I have this same Conklin. Very happy with it….nice to see a left handed demonstration! I suggest maybe commenting on your fountain pen journey as a left handed writer/artist
I’ve wanted to find a time to talk about that, and actually, I find that fountain pens are great for left handed people, as ballpoint pens smudge for me more easily. Lamy actually makes a left-handed nib, and if I ever get my hands on one of those, I think that’s when I’ll talk about lefty stuff.
I usually dip the pen on the ink or water to get it started. Always works. Bought 3 Conklins recently and I never had heard about them before. Love them.
This brand was a huge find for me. The only other line of inks I trust with watercolors are the Platinum Carbon line, but De Atramentis has so many color options!
Hey Stephen. I have never owned a Conklin. The pen is gorgeous in that Art Deco kind of way. Pen Chalet always has these for sale. Sorry that you had issues with this pen.
Mine arrived yesterday. I was tempted to try the flex but then remembered this video lol. I decided to get a Medium (chunky pen chunky writing) for a change. I cant stop looking at the pen.
I also have a few Conklins. the one with the FLEX I'm not happy with. A vintage pen I am using on and off for comics work is Vintage "Eversharp Skyline" I love both their low flex and very flex gold nibs. Now there is another pen I'm looking for because a couple older comic guys have them, "Koh-I-Noor 3050 Artpen" It's a Fountain Pen with flex gold Nib. Koh-I-Noor Discontinued them in the late 70's (go figure any art tool that works goes away) anyway try getting a 1940's used Eversharp Skyline, Disney was a spokes person for them and he used them because his artist in house were using them because they were affordable and came as a set with a mechanical pencil most of the time.
I’ve seen pictures of the Eversharp Skyline. It’s a beautiful pen. Maybe someday I’ll get into vintage pens, but I haven’t bit by that big yet. Probably best for my wallet :)
@@stepheninks I was so unsure when I did that leap. Vintage over new, It was learning that Disney guys loved them. and then finding out which ones were the ones they used turned out to be the least expensive. Real work horse pens at just under $100. My first I was able to get a restored at ebay auction for $54. It's such a great pen that I have gone back to that seller two more times. He does good work. The only drawback, The ink. the sacks in the pens can only handle certain inks , I use Pelikan 4001 Black in it. But no inks from Japan. Which is sad because for comic work with my pens I use Platinum carbon Ink because it holds up great. But can't use in the Eversharps.
@@philipowen-keepers it’s crazy how this hobby has so many angles that I can call myself a so-called “expert” and yet there’s this whole world I know nothing about. Really want to get into that sometime soon!
I really hate omniflex nibs , I had one on a pen I bought , a Montverde strato . I love the body of this pen so I ended up frankenpenning it with a pilot ef nib out of a penmanship that was cracking . I love flex pens , I have a bunch of ahabs and creapers , but the omniflex doesn't flex unless you're really pushing hard ...
I actually have a similar feeling about the Noodlers flex pens. But I agree that the omniflex is way worse. I also really don’t like how much pressure you have to put on it to get flexing. It really won’t last long in those conditions. I feel like springing the tines is inevitable.
I'm really interested in these pens, but I'd just get a medium nib haha. Funny thing is I don't like the sound of the name "Conklin" and that's one of the only things that's prevented me from getting one. I like the Duragraph design a lot.
It took me a long time to talk myself into this one, as it’s expensive enough that you might as well just invest more and get a good nib… but I’m glad I have it now. Beautifully made and writes really well.
Hi! Great review and what a beautiful pen! At the moment I self imposed a rule to buy only black and demo pens, to limit my choices and to protect my wallet a bit more! I can relate to your thoughts and feelings about the nib/line weight. Your second drawing is very cool and seems so much more like you.
Yeah, the second drawing felt more comfortable to me. There is something to be said for letting your materials stretch me. Maybe I’ll give that omniflex nib another spin someday.
