Conklin Empire: Too flexible for it's own good? || Pen Review

[@andrewruegsegger7754]

is no one gonna say anything about him writing “help me.” and stuff around 7:20. peter is in captivity, being forced to draw against his will.

[@Allahuma.sali.ala.muhammad.]

No.

[@peter_draws]

Smile and wave boys, just smile and wave.

[@ericr154]

Hes like tiny Rick, captive inside his own body

[@turkeymcduckin7909]

@@peter_draws Everyone has a phrase that they write when they're testing new pens in the store. For me, it's "Help me".

[@Stu_DLNGR]

"Hello! Help me! Oh please! Really!". Part of me is rofl and part of me is seriously worried. :(

[@hmApollo101]

The feed is being exhausted of ink when you flex the nib. Flex pens aren't really made for fast strokes. That's why you see calligraphy artist go so slow when using fountain pens, so the feed has time to saturate

[@TheHardcoreDilettante]

A GOOD flex pen can certainly produce fast strokes. It's just that no modern flex pen is really that good, and certainly not one with a plastic feed.

[@vivianloney8826]

@@TheHardcoreDilettante what would you consider a good flex pen?

[@byehai]

V L There’s the watermen 52 I think? However, those aren’t around anymore.

[@TheHardcoreDilettante]

@@vivianloney8826 There are a lot of vintage pens at reasonable prices that have gold flex nibs. They can be had for cheaper than the Conklin Empire if you're willing to deal with a less than pristine pen body. I'll probably be doing some videos on my vintage pens this year (I currently only have 3), which all have some degree of flex. For modern pens, there are gold flex nibs, but these tend to be quite expensive: Omas/Scribo, Aurora, etc. have flex nibs. At a lower price point, the Pilot FA nib (available on the 742, 743, 823 and 912) is a *fantastic* gold flex nib. However, the feed on those isn't good for extended, heavy flex but can be modded to provide more ink. Joey Grasty at flexiblenib.com makes ebonite feeds for the 743/823 which makes those nibs work great, but he's still working on an ebonite feed for the 742/912. Also, there are "soft" nibs that aren't really flex but can provide some line variation for normal writing. The Platinum 3776 soft fine nib is nice. The Pilot Falcon has a nice soft nib. These won't provide the kind of variation you'd want for, say, copperplate, but they have enough to add some lovely character to your everyday writing. You can also get a modern gold nib modified by a nibmeister to provide vintage-like flex. John Mottishaw does these. You can get one by Richard Binder if you buy a custom Edison. Fpnibs.com has Jowo nibs that you can get modified for flex, and I've heard great things about those. Indy-Pen-Dance also does custom flex nibs, IIRC. I tried a Platinum nib modified by Ralph Reyes for extreme flex recently at a pen show that was *great*, but it was a prototype. For a budget steel option, the only flex nib I'd personally recommend as a true flex nib is FPR's Ultra Flex nib (the one with the side cutouts), which is pretty great for a cheap steel nib and can be bought as an option on any of their very reasonably priced pens for a little extra. BUT it needs to be on a pen with an EBONITE feed--I don't recommend getting it on any of their pens with a plastic feed. The Noodler's nibs aren't horrible at all, but they do require a lot of pressure to get flex, so I wouldn't really call them real flex nibs. But the pens all have ebonite feeds, which is great. The regular FPR flex nibs (just regular flex, not Ultra Flex) are similar but require a touch less pressure, and the FPR pens are all tuned before they're shipped to you, so if you're not good with adjusting nibs, setting feeds, etc., those pens are a better choice than Noodler's pens for nibs (though Noodler's has more color/material options for the pen bodies). Sorry about the long answer. But the Conklin flex nibs would be on the bottom of the list for me until they fix their issue with the nib not being the right size for their housings and feeds.

[@TheHardcoreDilettante]

@@byehai There are a lot of companies that made flexible nib pens long ago. Waterman, as you mention. Also Mabie Todd, Moore, Aiken Lambert, Wahl Eversharp (I believe their modern pens have a flex option but they're nowhere near the the vintage flex nibs) lots of original Conklins (not the modern resurrection) have flex nibs, some vintage (not modern) Pelikans, and there are tons of generic "Warranted" nibs out there with great flex, among many others. Until about the 60s, gold flex nibs were pretty common. There are even some vintage steel flex nibs out there--I've seen them on German and Eastern Bloc pens, and Esterbrook had some "flex" nibs. When it comes to vintage pens, your best bet is to go to a local vintage pen seller or go to a pen show where you can try the nibs in person. There's no standard grade of flex, and vintage pens tend to be pretty individual from pen to pen in what kind of writing experience they deliver, not just due to how they were manufactured but also because the pens aged in very different ways depending on how they were used over the decades and whose hands they passed through.

