This is such a great recap! Despite the crazy lines and busyness, I had so much fun at Scriptus with you! 😍Next year we have to go back to the same vendor and see if we can find another vintage flex pen. 😆
@@LittleCocoStudio hehe yes, had a fun time combing thru the crowds with you! I kinda regret not getting the gold flex one lol it was so pretty. I hope you are enjoying everything you got! 😊
WHATTT????!! A shoutout??! Thank you! It was absolutely lovely to meet you. I’m sorry that I’m so late at finding this video. Congrats on your 1940’s Waterman! It looks like it’s in fantastic condition. Please use it to your heart’s desire for many many years to come. :) I’m a big fan of the Waterman #2/Ideal nibs (1900-1940’s), as are most other vintage collectors, so if this is your first vintage flex then you’ve made a great start! And thank you for mentioning Cheryl “The Pen Lady” as well. :) FYI, because those nibs are handmade, each one is unique. Every one you try will have a different writing experience-different grind, different flex softness, etc. so keep trying more vintage Watermans. :) Wahl is another vintage brand famous for flex nibs. If you have other questions, I will answer. We can also meet for coffee since we’re in the same city. I hope to see you again at Scriptus 2025! :)
Hi Ema, your writing is sooo beautiful! :) I should have taken a snapshot! I hope you don't mind the shout out! hehe. But yes, this is my first vintage flex. Vintage pens are so delicate and I am always careful handling them. So much so that I don't use it as much as my modern pens! Always scared to break them accidentally. It's definitely a whole different world. It hadn't occurred to me they were handmade nibs, but it totally makes sense. I can't say no to pens and coffee! Feel free to contact me anytime. And yes, can't wait for Scriptus 2025!
@@toxmot -- Of course I don't mind the shoutout. It's an honor to be mentioned by you. :) I am available for pen and coffee chats anytime, especially if it will help you get more comfortable with your pen. I'll DM you on Instagram. :)
such a lovely haul! i hope you get lots of good use out of your new pen! i was at Scriptus too but tbh i felt the crowds inside the halls to be less overwhelming as a result of the lines.
@@autisticbucky Nice! Maybe it’s in my head that’s it’s so busy because I never noticed a line at 1pm in previous years. Did you find any treasures at the show?
@ they didn’t have lines at shows in the past iirc, they just did this year to try and limit the crowds inside and allow for people to move easier (especially for those with mobility aids). i actually got my first Estie :) was very exciting. thanks for sharing your haul by the way!
@@autisticbucky oh yes, that makes sense. Glad they were able to provide better accommodations so that all visitors can enjoy. I was told last year how horrible it was for folks in wheelchairs. Congratulations on the new Esterbrook! They always have such an alluring table at the show. Enjoy!
Ok, one more comment for interested viewers... Since you mentioned writing angle. Though it may feel a little odd at first, it's safer to hold a flex pen at a lower angle (like by resting the pen body in the crook of your thumb/lower to the paper, rather than higher at the index knuckle). This will allow the tines to spread further apart without putting as much strain on the metal to bend. By adjusting your hold and turning your paper, you're basically doing what pointed-pen calligraphers use oblique nib holders for, so that the tines drag on the paper correctly. Orient the nib like an arrow that points in the same direction as your downward strokes, so that both tines should touch the paper evenly/at the same time---avoid dragging one tine behind the other, as this is the fastest way to get a sprung nib! Or, if you don't apply enough pressure to flex, then just use it like a normal pen whichever way you like. Have fun!! :)
Thanks for pointing this out! I have noticed this with flex nibs and the seldom time I tried calligraphy nibs. Definitely need to train the hand. I also heard that for vintage pens in general, that we should stay away from modern day inks as it can harm the sac of the pen. I unfortunately damaged my parker 75's ink sac by using modern day inks...now I'm scared! Do you know anyone that does repairs? the sac has hardened and won't draw up the ink. I will definitely bring it to Scriptus this year.
