I have learned a lot about pens watching your videos. Thank you for sharing all this information. I have been on the fence about a Noodler's flex pen because I didn't know the difference but I think I know which one is for me now. Now I need to decide what color. And I love ordering from Goulet Pens.
I started with u -acrylic konrad - was gifted a kreeper & just bought kaweco sport(recieved tried ordered a second one) . Your shop is the most pleasant experience. Thank u!
Add the Triple Tail to this lineup with the music nib. I like the Triple Tail as it has a lot of flair. ink flow is prolific so I went for the demonstrator.
My hands aren't that big so a Konrad was the best choice for myself. The AHAB though looks to be the perfect pen. All of the noodler's parts work for it and it can take on 3 different filling methods which is amazing.
+ShotOfSelf I actually have two different Pilot EF nibs. One on one of my two Pilot Elite models (E95s in America). The other on a Japan Only Pilot Custom 74. Yes, the Platinum UEF nib definitely puts down a thinner line. While my Custom 74 has quite a bit of feedback, my Elite has less of that. I was honestly very surprised however that my new Platinum 3776 with the Ultra Extra Fine nib actually has the barest hint of feedback. Noticeably less than either of my two Pilot EF nib fountain pens.
+ShotOfSelf Oh yes! I expected the UEF nib to have a ton of feedback. I just wanted as thin a line as possible without having to go to a Nib Meister for a custom grind. I got the line, and it is practically whisper quiet on the page. (Keep in mind I'm stuck using cheap quality paper at work.)
I prefer the Ahab and have 2 in different colors to match (ish) the color of ink. I converted them to eyedroppers and get the best flex from both, although I did heat set them when I got them. I have 2 Nib Creapers and find they are too small in the hand to really get good flex and line variation. I have tiny girl hands, so for men I think they would be way too small. If you’re having ink flow problems, HEAT SET them! It makes such a huge difference.
I actually really like the Nib Creaper. Can't get as much line variation, but I find it easier to flex. Something with the thinner body helps with my leverage when writing but it might depend on my grip. Ease of cleaning is a big thing for me, so that knocks the Creaper down a bit though! Love how easy the Ahab is. - Colin
I have a creaper from about a billion years ago and a konrad I got last week. The thing that bugged me about the creaper (which is why I never used it--had to dig it out of a box) is that the flex nib isn't THAT flexy; for me, at least with the nibs I got, the konrad has a nicer line variation that's easier to get. I did notice that the konrad smells weird, so, glad that's not just me LOL
That's interesting. I was wondering about that. I had ten 308s delivered yesterday as I'm thinking they could work well as a travelling ink supply, large enough for a sticky label, resealable with that innovative back thread to secure the screw cap when inside the pen (I love that idea) and cheap enough to dedicate to one specific ink. So the breather tube yes/no situation is in my mind at the moment.
Hey Brian big fan of your work, I am myself a collector, I wanted to ask that currently I am using a Montblanc Boheme, so which pen should I get next with same standards?
Not super familiar with Montblanc pens, but that's one with the retractable nib? Is that something you're looking for? The Pilot Vanishing Point or LAMY Dialog 3 both feature that and are great pens in their own right. - Colin
I think the Ahab is almost everyone’s favorite noodlers pen. I love the look pumpkin poltergeist and Ahabs pearl Ahabs, but my acrylic Konrad looks great. Do you think Noodlers will ever develop an acrylic or ebonite Ahab? Is that even possible? Would it be too much like the Neponset?
I think it is possible, but not sure of any plans from Noodler's. I believe you can swap on the Ahab nib to the Neponset so that might be the easiest avenue to a new bodied Ahab. - Colin
Hello, sorry i ask here but i figured that it would be better if i asked in the recent video. It's kinda off topic but it's about filling the fountain pen with ink. Is it okay if i did not fill the pen until it's full? Maybe just half or less. Will there be aby trouble? (Except of course when you're going to ride a plane) And then, how long will it last, usually? A full fountain pen with ink (2-2,5ml capacity) in a daily but not so excessive usage. Thanks.
It depends on the pen, but if you're eyedroppering this particular pen, I would recommend filling it up all the way. If not filled completely, it'll be more prone to burping and dropping ink on your paper. If it's a cartridge/converter or piston, you're fine not filling it completely. 2ml ink capacity is pretty large, I think with regular writing probably 3 weeks? It's really a guess as ink, nib, & paper choices all play a big part. - Colin
I'd have pointed out the 308s little vegetal resin cap also posts to the back of it. Always left the breather tube in the cartridge. I'm kind of feeling like an idiot now.
Grind up some fresh coffee, and seal the pen (without the nib and feed) in a ziplock bag overnight (or for a long as you need.) It’ll help a bit. It won’t complete get rid of the original smell, but it definitely masks it pretty well and makes it easier to deal with. It will eventually become minimal and you won’t notice it with enough use.
I have a few questions. How many ink bottles has Brian emptied, and what were they? Do most people working at Goulet Pen Company buy bottles of their favorite inks or do they just go for free samples of that ink? What is your favorite standard international converter?
Don't have an official number, but plenty of bottles of Noodler's Black & Liberty's Elysium, Pilot Kon-Peki as well. I think most people buy their favorite ink in a bottle but rely on samples for everything else. Big fan of the Conklin threaded converters. - Colin
Aardarsh - interesting questions. Hey Colin - is the Conklin threaded converter identical to the Monteverde threaded converter? They look alike to me, but pictures can be very deceiving. Also, do the threaded converters work with any pen that takes an international converter or do the threads interfere with the press to seat mechanism?
Yeah, I believe they are the same converter! Just tested my Conklin threaded on a Nemosine, and it looks like it'll secure well enough, just not threaded like it is on certain pens (Duragraph) - Colin
Very cool. I like the little bit of extra security from screwing the converter into the feed/grip gives but haven't purchased any additional threaded converters to try on other "press to seat" pens. Besides, I didn't see any Conklin converters sold on your site separate from the pens -- I do see the Monteverde converters as a stand-alone purchase. THANKS for such a rapid reply!!
I am back to school shopping and was wondering. If you don't want to think to much and just wright something down will the flex be so much that it want be readable or will it be ok and do you have to puch down to get flex.
Definitely avoid flex pens if you just want a knock-around school pen. They tend to be pretty finicky with flow issues, so it's best to just get a reliable writer like a Metropolitan or Safari. - Colin
Colin is right. You'd likely be better off with a Pilot Metropolitan or a LAMY Safari instead. My experience with steel nib flex pens is that the ink flow is usually fine, if you don't intentionally flex the nib. If you do, yes; you get ink flow issues. Such as the ink not flowing at all for several seconds or even longer. That's an issue I've noticed across the board. It's not just one particular brand that makes steel nib flex pens.
Colin is right. There are potential ink flow issues. Also, a Pilot Metropolitan or LAMY Safari are very good choices. If you're just looking for a very inexpensive pen to use at school, the Platinum Preppy is a good choice at about $4 or $5 dollars. The nibs are smooth writing. But the Preppys tend to be a little fragile. A Metro or a Safari will be more durable. If you take care of one of those two models with a minimum of effort, clean them properly, not abuse them; they can last you for many good years.
