View Poll Results: What nib would Superman use?

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  • UEF

    1 6.67%
  • EF

    0 0%
  • F

    1 6.67%
  • M

    2 13.33%
  • B

    0 0%
  • BB

    0 0%
  • Stub

    3 20.00%
  • Italic

    2 13.33%
  • Flex

    4 26.67%
  • Other

    2 13.33%
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Thread: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

  1. #1
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Question Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Serious question, hear me out...

    I am having a custom pen made with the theme/connection to Superman... It's a long story based on an idea I had after spending too long in Instagram.

    So I've already decided that the "Man of Steel" would use a Steel nib... But what type? I can't make a decision!

    I am comfortable using all nibs from UEF to 3B to stubs to italics to flex... But what should I put on a Superman pen?

    All suggestions gratefully received, even better with sound reasoning and a solid connection.

    Thanks all for your time for my idiotic question.

    p.s. I'm a Marvel guy!... Go figure!
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Write Superman over and over in different nib sizes and see which one you like the look of better

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    Sammyo (September 4th, 2017)

  4. #3
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Quote Originally Posted by Stickler View Post
    Write Superman over and over in different nib sizes and see which one you like the look of better
    Thanks Stickler, but that will ALWAYS be the flex nib

    The question for me is "What would Superman/Clark Kent use in his pen?

    Sent from my SCV31 using Tapatalk
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    If you can make a pen with interchangeable nibs, how about:

    1) a fine stiff nib for a reporter, something that supports fast writing, but not so fine that it catches on a steno pad. So not a steno nib. EF, F, MF?

    2) something bolder for a superhero - a stub. That way you get an 'S' designation engraved on the nib.

    And of course a swappable nondescript cap or binde so that the Lois pen remains blissfully unaware of Superpen's alter ego.

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    BayesianPrior (September 4th, 2017), Jerome Tarshis (September 6th, 2017), Sammyo (September 4th, 2017)

  7. #5
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Quote Originally Posted by catbert View Post
    If you can make a pen with interchangeable nibs, how about:

    1) a fine stiff nib for a reporter, something that supports fast writing, but not so fine that it catches on a steno pad. So not a steno nib. EF, F, MF?

    2) something bolder for a superhero - a stub. That way you get an 'S' designation engraved on the nib.

    And of course a swappable nondescript cap or binde so that the Lois pen remains blissfully unaware of Superpen's alter ego.
    Great explanation, I love it, thanks for taking the time

    Sent from my SCV31 using Tapatalk
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

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  9. #6
    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Superman's nib would be a Stub obviously.

    Why else would he had an 'S' on his uniform?

    But since you're a Marvel guy, why not make an Ironman pen instead?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Sammyo (September 4th, 2017)

  11. #7
    Senior Member Paddler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    I see the reasoning behind the stub nib. But Clark Kent would not find one of those to be very handy for taking notes on a steno pad. You need to grind the stub nib so when it is turned over it writes a fine line. I think there is a nibmeister who will grind an "italifine" nib that would be appropriate.
    "Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little." -Epicurus-

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  13. #8
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    There can only be one answer to this question, of course:

    Show_response_1121 by Ptero Pterodactylus, auf Flickr

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



    Even better if the Superflex nib is made from steel.

  14. #9
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Superman's nib would be a Stub obviously.
    Why else would he had an 'S' on his uniform?
    I see this becoming an easier decision!
    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    But since you're a Marvel guy, why not make an Ironman pen instead?
    Long story, but I had an idea tat I am keeping close to my chest for now. Working with a well regarded pen maker to make it real, but in a long queue, so plenty of time to fine tune and make changes.
    I have seen many Karas Kustoms "Ironman" pens and really like them... I'm now trying to think of a Marvel pen version too... but it has to be subtle and somewhat obscure... because that is the kind of thing I like, the whole "if you see it" thing.
    Thanks for the feedback and suggestions
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

  15. #10
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Quote Originally Posted by Paddler View Post
    You need to grind the stub nib so when it is turned over it writes a fine line. I think there is a nibmeister who will grind an "italifine" nib that would be appropriate.
    I like the idea of a double nib, like the man himself has two identities!!! oooooooo!!!! now you made it harder!!!!
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

  16. #11
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Quote Originally Posted by Pterodactylus View Post
    There can only be one answer to this question, of course:
    ...
    (Serwex MB flex EMF ..... ESS Registrars Blue/Black)
    Even better if the Superflex nib is made from steel.
    I do like the idea of a flex nib... but it needs to be the right one.
    Thanks for the work and superb writing, it always helps to make a point better
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

  17. #12
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    I would say that a man who can lift a locomotive would not use a flex.. springing tines in the 1940s is too easy

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  19. #13
    alexander_k
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Best poll ever! And surprisingly most think italic (myself included), even though broad would probably be more appropriate.

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  21. #14
    Senior Member grainweevil's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Given the whole alter ego mild-mannered etc general duplicitousness, I would suggest an oblique. But then I never trust a man who wears his underpants in any visible manner.

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  23. #15
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Quote Originally Posted by alexander_k View Post
    Best poll ever! And surprisingly most think italic (myself included), even though broad would probably be more appropriate.
    I am not so diligent a reader of polling threads that I consider myself able to say this is the best ever. But it is, by a considerable margin, my favorite so far. Not so much because of the question as because of the nuanced replies it has drawn. This is a pen message board at its most entertaining.

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  25. #16
    Senior Member Sammyo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    This has been wonderful to read all your comments and great insights.

    I agree this thread has been fun because of the quality of responses.

    So far it's tied between flex and stub... This is fun for me, I can't wait to see where this goes!
    Sam O

    "A fountain pen with a bad nib is like a Ferrari with a flat tyre..." - Brian Gray, Edison pens

  26. #17
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    Default Re: Serious question about fountain pens and Superman...

    Looks like the consensus is heading towards a flexy stub.

    Not a problem for Clark if you assume he knows shorthand.

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