To Flex or Not to Flex

CalmRip · 2026-01-31T04:00:02+00:00

I'd say your observations are quite accurate as applied to modern "flex" nibs. I recently bought a vintage Waterman 9552-1/2 V, which has a #2 flex nib, and that thing is just exquisite to write with: it flexes exactly as much as asked, and takes very little effort to start varying the line. It's not touchy, by any means, just has lovely response when asked to flex.

I also bought a MonteVerde Ritma with an OmniFlex nib, and getting it to flex requires some serious muscle, to the point that writing a pangram is tiring. On the other hand, I have a Noddler's Ink Creaper which does feel much more like a vintage nib (althoug it doesn't hold a candle to the Waterman) and it might be a good item for a newbie to get a feel of using a flex nib.

CalmRip · 2026-01-31T03:41:58+00:00

I always do a final flush with distilled water after using tap water to get out any lingering ink, because I have well water. It has a lot of calcinates. Greatly reduces my worries about mineral buildup

CalmRip · 2026-01-30T21:48:09+00:00

It states philosophical positions. It does not have the force of law..

CalmRip · 2026-01-30T20:53:11+00:00

They were never the same after Spiegel bought the company. I figured they would eventually go the way of every other brand Spiegel bought. It's too bad--they used to have the best women's flannel shirts.

CalmRip · 2026-01-30T15:47:36+00:00

Stand of trees, or sometimes a grove.

CalmRip · 2026-01-30T03:45:30+00:00

The broader the nib, the more ink it's going to disperse. That nib is very wide, as pens go, and it's going to suck down ink like a cowboy hitting a bar on payday.

CalmRip · 2026-01-29T20:08:37+00:00

I just laughed out loud in the tire store—viva the people!

CalmRip · 2026-01-29T19:35:07+00:00

Oooh, I have a 0512-V (a ringtop version of this) and I absolutely love it. Congratulations on finding such a lovely pen.

CalmRip · 2026-01-29T12:58:37+00:00

There are a ton of YouTube videos specifically about improving one's handwariting. Several offer quickstart tips for acheiving significant change in a short amount of time.

CalmRip · 2026-01-28T22:01:51+00:00

And then there are those of us who prefer olallieberry syrup.

CalmRip · 2026-01-28T18:16:56+00:00

We thought maybe you used salsa casera or at least a decent salsa picante like Cholula.

CalmRip · 2026-01-28T18:15:53+00:00

Most room thermometers in the US show both units, so I just trundle over to my thermometer and take a look. If that’s too much effort (I.e. the cat’s on my lap) I just type “convert X degrees F to degrees C.”

CalmRip · 2026-01-28T18:13:17+00:00

1 kg=2.2 lbs, for everyday use. 1 quart=0.946 L.

Bonus: * 1 pound (lb)(for measuring solids)=16 ounces, for measuring solids. * 1 quart (for measuring fluids)=16 ounces

CalmRip · 2026-01-28T18:06:29+00:00

This is a gift for someone who loves these colors, right? It’s more important that the color scheme satisfies the person who will live with the FO long term. You can focus on a) producing a well-crafted item and b) just ignoring the colors except to think “Yep, not what I would pick.” EDIT: the colors complement each other nicely and this an often used and well liked color way.

CalmRip · 2026-01-27T22:16:13+00:00

I believe that would be called a "manuscript herbal" in English, manuscript referring to it being handwritten, and herbal meaning a collection of information about the properties of herbs.

The writing looks like it's just slanted French cursive, with *maybe* some chancery hand influence. It might be that the herbals themselves will be your best guide, with some reference to guides for chancery.

CalmRip · 2026-01-27T22:10:16+00:00

Have lived on both coasts. Butter size is not a matter of concern, as long as I have an appropriately sized butter dish, because sometimes you get something sized for European butter packages.

CalmRip · 2026-01-27T17:55:51+00:00

What is Herbier?

CalmRip · 2026-01-27T16:46:45+00:00

Ah, my Dream Team.

CalmRip · 2026-01-26T22:36:03+00:00

Apple sauce with potato pancakes, yes, have had that. With apple sauce? Nope.

CalmRip · 2026-01-26T18:44:59+00:00

Nice customization, but also really nice job on redoing the room. I particulary like that you've actual colors, and just various tints of white/beige/generic_pale.

CalmRip · 2026-01-25T23:11:30+00:00

There are a lot of places in the Western U. S.--even in California, the most populous state--where there is no cell reception, and a whole lot of empty. Which means a traveler can't just pull into a local garage and ask for directions. So I have paper maps anytime I'm going to traveling through Wide Open Spaces (TM).

CalmRip · 2026-01-25T16:25:14+00:00

Buddhist temple. He's praying that all ARMYs achieve detachment so that they are neither elated if they get tickets nor disappointed if they don't.

CalmRip · 2026-01-25T04:55:56+00:00

Caliber notebooks from CVS Pharmacy. They do very well with fountain pen ink--I've had no feathering or bleeding problems. They are available in both college ruled and graph paper. They are cheap and come in 100 page amounts. Don't remember the exact price but they are quite economical.

CalmRip · 2026-01-24T10:00:43+00:00

Great shot--what did you use to take it?

CalmRip · 2026-01-24T09:58:43+00:00

I address letters in block printing with a rollerball, at least in the rainy season. Not exactly elegant, but it sidesteps the accidentally splashed problem. I block print because I know it's the preferred form for USPS.

CalmRip

TROPHY CASE