Looking for a flex pen

[Pterodactylus]

You can choose the one or the other both are suitable , non of them will work as a good (full) flex pen without tweaking, and this is a fact, currently you can't get a good flex experience out of the box from a modern pen.

Modifying the nib is quite easy, tweaking the feed is the difficult part.
I suggest to read the EMF thread on FPN I linked above.

Or go the dip nib path first....

[penwash]

You say that you sell restored vintage FP for 70$ But after say that it was for a friend.
The conclusion is that pterodactylus said the truth : under 100$ is pretty impossible.

You are of course, entitled to a conclusion. Unfortunately, the one you made above is incorrect.

I definitely sold a couple of really good *vintage* flex for under $100.
The "friend" part of my statement was there because Ptero was asking about that specific Epenco pen, it has nothing to do with other pens I sold that are also below $100.

Actually, there is nothing to be confused about. Modern "flex" cannot compete with a really good vintage flex.
But here is the key, *not* all vintage flex nibs are good either. Tons of junk out there.
So your choices are two:
1) Wade through ebay and restore your own vintage flex nib
or
2) Buy from those who'll find, restore, and test it for you

People who bought from me chose no.2. It's that simple.

[Shishigami_Reishin]

Is there a comon model of vintage flexible pen (That we easily found) but unknown, at almost the same price of the ahab ? i mean arround 25€ or 35-40 ?
I think not but i could be wrong.
If not i'll buy the Ahab and wait for money. I don't want to miss a good deal. ^^
By the way thanks for all the answers i learned a lot .

[carlos.q]

….currently you can't get a good flex experience out of the box from a modern pen.

[…]

Or go the dip nib path first....

I believe that was the idea behind the Desiderata Pen Company: a modern pen with Zebra G flex nibs. For those who want full flex and the convenience of a fountain pen it seems the way to go.

IMG_6497.JPG

For the record: I'm not affiliated in any way with this company. In fact, I have no use at all for flex nibs.

Please see post #31 below. Picture is NOT mine!!!

[Pterodactylus]

Carlos, great penmanship, awesome, well done !
If this is no usage for a flex nib then I don't know what is.

Yeah, it is a real flex pen, but as it uses a dip nib it has a limited lifespan.
The Zebra G nib will last not very long when it is mounted in a pen with continuous ink contact.

I remember that EoC used Zebra G nibs in fountain pens, but they lasted only a couple of weeks until they corroded.

[earthdawn]

CARLOS !!!

Wow that is some beautiful penmanship

I hope you sent that to Pierre to see.

[SIR]

But what is the price of a new nib, the desiderata and ackerman pens are designed with the replacement of nibs by the user as a very definite and essential feature.
And if you are aware of the corrosion issue, you remember to clean the nibs after use, don't you?

[earthdawn]

SIR ~ Jetpens is one of the places you can find them.

$13.50 for a 10 pack

http://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Comic-P...-of-10/pd/4195

Fantastic replacement price and they are about that anywhere you will find them ...

[SIR]

Sorry Earthdawn, I was being kinda rhetorical... We are in complete agreement; the low price of replacement nibs makes their relatively short lifespan a negligible consideration.

[Pterodactylus]

You are Right, this is a reasonable option.
At least if you are a heavy user, not only writing with it now and then.

What filling system does it have?

Is the nib replacement easy?

[carlos.q]

Pterodactylus and Earthdawn:
Ooooops! The picture I posted is not mine!!! I forgot to add that it comes from the Desiderata web page.
My own writing is chicken scratch....

[SIR]

Semi flex, £45

1930s Mabie Todd Swan SM205/60 in good overall condition

Or

Semi flex, £69

Again a 1930s Mabie Todd Swan, but this time a 200/60 and in "absolute mint" condition.

http://www.heritagecollectables.com/Mabie%20Todd.htm

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Desiderata Daedalus - US $70 - takes a dip pen (zebra G) and is built to be robust.

I wouldn't bother with the Ackerman pens based on the reviews.

Finding good sellers like penwash is always going to be good for you in the long run (and probably the short run too) - and I only regret that I do not know him myself.

I bought a Waterman 52 with a modestly flexible nib for $20 a few weeks ago on eBay. Needs a new sac and I had to fix the lever box - this is my first EVER pen repair, and if I can do it I am certain everyone else can.



Now a caution:

If you look on eBay for really flexible pens then be prepared to pay exorbitant prices for any in reasonable (and sometimes substandard) condition.

If you spend enough time on there looking you will build an idea of who is gouging.

There are long-time sellers who will shout from the rooftops if they know they have a noodle to sell, and who will not say a thing about a nib that is firm. This, to me, is an underhanded practice aimed at encouraging the buyer to make unsupported assumptions about the flexibility of the nib. These games are easy to spot too if you have a little patience. Pisses me right off quite frankly.

There are reputable sellers who are known to lament the absurdity of prices for flexible pens, but who are more than happy to encourage the drive for higher prices. They will attempt to claim the high ground of "it's what the market demands" if questioned. It's just bullshit.

Basically you need to spend some time just watching on eBay in order to avoid the sharks - and there are many.

[SIR]

Onoto K3, semi flex, late '50s, mint condition and gold fill + gold nib, £55

http://www.heritagecollectables.com/onoto_de_la_rue.htm

[Cob]

I sell a few pens (mostly Swans plus a few Onotos) on ebay. Many of these have flexible nibs - I always provide a writing sample and my pens are always overhauled before sale. I have four up today finishing this evening and another four will go up tonight for next week. I offer a full refund (14 days) if dissatisfied.

My ebay id is pderl. One or two members here know of my pens and over the past 18 months or so I have sold around 300 pens.

Here's one of this week's lot:

2.jpg

Rgds

Cob

[penwash]

Finding good sellers like penwash is always going to be good for you in the long run (and probably the short run too) - and I only regret that I do not know him myself.

I bought a Waterman 52 with a modestly flexible nib for $20 a few weeks ago on eBay. Needs a new sac and I had to fix the lever box - this is my first EVER pen repair, and if I can do it I am certain everyone else can.

EoC, thank you for the kind words.

Replacing the sac is not a big deal, but fixing the lever box on a Waterman 52 deserves special recognition, that thing is fragile (both the lever and the barrel).
That's a super job for your first ever repair!!

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Thanks, but I think it was a bit of beginner's luck really. The pins on the lever were not set right and as I was fiddling with a small flat screw driver I must have worked one of the tabs loose. Anyway the whole thing popped out and I was able to reset the pins and put everything back. When the new sac gets here we'll see if the repair will hold. Bit of fun to try though!

[Anne]

Desiderata Daedalus - US $70 - takes a dip pen (zebra G) and is built to be robust.

Have you used the Spencerian No. 1 nibs at all? I wonder how similar the size would be to the Zebra G and if the Daedalus would accept the Spencerian No. 1 nib.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

I have used one, and I don't know if it will fit into the Daedalus. However, considering the high prices for the Spencerian #1 it's probably only going to be relevant to serious calligraphers, and I doubt that they will want to jam that nib in there.

[Anne]

I have used one, and I don't know if it will fit into the Daedalus. However, considering the high prices for the Spencerian #1 it's probably only going to be relevant to serious calligraphers, and I doubt that they will want to jam that nib in there.

Lol I only have one of them and just trying to find Something to fit it. I appreciate your answer. I always wanted to ask you because I have read so many of your posts regarding using dip nibs.