I got a call last night from an artist friend who complains that all he
can find to do pen and ink drawings is "crummy little stiff pens".
He says now that he is teaching drawing and painting at art school, he
wants to use something better, something with an expressive line. Does
is exist?
I told him about the contemporary pen that has some degree of flexibility, the Namiki Falcon. With its soft point, this pen has some flex, but is nothing like the flexes of the early part of the 20th century, especially those old Waterman's. "But", I said, "You will have a hard time writing with one of these. They require years of practice and patience. Although you will probably not like it for writing, you will love it for drawing. The lines are as expressive as a dip pen, and you don't need to return to the bottle for more ink. But of course, you cannot use non-water based India ink with it or it will clog". The Pilot Namiki Falcon can be given a little more flex, but one must be careful not to bend the point or it will not work well, feel scratchy and no longer lay down a fine line.
I told him about the contemporary pen that has some degree of flexibility, the Namiki Falcon. With its soft point, this pen has some flex, but is nothing like the flexes of the early part of the 20th century, especially those old Waterman's. "But", I said, "You will have a hard time writing with one of these. They require years of practice and patience. Although you will probably not like it for writing, you will love it for drawing. The lines are as expressive as a dip pen, and you don't need to return to the bottle for more ink. But of course, you cannot use non-water based India ink with it or it will clog". The Pilot Namiki Falcon can be given a little more flex, but one must be careful not to bend the point or it will not work well, feel scratchy and no longer lay down a fine line.
We do a pretty good flexible modification on a Pelikan
M800 14k nib as well. This nib is still not as flexible as the best of
the nibs from the 20's and 30's such as the most flexible Waterman's,
Eversharps, Swans and the rare Sheaffer's. But the Pelikan has good properties,
a nice feel and can be made in most any tip size, including a medium or
broad left oblique. This is a good one for making a hand look good and
is especially recommended for correspondence. For drawing a fine or extra-fine
is desirable.