What Is The Body Of The Noodler's Ahab Made From?

[thesmellofdustafterrain]

As I'm learning Spencerian script, I thought I might get a starter flex pen. Dipping is great, but I don't have a dedicated space set up for that, so I thought maybe the Noodler's Ahab pen would be a good starting place.

 

A few places online say it's made with a biodegradable body. Can anyone tell me more about this? What is it made of? What conditions help it last longer? What conditions does the body break down in?

 

I'm especially interested in learning if it has soy in the making of the plastic as I'm highly sensitive to soy-plastics. I generally avoid plastic altogether, but I like the idea of it being biodegradable - just so long as it doesn't fall apart from daily use.

 

If it does end up being soy-based, what's the next option for an affordable flex fountain pen?

[WLSpec]

According to Goulet Pens, the body is made of a "celluloid derivative." I would do some further research if you are worried, though. For alternate flex nibs, there's always the Namiki Falcon which sells for around $150. If you are willing to invest that amount in a pen, it is great. Noodler's also has different models, and I've heard good things about the Monterverde Monza flex nib (around $20). Good luck finding the right pen!

[thesmellofdustafterrain]

On the noodler's website it says:

 

 

This pen is made of a celluloid derivative and is technically biodegradable and formed from a “renewable resource” even though our resin and our ebonite can last more than a lifetime – as proven by vintage pens long in existence that were stored well.

 

It's a little bit more information - suggesting that the substance it's using is old technology.

"technically biodegradable" is an interesting phrase to use.

 

I would really like to know care instructions: What conditions make it degrade? What conditions make it last a lifetime?

 

I've had biodegradable ballpoint pens before but there's been a great range of conditions that make them degrade. Some begin to degrade with heat - like being in the car on a hot day for an hour, or even the heat of my hand. Others don't seem to degrade at all over time - nor do they degrade in the compost pile.

 

Noodler's ink is impressive. I really like their bulletproof even if it is a bit slow drying. Their pricepoint on these pens is very attractive. It's just been so long without plastic that I want to learn more about this before I buy one.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Dip pen, a dip pen holder & the nib, As much space as a pencil.

An ink bottle, don't need to be a ink well. Ink wells unless screw topped or rare press shut are not all that good, unless you are using it every day. The water in the ink evaporates.

So a regular ink bottle will do.... Though an ink well is nicer and better balanced....only twice as much space as a off the shelf ink bottle.

Well would have given you a few pictures but Imgur won't work.

 

You don't need more space than a pencil and an ink bottle and a rag to clean your nib afterwards.

 

I had thought the Ahab was some sort of hard rubber..like the rest of the pens made in India............but I'd not worry about fountain pens being made of soy....we are not so technical advanced....junk from the century before works just fine.

Before the recycle BS....designed to make money for them with money, and give you a guilt problem, the stuff fountain pens were made of worked just fine...tested by generations of experimental animals. Your grand father or his father at least.

 

Recyled paper is for ball points only...........it can damage a fountain pen nib, in no one knows what is in it....recycled building material, poisonous printer ink from cereal boxes, plastic band chunks.... it is pure junk.

 

As far as I know no one has been so foolish to make and sell re-cycled ink .....out side the bleached printer's ink in re-cycled paper.

Edited December 28, 2018 by Bo Bo Olson

[thesmellofdustafterrain]

Dip pen, a dip pen holder & the nib, As much space as a pencil.

An ink bottle, don't need to be a ink well. Ink wells unless screw topped or rare press shut are not all that good, unless you are using it every day. The water in the ink evaporates.

So a regular ink bottle will do.... Though an ink well is nicer and better balanced....only twice as much space as a off the shelf ink bottle.

Well would have given you a few pictures but Imgur won't work.

 

You don't need more space than a pencil and an ink bottle and a rag to clean your nib afterwards.

 

A dip pen is definitely in my future. At the moment my writing area is hidden by precarious stacks of books for some research and drafts of stuff I'm editing. It's quite disgusting how messy it is and all I can do not to knock things over when I come into the room. Trying to find a level surface to take notes on, is 'interesting'. I have all my ink in another room for fear of spilling. But this project should be done by the end of January and I shall recover my writing desk and use it for writing and can set up for dip pens.

 

I want to try both dip and fountain pens for this kind of writing, that way I can see what I like best.

[ParkerDuofold]

Hi Smell of Dust,

 

Congratulations on having one of the most unusual ID's I've ever encountered here. The name pool must either be getting desperately low... or you are one of the most unique individuals I've met in a while.

 

 

Most Noodler's pens are made from vegetal resin... which usually has a turpentine, phenolic or amber base.