[@puerkito9893]

How to make everyone nervous 101: -Be an artist -Write “Help Me”

[@MrBojangles447]

it's just a good quick phrase to test the flow of a new pen.

[@just1bandfan104]

@Van LMAO!!

[@r011ing_thunder6]

@Van lol

[@eeehhhbertoyee5057]

Oh jeez I got here so early Peter's hair hasn't even dried yet

[@mauricejerome3392]

lol

[@TheOrangeKou]

It's been 4 weeks. It's still not dried yet.

[@mauricejerome3392]

@@TheOrangeKou lol

[@FridayXO]

3 months

[@Sarathewise158]

It's been half a year, my dudes. At this point, I don't think it's ever gonna dry.

[@attackongamer9578]

“Did I flex too hard?” I ask myself that question everyday

[@gitbuckets]

Boss lol

[@lbdeuce]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[@asaala739]

🤣

[@internallyscreaming2788]

3:00 I like how the aluminum is so polished it creates an illusion that’s it not moving

[@mauricejerome3392]

lol, now I see it too! Thank you : )

[@sydm4781]

「Internally Screaming」 that’s what i thought when i saw it.

[@aen9321]

Peter, I do believe you are a little rough on your pens. You did mention you don't like pens that have to be babied when your cheaper pens seem to do the job better - I really think you would like the Platinum PTL 5000a. It has all the works of a higher end pen, even a gold nib, and can still take a beating. I really enjoy it. It's a good halfway point between a $20 and a $150. I think it's somewhere around $70. But I use it for all of my work in residency in the hospital, and I'm in the trauma wing so it takes a beating. I've dropped it a million times, lost it even more, and it never fails me, I've had it since college. But it still writes like how you'd think a super high-end pen would write. It's like the expectation you have when you buy a $150 pen, except it doesn't let you down. I'm not a salesman, but it's a good pen. I also think you'd like the vibrant red it comes in (that's what I have). I might send one to you here in the near future!

[@logancochis]

Plz do

[@lukebombardier510]

Platinum as a brand is underrated. The 3776 is also a great choice from the same brand.

[@lsedanolg]

Technically you never lost it

[@dr.castro8269]

WOW. Thank you lady.

[@CoxJoxSox]

Are you practicing writing like a doctor? :D

[@durianhead]

so basically it's a weird flex, but it's ok ?

[@prettyepicgirl]

durianhead i was just about to comment this haha

[@stone8193]

(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)

[@jaydougan2239]

durianhead ayeeeee haha

[@CreativeCache101]

I mentioned this to peter in the stream, he laughed and replied 'weird flex but not OK'. Its ya boi, obiwankandblowme

[@ArtemisNightlock]

I got that reference

[@thomastakeshita4979]

I'm too flexible for my own good. I can relate to this pen. I broke 17 riblets last year while I was stretching my reticulated spine.

[@peter_draws]

Remember to unlatch your precordial sockets before any excessive stretching.

[@mr.e3609]

What is a riblet

[@shreksenpai6179]

@@mr.e3609 a baby rib

[@wretchedcats4909]

Man i wish, I almost dislocated my shoulder trying to reach my toes

[@JohnDavis-gx9he]

I first read this and I thought u said ribs and I thought to my self how the fuck is this guy alive 17 fucking ribs 😂😂

[@GadgeLLMTB]

Such a nice looking pen but such a shame you experienced so much trouble with it :-(

[@GadgeLLMTB]

@Prashant Regmi why not become a patron and help support Peter and get early access to his content and SO much more! :-)

[@CausingChaos.]

Gary Cooper it’s almost like asmr lol

[@rynoX88]

@@CausingChaos. his voice is really relaxing

[@turkeymcduckin7909]

A lot of people actually have trouble with Conklin's omniflex, I almost got it before I saw all the bad reviews.

[@horacegentleman3296]

Peter blink twice if you can't talk freely.

