The famous Waterman's "Pink" nib

[gregamckinney]

May I ask why you were stating in the beginning (in the writing example) "Not a great flex" and then in the above quote "[this] is an absolute expression of flex"? Are you happy with that? And what's the difference with a non-pink flexy nib?

 

Thank you,

 

Andre

 

I cannot answer for GP on this, but a little bit of "Color Nib" background:

 

Waterman made their color-coded nibs from roughly 1927-1930s, and only really cover a specific range of models. Of those colored-coded nibs, there were:

Pink - Extra-fine flex

Red - Medium flex (I have heard described as semi-flex)

Black - Extra-fine, extra-flexy (and incredibly rare - expect to pay about US $1000 for a pen with a "Black" nib).

 

Non-color codes Waterman nibs range from super-flex to stiff, and were generally not coded for their degree of flex. So comparing a pink flex nib to a non-pink flex nib is difficult - you can range from an ultra-flexy, giant #10 nib to a semi-flex #2, with a range of nib widths, sizes, degree of flex and snap, etc. etc.

 

John

 

 

Rob Astyk has a great writeup of the nib colors/ codes here:

http://www.lionandpen.com/RAstyk/WatermanNumbers.html

 

Regards, greg

[tipstricks]

I reckon that nib ain't pink!

 

(Beautiful pen, AND beautiful writing sample!)

 

Thank you, but can you tell me why you suppose it isn't a pink nib?

'Cause it's gold I would imagine. I think he is making a joke on the color nib - the nib itself is not the color pink, though it is a "pink" nib.

 

I have often thought a Waterman "color" nib with the right nib-creep-prone Noodler's ink could give you a nib the actual color of the color stamped on the nib.

 

John

Oh, well: "non ho mangiato la foglia" (litterally "I haven't eated the leaf") is an italian sentence to say I didn't understand the wordplay... I would have imagine!

 

GP, you are building a great Waterman collection, congrats for this last purchase.

May I ask why you were stating in the beginning (in the writing example) "Not a great flex" and then in the above quote "[this] is an absolute expression of flex"? Are you happy with that? And what's the difference with a non-pink flexy nib?

 

Thank you,

 

Andre

 

Seems a contradiction, I know, but I've found this really different from the previous nibs I own. The most flex nib I have is a #2 that can spread to 2 - 2.5 mm, and it's soft like a brush so I call it a full flex nib, but others are more stiff. There are a lot of difference in vintage flex nibs that's difficult to compare them. This "Pink" nib is more springly, difficult to spread over 2 mm, and has a very fine point (XF or XXF), but totally different from a semiflex nib. So the best features are a great contrast between thick and thin lines and a great response under different hand pressures. I find it very near to the dip nibs capabilities, but with the iridium tip advantage, for a more fluid writing. When I talk about the "absolute expression of flex" I mean it's totally behaviour, not only the spread capability; and maybe would be better try a "Black" nib before say that! $1000 for that? Don't know if selling my entire collection could reach the amount... but if someone wants make me a gift...

 

Thank you Greg for the link to Rob's article: a great explanation of colored nibs.

 

[diplomat]

Thank you for your explanation, to give up to some flex to gain in control seems a good trade off to me.

 

Thanks to John and Greg for their information and links, it's an interesting and unexplored (for me at last) world.

 

Cheers,

[adam11]

Absolutely mesmerized! Thank you for great photos.

Edited June 16, 2009 by adam11

[pen2paper]

Just viewed your video of the Waterman.. can See the flex in action! incredible that you caught the side views that show this so clearly.

Must say it again, your hand deserves this Waterman. And thank you for sharing it with us in this manner.

In my humble opinion, would be a minor tragedy if this pen were sitting unused in a collection somewhere.

p2p..

ps the aria in the video is lovely:)

oh yes, and what is that multi-lined paper you are using?

[MsLoathsome]

Lovely handwriting and such clear close ups. I didn't know about pink nibs, or red and black until now. Very cool. And I love the keyhole-shaped breather hole. Looks like a tiny key would fit there...

[tipstricks]

Thank you all, again!

 

@ pen2paper: Paper in that video is French ruled Clairefontaine, called Seyes.

[caliken]

Thank you all, again!

I know that I've come late to this topic, but I just had to comment on this beautiful pen and your beautiful writing which does it justice.

 

caliken

Edited December 6, 2009 by caliken

[HLeopold]

<!--quoteo(post=1099521:date=Jun 15 2009, 12:21 AM:name=tipstricks)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tipstricks @ Jun 15 2009, 12:21 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1099521"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=1099364:date=Jun 14 2009, 09:16 PM:name=BerneseMtDogEatsArco)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BerneseMtDogEatsArco @ Jun 14 2009, 09:16 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1099364"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I reckon that nib ain't pink!

 

(Beautiful pen, AND beautiful writing sample!)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

Thank you, but can you tell me why you suppose it isn't a pink nib?

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

'Cause it's gold I would imagine. I think he is making a joke on the color nib - the nib itself is not the color pink, though it is a "pink" nib.

 

I have often thought a Waterman "color" nib with the right nib-creep-prone Noodler's ink could give you a nib the actual color of the color stamped on the nib.

 

John

 

 

That ink would have to be Noodler's Rachmaninov, it would certainly turn it "pink."