I agree it's good to try new things and find out what you like, and confirm what you really like -and don't like. I've found that I don't enjoy using hooded nibs.. not sure why but I'm not interested in trying any more now. Gorgeous, "chonky" pen :)
I have similar feelings about hooded nibs… but I do have two of them, and I sometimes just, I dunno get in the mood for one? Anyway, I still have the omniflex if I change my mind, but I’m really happy with this pen and an ef nib.
1. For non-starts I just pretend the pen is a dip pen, and dip it as long as it takes to get the flow going. If it never recovers, then INTO THE BIN! 2. My current position is that I can gain use from a flex pen NOT by drawing a single line that varies, but rather by drawing two even lines of different thicknesses. As can also be accomplised via reverse writing. 3. As of today my best drawing tool is a $15 Platinum Carbon Desk Pen. Cause it makes a good line.
Do you have the old version of the desk pen or the new one? I wish I had gotten the original design when it was cheap, but now that one sells for like $75. The new design is similar to the old price, but I don’t know if I like the look as much or if it’s as solid of a build as the original.
@@stepheninks Yeah, I was lucky enough to be in the market when the old version was still available. Supposedly the nib is better, but I've never tried the new one.
God, the omniflex. They look alright but from my experience they're even stiffer than the standard nibs of the same line width from the same manufacturer, JoWo. And less springy... Had flow issues too, though yours seemed to have some factory oil left on it perhaps. Worst nib I've tried, lol. My FPR EF-Ultraflex was far, far better, and flexes with very little pressure. Not sure how JoWo get off calling the omniflex a flex nib lol.
Looking back at my video footage of me trying to eek a line out of that nib, I wince. I’m really glad that I picked a pen with easily swappable nib units, because I would hate having to use that Omniflex whenever I inked up my All American (which is a gorgeous pen still). I think I almost sprung the tines just trying to get it to pull any kind of line.
Haha, I guess I’m lucky? Or it’s the original design that’s broken? Out of the nearly 60 pens I own, less than 10 of them didn’t work when I first got them, and considering the sketchy nature of some of the pens I buy, I think that’s a decent track record, isn’t it?
Yeah flex is overrated, because if the tines do spread lets say 1mm, that means that the ink comes and forms a drop as the ink is not flat pressed by nib therefore its super wet . Also with flexy nibs you can only make a thick lanes on a downstrokes. I got a feeling that relying on nib geometry is the way to go to achieve lane variation aka fude, naginata, zoom, santini chinese calligraphy, goccia etc.
@stepheninks Stephen, a flex nib calls for a more regular and methodical stroke application rather than cross hatching. If you try your hand at calligraphy - copperplate script is a great example - you'll see that you're rather building a letter rather than writing or drawing it. Perhaps it's less suited for your anarchic (spoken with affection) and fast drawing style, but even you ho back and thicken a line or a contour where it needs more shading or heft. Manga artists (or caricaturists of the past) use it to a great effect, and they have flex nibs to complement brushes and micro-tip pens in their toolbox. Don't give up on it just yet))
@@Gav_na_tebya I do have some experience with dip pens, and I think that they work a bit more reliably than flex fountain pens (at least the ones that I have had experience with). True, I don’t have much experience with calligraphy, but I do enjoy a bit of hand lettering with brush pens, which I have a few that I love. I would definitely try flex pens again, but I think that I’m done with the steel flex fountain pen stuff (like FP Revolution, Noodlers, and Conklin, which I have videos for on this channel).
I have this same Conklin. Very happy with it….nice to see a left handed demonstration! I suggest maybe commenting on your fountain pen journey as a left handed writer/artist
I’ve wanted to find a time to talk about that, and actually, I find that fountain pens are great for left handed people, as ballpoint pens smudge for me more easily. Lamy actually makes a left-handed nib, and if I ever get my hands on one of those, I think that’s when I’ll talk about lefty stuff.