[@fisherjam5182]

1:33

[@fisherjam5182]

He blinks

[@OMENHF]

Sentualemon e

[@j.j1916]

7:12

[@munafruit]

o peter clearly the problem with this is that you're using blood as ink. it's gona congeal and coagulate in the pen quicker and more enthusiastically than ink would. duh. adding an anticoagulant to the blood would help. i suggest investing in a few medicinal leeches. if u keep them on rotation u have a ready supply of anticoagulant. they're easy to care for and super adorable. but i'm pleased the rest of this experience was so pleasurable for you. i'm still hitting dislike because u didn't eat the tootsie pops in the video. im not angry... just... disappointed oh hey i ordered dayfever yesterday! im extremely excited to get that into my home and hands. i love it and you. (and in case it's unclear: im kidding about the blood and the dislike button and the disappointment. but very serious about the leeches and dayfever and the pleasure and my love for you.)

[@toolazytochange5045]

This comment just butters my biscuit! Great advice!

[@theterribleanimator1793]

so, you have a leech farm?

[@munafruit]

The Terrible Animator who told you about my leech fa-- i mean. nothing! who? i've never heard of her

[@theterribleanimator1793]

@@munafruit Boys, we found the freak, lock 'im up.

[@munafruit]

The Terrible Animator pls no. they'll only last like maybe a year without my sustenance

[@babalonne1770]

"Help me. Oh, please! really!" What is peter trying to tell us?

[@Oxxyjoe]

WE all need help escaping from the nonsense obligations of society

[@schlubenno3827]

OxxyJoe “I’m14andthisisdeep.”

[@Oxxyjoe]

@@schlubenno3827 you know nobody older than fourteen is named Jaden. So did you accomplish what you wanted to here? Or are you a spy from the nonsense obligation society?

[@schlubenno3827]

OxxyJoe I’m a female so it cancels out the perceived childishness of the name. ;)

[@Oxxyjoe]

@@schlubenno3827 I'll believe you. I only know about Will Smith's son Jaden, but yeah Cool :)

[@FrancoisTHX]

I would advise trying to use inks from older, established brands, like Waterman Serenity blue or Aurora black - they are some of the best behaving inks out there, if a pen doesn't write with one of those, it probably won't work with other inks -. The issue might also come from the feed of the pen : in this pen the feed is a standard plastic feed, so will probably not provide enough ink-flow to a nib with more flex. Some people have tweaks like widening the ink channel of the feed with a knife but I've never done it personally. Also, at the beginning of the video you can see the tines were not splayed, you have indded been a bit too rough with the nib, but you can find tutorials on how to fix that here on youtube! Hope this helps! ;)

[@aen9321]

These were my exact thoughts. I always stick with older established inks when trying out any new pen.

[@MattiasWirf]

@@aen9321 Why?

[@peter_draws]

Well I did just try this same ink in another pen (Moonman V2) and it worked just fine, no problems at all. Could be this super-flexible type of nib just isn't for me.

[@aen9321]

Mattias Wirf They're just very reliable inks that work with every pen. Once you know those work, you can try more adventurous things.

[@MattiasWirf]

​@@aen9321 and @ François THX1138 I don't buy that the age of the brand has a direct relation to the reliability, eventhough I see that repeated again and again ;) When I make a quick search on the Monteverde ink in the video an opinons seems to be that it is flows too well / is too wet. Monteverde is an established brand. If a normal (not pigmented and not irongall) fountainpenink don't work in a pen, I have a hard time believing the problem lies in the ink. I can understand this advice is for old vintage pens with sensitive ink sacks, where you are afraid that the ink will hurt the sack. Also, eventhough I understand all of you were talking about the flow in the pen, I just think this is an important part to mention: As an artist I wish that more penusers would be aware or talk about that these inks mentioned (like Watermans) are not resistant to fading. So in that sense, they are not reliable at all. Make a drawing with it, sell it to someone who hangs it on a wall with lots of light - the drawing could be gone in quite short timespan (depending on the paper and ink). If one are ok with that - fine, but one should be aware of it. This is however something that is not as easily tested in a pen/ink review video, so you don't see it discussed as much. Off course, you could make a drawing with an ink like that, scan and print it, that would work fine.

[@kota1v9]

"seems like a nice pen....that doesnt write"

[@palopo-t3v]

Doesn't write because he foamed the ink when he shook it. That piston is full of foamy ink. Not good.

[@ilou9129]

"My life's falling apart" 😂

[@pcrana1]

"I want my casket to be half this nice" Art Jesus don't play.

[@aduck6337]

pcrana1 Art Jesus 😂😂😂

[@spiritus1512]

“Help me” “Really, please do” is peter really ok...?

[@BrokenGodEnt]

it seems like all of the really expensive pens have the most trouble

[@peter_draws]

Yeah, the trend seems to go in that direction, but maybe once you start spending more, they're also just more specialized, and it's a possibility I'm just more of a "sturdy nibbed" penthusiast.

