Looking for a flex pen

[Shishigami_Reishin]

Hello, I'm actually searching a flex pen with line variation. I heard of some interesting ones such as noodler's pens and the serwex mb, also the vintage flex pens ( Waterman's ideal, sheaffer, etc) but I thought those were too much expensive (~150€) and actually I can't sell my left arm to buy a pen :3.

So I was wondering if it's a good idea for price and flex to buy a pen nibbed with the zebra G nib. Is ahab or serwex mb better flex experience ? I need your advices, because I currently just have a lamy safari with broad nib.

NB: I heard of stub/italic nibs too but I don't know if it's what I want.. I want to flex when I want and not every times the pen goes vertical.

Thanks by advance !

[scrivelry]

A flex dip pen nib and a nib holder is a very good choice for getting into using flex nibs. I think you can get them that flex much more than the Ahab or Serwex, but I am not 100 percent certain.

Some people have had good results using the Zebra G nibs in Chinese fountain pens. However, I think that to begin, the Zebra G nib and a regular pen holder is a better idea.

Not everyone ends up liking flex as much as they thought they would, vintage nibs are pricey and you don't want to ruin them once you've got them, for these and probably other reasons as well the nib and pen holder, with a bottle of ink, is a great way to start.

I personally like writing with italic nibs, but that is with my "regular" cursive - what I was taught in elementary school. There are special scripts which call for an italic nib - medieval ones, in particular - and special scripts which call for flex - 19th century ones in particular. They are two very different techniques and looks.

[SIR]

Ackerman pump pens
http://www.ackermanpens.com

c.€50 including shipping.

[Terie_Benjamin]

That's the coolest pen ever. Do you have any experience with this?

[SIR]

No, still yet to 'acquire' one but the moment could be getting closer - I am using dip pens more, so could well be a justifiable addition to the pen pot.

[Terie_Benjamin]

Such a great price I think I might have to order it.

[Pterodactylus]

The Noodlers and FPR flex nibs are per default not really flexible, you can call them semi flex.

But with not much effort you can turn them into reasonable flex pens.

Take a look at the EMF mod.
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/fo...e-my-flex-mod/

Unfortunately I did not created an EMF thread here yet (but I will do soon)
Please notice that I can´t respond to the FPN thread anymore as they disabled my account there.
If you have any questions I´m happy to answer them here (at this great uncensored place).

As said dip pens are also always an option (but at least me they always give troubles regarding flow, I prefer FPs, they are easier to use for me)

To go vintage is always an option, but it's most likely a good idea to try dip nibs or an EMF nib before to see if you like flexible nibs before spending more money.

Btw. You can also only flex a flex nib on the vertical stroke, not horizontal.
Italic nibs are also great.
I love nibs with character, flex and italic ones.

[Shishigami_Reishin]

Ok, thanks for the answer. Is it possible to buy a vintage flex around ~50€ ? I don't believe it but if it is, I'll try to find one.
If not the pump pen or the ahab will be an alternative.

[SIR]

Ok, thanks for the answer. Is it possible to buy a vintage flex around ~50€ ? I don't believe it but if it is, I'll try to find one.
If not the pump pen or the ahab will be an alternative.

Just my own opinion, but having had an Ahab I found the build quality of the pen left a lot to be desired; also, though the flex nib is good, it isn't nearly as good as the nibs available on the Ackerman.

Oh, and yes one can definitely get vintage flex for around €50 but you should be discerning and very much shop around;
just an example of one UK seller's wares - http://www.writetime.co.uk/nothingover/nothingover.htm .

[carlos.q]

You could also look into some modern flex fountain pens:

http://www.desideratapens.com/

[penwash]

Ok, thanks for the answer. Is it possible to buy a vintage flex around ~50€ ? I don't believe it but if it is, I'll try to find one.
If not the pump pen or the ahab will be an alternative.

I think you can.
What you won't get is a working vintage pen that flex wonderfully *and* looks amazingly preserved.

But if you want a good user-grade vintage flex pen, 65-75 USD is not an absurd budget.

[Dreck]

If you already have a pen and just need a flex nib, I would be more than happy to send one to you. I replaced all of my Noodler's flex nibs with Fine #6 Knox ones.

[Shishigami_Reishin]

I just have a lamy Safari actually, I don't know if it's good.

[Pterodactylus]

IMO, it is very difficult to get a nice vintage full flex pen for 100€ or less.
Not everything which is sold as flex pen is really one (and is in a good restored condition)
The definitions are not fixed, even if you see a writing sample you can't be sure that the seller didn't squeezed the nib with brute force until the nib begged for mercy.

I would still try dip nibs or (EMF) modern "Flex" Nibs (FPR, Noodlers) first.
They are cheap, you can't damage them easily, you can test them and learn how to write with it.

[Shishigami_Reishin]

Ok. Good idea. I will maybe start a job in some months/years and after I'll be able to buy a vintage flex and maybe a pump pen before ^^.

[SIR]

Such a great price I think I might have to order it.

Why, you...
One pen plus an extra nib unit - £40 including shipping, thanks!

[penwash]

IMO, it is very difficult to get a nice vintage full flex pen for 100€ or less.
Not everything which is sold as flex pen is really one (and is in a good restored condition)
The definitions are not fixed, even if you see a writing sample you can't be sure that the seller didn't squeezed the nib with brute force until the nib begged for mercy.

I restore and sell vintage pens and I do provide writing samples.
The statement emphasized above does not apply to me (in fact, I really doubt that it applies to anybody else who have sold vintage pens for a significant length of time).

I don't "squeeze" nibs more than what they are capable of. Why do that? That would just ruin a perfectly good nib.
If the nib is a good flex, it'll show, if not, it'll show too.

This is one of the latest pen I sold:



The buyer bought this pen as his third, from me. And he knows how to use a flex nib.

[Pterodactylus]

IMO, it is very difficult to get a nice vintage full flex pen for 100€ or less.
Not everything which is sold as flex pen is really one (and is in a good restored condition)
The definitions are not fixed, even if you see a writing sample you can't be sure that the seller didn't squeezed the nib with brute force until the nib begged for mercy.

I restore and sell vintage pens and I do provide writing samples.
The statement emphasized above does not apply to me (in fact, I really doubt that it applies to anybody else who have sold vintage pens for a significant length of time).

I don't "squeeze" nibs more than what they are capable of. Why do that? That would just ruin a perfectly good nib.
If the nib is a good flex, it'll show, if not, it'll show too.

This is one of the latest pen I sold:



The buyer bought this pen as his third, from me. And he knows how to use a flex nib.

Show_response_957 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

(Serwex MB flex EMF ..... ESS Registrars Blue/Black)

Nice pen you sold.
May I ask for how much you sold it?

[penwash]

Show_response_957 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

(Serwex MB flex EMF ..... ESS Registrars Blue/Black)

Nice pen you sold.
May I ask for how much you sold it?

I guess I'm uncomplicated.
Honesty is the best policy. And usually it's the easiest route to a rewarding experience.

(Nice writing, as usual, btw).

The pen was sold for $70 because he's a repeat buyer and we became FP friends.
I believe it will sold for higher if I waited, but since he asked for it, I gave it to him.

[Shishigami_Reishin]

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.

I actually can't put so much money in a FP. But maybe in the future I could buy the Waterman with #7 keyhole nib. *.*

And so actually the best choice is : ahab.
But I saw ahab could have some railroading for flex, that the serwex mb doesn't have, but that last have skipping with normal writing.

Which should I choose ? Actually I'm confused x).