Magna Carta MAG 600 Flex Nib Fountain Pen Review

[@bensmith-mannschott9640]

I purchased one (in black ebonite) through Goulet Pens and I can confirm the nib feedback, the *occasional* hard start though otherwise generous ink flow and responsive flex. (What I'm seeing is absolutely consistent with the one you reviewed.) I've used it to hand-write a small cook book of 16 recipes as a Christmas present recently. The flexibility of the nib allowed my to embolden the names of ingredients so they would stand out without needing to switch pens. I used a red iron gall ink from Büroservice Bergmann. The pen handled this all like a champ. This is a unique pen in my collection. I enjoy the vintage look of the pen and am happy to have it.

[@TheMagicalSock]

Wow! It’s taken manufacturers long enough to find the flex that vintage manufacturers offered so frequently! Thanks for sharing - I resigned myself to avoid these pens a long time ago because my handwriting doesn’t lend itself to flex, but this is impressive.

[@Robert-zb5ep]

Bought one a month ago. Found the inkflow was not to my liking, particularly for a flex. So I EASILY converted it to an inkdropper and it is an AMAZING pen. Flexes like a dream. I have heard one or two complaints that they have "microscratches" on the pen. First, just by examining it with my eyes, I can't see any. Otherwise, I don't really worry about such things because I'm not writing with a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe. BTW, Penchalet has it for $315 and find a 10% discount online and the readers can get it for close to $280 - I'm not associated with Penchalet, I bought a couple from them. Great review, Stephen.

[@antarjyotiantarjyoti7205]

the question is that the quality control is not that great , so it means the quality of each pen is not the same...

[@BielkaEstrella]

Thank you for saving me some $$!! I think I found my birthday present 😂😂

[@aldoraccagni]

Good review, thanks. The Mag 600, with the Montblanc ink, it's great on every kind of paper, no matter for the speed of waiting or the extreme pushing on the nib. I hope you understand my bad english. 😊

[@johnbutler2174]

I purchased one from Appelboom about two months ago. Works well. I like it. Good performer.

[@jungroe]

Thanks for the honest review. I'm glad you let the pen sit overnight before testing it. Once the nib is no longer saturated, you see the true performance of flex pens. While this nib flexes good, I'm not impressed with the amount of railroading. If you have to slow down for the ink flow to catch up, the feed can't keep up which is clearly the case here. The hard starts you mention is also a red flag for me. I've heard of other reviewers mention the hard starts. The hard starts and heavy feedback is a non starter for me. The MB 149 Calligraphy flexes as well without all the issues.

[@Robert-zb5ep]

Have you tried it as an ink-dropper? After getting rid of the converter and just dropping ink into the barrel and putting some silicone grease around the threads, it writes for me with no hard-start or railroading.

[@alexandrapirvu7945]

The MB Calligraphy is 3 times the price of Magna Carta, isn't it? Railroading and hard starts can also be related to dry inks. I'm happy with Pilot's #10 FA nib, and that one behaves great with wet inks, while dry inks cause problems

[@nullifye7816]

If you're a calligrapher looking to make copperplate writing less of a headache with technology, you don't mind the speed (we normally write at "dip-pen" speed). I have a Conklin with the new flex nib, and even with slow writing it eventually railroads. Apparently it can be filled with a dropper but I haven't figured out how yet. Either way this seems like a solution. I have seen an American company doing more custom-y pens, might be worth a look.

[@Sago18]

I have it and I have eye-dropped it and it works well. More wetter than used with the converter. Had to tweak the nib a bit but now it is a great writer.

[@ChrisGVE]

I got one, bought it via Goulet as they had a nice red/gold acrylic version, I love it, it writes very well and as you say it is very close to vintage flex (I own quite a few vintage pens as well). Now of course the comparison might be, strictly speaking, unfair because I have yet to find a vintage pen with a nib as big as the Mag600 but I have vintage pens with smaller nib that exhibit line variation comparable to the Mag600, this leads me to think that this pen achieves the vintage feel with a combination of metallurgy and geometry, but not metallurgy alone as the vintage pens do. I could be completely wrong but these are my 2 cents. In any case I just love this pen and it makes for a great addition to my collection.

[@danmagoo]

Interesting that the red marbled version apparently has a resin body, while the black one is made of ebonite. I kind of like the feel of ebonite pens, but I've had so many problems with the black Mag 600 pen burping and leaking, that I wonder if the ebonite barrel is part of the problem -- possibly transferring the heat of my hand to the inside too much or too quickly. I'm glad you are having a good experience with yours.