[@budthecyborg4575]

I recently started collecting Japanese Gold nubs. The sellers on Rakuten seem to be doing pretty well with international shipping now so you can get Platinum/Sailor/Pilot 14K nibs for about 2/3 what you would pay locally. Get the trio of the Pilot 742 in Music nib, and the Platinum 3776 in Coarse nib (Juicy!), and the Sailor 1911 in Zoom nib. You will be if FP heaven. The Sailor nib is the most dry, but I only got the regular 1911 and not the Large so maybe I just need the larger nib. The Platinum 3776 in C-nib is definitely the best bang for your buck. (Been shopping at Pen Gallery Hogado)

[@hasslichesentcheee1815]

My heart is bleeding by locking how ruff you go on with this Penn...

[@notamanstudios4408]

ive always had the impression peter has a really light hand but apparently not lmao

[@melanieaudet]

Or the pen nib is wayyyyyyyyyyy too flexible for its own good. Too much flex can be really bad.

[@BloodSprite-tan]

nah that's really naive to think that. there is no such thing as a pen that is too flexible for it's own good. you're pushing down too hard and that's it. the only way too much flex is a bad thing, is if you're a massive noob that has never handle a flexible fountain pen. which of course we all are at some point. but if you ruin your nib that's up to you.

[@BevinEG]

Nothing a little *flex tape* can't fix.

[@CreativeCache101]

Thats alota damage!

[@BevinEG]

False.

[@BevinEG]

Understandable.

[@doodletime9041]

I want a sprite

[@BevinEG]

Month too late my dude.

[@unslept_em]

I honestly love writing 'help me' when I'm testing brushes out in whatever digital art program I'm using, happy to see that I'm not the only person being held at gunpoint, forced to draw for eternity

[@0mNomNinja]

Hey Peter! I had the same problem with my Conklin Duragraph. Look and see if the nib itself is aligned with the feed. If it looks crooked, take the nib and feed out of the nib housing to straighten it. This might be difficult because they are in there very tightly but get a rubber grip pad or something like that and it should work. My Duragraph barely wrote at all before I did this. Now it works about the same as your pen, I think, so I don't know if this will even help you. I think Conklin came out with the Omniflex nib to compete with Noodlers. But I think they kept the feed the same and it just can't keep up with the amount of ink the nib lays down. Personally I think the Conklin flex pens are way better writers than Noodlers. They are smoother and the pen is higher quality but still relatively affordable (especially the Duragraph). So if anyone reading this is looking for a decent flex pen that can also be used as a daily writer, I highly recommend Conklin. Thanks for the great video!

[@peter_draws]

Thanks for the tips!

[@handsomezebra]

:( my Conklin flex pen had a lot of problems too.. tried 2 nibs and just gave up. It sits in the drawer. It's really pretty.... But doesn't work :(

[@addledhead]

I am certainly no pen expert, but I do feel like you're diving in a little too hard. The fact that it is a flex nib means you should ease into it a little more, don't start your test drive by pulling out of the parking stall at 60, wait till you're on the highway for that.

[@majortom6174]

Piece of metal

[@peter_draws]

Why not pull out at 60, exactly? The rest is wasting time.

[@addledhead]

Well in my humble opinion, if you pull out at 60, you're not going to have any idea how the car handles, and thus are likely to crash at the first turn. Whereas if you take your time to feel it out, you'll have a better idea of how far you can push it before it starts to underperform or break. I think it's a principal that applies to most things that are new and specialized when you're unfamiliar with them. But I suppose if you don't want to waste time with familiarizing yourself, at least you can be prepared to deal with the higher risk of incident. I still enjoyed the video 👍

[@Valmon14]

It's okay Peter. My life's falling apart as well. You're not alone.

[@bonfiredevil3755]

Same

[@powerplantpipe]

THIS WAS THE FIRST PETER DRAW VIDEO I EVER WATCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@heikohancock9186]

You're so rough with it I'm having heart palpitations D:

[@MinaF99]

On my way to go get my copy of dayfever at the post office

[@krsp420]

its incredible

[@shlagin9354]

Judging by the sound of the pen on the paper, you are using far too much pressure. The crystalized ink at the end of the pen also suggests that you bent the nib out of shape the first time. A good way too know how much pressure to use is to think of the pen like a fine paint brush, rather than a ballpoint or other writing utensil. Of course some pressure is fine to get those thic juicy lines, but too much for too long will only break the pen

[@tennicktenstyl]

Reviewing the footage, you have certainly sprung the tines. Just look at the closeup when the pen was brand new, the tines are perfectly aligned. With the replacement nib it also looks like it was aligned from the factory, but the tines are way too far apart at the end. You have to go way gentler with those nibs or you will damage them.

