PASADENA, Calif. – FPGEEKS’ Noteworthy International Bureau of Science (NIBS) has acquired what is very likely a prototype BLACK Noodler’s Ahab Flex Nib Piston Fill Fountain Pen.
This much rumored and highly anticipated next iteration of the popular Noodler’s Ahab Flex was found lost or forgotten in a well-known Boston suburb oyster bar on December 9, 2011, by an employee of the establishment. For obvious reasons, the employee wishes to remain anonymous, but has agreed to be known as Wanda.
Wanda told FPGeeks:
“I saw the pen on a seat cushion while busing a table. We were swamped, so I put the pen in my apron thinking someone might come back asking for it. I forgot all about it until I got home and nearly put the pen in the washing machine!”
Only after the near fatal laundry incident did Wanda examine the pen. When she realized it was an “ink pen,” she called her sister. Wanda continued:
“I haven’t used an ink pen in decades, but I remembered that my sister is dating a man whose son owns a sandwich shop across the street from a jewelry store that’s famous for once selling a pen to Johnny Cash. [The boyfriend wasn't home, but...] my sister looked on her computer and suggested that I call Fountain Pen Geeks.”
After speaking with Wanda, FPGeeks determined that her information was legitimate. On the morning of Monday, December 12, 2011, three senior members of FPGeeks’ Security flew to Boston and assumed custody of the pen.
FPGeeks’ Chief Authentication Engineer, Izzy D. Facto, released the following statement:
“When the subject pen arrived at NIBS, our most highly qualified scientists were divided into two teams. One team performed observational testing of the subject while the other team performed technical testing, which included a complete dismantle.
Both teams independently determined that the subject pen is, in fact, a Black Noodler’s Ahab Flex Nib Piston Fill Fountain Pen.”
Team scientists were naturally skeptical going in, owing to the fact that FPGeeks receives approximately four false tips per day regarding the Black Noodler’s Ahab Flex Nib Fountain Pen. However, handling, using and dismantling the pen provided such overwhelming evidence pointing to its authenticity, that the possibility of it being counterfeit is very nearly zero.
FPGeeks has reached out to our friends at Noodler’s hoping to receive unequivocal confirmation as to the pen’s legitimacy, along with information regarding the pen’s official release date.
FPGeeks will be happy to return this pen to its rightful owner. If that’s you, step right up.
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Ha! Looks like Noodler's has taken a page from Apple and "accidentally" lost a prototype in the wild. The ploy has worked for Apple. Good for you Noodler's!
That looks very classy with the chrome trim now, doesn't it? The Ahab Executive?
The Ahab Executive! Love it! I agree, it looks very classy in black. I ordered blue because I couldn't wait any longer. Dan refuses to order one until black is available.
Mine! It's mine! I'm pretty sure. I just woke up with a hangover and a black eye and my hands are covered with Baystate Blue. I can't remember where I've been for the past week! And my executive Ahab is gone. The horror!
I'm conveniently located in the Pasadena area so we can schedule the hand-off any time.
Wear a disguise so I'll know it's you. Standing by!
My hands are also covered in Baystate Blue…does that mean I also "lost" one? I'm closer…at least on the correct coast
so maybe drop it off to my abode hehe.
Looks like I'll be getting a 5th Ahab!
Move over Montblanc – this one is a beauty!
That is fabulous looking pen!
Scheduled to arrive in January!
Color me camping out on your doorstep as of January 1st!
UPDATE: Our friends at Luxury Brands (distributors of Noodler's products) have confirmed, "It was indeed a prototype."
They claim no knowledge of how the prototype came to be in a Boston area oyster bar, but added that the black Ahabs "will be available quite soon."
Great article! I have held off on purchasing the Ahab, but just might have to pick up the Executive. Has a certain je ne sais quoi about it.
Karen, I agree completely. The Executive oozes the je ne sais quoi of which you speak.
I'm very pleased that the unofficial moniker, Ahab Executive, was birthed right here at FPGeeks thanks to John the Monkey.
I've jested elsewhere that I could not take an Ahab into a meeting, but the Executive could not only attend, it would be the cause of much envy. 149's are fine and dandy but just think of the legal pad doodling that could be accomplished with an Ahab Executive in hand!
Perhaps ironically, my favourite Ahabs so far are the marbled finishes, and the demonstrators
(I'm mulling which to spring for in the New Year. For me, it'll be an overseas order from Goulet, so I feel the need to choose carefully, as I'll probably only be getting one!)
No doubt that the black/silver model is a great looking pen though, no doubt at all.
FINALLY! A good looking Ahab!!
My sentiments exactly!
First Ahab one doesn't need to be colour blind to enjoy how it looks.
Now that is a good looking pen.
I see what you did there.
That pen is seriously a looker. I am already in love with the Ahabs, and this will just continue that affair. I feel so badly for my TWSBIs, my M200s, and my Snorkels. They're getting cheated on quite regularly these days with this multicultural beauty out of Boston.
Is this pen thicker than the standard Noodler's piston-filled that's been out a couple years?
Noodler's standard piston filled pen? Are you referring to the Piston Fill Resin? If so, then yes, the Ahab is much thicker. To the point that it could almost be considered an oversize pen. It's fantastic.
I have six of the Noodler’s Ahab demonstrators that I use at both work and play. I have every color minus the yellow one, as that color didn’t do much for me.
I swore I wouldn’t buy the black Ahab, but I have to admit that it really does look nice! (I think I can resist the urge for the black pen, though. I made a few suggestions to Nathan regarding out-of-the-box colors/characteristics for yet even more Ahab colors; he appeared to like the suggestions. If those come out, I’ll be buying them up just like I did the Ahab demonstrators.)
I prefer demonstrators because I dropper-fill my Ahabs and I don’t have to open them to see how much ink is left. So if Nathan comes out with a dark, smokey-grey Ahab demonstrator, I’d probably buy that instead of this sexy-looking opaque-black model.
Excellent work, Mr. Tardif!
liked the noodlers ahab very much
[...] 5 –> The boys over at FPGeeks.com showed off a neat Moleskine hack for those more interested in a pen case. Here’s the main image (on the left), but click over to their site to see more. If you’ve never heard of FPGeeks.com, read this post first to get properly introduced to their style: BLACK Noodler’s Ahab Prototype Found in Local Bar. [...]