I usually dip the pen on the ink or water to get it started. Always works. Bought 3 Conklins recently and I never had heard about them before. Love them.
I need to ink this pen up again soon. More expensive than my usual purchases, but zero regrets. Totally worth it.
One of my favorite ink brands. As a cartoonist i am always looking for permanent inks that are fountain friendly.
This brand was a huge find for me. The only other line of inks I trust with watercolors are the Platinum Carbon line, but De Atramentis has so many color options!
Hey Stephen. I have never owned a Conklin. The pen is gorgeous in that Art Deco kind of way. Pen Chalet always has these for sale. Sorry that you had issues with this pen.
I love the pen! The nib, not so much. Now that I’ve replaced it with the EF, it’s exactly what I wanted!
Mine arrived yesterday. I was tempted to try the flex but then remembered this video lol. I decided to get a Medium (chunky pen chunky writing) for a change. I cant stop looking at the pen.
If I was using this pen for just writing, I think I would probably want a medium too. It fits the pen.
I also have a few Conklins. the one with the FLEX I'm not happy with. A vintage pen I am using on and off for comics work is Vintage "Eversharp Skyline" I love both their low flex and very flex gold nibs. Now there is another pen I'm looking for because a couple older comic guys have them, "Koh-I-Noor 3050 Artpen" It's a Fountain Pen with flex gold Nib. Koh-I-Noor Discontinued them in the late 70's (go figure any art tool that works goes away) anyway try getting a 1940's used Eversharp Skyline, Disney was a spokes person for them and he used them because his artist in house were using them because they were affordable and came as a set with a mechanical pencil most of the time.
I’ve seen pictures of the Eversharp Skyline. It’s a beautiful pen. Maybe someday I’ll get into vintage pens, but I haven’t bit by that big yet. Probably best for my wallet :)
@@stepheninks I was so unsure when I did that leap. Vintage over new, It was learning that Disney guys loved them. and then finding out which ones were the ones they used turned out to be the least expensive. Real work horse pens at just under $100. My first I was able to get a restored at ebay auction for $54. It's such a great pen that I have gone back to that seller two more times. He does good work. The only drawback, The ink. the sacks in the pens can only handle certain inks , I use Pelikan 4001 Black in it. But no inks from Japan. Which is sad because for comic work with my pens I use Platinum carbon Ink because it holds up great. But can't use in the Eversharps.
@@philipowen-keepers it’s crazy how this hobby has so many angles that I can call myself a so-called “expert” and yet there’s this whole world I know nothing about. Really want to get into that sometime soon!
I really hate omniflex nibs , I had one on a pen I bought , a Montverde strato . I love the body of this pen so I ended up frankenpenning it with a pilot ef nib out of a penmanship that was cracking . I love flex pens , I have a bunch of ahabs and creapers , but the omniflex doesn't flex unless you're really pushing hard ...
I actually have a similar feeling about the Noodlers flex pens. But I agree that the omniflex is way worse. I also really don’t like how much pressure you have to put on it to get flexing. It really won’t last long in those conditions. I feel like springing the tines is inevitable.
I'm really interested in these pens, but I'd just get a medium nib haha. Funny thing is I don't like the sound of the name "Conklin" and that's one of the only things that's prevented me from getting one. I like the Duragraph design a lot.
It took me a long time to talk myself into this one, as it’s expensive enough that you might as well just invest more and get a good nib… but I’m glad I have it now. Beautifully made and writes really well.
Hi! Great review and what a beautiful pen! At the moment I self imposed a rule to buy only black and demo pens, to limit my choices and to protect my wallet a bit more! I can relate to your thoughts and feelings about the nib/line weight. Your second drawing is very cool and seems so much more like you.
Yeah, the second drawing felt more comfortable to me. There is something to be said for letting your materials stretch me. Maybe I’ll give that omniflex nib another spin someday.
