Can A Nib On A Parker 51 Write Like (Have) A Flex?

[plumon]

This may be a very stupid question but I have no idea what the answer is. It would seem like the hood on the nib would not allow a nib to flex/bend. Is this right? Are there ways around this?

Thanks,

Plumon

[Ron Z]

No, not really. The nib itself is pretty stiff (how much flex does a tube have?) and then there is, as you noted, the hood. The hood isn't tight against the nib, but pretty close. Reliable writers, always. Fancy, flexy, never.

[Jadie]

....and that is why I went for the vintage Aurora 88s. Their nibs actually have a bit of distance from the hood, and thus more room to stretch, so to speak. Power to the flex!

[pajaro]

I love Parker 51s, and think "power to the firm." Fortuna fortes?

 

There is a way around the tubular 51 nib retained closely by the hood. Buy the Aurora 88. It's a better solution than trying to modify a 51.

 

There are a number of other flexy pens in the resale market.

[plumon]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the 88 is the way to go!

Plumon

[balson]

if you are looking for another hooded nib parker i have a later parker with flexible nib. i am pretty sure this is a 45. the hoods a little further back giving the nib enough room to flex with no problems. its not as loose as i would like but given how late of a pen it is it does well.

 

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-son2C-aShEQ/UiWF14n-d0I/AAAAAAAAAn8/irXiAmtn7-k/s1600/flexiparker.jpg

 

my apologies for the blurry photo, i took it with my phone.

[richardandtracy]

I have a P51 that's about as flexy as you can get with the design. It can be described as 'Soft' rather than 'Stiff', but it's a long way from 'flexy'.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[OcalaFlGuy]

Pendleton Brown has added some small degrees of flex to P-51 nibs.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Vendome]

Why would anyone actually need to use a flex nib unless they were doing Calligraphy?

[OldGriz]

Why would anyone actually need to use a flex nib unless they were doing Calligraphy?

 

Just to add a touch of class to their handwriting..... flex nibs are not just for calligraphy..... nibs that flex lightly real add to handwriting

[athenian]

http://www.leighreyes.com/?p=1485

[OldGriz]

http://www.leighreyes.com/?p=1485

 

Nathan no longer does custom nibs and has not done them for quite some time....

Mostly they were a labor of love and experimentation for him and not something he offered the general public.....

So basically, you might consider the one you linked to in the one? of a kind custom experiment category...

[pajaro]

 

Just to add a touch of class to their handwriting..... flex nibs are not just for calligraphy..... nibs that flex lightly real add to handwriting

 

I fully agree. There is a skill involved, and anyone who can use flex can be proud of that achievement.

 

I must not be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, because I can't get my mind around using the flex nib I have. Of, course, I am left handed, complicating things.

[richardandtracy]

On those few semi flex nibs I have, there is something really special about the way the pen encourages you to express yourself. The nibs need care in use, so you can't scribble notes with one, and as a result you do take more care and interest in the mechanics of the writing as well as the content of what is written. All-in-all a flexy nib can be very satisfying to use.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[DavyJones]

Of, course, I am left handed, complicating things.

 

It shouldn't really complicate things that much. The nib has to be perpendicular to the writing line when you flex, making it much easier to do than, say, an italic lettering style that requires a 45 degree angle on the right side.

[pajaro]

I keep trying to do some flex writing with the old Wahl I have with a flexy 14K nib. Usually I do it a bit and then give it a rest.

 

To those who can master this elegant writing, my hat is off to you. I feel I am fortunate when my writing is legible.

 

I think trying to make a Parker 51 flexy is going against the grain. It's amazing how many people like to do that. Because it's there and a challenge, I suppose.

[Aislingean]

I thought this old 51 had a little flex!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/Aislingean/oblique.jpg

[pajaro]

The oblique will give line variation. Looks like a broad nib. The few Parker obliques I have seen were somewhat broad. Some of the 51 nibs protrude enough from the hood that you might have room for flex. That is a nice nib.

 

If you had the right Dremel-type tools you might smooth out a little area under the hood to enable the nib to flex more. Provided you didn't melt or burn the hood.

[athenian]

Just to add a touch of class to their handwriting..... flex nibs are not just for calligraphy..... nibs that flex lightly real add to handwriting

Well, the question was whether a Parker 51 nib can have flex. So the answer would be, yes it can.

[rochester21]

Never. But i have come across 2 broken P51s whose former owners probably thought differently- and this is how people bend their nibs.

 

By forcefully applying pressure to the nib, of course you`il get some variation- until it snaps. You can try the same thing with a nail.

Edited October 23, 2013 by rochester21