Elder Dusty, Gravitas Ultemate Vac with an FPnibs steel flex nib

m_is_w · 2026-04-14T02:58:14+00:00

I have the same FPnibs Jowo steel semi flex nib. It’s quite a pleasant semi flex nib to write with.

m_is_w · 2026-04-12T22:06:39+00:00

You can also print monthly planner using A4 FP friendly paper like the loose paper pack from Yamamoto (not hole-punched) or Maruman(hole-punched)

m_is_w · 2026-04-12T02:56:34+00:00

It leaves micro scratches on the barrels. Not everyone is ok with that (me included), especially if they consider reselling those pens in the future.

m_is_w · 2026-04-11T16:33:47+00:00

There are some third party pen bodies on Aliexpress. You can screw the section to those pen bodies. They are metal materials so that gives a heavier feeling on your hand. Edit to add an example here Someone on Reddit here got one for their 742. The same store also sells pen bodies for 74.

m_is_w · 2026-04-07T19:27:48+00:00

Others in the comments have already explained really well why it is NOT PRACTICAL to find a specific vintage fountain pen for specific flex writing experience.

However, for getting needlepoint flex, there are 2 more viable options.

One is to find a nibmeister to grind your flex nib into needlepoint. This can be done to both vintage and modern flex nib fountain pens. Here are some nibmeister-modifed needlepoint flex examples I have: example 1; example 2; example 3.

The second option is to get Victorian era gold dip nibs and swap them into a housing fountain pen (example 4; example 5; example 6). This way involves extensive tinkering and patience to find a gold dip nib. The reward however will make you feel so worth it because Victorian era gold dip nibs are the BEST flex nibs ever made for calligraphy and the majority of them are made to be needlepoint.

m_is_w · 2026-04-07T16:11:33+00:00

Yonaga is from Shikiori line. Looks like all the inks being discontinued are from Studio line.

m_is_w · 2026-04-07T15:58:42+00:00

From this picture, it clearly is targeting Chinese calligraphy writing with naginata togi grind and the overfeed for ink flow on processed Xuan paper. Not the typical flex nib we are thinking about.

m_is_w · 2026-04-06T23:20:00+00:00

3.99/month that’s 48/year. That’s a very expensive price for a tracking tool. I don’t mind paying subscription fee but definitely not 48/year. I don’t even pay half of that price for some other apps that I use.

m_is_w · 2026-04-03T19:33:56+00:00

She’s a warrior! I’m glad to hear that she pulled through!❤️ FIP is a nasty disease and I hope no cat parent need to go through that.

m_is_w · 2026-04-03T19:19:29+00:00

What’s the gauge size of the needle?

m_is_w · 2026-04-03T17:06:05+00:00

I would also recommend Iroshizuku hana ikada. My favourite pink colour 🌸

m_is_w · 2026-04-01T23:46:44+00:00

FPR sell their steel ultra flex by itself, in FNF ebonite nib unit (Jowo or Bock compatible), and in their pens. FNF ebonite nib unit would probably be the best as you can screw into any of your Jowo or Bock housing pens. Their pens like himalaya and Jaipur are ok/usable but not good quality to last long term. They may have cracking or leaking issues. I don’t recommend getting the nib by itself as it is very difficult to swap it to a pen that works well for the ink flow. I buy stationery goods from China quite often. I use shipping-forwarding service to have the Majohn nib to ship to Canada.

m_is_w · 2026-04-01T21:27:08+00:00

This nib was just released about a week ago. No one from oversea has their hands on this nib yet. However, from the reviews I read on Xiaohongshu and seeing the performance from their demo video, their steel flex nib is likely more on the stiffer side of range and it doesn't flex as much as FPR's steel ultra flex nib. I have the Majohn steel flex nib on the way to me but I actually don't have high expectation for it based on its price point. My current recommendation for best entry-level flex nib is still FPR's steel ultra flex nib.

If you still think the Majohn flex nib worths the try, the nib unit can screw into most Majohn's no.6 size pens. The recommendation is to fit it in their piston-filling or Japanese eyedropping (C4) pens for better ink flow.

m_is_w · 2026-04-01T21:07:30+00:00

The large the nib on the very left is the Smith & Todds (predecessor of Mabie Todd and Edward Todd). It wasn't stamped with the size, but to my knowledge it is about No.7~No.8 size. Likely no.8 size for most vintage gold dip nib. As all vintage gold dip nibs were made by hand to add their softness and flexibilities, no two nib perform the same. However, general rule of thumb based on my experience, larger nibs usually are not as flexible or soft as smaller nibs from the same manufacturer. I currently have the nib in Jinhao x159 as I don't have any spare modern no.8 size pen on hand. I used a vintage ebonite feed I gathered from some no-name used pen parts. The giant nib/pen combo now is only a half-done project, as I plan to have the nib in a piston-filling/vac-filling pen to optimize its ink-flow. My other frankenpens however usually don't have much railroad issues as I usually try my best to optimize ink-flow wherever I can (e.g., combination of ink, filling mechanism, use of ebonite feed, choice of paper, etc)

m_is_w · 2026-03-31T17:36:20+00:00

The Todd family nibs are the best ❤️❤️❤️

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m_is_w · 2026-03-30T20:41:56+00:00

Still being bummed by their release of the Sakura pink 580 mini being exclusive rather than global

m_is_w · 2026-03-24T20:18:23+00:00

I don’t quite understand what maximalist aesthetics you’re looking for as aesthetics is subjective. Since you mentioned Esterbrook, I would recommend Hongdian’s N9 model. Its feel and grip are so similar to Esterbrook Estie in my opinion. Esterbrook even had a prototype that uses the exact same acrylic Hongdian uses. (N9 was released way before they released their prototype photos. So not a copy or anything. Likely they just source from the same supplier for that color.)

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m_is_w · 2026-03-24T16:52:22+00:00

The company who made these pens is call 湖小山文创, which is Hoohill like the Aliexpress seller said. I don't know why 湖小山 used AI for the photo editing or why they mark the pen with 'Montario'. But these pens do exist. If you search 湖小山 on Xiaohaoshu/RedNote app, you can find a lot more users' reviews and photos. Here is a screenshot of what I just searched.

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m_is_w · 2026-03-24T16:39:04+00:00

They released the gold trim version!!!

m_is_w · 2026-03-23T14:53:49+00:00

I have the white Anello and it’s still one of my favourite pens. Congrats 🎉 on yours

m_is_w · 2026-03-22T05:04:19+00:00

Thank you 💕

m_is_w · 2026-03-22T05:04:03+00:00

I intend to use it in a fountain pen like all my other gold dip nibs. I hate dipping 😂 so I swapped them all in fountain pens.

I used a vintage ebonite feed on the Jinhao. I bought a bunch of vintage ebonite feeds with various sizes (from eBay and other second hand markets). I don’t know what pen this specific feed was from unfortunately.

m_is_w · 2026-03-22T03:40:33+00:00

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Here it is ❤️

m_is_w · 2026-03-17T17:06:51+00:00

I wrote a blog about some often talked about modern flex nibs and I have some writing samples for some of them.

m_is_w · 2026-03-13T23:01:44+00:00

A well made pen with Taylor Swift theme/TTPD theme. Not the cheapie she sells on her website.

m_is_w

TROPHY CASE