I agree it's good to try new things and find out what you like, and confirm what you really like -and don't like. I've found that I don't enjoy using hooded nibs.. not sure why but I'm not interested in trying any more now. Gorgeous, "chonky" pen :)
I have similar feelings about hooded nibs… but I do have two of them, and I sometimes just, I dunno get in the mood for one? Anyway, I still have the omniflex if I change my mind, but I’m really happy with this pen and an ef nib.
1. For non-starts I just pretend the pen is a dip pen, and dip it as long as it takes to get the flow going. If it never recovers, then INTO THE BIN!
2. My current position is that I can gain use from a flex pen NOT by drawing a single line that varies, but rather by drawing two even lines of different thicknesses. As can also be accomplised via reverse writing.
3. As of today my best drawing tool is a $15 Platinum Carbon Desk Pen. Cause it makes a good line.
Do you have the old version of the desk pen or the new one? I wish I had gotten the original design when it was cheap, but now that one sells for like $75. The new design is similar to the old price, but I don’t know if I like the look as much or if it’s as solid of a build as the original.
@@stepheninks Yeah, I was lucky enough to be in the market when the old version was still available. Supposedly the nib is better, but I've never tried the new one.
@@ichirofakename I’ve actually never tried either, but the new one looks significantly lower in quality.
God, the omniflex. They look alright but from my experience they're even stiffer than the standard nibs of the same line width from the same manufacturer, JoWo. And less springy... Had flow issues too, though yours seemed to have some factory oil left on it perhaps. Worst nib I've tried, lol. My FPR EF-Ultraflex was far, far better, and flexes with very little pressure. Not sure how JoWo get off calling the omniflex a flex nib lol.
Looking back at my video footage of me trying to eek a line out of that nib, I wince. I’m really glad that I picked a pen with easily swappable nib units, because I would hate having to use that Omniflex whenever I inked up my All American (which is a gorgeous pen still). I think I almost sprung the tines just trying to get it to pull any kind of line.
For a chunky pen I would've expected it to be a piston filler.
You could fit two pistons in this pen.
How do you always manage to end up with broken brand new pens?
Haha, I guess I’m lucky? Or it’s the original design that’s broken? Out of the nearly 60 pens I own, less than 10 of them didn’t work when I first got them, and considering the sketchy nature of some of the pens I buy, I think that’s a decent track record, isn’t it?
Chunky! :D
Yeah flex is overrated, because if the tines do spread lets say 1mm, that means that the ink comes and forms a drop as the ink is not flat pressed by nib therefore its super wet . Also with flexy nibs you can only make a thick lanes on a downstrokes. I got a feeling that relying on nib geometry is the way to go to achieve lane variation aka fude, naginata, zoom, santini chinese calligraphy, goccia etc.
Yeah, those other nibs are my preference too. The EF suits me just fine.
Flex is more fun. Especially the soothing rhythm of it.
No need to tap the nib so much. Dip it it in water once, then you're good to go.
Thanks for the tip! I don’t know what to do with flex nibs because I tend to ignore them.
@stepheninks Stephen, a flex nib calls for a more regular and methodical stroke application rather than cross hatching. If you try your hand at calligraphy - copperplate script is a great example - you'll see that you're rather building a letter rather than writing or drawing it. Perhaps it's less suited for your anarchic (spoken with affection) and fast drawing style, but even you ho back and thicken a line or a contour where it needs more shading or heft. Manga artists (or caricaturists of the past) use it to a great effect, and they have flex nibs to complement brushes and micro-tip pens in their toolbox. Don't give up on it just yet))
@@Gav_na_tebya I do have some experience with dip pens, and I think that they work a bit more reliably than flex fountain pens (at least the ones that I have had experience with). True, I don’t have much experience with calligraphy, but I do enjoy a bit of hand lettering with brush pens, which I have a few that I love. I would definitely try flex pens again, but I think that I’m done with the steel flex fountain pen stuff (like FP Revolution, Noodlers, and Conklin, which I have videos for on this channel).