I've tuned my FPR steel ultraflex nib, and now it can flex not only on downstrokes but also on left and right strokes. This capability comes from the point, not the nib itself. With a properly polished point, if the nib is flexible enough, it can achieve this. I can easily push it to over 3mm on a sidestroke without losing the ultrafine .2~.25mm line width. Plus, it never railroads. The FPR ebonite feed is simply wonderful.
Loved the comparison and how you highlighted the strengths & weakness' of each nib. As an update, I acquired my latest flex nibbed pen the other day. I got a Good Blue R615 with their Titanium flex nib. An interesting nib, but it's on the low end of capability. I also got the 912 CH PO nib pen. An all together different writing experience. Happy New Year Shak! 🎉🥳
I'm going to the Philly pen show specifically to meet with Les Sheely from Stylosuite to get another flex nib of his. I have both of these pens you're discussing and I don't reach for them as mucj as my Stylosuite nibs. Happy new year!
CAN U PLEASE DO A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE FPR ULTRAFLEX STEEL VS GOLD NIBS? BOTH WITH PLASTIC FEEDS AND THE SAME INK, PLEASE :) U KNOW DEEP INSIDE THOSE RE THE BEST NIBS ;)
Hi. I can compare them with ebonite feed. I don't have the gold with plastic feed. The steel nib with ebonite feed and bock or jowo nib housing is the best value flex nib. But there are definitely big competitors to the gold version.
Pilot 743 FA is my favorite pen ever. The nib is so smooth, expressive, and unlike some ultraflex nibs which hard to control, can be used as "normal" Fine nib for daily writing, if used with light touch
Thanks for the comparison. Actually, I'm not sure that the FA nib is really a flex nib, maybe just a semi-flex, so I agree with you on this issue. I also agree that the smaller FA, on for instance the 912, is softer.
The best flex nibs Ive used is a secretary da flex (steel) nib. Unfortunately kirk has stopped making those… but absolutely wonderful for spencerian. A second choice to it may be too soft would be the good blue gold flex nib. It is tough to modulate the pressure between an xf and a BB. I can see some railroading also if I dont prime the nib.
I love my Mag600 after I fixed the feed and adjusted the bent tine. But it lays down a lot of ink! I eyedropper mine and I'm thinking about going to the converter to slow the ink down a little bit. I also love my FPR Jaipur V2's.
Thank you so much for this excellent review. I have several Fountain Pen Revolution models and a vintage Waterman’s 52 flex and the Magna Carta mag 600 is truly a unique writing experience, and the flex pen I reach for the most (although I do want to get a Pilot 743 with an FA nib at some point). I’m curious about your comment regarding how your initial Magna Carta Mag 600 nib that was giving you issues in the beginning seemed to get better over time. Do you think that just with use it began to perform better or did you do some tuning on it yourself? I bought a Magna Carta Mag 600 secondhand and the nib was giving me a lot of trouble in the beginning with hard starts constantly. It does seem with use it has gotten a bit better, but it still has a little ways to go.. (it can also be a little scratchier than I think it should be, especially on an upstroke). Unfortunately, Magna Carta customer service has not gotten back to me, but I see so much potential with this nib I’m determined to get it to be where I want it. 😅
I had to repair my Mag600 myself. I adjusted the tines and had to dig out a sliver of ebonite that was clogging up the feed ink channel. It writes super wet now!
My Mag 600 is stock. I have tried it in many different bodies, worked great in piston fillers and vac fillers. I have eye-dropped the one Mag 600. It does feel scratchy at times with side strokes, but I have a super super light touch, and don't feel scratchiness on upstrokes. It may be the paper we are using. If you think the tines are straight, and you want to smooth it, go for the blue paper polishing sheet that I showed in my grinding video----works great!! It does get better with time, much better. Hope that helps.
I prefer the line width; as demonstrated; of the Custom 743. Your handwriting is gorgeous. Which nib do you recommend for someone who is just starting to experiment with flex? I have several of the FPR fine flex nibs and was enjoying using them, until I received a nib that couldn't keep up with writing at my usual cursive writing speed. I was perplexed as I had not encountered this before, and then I found out that this is a potential problem with these nibs. I only turned to FPR nibs as an alternative to the ever present Jowo nibs. Now, I'm second guessing my choice. Edit: I want to use my pen in everyday writing, with flex for an enhancement to the writing experience. It seems you have answered my question in your summary, with it sounding as if the Pilot FA is my better choice.
