Comparing Some Flex Nibs

[cunim]

I thought it would be interesting to compare some modern flexers with a vintage nib. These samples are on Rhodia dot pad.

 

The Z is a standard for non-exotic dip nibs, and the Daedalus does a good job of making it usable without dipping.

 

The FPNibs semiflex (with a Flexible Nib Factory feed) is a sweet, easy flexer which starts at a solid XF and goes to ... well.... wide. I would put it in the wet noodle category. Its weakness is what I find with other modern flex nibs - snap is a bit slow. However, it is very pleasant to use and is one of my favorites for practicing.

 

The Crossflex is wonderful. I detest most modern steel flex nibs, but this one is precise, quick, and varies from XF to something over 2 mm. It is a bit stiff but I can forgive that given its great performance.

 

Finally, we have true vintage. This little Wahl #3 with the adjustable slider flexes easily, starts at XXF and goes to BB. Hairlines R Us. It takes a bit of care to use a nib this fine, but the results are worth it.

 

The point of this comparison is a happy one. We do not have to use vintage or dip nibs for excellent flex performance. Careful selection of modern fountain pen nibs can yield excellent results - in hands more skilled than my own.

 

[bobje]

This is an impressive summary. The FPnibs may have slow snapback, but the results really look great.

[Honeybadgers]

I can confirm that my full flex fpnibs XXF with a keyhole breather is a slow snapback pen, but it'll keep up with a brause rose in softness and flex. Pablo won't make them anymore since they are so ludicrously time intensive, but unless you're REALLY going to use it for spencerian and copperplate, it's not worth the massive cost due to the care that it requires.

[truthpil]

Superb comparison! It's comforting to know you can get some decent flex from modern pens.

 

What a shame that Pablo won't make anymore superflex nibs. That was going to be my big pen investment for next year.

I get it though, business is business and time is money.

[cunim]

Superb comparison! It's comforting to know you can get some decent flex from modern pens.

 

What a shame that Pablo won't make anymore superflex nibs. That was going to be my big pen investment for next year.

I get it though, business is business and time is money.

Can Pablo still supply semiflex nibs? Mine is semiflex (with keyhole) and I really wouldn't want anything softer than that in an XF or XXF. There was a problem in that the stock plastic feed could not keep up. Replacing the stock feed with an FNF J6 ebonite feed took care of that, so the ebonite feed that Pablo supplies (and modifies) with the current semiflex might be good enough. The semiflex is also a lot cheaper. My worry is that there is variation in these things and that mine may not be representative of one you would order today. However, trying it is not hugely expensive.

 

There are likely looking alternatives from Richard Binder, Indy Pen Dance, Nibs.com, and probably others. I have also considered getting something like the Pilot Falcon, grinding it to XXF, and equipping with the FNF feed. Lots of options..

[truthpil]

I believe he still has the semi-flex option, but no full flex. I can't justify the expense for a modern semi-flex when I could just buy a vintage semi-flex for a similar or lower price. I had also read on here and fpnibs.com that the current nib unit with the ebonite feed won't fit in pens that take a standard JoWo nib unit and there aren't any standard pens that do. Has anyone tried the new semi-flex option with ebonite feed?

[Bo Bo Olson]

If you want semi-flex....3x tine spread over a light down stork....which is adding old fashioned fountain pen flair with out doing anything...almost flex, is miles from superflex.

 

Best Buy for a semi-flex pen is a Geha 790 ('59-60's) for @ E60. It is a standard sized pen, of the then IN, torpedo shape. (Have 3) The medium small 760 (same size as the 140) goes for 20% more. Both the 140&760 have longer caps so post to standard size. Both have very good balance.

 

Astoundingly a 725 can be had for the same or less as the 790. Thin medium-long inlaid nib pen, with rolled gold trim.....posted one of my first three perfectly balanced pens....and semi-flex. A very, very sleek and classy pen.

 

These of course are the subbed semi-flex nibs of the era.

 

But I got mine before I pushed the price up world wide through my rants, paying E15, E20 and one E30 ...that was supposed to be an OEF, but was only a EF, but what a one, a maxi-semi-flex EF, someone had swapped nibs.So I didn't complain.

