Flexible Nibs

[Poetman]

I'm looking for a new fountain pen. Right now, I have two Waterman Phileas pens, and I don't consider them to have flexible nibs. I wrote with a Parker sonnet fountain pen in a Office Depot, and the nib was incredibly flexible. What are the pros and cons of using a pen with a flexible nib? Please suggest models also.

 

Thanks for all the help!

[grimakis]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Vintage pens can readily be found with flexible nibs, and these allow you to use handwriting styles that a non-flex nib will not allow. The end result is beautiful, and the pens are a lot of fun to use.

 

The downside to flex nibs is that they cannot be used to write through any sort of carbon paper or triplicate forms. Real flex nibs tend to be a little more fragile and can easily develop cracks if misused.

 

They are definitely fun, and something you should consider trying.

 

 

Early Waterman's and Parkers tend to have very flexible nibs, whilst Sheaffer's pens are almost nail-like, but they are very nice and durable nibs, don't get me wrong.

[jbb]

Some vintage Wahls and Waterman's have flex. Flex is simply F-U-N. If you can re-sac your own pens you can pick one up on Ebay cheap.

[thibaulthalpern]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Pilot Falcon nib (different than Namiki Falcon) which can be found on the Custom 742 or Custom 743 offers a very flexible contemporary nib.

[Poetman]

Is there any advantage to a flex nib or does it simply enable different inflections in one's writing?

[DRP]

Poetman, the definition of "advantage" lies entirely with the user. Some people are delighted with the "inflections" which you mentioned. Some people find pens with these nibs hard to use.

 

Probably the best answer is that with a little talent combined with a little practice, you can have a lot of fun with a flexible nib. If you're curious about how your handwriting would look with these nibs and are willing to invest a bit of practice, you should consider one.

 

Like any nib, there is nothing which is automatically good or bad about any one of them. Some people like extra fine and others like extra broad. Most of us like something in between.

 

It all comes down to what you like. Nibs are tools. Find the tools that you like and will enjoy using.

[jbb]

Is there any advantage to a flex nib or does it simply enable different inflections in one's writing?

I think a flex nibs allow a for more expression in one's handwriting. What qualities would you consider to be an advantage? My smoothest writing nib, for example, is not my most flexible one.

Edited December 28, 2008 by jbb

[QM2]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Nakaya elastic nibs are semi-flexible at best. Here is a sample of mine:

 

http://queenmargot.com/nakaya_sefe3.jpg

(see this thread)

 

The modern nib that comes closest to a true flex in my experience is the Danitrio flexi stub. Sample of mine:

 

http://queenmargot.com/danitrio_flexistub2.jpg

(see this thread)

 

However, if you really want to go the flex route, I would recommend trying a vintage pen. I got my first vintage flex pen from Steve Braun at All Write Now, who is also known as luckygrandson here on FPN. He will often have really nice and affordable vintage flexis for sale, so it may be worth your while to contact him. He is also a good person to ask for advice about such things, if you are not sure how much flex you want or what kind of pen is right for you.

 

 

[jde]

You might read some of these articles on flex.

Is there any advantage to a flex nib or does it simply enable different inflections in one's writing?

 

[georges zaslavsky]

I prefer flexible nibs because I can write with them either with the left or the right hand without no difference and they allow me to write faster. I have some very good nibs on my vintage mbs, on my vintage french made parkers and on my vintage duofold flat tops. The only modern pens I can call as the flexible are my Omas, my Pel 800, my AD 2000 and my Man 100s. I am extremely picky about nibs, I can't write with a pitchfork, sorry.

[grimakis]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Pilot Falcon nib (different than Namiki Falcon) which can be found on the Custom 742 or Custom 743 offers a very flexible contemporary nib.

 

 

I am sorry, but that was the pen I was referring to and in comparison to a real flex nib, the Falcon looks like a nail.

[grimakis]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Pilot Falcon nib (different than Namiki Falcon) which can be found on the Custom 742 or Custom 743 offers a very flexible contemporary nib.

 

 

I am sorry, but that was the pen I was referring to and in comparison to a real flex nib, the Falcon looks like a nail.

[Shangas]

Late to the party...but um...

 

I don't know if there is any...ADVANTAGE...to flex nibs, but they are more fun to use (if a bit challenging), and they provide for more interesting and expressive handwriting.

[piembi]

I prefer my vintage German fountainpens fron the 1950s/1960s. They do have wonderful semiflexible nibs and are a joy to write with.

If you are looking for something flexible or semiflexible, try to find a vintage pen.

[Splicer]

I am sorry, but that was the pen I was referring to and in comparison to a real flex nib, the Falcon looks like a nail.

 

The FA nib on the 742 may not be full flex but looks like a nail? In comparison to what? I compare it to a Brause Rose and it looks... like a semiflex. Even going vintage I doubt there are any fountain pens that come close to a Brause Rose.

 

I always find a comparison scan to be more useful than hyperbole. The Brause Rose isn't on here, but it makes the Brause Steno (aka #361 on the scan) look like a nail. Kidding, but the Rose is flexier than the Steno and the Steno is flexier than any fountain pen I've used or seen demonstrated.

 

[grimakis]

I am sorry, but that was the pen I was referring to and in comparison to a real flex nib, the Falcon looks like a nail.

 

The FA nib on the 742 may not be full flex but looks like a nail? In comparison to what? I compare it to a Brause Rose and it looks... like a semiflex. Even going vintage I doubt there are any fountain pens that come close to a Brause Rose.

 

I always find a comparison scan to be more useful than hyperbole. The Brause Rose isn't on here, but it makes the Brause Steno (aka #361 on the scan) look like a nail. Kidding, but the Rose is flexier than the Steno and the Steno is flexier than any fountain pen I've used or seen demonstrated.

 

 

The point I was trying to make was that the FA, when compared to a Wet Noodle Waterman's, appears to have relatively little flex.

[gyasko]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Pilot Falcon nib (different than Namiki Falcon) which can be found on the Custom 742 or Custom 743 offers a very flexible contemporary nib.

 

 

I am sorry, but that was the pen I was referring to and in comparison to a real flex nib, the Falcon looks like a nail.

 

Have you done more than look at it?

[Splicer]

The point I was trying to make was that the FA, when compared to a Wet Noodle Waterman's, appears to have relatively little flex.

 

I can agree with that. I think it was Antoniosz who called it "semiflex+"... more than semiflex but less than full flex. A wet noodle would presumably be even more than full. (maybe?)

[Donald594]

No pens that are manufactured today, can possibly considered flexible. While technically every nib has a degree of flexibility, the only modern pens that can come close to flex are a few Namikis. I also recently heard something about a Nakaya elastic nib, but I cannot comment on that.

 

Pilot Falcon nib (different than Namiki Falcon) which can be found on the Custom 742 or Custom 743 offers a very flexible contemporary nib.

 

 

I am sorry, but that was the pen I was referring to and in comparison to a real flex nib, the Falcon looks like a nail.

Well, I have tried a Namiki Falcon, and it's definitely a semi-flex, and full flex can be obtainable from it.

[Sailor Kenshin]

It's not a bad idea to practice with a dip nib like the Brause Rose to see if you can get the hang of flexing.