Pilot Elabo/namiki Falcon Nibs... Old Or New?

[MYU]

Many people know of the Namiki Falcon that can be purchased today with a variety of semi-flexible nibs. But Pilot apparently has been making these for a while. It's also known as the Pilot Elabo, although there was also a flexible nib on one of the Elite pens (a precursor to the Elabo/Falcon).

 

I'd like to get one of these semi-flexible nibbed pens, but I'm wondering if I'd do better going with older models, or getting a more recent model? Anyone here have experience with both?

Edited July 24, 2016 by MYU

[ehemem]

Huh, what? Are you confusing the Falcon nib (FA nib) with the Falcon/Elabo pen which has its own unique nib design? And which of the forms of the Elite line are you referring to?

[Algester]

the Elabo nib design is old... it goes way back into the 60s really

or are you confusing the naming conventions?

Pilot Elabo is also "old" but you guys call it the Falcon

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/284587-1978-grandam-erabo-グランダム-エラボー/

 

of course the Falcon nib can be purchased on some of the Super Series pens are they softer I guess yes but I have yet to try a Super series Falcon nib or a Falcon Elite the Falcon nib I'm talking about are the same falcon nibs that are known because of their shape (circular cutouts on the nib)

http://pgary.hatenablog.com/entry/2016/06/11/132856

 

all things said and done just find what you like old or new the search wouldnt be that hard

Edited July 25, 2016 by Algester

[Margana]

I have a Pilot Elite pocket pen with a soft fine nib and two Namiki Falcon SF purchased in the last ten years. The Elite flexes very little compared to the Falcons. The Pilot 742FA flexes more, but has flow issues. The Falcons get regular use. The other two do not.

[MYU]

Sorry for not being specific enough. I do realize that there's an FA nib, which has the side cuts to help promote flexibility (this is something that Platinum/Nakaya does with their nibs). The Falcon/Elabo nib is a different design, kind of what I'd call an upside down cupped hand. It has been made since the late 70's... So I'm just wondering if the nib characteristics are the same across all the decades since then, or if certain releases might offer different characteristics (e.g. older displaying slightly more flex). That's what I was trying to sort out. Thanks.

[MYU]

Pilot Elabo:

 

Namiki Falcon:

[Algester]

since the older nibs would be more "broke in" it will have more give to it when I say old I'm talking about "vintage" version of the Elabo

[JunkyardSam]

I would caution against buying the Pilot Elabo/Falcon as a "flex" pen. I have two with me right now and the pressure required to flex is almost comparable to a Noodlers Ahab.

 

As "soft" pens, however, they are really quite spectacular. If you want a LITTLE line variation these pens are good.

 

I absolutely recommend the SEF over others because you will see more line variation. Since all Falcons flex about the same amount - starting with the EF line gives you the greatest contrast between thick and thin.

 

I have a few images online:

 

Comparing Ahab to Falcon SEF = http://imgur.com/ytKjqHR

 

Pilot Falcon vs Pilot Metropolitan - this also shows the amount of "flex" you can safely get = http://imgur.com/IrRqvko -- note that I don't regularly flex the "max" amount shown at the bottom.

 

Here's a sample showing line width between a Lamy B, Lamy EF, Falcon SF, and Falcon SEF. = http://imgur.com/dIDbqdy

 

The Falcon works best with inks like Pilot/Iroshizuku and Sailor. Some Noodlers inks require nibs with tines that have a visible split down the center (as Tardiff has said) and the Falcon does not... That said -- if you add a TINY amount of soap and 15-30% water to Noodlers bulletproof ink it runs very well.

 

I've been using Noodlers Black in my Falcons with a single drop of Dawn liquid dish soap added to a 3oz bottle. This has solved most flow issues - but I'm going to add 20% distilled water just to "solve it even more."

 

The SEF also improved over the time that I used it. It seemed to get smoother over time and... it's really quite amazing. It works as an EDC even.

 

ONE THING:

I have come to love the CON-70 for its ink capacity and sadly it only fits in the metal Falcon which I don't have. Also, the resin Falcon's body is SLIGHTLY smaller than a Custom Heritage 91. The slight weight and size of the CH91 makes it feel better in the hand, in my opinion.

 

The resin Falcon is so incredibly light it almost feels like you're holding nothing in your hand. Using it posted helps with that.

 

It's a very attractive pen and has a metal disc in the cap's top which the Custom Heritage series doesn't have. That's nice.

 

But... I do wish I had the metal Falcon.

Edited July 27, 2016 by JunkyardSam