FPR Ultra Flex quality

[keraba]

I generally don't like to patronize FPR but they had a product that I couldn't easily find elsewhere, so I thought I'd throw in an UF nib into the order. I got it this weekend and tried putting it into an Ahab. Before doing that, I noticed that it wasn't straight. It was hunched over a little. Putting a business card against the spine confirmed this. Nevertheless, I wanted to try it. I tried 3 times to set the feed to it. The last time, I just put the feed into the water while I nuked it. The attached picture was the best that I could do. As you can see, the feed is splaying the tines. To get it to write, I have to swipe down the channel. That was how I created the samples that you see.

 

Are most FPR nibs like this? I don't really see the appeal. The Noodler's flex nib that it is currently replacing is darn near perfectly straight. I swap the nibs in my other half-dozen Noodler pens all the time, so clearly they are, at the least, consistent.

 

Anyways, it confirms the old saying, "The grass always appears greener..." and I guess I can cross off this curiosity from my list.

 

[txomsy]

Just an idea. Might it be that it is inserted too deep in the section?

 

I haven't tried a FPR UF nib on an Ahab, so this is just a long shot. Just saying.

[keraba]

Hi txomsy,

 

Pulling it out would only cause the nib to "arch" over the feed, yes? and interrupt the flow?

 

In any case, it's actually not in all the way. 'not sure if you can see it. It's maybe a fin or 2 from where I would have preferred, but I didn't want to force it.

 

Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[AlexLeGrande]

I own two of these from FPR.  Both perform as designed and intended.  Just a satisfied customer.

 

[keraba]

Hi Alex!

 

Can I ask what pens you put them in? Especially curious if plastic or ebonite feeds.

 

cheers

 

[AlexLeGrande]

You can.  Both have ebonite feeds.  One is in my Jaipur 2 pen from FPR, and the other is in a Kanwrite Desire.

[tommym]

On 11/26/2023 at 8:33 AM, keraba said:

...As you can see, the feed is splaying the tines.

 

 

I had a recent similar experience with a supposedly Kanwrite-manufactured nib and ebonite feed in a dedicated ebonite eye-dropper pen. So, the assembly is press-fit into the section. I'm not sure who manufactured the ebonite feed, though. I still have not resolved the issue with nib wanting to splay when installed. I set the pen aside, fearing I would eventually damage the ebonite section beyond repair. 

 

Tommy