Whether you are an artist or a beginner looking to get into arts, having the proper tools is necessary either way. This is where the flexible nib fountain pens come in. You can create different lines by alternating the pressure on the nib. As a result, your work gets that special ‘pop’ that makes it stand out.
Top Flexible Nib Fountain Pens
Getting the best flexible nib fountain pen will save you money by doing the work of different-sized nibs in one. Investing in a flexible nib pen from a trusted brand can never do you any harm.
Here is a list of the four best flexible nib fountain pens that should be your go-to choice.
1. Noodler’s Ink Konrad Flexible Nib Fountain Pen
Noodler’s Ink Konrad flexible nib fountain pen provides high-quality writing. It is also environmentally-friendly.
The pen is manufactured from a celluloid derivative. The celluloid derivative is a renewable resource, making the pen eco-friendly. It is biodegradable too.
The pen is easy to fill. It features a twist piston mechanism and a blind cap which allows the pen to be filled at the press of a single button. You can adjust the pen according to your liking and needs too.
The nib and feeds can be heat set and adjusted in whatever way you deem fit for your work. The pen is medium-sized and fits in your hand, giving you optimal results.
Things We Like:
- Made in an eco-friendly way
- Easy to fill with twist piston and blind cap features
- Nib and feeds can be adjusted according to needs
Things We Don’t Like:
- Some beginners might find it hard to use
All in all, if you are an environmentalist and need a flexible nib pen, look no further than this product.
2. StoneGraph Flexible Nib Fountain Pen
The StoneGraph flexible nib has several downstrokes and cross strokes width available. The nib comes in six different sizes. These include 0.7 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.5 mm, and 2.9 mm. As such, this pen caters to your every need.
The nib is coated with iraurita and has the traditional StoneGraph design garnished on it, giving it a unique look. The pen comes in black color with gold accentuated clip and rings, which give it the look of a typical luxury pen. Plus, it features the piston filling mechanism, allowing ease of filling and use.
Things We Like:
- The nib comes in six different sizes
- The black color and gold accentuated clip give the pen a luxurious look
- The piston filling mechanism allows easy ink filling
Things We Don’t Like:
- The coating of the pen is scratchable
If you do not mind a few scratches on your pen and want a wide variety of sizes as options, this pen is the right choice for you. All in all, this pen is a perfect pick for beginners looking to steady their hands on flexible nibs.
3. Noodler’s Flexible Nib Fountain Pen
Next up we have the Noodler’s flexible nib fountain pen. This is a perfect choice for people who want to have more control over the amount of ink that they put on the paper. This fountain pen’s nib features an auto-vent system.
This auto-vent system controls the amount of ink that feeds onto the paper through the opening of the air passage. As such, the more you flex the nib, the more ink will release on the paper.
The pen comes from the U.S. developed celluloid derivative, meaning it is renewable and eco-friendly. The design of the pen is a tribute to the 60s, making it a suitable pen for retro lovers.
Additionally, this pen prevents leakage of ink and allows easy filling because of the nylon-sealed piston it has. The windowed ink compartment allows you to track ink levels at all times, so no need to worry about running out of ink at the last moment.
Things We Like:
- Auto-vent system in the nib
- Manufactured in an environmentally-friendly way
- Nylon-sealed piston prevents ink spilling and leakage
Things We Don’t Like:
- The pen does not work with all inks
This pen is a suitable choice for people who have experience using flexible nib pens. It provides them with more control over the ink flow and more freedom in what they draw or write.
4. Pilot Metal Flexible Nib Fountain Pen
Some people prefer to have their artistic tools in different colors to keep them motivated. Well, if you are one of those people, then the Pilot Metal flexible nib fountain pen is a must to get. It comes in four different barrel colors.
These include black, blue, red, and copper-gold. You can select either one according to your preference.
The soft, semi-flexible nib has been designed by Namiki engineers. The hooded nib responds to the pressure of your hand and your writing angle.
Plus, the beak shape of the nib allows it to flex and cater to the amount of ink you want to feed into the paper. The nib is covered in 14 K gold and rhodium which gives it its typical silvery look.
This pen also works as a perfect gift for artists and pen lovers as it comes in a sleek black box.
Things We Like:
- The barrel comes in different colors
- The hooded nib works according to the angle of the hand
- Comes in a sleek black box
Things We Don’t Like:
- Might leak ink
When you are looking for a smooth-flowing pen with a variety of color options, there can be no better choice than this flexible nib fountain pen.