@@toxmot -- I think it's more likely that the sac just got old instead of you damaging it, so don't blame yourself. Either way, it's totally fixable. As far as I know, a Parker 75's sac is actually part of the converter, though without looking at your pen I wouldn't know which type of squeeze converter you have. You have two options for your pen: Option #1. Pull out the old squeeze converter and stick in a new Parker twist converter. On JetPens, search "Parker Fountain Pen Twist Converter" ...I tried adding the real link for you but then my comment seems to disappear. :( Option #2. If the new converter is not compatible or if you'd like to keep the vintage squeeze converter, then it means replacing the sac only, not the full converter. In Toronto, I would go to Laywine's where my friend David Armstrong will likely be your restorer. I would do it myself but I don't have the correct size sacs for you. Hope this helps. :)
@toxmot -- I think it's more likely that the sac just got old instead of you damaging it, so don't blame yourself. Either way, it's totally fixable. As far as I know, a Parker 75's sac is actually part of the converter, though without looking at your pen I wouldn't know which type of squeeze converter you have. You have two options for your pen: Option #1. Pull out the old squeeze converter and stick in a new Parker twist converter. On JetPens, search "Parker Fountain Pen Twist Converter" ...I tried adding the real link for you but then my comment seems to disappear. :( Option #2. If the new converter is not compatible or if you'd like to keep the vintage squeeze converter, then it means replacing the sac only, not the full converter. In Toronto, I would go to Laywine's where my friend David Armstrong will likely be your restorer. I would do it myself but I don't have the correct size sacs for you. Hope this helps. :)
Lovely video as usual. I'd be wary using modern inks in a vintage pen, particularly any pen that relies on an internal sac. My recommendation would be to stick to inks that advertise themselves as pH neutral (Herbin's classic line still is, from memory) to avoid damaging your beautiful new vintage Waterman
@@MaurizioBunkus Thanks so much for pointing that out. I think I might have damaged my Parker 75's sac. The plastic sac turned a bit hard. It's so sad as it was a pen passed down to me and I'm the third generation owner. Will definitely be careful of this in the future.
Oh that Parker is almost certainly repairable, Parkers in my experience are a hardy bunch. I'd look into getting it serviced if I were you. Even if you do destroy an ink sac, it's almost always something that can be replaced. A vintage nib... Not so much. Anyway, congratulations on the beautiful new pen! I hope you have many happy years with it
@@MaurizioBunkus Thanks for the quick response! Glad to hear that it could be replaceble. I'll definitely be asking around in my pen community. Makes me a bit nervous with using vintage treasures but they deserve the extra love and care! 😊
@@toxmot once you find a safe ink you love using in your vintage pens, the worries will all but disappear. There are some great threads on FPN about inks for vintage pens
omg that flex nib is GORGEOUS
👌🏻👍🏻
This is such a great recap! Despite the crazy lines and busyness, I had so much fun at Scriptus with you! 😍Next year we have to go back to the same vendor and see if we can find another vintage flex pen. 😆
@@LittleCocoStudio hehe yes, had a fun time combing thru the crowds with you! I kinda regret not getting the gold flex one lol it was so pretty. I hope you are enjoying everything you got! 😊
That pen case print is gorgeous!
It is, isn't it!? Thx for watching 🩷
WHATTT????!! A shoutout??! Thank you! It was absolutely lovely to meet you. I’m sorry that I’m so late at finding this video. Congrats on your 1940’s Waterman! It looks like it’s in fantastic condition. Please use it to your heart’s desire for many many years to come. :) I’m a big fan of the Waterman #2/Ideal nibs (1900-1940’s), as are most other vintage collectors, so if this is your first vintage flex then you’ve made a great start! And thank you for mentioning Cheryl “The Pen Lady” as well. :)
FYI, because those nibs are handmade, each one is unique. Every one you try will have a different writing experience-different grind, different flex softness, etc. so keep trying more vintage Watermans. :) Wahl is another vintage brand famous for flex nibs.
If you have other questions, I will answer. We can also meet for coffee since we’re in the same city. I hope to see you again at Scriptus 2025! :)
Hi Ema, your writing is sooo beautiful! :) I should have taken a snapshot! I hope you don't mind the shout out! hehe. But yes, this is my first vintage flex. Vintage pens are so delicate and I am always careful handling them. So much so that I don't use it as much as my modern pens! Always scared to break them accidentally. It's definitely a whole different world. It hadn't occurred to me they were handmade nibs, but it totally makes sense. I can't say no to pens and coffee! Feel free to contact me anytime. And yes, can't wait for Scriptus 2025!
@@toxmot -- Of course I don't mind the shoutout. It's an honor to be mentioned by you. :) I am available for pen and coffee chats anytime, especially if it will help you get more comfortable with your pen. I'll DM you on Instagram. :)
such a lovely haul! i hope you get lots of good use out of your new pen! i was at Scriptus too but tbh i felt the crowds inside the halls to be less overwhelming as a result of the lines.
@@autisticbucky Nice! Maybe it’s in my head that’s it’s so busy because I never noticed a line at 1pm in previous years. Did you find any treasures at the show?
@ they didn’t have lines at shows in the past iirc, they just did this year to try and limit the crowds inside and allow for people to move easier (especially for those with mobility aids). i actually got my first Estie :) was very exciting. thanks for sharing your haul by the way!
@@autisticbucky oh yes, that makes sense. Glad they were able to provide better accommodations so that all visitors can enjoy. I was told last year how horrible it was for folks in wheelchairs.