 

A Pelikan 140 is no longer E50 but E90-100. A 400-or 400nn E100-120.

If one don't hit the Buy Now Idiot button. Otherwise on German Ebay, you too can pay Stateside prices....of pushing $200.

The seller has to take paypal, and ship outside of Germany....many won't.

Edited September 27, 2018 by Bo Bo Olson

[truthpil]

I can confirm that my full flex fpnibs XXF with a keyhole breather is a slow snapback pen, but it'll keep up with a brause rose in softness and flex. Pablo won't make them anymore since they are so ludicrously time intensive, but unless you're REALLY going to use it for spencerian and copperplate, it's not worth the massive cost due to the care that it requires.

 

I just check on their website and Pablo still makes the full flex 14k with the additional needlepoint option, but it's only available with the ebonite feed version. Full flex with XXXF regrind and keyhole will set you back 263.70 Euros!

 

https://www.fpnibs.com/14k-ebonite-feed/421-9725-size-6-ebonite-feeder-unit-with-14k-jowo-nib-ef-tip.html#/

[Honeybadgers]

 

I just check on their website and Pablo still makes the full flex 14k with the additional needlepoint option, but it's only available with the ebonite feed version. Full flex with XXXF regrind and keyhole will set you back 263.70 Euros!

 

https://www.fpnibs.com/14k-ebonite-feed/421-9725-size-6-ebonite-feeder-unit-with-14k-jowo-nib-ef-tip.html#/

 

Ah, a couple months ago I heard he was turning away the work.

 

 

Sounds about right. I think my XXF full flex and keyhole on a tuned TWSBI VAC700 (also purchased from him) with the stock steel B nib ground to an architect cost about $350 USD.

[truthpil]

 

Ah, a couple months ago I heard he was turning away the work.

 

 

Sounds about right. I think my XXF full flex and keyhole on a tuned TWSBI VAC700 (also purchased from him) with the stock steel B nib ground to an architect cost about $350 USD.

 

Dood that's money haha. My question then is....if you wanted to do a bunch of flex writing, which would you automatically reach for: your full flex VAC700 or a vintage Waterman wet noodle?

 

I see the main advantage of the modern version being that you can put whatever crazy fp ink you want in it and not have to worry about messing up the sac or something. I'm just trying to decide if that is worth the extra $100.

Edited October 1, 2018 by TruthPil

[cunim]

 

Dood that's money haha. My question then is....if you wanted to do a bunch of flex writing, which would you automatically reach for: your full flex VAC700 or a vintage Waterman wet noodle?

 

I see the main advantage of the modern version being that you can put whatever crazy fp ink you want in it and not have to worry about messing up the sac or something. I'm just trying to decide if that is worth the extra $100.

 

The main advantage of the modern version is that it is not a fragile and cranky antique. The main advantage of the vintage version is that it is a fragile and cranky antique. Which one you reach for depends on the type of experience you want that day.

[truthpil]

 

The main advantage of the modern version is that it is not a fragile and cranky antique. The main advantage of the vintage version is that it is a fragile and cranky antique. Which one you reach for depends on the type of experience you want that day.

 

I think that's a little oversimplified. Depending on one's writing preferences, there could be some advantages to the vintage nibs. As mentioned in the OP, the modern flex nibs don't have as quick of a snap back as the vintage nibs. I guess that only really matters though if you want to write faster or are just used to that feel.

[cunim]

 

I think that's a little oversimplified. Depending on one's writing preferences, there could be some advantages to the vintage nibs. As mentioned in the OP, the modern flex nibs don't have as quick of a snap back as the vintage nibs. I guess that only really matters though if you want to write faster or are just used to that feel.

You are correct, of course. There is much more to it than "antique vs practical". Snap is critical - though only a small minority of vintage nibs actually have much snap. Most of the soft vintage nibs are mushy. Anyway, I tend to pull out a modern nib when I am practicing. I use a vintage nib (or the Zebra) for actual writing. I guess I don't have the patience to coddle a long-tined old softie while drawing spirals.