 

With as cheap as they are, I doubt amber is used... which leaves the turpenoids and phenolics... so, I think it is unlikely you would encounter soy derivatives in the formulation... at least not in any significant percentage.

 

That said, if you are extremely allergic to soy, it's best to err on the side of caution and contact Luxury Brands, (Noodler's U.S. distributor), and ask them point blank.

 

Here's the contact info:

 

http://luxurybrandsusa.com/contact/

 

 

I hope you enjoy your new pen... whatever it turns out to be. Be well and enjoy life.

 

 

- Anthony

[thesmellofdustafterrain]

Great information. Thanks for the contact info. I've asked them about the body.

 

 

 

Hi Smell of Dust,

Congratulations on having one of the most unusual ID's I've ever encountered here. The name pool must either be getting desperately low... or you are one of the most unique individuals I've met in a while.

 

Thanks. I'm not sure it's working for me, but I feel a bit dusty these days. The name is chosen from a Doctor Who reference but more so because I can never remember how to spell petrichor.

[Mr.Rene]

 

Noodler Ahab is made of "precious" indian resin...

 

[bass1193]

They're made of cellulose acetate butyrate.

 

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/c8548?lang=en&region=US

[ParkerDuofold]

Great information. Thanks for the contact info. I've asked them about the body.

 

Thank you and you're welcome.

 

 

 

Thanks. I'm not sure it's working for me, but I feel a bit dusty these days. The name is chosen from a Doctor Who reference but more so because I can never remember how to spell petrichor.

 

Well, feeling dusty in these modern times is par for the course.

 

Ah, no wonder I didn't get it... I'm pretty sure I've never seen even one episode of Dr. Who.

 

But I am familiar with the beautiful fragrance of petrichor.

 

You might want to try a spelling trick I learned in my younger days... break the word down into smaller words...

 

PET - RICH - OR.

 

I always had trouble with "unfortunately"... until I thought of it as...

 

FOR - TUNA - TELY, (sometimes you have to make up your own words).

 

Bizarre, yes, but it seems to work for me... hopefully for you, too. But who can say... bear in mind that I'm functionally insane.

 

Glad if I could help.

 

 

- Anthony

[ParkerDuofold]

Noodler Ahab is made of "precious" indian resin...

 

- Anthony

[jekostas]

Based on the smell, it's compacted spoiled milk.

[LewBleu]

Based on the smell, it's compacted spoiled milk.

 

 

After it's been vomited up by a 3 month old baby with colic! I had a Konrad and I had to throw it out after two months of it stinking up my home office after it was banned from work after only using it one day!

Edited December 29, 2018 by LewBleu

[Honeybadgers]

I like the smell.

 

It's not soy.

[jar]

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails!

[BaronWulfraed]

Based on the smell, it's compacted spoiled milk.

 

Pretty sure they aren't using casein...

[thesmellofdustafterrain]

Is the smell really that bad? What does it smell like?

[Randal6393]

I would say an "old plastic" smell, back when plastics were new. (1960's) The smell does lessen, over time. May be objectionable if you are sensitive to "chemical" odours. Konrads in acrylic or ebonite avoid the problem. Most hard rubber (ebonite) pens don't have that smell about them and are much warmer to the feel than other pens. One good source for such pens in Fountain Pen Revolution, the Triveni, SR and JR.

 

As far as being a flex pen, yes, the Ahab qualifies -- just barely. I would buy extra nibs, since the Noodler nibs are rather quickly gone through, in my experience. But for learning Spenserian try a good dip pen. Here's a list:

 

Titanium Zebra G
Zebra G (steel)
Brause Rose
Nikko G
Brause Blue Pumpkin (Steno 361)
Leonardt Principal EF
Hunt 101
Gillott 404

 

There are many other fine nibs available. Buy a handful, at least three of each style, and see what you like.

 

Also, a good dip pen holder, either straight or angled, will be needed. The angled, or oblique, is easier for many right-handers, left-handers and old-school right-handers prefer straight holders, in general.

 

As for ink, Higgins Eternal is often used for practice. Many sumi inks are good, as well. So are the more common black fountain pen inks.

 

Any good, smooth paper is suitable.

 

Best of luck,

[Honeybadgers]

I'd avoid every dip nib other than the zebra or nikko G (titanium coated seem to be a little more refined but the basic ones are superb) for beginners. The G nib is just the newbie's trifecta of perfection - smoothness and durability, moderate but serious flex, and impeccable quality control. I love my leonardt principals and brause roses, but they're NOT for beginners. Too much flex, too easily sprung, too prone to difficult starting, too prone to just dumping all the ink down if you're going slowly

Edited December 29, 2018 by Honeybadgers

[Randal6393]

Good points, Honeybadgers. Oh, but the lovely scripts that the Principals and Roses put down!

 

Enjoy,