A Beginner’s Guide to Flexible Nib Fountain Pens
Flexible fountain pen nibs are trickier to use than ordinary pens. If you do not know how to control the pen you could feed too much or too little ink into your paper. This may destroy your work. Here are a few tips for beginners using flexible fountain pen nibs:
Tips for Beginners:
Ensure Your Pen is Always Clean
A flexible nib pen demands a high flow of ink. As such, there should be no blockage in the ink flow as that can lead to resistance when you are using the pen.
You should use a damp cloth to clean the nib and cap of your pen to ensure there is no residual ink jammed up in there. Remember to only use lukewarm water to clean your pen.
Keep Your Pen Filled
A flexible nib pen uses a lot more ink than a typical fountain pen. You should always keep your pen filled with ink to avoid running out of it while you are working.
Check Your Angle
Angle is everything when it comes to using a fountain pen nib. The angle determines how much your nib flexes and how much ink is fed into the paper. You should hold the pen at an angle of 45 degrees to the paper and start making strokes. With practice, you will find the right angle that works for you.
Beware, if the pen has a high angle it will not allow the nib to flex. If it has a lower angle than needed, you can end up releasing a lot more ink on the paper than you intend to.
Choose the Right Ink
Ink with a wet flow works best with flexible nib pens as you want the ink to feed into the paper whenever you want it to. Higher saturated inks dry up and do not give you that smooth workflow you expect from this pen. Shimmery inks can also lead to railroading (a break in the flow). So, try and get the wet flow inks.
Soft vs. Flex
People often confuse soft nib pens to be the same as flexible nib fountain pens whereas the truth is there is a very thin line that separates the two. Soft pens are more accurate and precise and there is only a small degree of line variation between the two.
Vintage vs. Modern
The vintage flexible nib fountain pens refer to the flex pens manufactured in the mid-1900s. If you ever have the chance to get your hands on one of these, do not miss it.
The vintage flex pens have a different quality that makes them the best type of flexible nib fountain pens so far. Modern flex nibs are stiffer and need more pressure to operate than vintage flex nibs.
FAQs
What to do if my flexible fountain pen’s ink is not flowing properly?
To avoid facing ink flow problems and when your pen’s ink flow is disrupted, clean your pen. You should clean the pen every other month using lukewarm water to prevent ink blockage.
How should I store my flexible fountain pen?
You should always store your pen horizontally and keep the cap closed so your nib does not dry out. Improper storage of the pen can also lead to the ink flow being messed up and the pen drying out.
Should I clean the ink converter when using different colored inks?
Yes, you should clean the ink converter before filling it up with a different colored ink. Otherwise, the remnants of the previous ink will get mixed with the new ink and the color of the pen’s writing will not be as you expected.
Can I travel with my flexible fountain pen?
Yes, you can travel with your fountain pen without worrying about it leaking. Due to the pressure changes in the cabin, the pen will leak. That is not the case in modern flexible nib fountain pens.
Best Flexible Nib Fountain Pen Brands
Noodler’s
Noodler’s is one of the leading market contenders when it comes to flexible nib fountain pens. Their pens are made in an environmentally-friendly way and they have released a plethora of pens, catering to everyone’s needs.
From the Nib Creaper Flex to the Ahab Flex Nib, there is a pen for everyone from beginner to expert. You can always expect an easy-to-use and high-quality pen from this manufacturer.
Franklin Christoph
Another popular flexible nib fountain pen manufacturer is Franklin Christoph. Their pens are known for the immaculate quality of the nib.
They produce everything from soft fountain pens to flex fountain pens with the proper difference in accuracy. The nibs of their pens are easy to maneuver and produce the exact type of strokes you are looking for.
Final Thoughts
All in all, these are the four best flexible nib fountain pens that you can find on the market. As long as you get one of these, you will not feel disappointed in your work.
Noodler’s Ink Konrad Flexible Nib fountain pen is the best one on the list. With the adjustable nib and feeds, this pen is perfect for people who know their way around with a flexible nib fountain pen.
If you are a beginner though, you are better suited to using the Noodler’s Flexible Nib fountain pen. Its auto-vent system allows you to have more control over how much ink you are feeding into the paper and is a perfect pick for beginners.
The only drawback is that the pen does not work with all inks but that should not be a problem for starters. You can switch to a different pen once you have perfected your basic way of using a flexible nib fountain pen.