[@MrG0CE]

CAN U PLEASE MAKE A COMPARISON WITH THE FPR 14K ULTRAFLEX NIB? PLEAAASE ! AND TY !

[@Goldilockszone123]

Ok, I highly recommend this pen. It gives you something that can’t be found in any other modern pen. I had an initial problem with the feed and nib not being set deep enough into the section. Air intake caused ink to drip off the end of the nib. Presto-Changeo now it’s fixed. Love it!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

I ordered this pen and the feed could not keep up and I experienced tons of railroading--when the the pen would actually write. Another friend of mine had the same issue with this pen. We both returned the mag600 for not writing as advertised.

[@luisguillermoperezmejia7907]

Muy buena flexibilidad. Saludos desde Medellin Colombia

[@jeanneprice6736]

I have the Mag. I did notice the feedback. Although I am one of those “buttery smooth” people, I am able to tolerate it. My pen has not railroaded yet, but I imagine it is likely at some point. I do agree with you about it being close to vintage flex. I would have to categorize this pen as reserved for special presentations. Not an everyday writer but certainly appropriate for random decorations in a journal or commonplace book. I am happy with it. Love the sleek look. The clip reminds me of Conway Stewart clips.

[@joefrank7531]

Would love to hear how it compares to an FPR ultra flex.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Appreciate your honest review, thank you.

[@Yootjoob]

Thanks Stephen, it looks exactly like the Bexley 58.

[@markschultz2304]

I considered for the first time ever giving you a downvote for “flex appeal”, but I reconsidered😊

[@sarattalluri5610]

MAGNA CARTA is a pen company located in India from where I belong. It’s a company which started and manufacturing fountain pen and nibs. Isssue is with Mr Hearin the owner. Sometimes some issues will crop up and you need to accept. They were selling ebonite feed nibs which had issues. When pointed out not willing to accept and hurling abuses at buyers is not acceptable. He sold defective pieces inspite of knowing that issues were their with their products. Does not take back the items neither returns the money. That brought him disrepute !!! Atleast he can change now and acknowledge his prior mistakes. Fountain pen lovers will still accept him provided he is humble.

[@rhondacarlock6735]

No problems with mine I really enjoy using it!

[@DrRWH]

I am fascinated by the last part of your video. That is how typical is the sample you test. How good is QC from brand to brand and pen to pen. Companies will not supply this info but you might imagine an AI/ meta analysis might dig something out from comments. It’s interesting because it puts into context all reviews and reviewers.

[@paulmchugh1430]

I like the nib. I am not a calligrapher but I do like that it will provide character to my writing. I enjoy ebonite body pens. This is a very nice pen. The price is a touch above my price point, but may be able to get this pen.

[@tayterlik]

Already awaiting Mag 600 in marbled red ebonite, and - what a surprise - a bottle of Kon-Peki ink. I don't mind the feedback from nib, I have some pens with nice, tactile feedback. No experience with flex nibs so far, thus I will not be able to tell the similarity to vintage nibs, plus I will be learning how to push the nib basically from point zero.

[@Robert-zb5ep]

Might want to check that as I think the red version is a resin.

[@tayterlik]

@@Robert-zb5ep The description at appelboom states it is ebonite, this is all I know. I will be able to tell more in app. 10-12 days.

[@Glenn-j2e]

Thanks Steven, there interesting pens.🇦🇺

[@MrAndrew1953]

How would you rate Waterman number 5 nib for flex gold nib selling for about $100 Dollars Australian 🇦🇺.

[@monkpato]

Great review. The thing is, vintage flex isn't a single thing. Some vintage flex pens are better than others and the 600 is better than many vintage flex pens.

[@antarjyotiantarjyoti7205]

there is a problem of quality control..

[@korax67]

Mag 600 retails for 400€ in netherlands. Santini Italia has the Libre model for 365€ with an excellent 18k flex nib, without the drawbacks of mag600. Not ebonite, but I don't really care for that.

[@HomerIncognito]

I don't think that Santini offers much flex as the Mag 600.

[@mrmf4712]

@@HomerIncognito And what kind of writing you are planning to do which requires so much of flex? I wish to see the sample!

[@paulwhitehouse8911]

Hi Stephen. What are your views on Chinese pens?

[@thebeansandtoddshow]

“ it’s not super tight, it’s not super deep” what are we talking about here Dr Brown? HA!!! Great review Stephen….jude

[@mrmf4712]

Thank you for review. The pen does not worth its price. With this level of railroading. Nope, thanks.