Comparison of Some Modern Flex Pens
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- čas přidán 3. 04. 2018
- I compare four modern flex pens and choose a winner to (possibly) go up against a vintage pen in a later video.
Omas Ogiva
• Omas Ogiva
Noodler’s Konrad
• Noodler's Konrad (Ebon...
Aurora 88 (flex)
• Aurora 88 (flex)
Pilot Custom 743 (fa)
• Pilot Custom 743 fa - Jak na to + styl
This comparison is very timely for me. I am seriously considering the Pilot FA nib and this is a nice overview. I really enjoy your travel vids, along with your pen stuff. Thanks for the great reviews.
I really enjoy this nib. It has flexibility and I've never had trouble with railroading.
It is a bit feedbacky though and the amount of flex really depends on the angle.
Great video, what flex pen would your recommend I should buy to review? And since itll be my first flex pen. )
That's a difficult question. Noodler's are interesting, but not necessarily consistently consistent pens. Aurora has interesting flex nibs, but you saw that they're not the best in this video. I actually like the Pilot Falcon nibs the best right now. But I understand that Jowo has some flex nibs now. And I think Conklin has a flex nib as well (might be Jowo).
I learn so much from your videos. 😁
I'm glad to hear that!
Very informative. I don’t communicate very well with the vintage flex nibs I have. I guess it takes more time and effort to master them than I am willing to invest. For a modern semi-flex nib, the Pilot Falcon seems to have a lot going for it, and your video confirms this. Thank you.
I'm not great with flex nibs either. But they do make some of the writing fun.
This was another great, balanced, fair, and accurate review ... thank you! It would have been nice to see a Pilot 912 #10 nib included.
I agree. I just don't own one.
I have a question. Your opinion would be helpful. I’ll try not to ramble on, but it’s the best way i can explain what I’m looking for. I want to purchase a fountain pen, with decent flex, but also very smooth. I have a pilot falcon (not the fa nib) & its very scratchy (probably because i got it in ef). I was thinking of getting the pilot 823 in a sm or even a sb. I seen a vid of someone with a sm 823 but the vid is old, I can’t find a website that mentions an 823 with a sm (soft medium), could it be they don’t make it and the old vid had them swap the nib for a different pilot nib? Besides that, could you recommend a smooth + flex pen? I don’t want to go the route of indy pen dance, or one of those, because they’re way too expensive, you have to wait months for the pen, and I believe they are still scratchy. I love the platinum 3776 because of the special seal n cap, but it’s not flexy. Or should i just get another pilot falcon in medium or broad. I rambled. Thanks
The 823 isn't sold with many nibs in the US. It's only sold with fine, medium, and broad.
I personally do like the Platinum soft fine, but I can understand why you wouldn't.
You might look for a model of Pilot with the FA (falcon) nib. This is different from the Pilot Falcon.
I suggest asking other pen people: I own modern pens, but my knowledge is more about vintage pens.
I sure hope that your vintage pen turns out to be an Esterbrook J with a 9048 nib. I just inked mine up and would like to see what you would do with one like it. Thanks for the demo on flex nib pens. I learned a lot.
I want to thank you for your comment. I am clearing out all my comments older than a few months with this generic comment, but I want you to know that I did read your comment, even if I missed it when it was originally posted.
Nathan has a video demonstrating how to increase flow through the Fountain Pen Feed.
Nathan uses a rotary tool with a saw blade to enlarge the ink channel, I actually gave myself a nice big scar trying that though so I suggest sticking with the razor blade (saw blades give almost zero resistance on flesh), and in general it's probably best to use a hobby vice to hold the fountain pen feed and not your fingers.
Sounds a little terrifying! Yes, a vice would be a good idea.
I appreciate your thoughtful comments about each pen. You provide great explanation of what is going on with each pen so the viewer is able to understand how it would meet their needs.
I'm glad it helped. Each pen has its own good points, and I was glad to share them.
