's a true source of informations about the matter, thank you for it!

[pen tom]

I have 4 RED nibs and 1 PINK nibs and 2 of the RED nibs exhibit more flexibility than the PINK. I have a number of other Waterman nibs that have more flex than the PINK. So there is some variations within each designation. One of my favorite flex nibs is a generic replacement nib on a Waterman 52. So, go figure

Edited October 2, 2016 by pen tom