Congratulations on the new Esterbrook! They always have such an alluring table at the show. Enjoy!
I got the same ink vial stamp!
@@ramonafirehorse Now I wish I bought the others too! :)
Ok, one more comment for interested viewers... Since you mentioned writing angle. Though it may feel a little odd at first, it's safer to hold a flex pen at a lower angle (like by resting the pen body in the crook of your thumb/lower to the paper, rather than higher at the index knuckle). This will allow the tines to spread further apart without putting as much strain on the metal to bend. By adjusting your hold and turning your paper, you're basically doing what pointed-pen calligraphers use oblique nib holders for, so that the tines drag on the paper correctly. Orient the nib like an arrow that points in the same direction as your downward strokes, so that both tines should touch the paper evenly/at the same time---avoid dragging one tine behind the other, as this is the fastest way to get a sprung nib!
Or, if you don't apply enough pressure to flex, then just use it like a normal pen whichever way you like. Have fun!! :)
Thanks for pointing this out! I have noticed this with flex nibs and the seldom time I tried calligraphy nibs. Definitely need to train the hand. I also heard that for vintage pens in general, that we should stay away from modern day inks as it can harm the sac of the pen. I unfortunately damaged my parker 75's ink sac by using modern day inks...now I'm scared! Do you know anyone that does repairs? the sac has hardened and won't draw up the ink. I will definitely bring it to Scriptus this year.
@@toxmot -- I think it's more likely that the sac just got old instead of you damaging it, so don't blame yourself. Either way, it's totally fixable. As far as I know, a Parker 75's sac is actually part of the converter, though without looking at your pen I wouldn't know which type of squeeze converter you have. You have two options for your pen:
Option #1. Pull out the old squeeze converter and stick in a new Parker twist converter. On JetPens, search "Parker Fountain Pen Twist Converter" ...I tried adding the real link for you but then my comment seems to disappear. :(
Option #2. If the new converter is not compatible or if you'd like to keep the vintage squeeze converter, then it means replacing the sac only, not the full converter. In Toronto, I would go to Laywine's where my friend David Armstrong will likely be your restorer. I would do it myself but I don't have the correct size sacs for you.
Hope this helps. :)
@toxmot -- I think it's more likely that the sac just got old instead of you damaging it, so don't blame yourself. Either way, it's totally fixable. As far as I know, a Parker 75's sac is actually part of the converter, though without looking at your pen I wouldn't know which type of squeeze converter you have. You have two options for your pen:
Option #1. Pull out the old squeeze converter and stick in a new Parker twist converter. On JetPens, search "Parker Fountain Pen Twist Converter" ...I tried adding the real link for you but then my comment seems to disappear. :(
Option #2. If the new converter is not compatible or if you'd like to keep the vintage squeeze converter, then it means replacing the sac only, not the full converter. In Toronto, I would go to Laywine's where my friend David Armstrong will likely be your restorer. I would do it myself but I don't have the correct size sacs for you.
Hope this helps. :)
Lovely video as usual. I'd be wary using modern inks in a vintage pen, particularly any pen that relies on an internal sac. My recommendation would be to stick to inks that advertise themselves as pH neutral (Herbin's classic line still is, from memory) to avoid damaging your beautiful new vintage Waterman
@@MaurizioBunkus Thanks so much for pointing that out. I think I might have damaged my Parker 75's sac. The plastic sac turned a bit hard. It's so sad as it was a pen passed down to me and I'm the third generation owner. Will definitely be careful of this in the future.
Oh that Parker is almost certainly repairable, Parkers in my experience are a hardy bunch. I'd look into getting it serviced if I were you. Even if you do destroy an ink sac, it's almost always something that can be replaced. A vintage nib... Not so much. Anyway, congratulations on the beautiful new pen! I hope you have many happy years with it
@@MaurizioBunkus Thanks for the quick response! Glad to hear that it could be replaceble. I'll definitely be asking around in my pen community. Makes me a bit nervous with using vintage treasures but they deserve the extra love and care! 😊
@@toxmot once you find a safe ink you love using in your vintage pens, the worries will all but disappear. There are some great threads on FPN about inks for vintage pens
@MaurizioBunkus perfect thank you! 👍
What a lovely pen! I’m in the market for a flex fountain pen. Have you tried the Pilot Falcon?
@@theartesana No I haven’t tried the Pilot Falcon, heard good things about it though. Is it a flex nib?
@ my understanding is it’s a soft flex nib.
@theartesana I'm gonna have to look into this pen 😍
The Falcon rules, and being a modern pen the stakes on breaking it are dramatically lower. I also love the FA nib on the Pilot Custom pens