An excellent review, I think the problem with using any fountain pen in the modern age is that most writers have used a ballpoint pen at some time in the pat, these not only develop a bad holding technique, but also make the writers hand insensitive to pressure, anyone that was educated in a time when written work in the classroom was done with a steel flex dip pen would not have a problem with these "modern flex pens", the Noodlers pen are not a very good example of what writing with a fountain pen should be, they or more likely to put a user off ever using one again, I know that I have tried several, and frustration sums up the experience,(quite apart from the pervading odour they emit). Your Omas nib should be quite easy to modify to fine, and I can see why you would like to have the fine nib in this pen, I think the only way to go if you want a very nice soft writing nib is to buy a vintage pen, they are much more relaxing to use. I would like to see you review some vintage flex pens,Mabie Todd, Onoto etc, and make a comparison. It is a wonder to me that everyone seems to crave a flex nib, yet no modern manufacturers can make one worth buying. Chris B.
I have a lot of good vintage flex pens. For the vintage video, I may struggle a bit to limit my offerings.
I like that Noodler's is a good pen to experiment with and learn from. Back before I knew better, I had a lot of them. But, it is so much work to get that good writing experience that a novice would be put off. I credit Noodler's with getting people interested in modern flex and in pushing the lower cost market. But these pens are limited.
Eloquenty put, Chris :)
That's me in nutshell. Learnt to write with a dip pen and was very disappointed with the Noodlers, quite apart from that stank. So yes, gone to vintage; Mabie Todd, Conway Stewart, old Parkers. This carries some risk, as you're usually buying online. I don't really understand why modern pen makers don't make pens like these. Have they gone deaf listening to the chorus of requests? If ever there was a market waiting for a product, here it is.
Unfortunately, Dragonize, this is what we are (now) left with - commerce, increasing overheads, staff numbers being cut in the fountain pen manufacturing world - even the big boys & girls have ceded to cutting corners, & therein, quality productivity & range; the irony is, that premium Pen makers still command unconscionably high prices for (their) somewhat limited product. Attempting to impact upon such a marketplace with what was once excellent, has sadly, fallen on deaf ears :/
Fountain pens aren't the only pen now-a-days, and definitely not the best. Though they are fun, ballpoints and rollerballs are fell less maintenance, so of course they're more popular. With that being that, less company's make fountain pens now, and a low cost is kind of a competition. Noodlers does a great job of introducing users to pistons and flex nibs at a very low cost, keeping the fountain pen community alive. Seeing as not everyone has a couple hundred to spend on a pen, having cheaper pens like noodlers and jinhao have, more people may consider getting into fountain pens.
I'd throw in a Noodlers Triple Tail with a 3 tine nib. During long periods of lock downs I've got into flex nibs and Caligraphy a lot. Ebonite feeds with Piston fillers, eyedroppers are my favourites. If your pen runs a bit dry, have an egg cup with some red wine and dip it in - works for me.
I haven't tried the Triple Tail, but I do have a Neponset. It is a fun nib.
Interesting about the red wine. I'm curious why red wine? And what happens if you drink it after some dipping?
Very impressed with the results of the Falcon nib - this demo reminds me I want one, so I am updating my pen purchase list. Thanks!
I hope it works out for you. I love mine very much!
Loved the camera useage. Thanks for the info!
Blessings.
I'm glad you enjoyed. Thank-you!
Waski thank you for the flex- off i was very impressed with the way some the pens performed. I also agree with the winner. And thank you again for another awesome video.
There really were some good pens here. Going into it, the only one I was sure about was last place.
Waski it just goes to show what we find out with a bit of a showdown, i thought the Aurora might have won. I forgot to mention i found a very old Conway Stewart with a beautiful 14 k flex nib but sadly the pen is shot but the nib, feed and section are still OK. So i might see what i can do with. Once again thank you very much for your reply i much appreciate it.
Waski thank you very much loving my last comment.
what do you think about the 3776 soft fine?
I love it! it's not as flexible as the other pens in this video, but I enjoy it very much.
I was rooting for the Ogiva. I wonder if your falcon nib is the same as what I have on my Namiki Falcon.
The Namiki falcon is a smaller nib, and not quite the same structure as this one.
I sprung my Noodler's Ahab "flex" nib so I swapped it with a Leonardt Manuscript dip nib and I love it!
Noodler's pens actually do great with a different nib.