Hi thanks for your video. Is your Mag600 a stock nib? Does it need to be grounded to a needlepoint? :) How does the Mag600 compared to a Pilot 912 FA with custom spencerian grind? :)
Hi. My Mag600 nib is factory, and not modified. I have used it for over a year. I used various inks, and now, most inks flow very well when I eye-drop it. Pilot 912 can do a pretty good job when modified properly. I have one that is ground to a needle, finer than Magna Carta. However, the softness of the Mag 600 is not matched by anything I have tried, except the softest setting on the Eversharp Doric #5. Strongly recommend. Hope that helps :)
With how different and soft the Mag 600 is, I'd be worried to modify it to finer, fearing it may lose its amazing springiness. I have thus far refrained from geinding it down, but would be lying if I said I havent thought about it. 😀
Does anyone know how to swap the mag600 flex nib into a pen with a greater ink capacity? My Mag 600 has been really awful in its performance and the customer service very disappointing. Perhaps a pen such as a vac filler with greater ink capacity might solve my flow problems? I’m thinking similar to what was shown on this Chanel swapping a fountain pen revolutions nib unit into an asvine v200?
You can unscrew the nib section and put it on any pen that accepts Jowo #6 . Examples include many Opus 88, Asvine J16, Gravitas Vac filler...v200 takes bock nib unit, and wont work. Hope this helps.
You are the best my friend. That handwriting is an absolute dream. Happy New Year- health, joy and success for 2025.
Thank you my good friend. I soak you an awesome happy new year, filled with great health, joy, and lots of beautiful, colorful memories.
I've tuned my FPR steel ultraflex nib, and now it can flex not only on downstrokes but also on left and right strokes. This capability comes from the point, not the nib itself. With a properly polished point, if the nib is flexible enough, it can achieve this. I can easily push it to over 3mm on a sidestroke without losing the ultrafine .2~.25mm line width. Plus, it never railroads. The FPR ebonite feed is simply wonderful.
I'm afraid to push mine over 2mms.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing your experience. I think FPR nibs are great, as they are lower cost and excellent quality. Happy new year!
which fpr model do u recommend? magna carta looks nice but is expensive, is it a gold nib?
I think steel ultraflex with ebonite feed is awesome.
@@tait8900 Yes, the Magna Carta has a 14K gold nib.
Loved the comparison and how you highlighted the strengths & weakness' of each nib. As an update, I acquired my latest flex nibbed pen the other day. I got a Good Blue R615 with their Titanium flex nib. An interesting nib, but it's on the low end of capability. I also got the 912 CH PO nib pen. An all together different writing experience. Happy New Year Shak! 🎉🥳
Thanks, my friend. May the new year bring you lots of joy, great health, and lots of flexibility!
Such a great video
HAPPY NEW YEAR SHAK ! 🎉🎉🎉
Happy New Year to you as well. Cheers!
Dream about writing like that. Maybe someday. Nice review of the pens. And music was calming.
Thank you. Tamblyn's book did the trick for me 😀. Happy New Year. Well wishes!
Happy New Year
@MissMarilynDarling Happ new year ✨️ to you as well.
I'm going to the Philly pen show specifically to meet with Les Sheely from Stylosuite to get another flex nib of his. I have both of these pens you're discussing and I don't reach for them as mucj as my Stylosuite nibs. Happy new year!
I'd love to see how they write. Any links?
CAN U PLEASE DO A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE FPR ULTRAFLEX STEEL VS GOLD NIBS? BOTH WITH PLASTIC FEEDS AND THE SAME INK, PLEASE :)
U KNOW DEEP INSIDE THOSE RE THE BEST NIBS ;)
Hi. I can compare them with ebonite feed. I don't have the gold with plastic feed.
The steel nib with ebonite feed and bock or jowo nib housing is the best value flex nib. But there are definitely big competitors to the gold version.
Pilot 743 FA is my favorite pen ever. The nib is so smooth, expressive, and unlike some ultraflex nibs which hard to control, can be used as "normal" Fine nib for daily writing, if used with light touch
I am happy we agree. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the comparison. Actually, I'm not sure that the FA nib is really a flex nib, maybe just a semi-flex, so I agree with you on this issue. I also agree that the smaller FA, on for instance the 912, is softer.
I agree, and think I did mention it was a soft nib. Not real flexy.
@@Shak-MD You did. I often comment while watching.
Love that! Makes a conversation. Happy new year!
The best flex nibs Ive used is a secretary da flex (steel) nib. Unfortunately kirk has stopped making those… but absolutely wonderful for spencerian. A second choice to it may be too soft would be the good blue gold flex nib. It is tough to modulate the pressure between an xf and a BB. I can see some railroading also if I dont prime the nib.
