A Pilot with a full flex nib

[penwash]

I've been wondering if Pilot or any other Japanese fountain pen makers followed the trend in the 50's to make flexible nibs. I've seen American and Eouropean flex nib from that era, so why not Japanese?

Finally, with this pen I can answer that question. Yes, back in the 50's Japan also produce flex nibs:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4315/35791744960_58a51205c4_c.jpg

Presenting the Pilot 53R.

[Lunaelsol]

Wow! that is quite a discovery. It would be good to compare it with other Japanese pen makers of that era if they also produced flex nibs.

[penwash]

Wow! that is quite a discovery. It would be good to compare it with other Japanese pen makers of that era if they also produced flex nibs.

It took me a while to hunt for this one. I think a lot of now vanished Japanese brands produce flex nibs also, but those are harder to find.

Some Japanese pocket pens from the 70's exhibit semi-flex, but not full-flex like this.

[AltecGreen]

Flex nibs are pretty common among a large number of Japanese makers from the ones that are still around today to makers that have long died out. They were around in the 20's, 30's,40's, and 50's. The wartime shiro steel nibs on Japanese pens are often flexy with some wet noodles. These are not that hard to find. Bear in mind not every nib was flexy so you are as likely to find something stiff as well.

The R-type pen shown by penwash was made for many decades with some minor changes through the years. They were made before the war and after.

[fountainpenkid]

The styling is lovely too!

[penwash]

I know, I like the clip shape in particular.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Flex nibs are pretty common among a large number of Japanese makers from the ones that are still around today to makers that have long died out. They were around in the 20's, 30's,40's, and 50's. The wartime shiro steel nibs on Japanese pens are often flexy with some wet noodles. These are not that hard to find. Bear in mind not every nib was flexy so you are as likely to find something stiff as well.

The R-type pen shown by penwash was made for many decades with some minor changes through the years. They were made before the war and after.

Could you elaborate on the bold part please? I've not seen any of these on eBay (for example) so I am wondering where you are looking for these 'not that hard' to find pens.

[AltecGreen]

Flex nibs are pretty common among a large number of Japanese makers from the ones that are still around today to makers that have long died out. They were around in the 20's, 30's,40's, and 50's. The wartime shiro steel nibs on Japanese pens are often flexy with some wet noodles. These are not that hard to find. Bear in mind not every nib was flexy so you are as likely to find something stiff as well.

The R-type pen shown by penwash was made for many decades with some minor changes through the years. They were made before the war and after.

Could you elaborate on the bold part please? I've not seen any of these on eBay (for example) so I am wondering where you are looking for these 'not that hard' to find pens.



They really are not hard to find if you consider all such pens. If you restrict yourself to a particular brand then it becomes harder but it's not like you have to wait years to find one. You can find them on eBay although it's easier on Yahoo Auctions Japan. The trick is to know what to look for because they tend to get buried in all of the auctions for more common pens. This is where some knowledge helps. It may take a few weeks but these pop up all the time.

I bought this on eBay two weeks ago and at that time I saw auctions for about 10 others in celluloid including two Pilots. This year alone I bought 10-12 Pilots, 5 Platinums, 2 Sailors and probably two dozen from smaller makes. This is the number only for celluloid pens and do not include similar pens in hard rubber and urushi coated pens. All of these can have flex nibs in them. I bought a very large size R-type Pilot with a number #20 nib as an example.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/36314009806_797b5d2a87_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XjWMXm)



As an aside, I also have the advantage that I have people routinely selling me pens directly from Japan so I rarely go on auction sites. No need. The pens come to me. The pen above I bought from eBay because it has a particular provenance.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

That's not really much of an answer. Perhaps you could elaborate on the search terms? I tried various searches for Pilot vintage pens and none showed the pen you posted above as a sold listing. Which leads me to the conclusion that these are listed under some other category?

And yes, you have all the advantages, whereas I am in New Zealand and only have eBay. So what's a guy supposed to do?

[AltecGreen]

That's not really much of an answer. Perhaps you could elaborate on the search terms? I tried various searches for Pilot vintage pens and none showed the pen you posted above as a sold listing. Which leads me to the conclusion that these are listed under some other category?