I own just one of these, the Aurora, in an Optima hardware. Love this nib, it is springy, it gives nice character to your writing while at the same time being snooth and pleasant to use for fast, casual writing. That being said, it is not a full flex nib. I would call it a semi-flexible nib. I own another Aurora, a "Novum", from the 1930s, which is full flex, and the difference is obvious. Although you have to be more careful and write slower with these vintage full flex nibs, of course.
Anyway, the Pelikan M1000 remains my overall favourite nib, considering both vintage and modern pens; smooth, juicy, springy. Just perfect for me.
I agree on your assessment of this nib. The original Aurora 88 has a much nicer nib. But I do enjoy this one.
Yes, if I remade this video now, I would definitely include the Pelikan m1000!
Cool. What's the flexiest fountain pen of all time (including vintage ones)? Thank you.
God bless, Proverbs 31
I hear most often about the Waterman 52. You might get a more knowledgeable answer from @chrisrap52 or @Grandmiapens.
excelente video. El que mas me impresionó fue el Pilot 743 FA. gran variación y el color de la tinta destacaba mucho el cambio de grosor. Buen trabajo.
¡Gracias! El 743 tiene una gran punta de halcón (lo siento, no estoy seguro de cómo se llama en español). ¡Es una pluma buena!
Very awesome and helpful review, thanks. One of the best modern flex comparison reviews I've seen yet. I have the Pilot 912 FA and agree it is a great modern flex pen with the right ink. The Omas Ogiva extra flessible is looking like one I'd like to acquire if I can find one for a good price. Look forward to the comparison to vintage flex review.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have not used the 912, but I understand it has the same nib as my 743. Great nib.
Omas is getting a little more expensive since they're no longer made.
Of possibly interesting note, I have a Noodler's Nib Creeper (with no modifications) that appears to flex more and with more reliability than your Konrad was. I rarely get railroading, even with fairly heavy flexing (I'm using Private Reserve Burgandy Mist in it). It does take a somewhat ridiculous amount of pressure, though.
On the other hand, the only pens that I own for comparison are a Conklin Duraflex (which isn't so stellar) and an array of dip nibs.
I found the Creeper a little more consistent in its behavior. One of the things I don't like with the Konrad is that the same pen can behave very differently with a different ink. Or you take the pen apart, and you can never get the nib and feed matched up just right again.
WaskiSquirrel Good to know. I like a lot of the resins Noodler's uses for their Konrads, but if they're that inconsistent, I don't know how much I really want to get one.
Well, THAT's interesting! I always thought that FA nib is somewhere between Konrad and "real" flex pens (like Aurora).
A true FA nib is quite flexible. But they are not designed with our writing system in mind. I was surprised by the Aurora: I thought it was more flexible until I put these pens side by side.
Is it bad that I sortof like the "rail roading"? I mean it looks kinda cool in cursive 😅
Thanks for the video though. I learned a lot!!
Railroading can look good in the right context. I don't like it all the time. But sometimes, it's fun in contrast with regular writing.
You seem to be one of the luckier owners of the Pilots with an FA nib. I got this nib on a 912 and though it flexes wonderfully there's quite a bit of hard starting as well as ink starvation even after modding the feed. That's why in my personal experience a pen fitted with an Ebonite feed would be always preferable to one with a stock plastic feed, even if it meant less variation in line width. That your FA nib works so well is great though. The nib really flexes beautifully and when it writes it's a joy to use.
I've heard the same complaints about the FA nib. The explanation I always heard was that it is designed for the short strokes of Japanese writing. I'm just glad I got one of the good ones!
The FA seems to be very picky with inks. Some inks definately flow better and railroads less than others in this pen. Im having good results with MB Royal Blue. Permanent Blue works very well too.
That's a good point. Ink is an important part of the writing experience, and they do all act differently in different pens.
I will have to agree with your choice of a winner . I liked the Omas so much I got the Bloody Mary version in Med
I wouldn’t flex it really hard either lol
You have that Bloody (Mary) - I'll have a Guinness - thank you kindly ;D
I want to thank you for your comment. I am clearing out all my comments older than a few months with this generic comment, but I want you to know that I did read your comment, even if I missed it when it was originally posted.
Didn't you try to heat set the feed?