Thank you for the perspective! I should try Kirk's.
I love my Mag600 after I fixed the feed and adjusted the bent tine. But it lays down a lot of ink! I eyedropper mine and I'm thinking about going to the converter to slow the ink down a little bit. I also love my FPR Jaipur V2's.
The convertor may help, though a vac filler with shutoff valve may do better :)
Happy new year!
@@Shak-MD Thanks. I'm keeping the nib in the Mag600 pen. Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for this excellent review. I have several Fountain Pen Revolution models and a vintage Waterman’s 52 flex and the Magna Carta mag 600 is truly a unique writing experience, and the flex pen I reach for the most (although I do want to get a Pilot 743 with an FA nib at some point).
I’m curious about your comment regarding how your initial Magna Carta Mag 600 nib that was giving you issues in the beginning seemed to get better over time. Do you think that just with use it began to perform better or did you do some tuning on it yourself? I bought a Magna Carta Mag 600 secondhand and the nib was giving me a lot of trouble in the beginning with hard starts constantly. It does seem with use it has gotten a bit better, but it still has a little ways to go.. (it can also be a little scratchier than I think it should be, especially on an upstroke). Unfortunately, Magna Carta customer service has not gotten back to me, but I see so much potential with this nib I’m determined to get it to be where I want it. 😅
I had to repair my Mag600 myself. I adjusted the tines and had to dig out a sliver of ebonite that was clogging up the feed ink channel. It writes super wet now!
My Mag 600 is stock. I have tried it in many different bodies, worked great in piston fillers and vac fillers. I have eye-dropped the one Mag 600. It does feel scratchy at times with side strokes, but I have a super super light touch, and don't feel scratchiness on upstrokes. It may be the paper we are using. If you think the tines are straight, and you want to smooth it, go for the blue paper polishing sheet that I showed in my grinding video----works great!!
It does get better with time, much better.
Hope that helps.
I prefer the line width; as demonstrated; of the Custom 743. Your handwriting is gorgeous. Which nib do you recommend for someone who is just starting to experiment with flex? I have several of the FPR fine flex nibs and was enjoying using them, until I received a nib that couldn't keep up with writing at my usual cursive writing speed. I was perplexed as I had not encountered this before, and then I found out that this is a potential problem with these nibs. I only turned to FPR nibs as an alternative to the ever present Jowo nibs. Now, I'm second guessing my choice. Edit: I want to use my pen in everyday writing, with flex for an enhancement to the writing experience. It seems you have answered my question in your summary, with it sounding as if the Pilot FA is my better choice.
Thank you. I'd day get a Mag 600 if you can. It is amazing when it gets going.
@Shak-MD I'll put it on my list.
@Shak-MD there's a quite beautiful Mag 500 available on Goulet Pens, but it's an eyedropper only pen. Do you have any opinion on that pen and nib?
@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564 I use the mag 600 eye droppered. . Works great.
Hi thanks for your video. Is your Mag600 a stock nib? Does it need to be grounded to a needlepoint? :) How does the Mag600 compared to a Pilot 912 FA with custom spencerian grind? :)
Hi. My Mag600 nib is factory, and not modified. I have used it for over a year. I used various inks, and now, most inks flow very well when I eye-drop it. Pilot 912 can do a pretty good job when modified properly. I have one that is ground to a needle, finer than Magna Carta. However, the softness of the Mag 600 is not matched by anything I have tried, except the softest setting on the Eversharp Doric #5. Strongly recommend.
Hope that helps :)
Thanks! Do you think the mag600 will be better with a needle point grind? :) im leaning towards the mag600 now :)
My stock Pilot 743 FA is lacking the needlepoint that i desired :)
With how different and soft the Mag 600 is, I'd be worried to modify it to finer, fearing it may lose its amazing springiness. I have thus far refrained from geinding it down, but would be lying if I said I havent thought about it. 😀
@@Shak-MD Thanks, Which do you think has a finer stock point? The Pilot 743 FA vs the Mag 600? :)
Does anyone know how to swap the mag600 flex nib into a pen with a greater ink capacity? My Mag 600 has been really awful in its performance and the customer service very disappointing. Perhaps a pen such as a vac filler with greater ink capacity might solve my flow problems? I’m thinking similar to what was shown on this Chanel swapping a fountain pen revolutions nib unit into an asvine v200?
You can unscrew the nib section and put it on any pen that accepts Jowo #6 . Examples include many Opus 88, Asvine J16, Gravitas Vac filler...v200 takes bock nib unit, and wont work. Hope this helps.
Tremendously Dr Shak! I’m going to give it go!