And yes, you have all the advantages, whereas I am in New Zealand and only have eBay. So what's a guy supposed to do?



There are no clear search terms. That is the trick. It takes a bit of work.


For example, say I'm looking for a Pilot.

I start with Pilot pens and look for those who are selling real vintage pens. Once I spot a suitable pen, I take a look at the at seller's other listing. The type of seller who might sell such a pen tend to sell a certain range of pens. I might start with someone who is selling a 70's pen and work through their other items. I tend to go through a lot of listings. On Yahoo Auction Japan, it is more of a brute force search. Going through each listing one at a time. The serious vintage buyer who is using eBay tend to just sit and look at listing after listing for hours. One thing people do is form networks. I have friends who send listings my way when they spot something I would be interested in. Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum are a pain because you have to filter through the new pens as well as other vintage pens that you are not looking for.

The more obscure brands are easier. I can just type in a name.


As for my advantages, those are things that I have cultivated through time and money. I developed a reputation for buying very specific types of pens and made that known. For example, my guy in Japan has never met me in person. He cold called me one day hoping to sell a few pens. I bought them all and developed a relationship. Sometimes you have to buy things you don't want to get a chance later to buy things you do want. It's not a matter of location. I also spend a lot of time learning. When you are dealing with this type of vintage pens, knowledge is power.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Okay, thanks for the further information. I understand the situation a little better. Sorry, not having a go at you about the advantages. I cannot form the kinds of relationships you are talking about though, as I neither have that level of disposable money nor am I likely to ever meet an actual live pen person. The only people I know have been through this site, and until lately FPN. Neither group has ever led to that type of relationship, though obviously I have bought the occasional thing from the classifieds. I've asked about introductions but I guess I'm not worth introducing to anyone. :) Forming networks... can't see it happening to be honest.

Just for clarity. I don't actually know of any Japanese brands beyond the usual three (plus Nakaya and Eboya, and they're not vintage really). Basically, I don't even know where to start looking.

Anyway, thanks again for explaining this for me. Makes it less painful when I know what is not realistically achievable.

[AltecGreen]

Just for clarity. I don't actually know of any Japanese brands beyond the usual three (plus Nakaya and Eboya, and they're not vintage really). Basically, I don't even know where to start looking.

Anyway, thanks again for explaining this for me. Makes it less painful when I know what is not realistically achievable.

It's not that bad. I was once a beginner and it was not hard. You can get these using only eBay. Just keep your eyes open. You have to be willing to spend time going listing by listing.


As for learning about other Japanese brands, there is a pinned list put together by Stan on the other forum in the Japan subforum that has a list of vintage makers. The list is incomplete. Ron Dutcher once put together his own list and there were brands that one list had that the other did not. I also have come across pens with brands not on either list.

[penwash]

[QUOTE=Empty_of_Clouds;214792][QUOTE=AltecGreen;214632]
I bought this on eBay two weeks ago and at that time I saw auctions for about 10 others in celluloid including two Pilots. This year alone I bought 10-12 Pilots, 5 Platinums, 2 Sailors and probably two dozen from smaller makes. This is the number only for celluloid pens and do not include similar pens in hard rubber and urushi coated pens. All of these can have flex nibs in them. I bought a very large size R-type Pilot with a number #20 nib as an example.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4437/36314009806_797b5d2a87_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XjWMXm)

Nice Pilot R. What are some of your other favorite Japan only model?

[AltecGreen]

Nice Pilot R. What are some of your other favorite Japan only model?

Actually the pen above was an export model. It is pre-war but comes with English instructions and came from Oakland CA.

You can read about the collection that the above pen came from on David Nishimura's blog.

http://vintagepensblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/1942-time-capsule.html

[AltecGreen]

What are some of your other favorite Japan only model?

Sticking with the celluloid theme



Some more Pilot R pens
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/35567763643_e024bc93c3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Wc15Yc)


Some celluloid Platinums
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/36207758372_be21ef169c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Xaye75)


Some celluloid Sailors
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/35567764073_f6c2cb8188_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Wc166B)


Some vintage Platinum maki-e
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/36207758622_82459bee74_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Xayebo)

[penwash]

Man, those vintage Platinum Maki-e are gorgeous.