I have. That pen apparently just doesn't play well with that ink.
I bet you will be going for a vintage Waterman with a gold flexible nib 14/18 karat nib from the 20s. Gorgeous.
I actually do own a Waterman's 52!
Have you ever tried any of the fountain pen revolution FPR flex pens...Indus, Guru, Jaipur....these are piston fillers...some what comparable to Noodler's... although they seem to be made in India...but as they are marketed by USA based company... almost impossible to buy for Indian FP lovers.,..however Kanwrite is another Indian brand that makes descent flex nibs... kanwrite heritage is a nice piston filler...modeled after Aurora Optima....You may like that pen...ink window...blind cap...no nonsense design...descent nib...and quite affordable too...
I have not tried their flex nibs. I think I have one or two in the pipeline, when I get some more time for video recording. I've liked the Indian pens I've tried so far (OK, one exception, but it was so bad it never even got a video).
Good fun! Straightforward, simple and clear. I agreed with your choice at the end - I do think it's wee shame you couldn't have the fine nib on the Omas - it looked a bit like it could have been a winner. Certainly the medium nib puts down a LOT of ink! If you ever manage to find a fine Omas nib .... you'll have to let us see it in action!
Thanks for the fun
By the way I'm trying to organise a little pen meetup in Derbyshire - Wanna come?!? Haha ... but I am sure you would be good fun! I think there may be three or four (!) of US.
[was that your first international invitation? ;) ]
That is my first international invitation! Funny: my grandparents' last name was Derbyshire.
I'll be keeping my eyes open for a fine Omas, or at least a nib. At the time, I was just lucky to find anything.
In my experience the larger Falcon nibs work better than the smaller nibs, easier to flex better flow, I believe the 743 has a # 15 nib, Pilot's largest. Would be a great video comparing the writing of the various sized Pilot Falcon nibs.
I'm looking forward to seeing your video. Thanks for volunteering!
I am wondering if that is more about the size of the feed whether than the properties of the nib, as my 912 fa flexes perfectly but usually starts railroading after a few sentences. However my custom urushi is less flexy than 912 but its gargantuan feed enables to write pages with a very nice amount of line variation without even railroading once
I love the Noddlers flex pen or any of the noodlers pens.
Noodler's are pretty good, but they do require some work.
A 400 dollar pen better do all my writing automatically and win awards.
I like mine to make coffee. :)
Awesome video, thanks Waski!
I want to thank you for your comment. I am clearing out all my comments older than a few months with this generic comment, but I want you to know that I did read your comment, even if I missed it when it was originally posted.
I am quite surprise that Pilot is doing better than Omas and Aurora in this video . Thanks for making it.
Honestly, I expected the Omas to win this. Glad you enjoyed!
What's the difference in the pilot 74 and 743?
The only real difference is size and variety of finishes. The 74 has more finishes, but is a much smaller nib (#5 in Pilot's system). The 743 has fewer finishes, but more nib options and the nib is a #15 in Pilot's system.
@@WaskiSquirrel why the difference in size?
I'm not sure. My understanding is that people usually equate larger nibs with luxury. The larger nib is the same one also on the Pilot Custom 823.
The Esterbrook nibs have a little bit of flex to them too.
Depends on which one. I may use an Esterbrook in my vintage video when I get to that.
I love my falcon, my personal favorite!
The falcon nibs are quite nice.
이분 743 피드 진짜 잘뽑으셨네..ㄷㄷ
I don't know Korean, so I'm relying on Google Translate:
743 is a good nib, and I got a good feed with it.
743은 좋은 펜촉이고, 나는 그것으로 좋은 사료를 얻었습니다.
Pretty sure the Aurora has an ebonite feed..I have the Optima and the Talentum both with 14kt nibs and ebonite feeds.
Thanks! Several viewers have told me their upper end pens have ebonite feeds.
I have two dozen Aurora pens of varied models, both the upscale ones and the more affordable ones. They all have ebonite feeds. It’s the default standard for Aurora pens.
