Wet noodles

[davisgt]

I have a nice collection of vintage Waterman pens in hard-chased rubber. My 12 has a gorgeous #2 New York nib that qualifies as a wet noodle. Wow. The flex on that pen is crazy.  Yes, because it is an eyedropper pen, it does sweat ink a bit down near the section but it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I've always wondered how this nib would compare with the infamous pink nib in relation to flexibility,  but damn those are nearly impossible to find without breaking the bank. Obviously,  this is not a pen I would necessarily use in the office for everyday writing,  but it is fantastic for handwritten letters on premium stationery. 

 

When I first started on FPN, oh so many years ago, everyone was obsessed with very flexible nibs. I see some of that now, but not nearly as much as  when I started.  I'd love to hear your opinions and stories about your adventures with the flexible nibs in your life. 😁

[Kbbond172]

I just got my first flex nib (I believe - there are no markings to indicate size or character) and I see the appeal for sure.  I’d like to know more about how to decide what “level” of flex nibs you have when you have older waterman nibs.  I’ve seen some called “super-flex” nibs on YouTube but I don’t know how you tell other than just writing with them?

[davisgt]

Bo Bo Olson can wax poetic about wet noodles. He has a number of very informative posts on this subject. For me, a wet noodle can flex 6 to 7 times the breadth of the finest line with a very light, almost feathery, touch without railroading or skipping, and then snap back to the finest line when the light pressure has been stopped.  Comparable in my mind to a paintbrush. Though I have a number of vintage Waterman pens, I would only classify one as a wet noodle.  Lots of nibs with flex, but not at this level. The infamous and ultra rare #7 black nib was elusively reported to be a wet noodle. Many of the Waterman #7 pink nibs as well. 

[Penguincollector]

   One of my first lever fillers was a 1940s  bottom of the barrel Waterman with a flexible nib. I loved that pen so much, that I keep it even though it’s unrepairable. One day I’ll find a nib like that again. Both of my 52s are noodles, and I have a tiny Todco BCHR eyedropper that is what Bo Bo calls a “week kneed wet noodle.” My smallest pen is a wonderfully flexi little Salz Peter Pan. The modern FPR EF Ultraflex with the ebonite feed is pretty fun. 

[carlos.q]

@Penguincollector Have you considered finding a suitable pen body in which to put that wonderful nib?

[Merrick]

I’ve experienced many flex nibs but none that I would call a true wet noodle. From what I’ve heard, the new Magna Carta flex nibs and the 14k FPR ultra flex nibs come close to that experience. 

[Stompie]

I chased down that rabbit hole many a year back and spent a lot of money on various pens - I still have most of them including the adjustable pen, with a pencil - I managed to get the set.

 

Then it all fell away once I started using dip pen nibs as there is nothing that can compare to the flex of a dip pen nib.

I think Bo Bo uses the term - "It flexes like an underage Russian gymnast" -  a very apt description of a LOT of dip pen nibs. 

But nothing compares with a dipper, not flexibility, not price, not ease of purchasing. Yes, some are hard to find but I always look in charity stores or Emporiums and manage to find something.

And repairs for those flexy fountain pens, well, I lost a brilliant one "In the post" according to the dealer I had sent it to some years ago, but I have always had my suspicions regarding that! but, they are also expensive to have repaired and if the nib is rare and you have sprung it, well that is the end of that then isn't it!

[davisgt]

5 hours ago, carlos.q said:

@Penguincollector Have you considered finding a suitable pen body in which to put that wonderful nib?

I had that very same thought.  That nib should not languish in a broken body. Transfer that baby and use it. 😁

[Penguincollector]

@carlos.q @davisgt the pen landed nib first on tile. I had both Kirk Speer and Stewart Hawkinson look at it and both said it was toast. The only usable part is probably the feed. 

[davisgt]

Oh. That's brutal.  Hurts my heart. 

[Christopher Godfrey]

<...once I started using dip pen nibs as there is nothing that can compare to the flex of a dip pen nib...but nothing compares with a dipper, not flexibility, not price, not ease of purchasing...>

 

@Stompie: interesting comments, above, and I have often rather fancied a flexy dip pen myself; but I have always been under the impression that those nibs are <not> tipped.  Is this wrong?  If it <is> so, then I would have thought that the <smoothness> might be compromised...??

 

I look forward to further comment from you with some expectation.  🤨

[FarmBoy]

[Penguincollector]

😋 

[Penguincollector]

9 hours ago, davisgt said:

Oh. That's brutal.  Hurts my heart. 

  I know. It’s a real shame. 

[Stompie]

12 hours ago, Christopher Godfrey said:

@Stompie: interesting comments, above, and I have often rather fancied a flexy dip pen myself; but I have always been under the impression that those nibs are <not> tipped.  Is this wrong?  If it <is> so, then I would have thought that the <smoothness> might be compromised...??

 

I look forward to further comment from you with some expectation.  🤨

Correct, there is no tipping on the nibs and some of them are very sharp pointed. That does not mean they do not write smoothly, it is up to the writer to find that sweet spot on the tip that can actually be very smooth to write with. A lot of modern day nibs are not very sharp at the tip, although they do not flex a lot, but they are very smooth to write with.

They are not the easiest instrument to use as the tips, especially the really sharp ones can hook into your paper and then spray ink all over the page. They do require some practice in using them efficiently.

However, once you get to know them and use them, to me they ae the most melancholic, evocative, contemplatory way of writing and a way of writing that always brings me a lot of joy.

 

 

[Christopher Godfrey]

Thanks, Stompie: I do have some <slight> recollection of having used them at school; but am not sure <why>, since I always had a fountain pen from age eight.  Perhaps when such was broken?  Gorgeous writing, by the way!

 

PS: Southampton, eh?  I also remember seeing, in the distance, the flying boats moored in S'hampton water...(long time ago, obviously)

[jchch1950]

On 11/2/2024 at 12:27 PM, Penguincollector said:

   One of my first lever fillers was a 1940s  bottom of the barrel Waterman with a flexible nib. I loved that pen so much, that I keep it even though it’s unrepairable. One day I’ll find a nib like that again. Both of my 52s are noodles, and I have a tiny Todco BCHR eyedropper that is what Bo Bo calls a “week kneed wet noodle.” My smallest pen is a wonderfully flexi little Salz Peter Pan. The modern FPR EF Ultraflex with the ebonite feed is pretty fun. 

It is possible to put that nib in another pen?