Thank you for this first instalment. I am pleased to say I would have chosen the Pilot as my winner as well. In an ideal world someone on eBay would be selling the very Omas nib you wanted for that pen. Sadly, you might have to wait a long time for that to happen. As to vintage pens to challenge the Pilot. I really enjoyed your Centropen. Also you have a Senator and is it a Columbus? Sorry if my memory is playing tricks but those three were lovely pens, in my opinion.
I check every so often for that nib, but as you say, I may be waiting.
I think the Centropen may be my winner too. But you are right: I have a lot of pens with good vintage flex, and the Columbus and my most recent Senator are just two of them. I will need to think through how to design that video.
من العراق......اقلام رائعة تذكرنا بايام الشباب عنما نكون سعداء بشرائها......وفي الحقيقه هذه الاقلام النفيسه......
آمل أن يأتي السلام إلى بلدك مرة أخرى وستتمكن مرة أخرى من الاستمتاع بالأقلام الجميلة.
I have flex dip pen nibs. £1.50. They are great. Fountain pen revolution pens with ultra flex nibs are quite reasonably priced and work very well.
Better than the G nib fountain pen I tried. I have no experience with vintage flex pens.
I use my fountain pen revolution Indus pens most days and love them. I have a solid red colour one and a clear demonstrater.
They are piston fillers that hold a lot of ink. Also they are easy to service yourself with no special tools. See the video from fpr.
You're right about the dip pen nibs. I have put Speedball nibs in my Noodler's Konrad. The only problem is they begin to rust after a while.
I think FPR may actually make some of the Noodler's pens. I have a few, though not flex, that were sent to me and are waiting for a review.
Indeed, the Falcon nib on that 743 Custom is a clear winner, Jason. Not even sure why you included the Noodler's Konrad - I'm not being snobby because it has a steel nib, but because, dear Nathan does not listen to his client base - & certainly, I appreciate his largesse - to bring affordable (modern) flexion to the industry, but in truth, whether it's an 'Ahab', a 'Neponset' or the aforementioned, he (Nathan) must address this issue of dry starts - or no function whatsoever, without having to repeatedly heat-set the nib unit after every strip down of the pen(s). For myself, I have lost count of the number of times I've had to re-set the nib/feed configuration. Now, they sit in their respective boxes - or if I am inclined to use them, they are employed as dip pens. I'm a tolerant man, but there's only so many times you can be pissed off with the same writing instrument.
In regard to Omas, yeah, I really missed the boat, there - never purchased one - & because they are now defunct, obtaining one for a reasonable price, is difficult.
I own two Aurora 88's - the coloured demonstrator models - one of which has a modern flex - it's not bad at all - but as you have asserted - you have to be careful not to over extend the tines; they're really fun scribes.
Thank you very much for this presentation - altho' I'm fourteen months behind it's issue - always informative & relaxed :D
Thank you for your very detailed comment. I agree that the Konrad isn't much.
I'm glad you enjoyed my flex experience!
As far as I am concerned, Jason, your presentations are always full of good content, & therefore, great to watch - my son has now subscribed too, so you have this family's full attention :D
There is a modern alternative: a flex nib of fpr on a a Himalaya or a Jaipur.
I've heard about those nibs, but I haven't tried on yet. I will keep that in mind.
Nice. I chose the same winner!
Glad to hear it!
The Aurora uses an ebonite feed
Thanks! I've heard that from a few now.
10:53 holy! Getting seasick over there...
Yes! I had a bit to learn with this camera back then. Now I know how to avoid it.
The main problem I have with Konrad is that it gives you wrong opinion about what proper flex is.
I want to thank you for your comment. I am clearing out all my comments older than a few months with this generic comment, but I want you to know that I did read your comment, even if I missed it when it was originally posted.
This dude sound like that one actor on green hornet
Me? Darn, I'm underpaid!
Stop flexing n us poor people...
I'm *Poor*
I want to thank you for your comment. I am clearing out all my comments older than a few months with this generic comment, but I want you to know that I did read your comment, even if I missed it when it was originally posted.
New subscriber here.
Welcome!
How unfortunate I didn't watch this video before buying a Noodler...
Those scammers scammed me.
The pen is good for learning fountain pens. But there are many far better pens sold for less.
This guy doesn't know half the things about his pens
What is he missing?
terrible handwriting
Thanks for the helpful comment!