[@obsidian1612]

Yeah, but for $150 you would expect a reliable product. The tool for an artist should not control the style in which he, or she produces art. The artist controls the tools not the other way around, if the pen cannot handle the way he draws then it's a bad product plain and simple. Even if the pen was made just for writing you image ones surprise if it were to stop working just because you were a little too rough with it.

[@AmandaDuncil]

@@obsidian1612 *smashes sharpened pencil into paper* Ah yes it is the product that's wrong

[@obsidian1612]

@@AmandaDuncil If people want to buy a pen FOR 150 DOLLARS! that breaks just by adding pressure be my guest.

[@betford2]

@@obsidian1612Sorry, but I have say that's ridiculous. A lot of fine instruments require finesse.

[@obsidian1612]

@@betford2 that's dumb.

[@roiroi4505]

7:20 "Hello!" "Help Me" "Oh please!" "really!" aight imma head out

[@roiroi4505]

He is tho

[@rascalwind]

Have to give the feed time to catch up. The Nib can supply more ink to the paper than the feed can draw from reservoir.

[@lizzybeka1864]

A few weeks ago (sadly before seeing this video) I had 100% the same experience. The only difference is I got a fine non flex replacement nib and that one worked out fine.

[@axxidnt]

i hope you’re okay, peter. thank you for putting some light into my 2018 and continuing to put a smile on my face into 2019! ngl your deep talks have me missing you if i haven’t watched in a while :)

[@amberblyledge7859]

I'm usually VERY gentle with fountain pens. This may very well be a perfect match for me. Love this pen so far. Maybe I'll put this on my wedding registry?

[@bellanovia1648]

I've been watching your channel since your first video and after all this time you still have that amazing funny personality that I love ❤

[@FrenziedTrance]

Some feeds require a little bath before inking them for the first time. There’s factory gunk that doesn’t get washed out after the manufacturing process. That’s likely what happened with the first nib where some gunk got flushed out at the tip. That stuff will clog your feed and prevent ink from flowing.

[@Jgeraus]

from someone who owns way too many expensive fountain pens (watermans mostly), watching you destroy that nib in ten seconds was pretty awesome

[@3Dusers]

weird flex, not okay

[@mimitovar7335]

i love the honesty of your reviews and its mishaps!

[@carsongentile8639]

Peter are you trying to tell us something? Are you being abducted by aliens? You wrote “help me” and “please help me”. Don’t worry peter, I’ll come save you

[@lilyraimey3499]

Carson Gentile By aliens? Abductee by humans, more like. Poor alien Peter.

[@dharyalrasheed557]

Had the same issue of skipping with all the YAFA pens that I bought, especially their Conklin brand. The vintage Conklin's on the other hand, are a dream when it comes to flex and line variation.

[@Vampyink]

"I want my casket to be at least half this nice" that killed me

[@mxseal2215]

I love the thumbnail so much! It's so aesthetically pleasing!

[@Gnomereginam]

I got myself the Conklin (I personally like to think of that word as a verb by the way) Turquoise edition that was on sale just a while ago and might still be. And I decided on the omniflex nib. And the same thing happened. And I'm far more careful with my fountain pens than Peter seems to be. I also ordered a replacement nib and though it works a lot nicer, it'll still start acting up if I consistently use a bit of force. I feel like this happens a lot with these omniflex nibs, I looked at their 52$ Forest Green pen's reviews and people were talking about their own omniflexes needing replacement. There's definitely some big flaw in these nibs that they need to figure out. Otherwise they're a very nice brand.

[@Gnomereginam]

@@TheHardcoreDilettante Yeah. I actually sent the lady who'd sent me the replacement nib a message about how this is a faulty product. Because the nib separated from the feed and got misaligned just like with the first nib and with Peter's nibs. And I asked that if I could still get a new nib I'd want a normal one. All Conklin nibs seem to be poor quality but from what I've read the normal ones at least work. Do you know if the Conklin pens fit nibs from other brands though? And what's Yafa? :p

[@Gnomereginam]

@@TheHardcoreDilettante Ohh okay. Thanks. This'll clearly take some digging but there's a chance I might find a nice nib for my most expensive pen then. :)

[@TheHardcoreDilettante]

@@Gnomereginam This may be helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpyxhqCubtF6gpY FWIW, I find Goulet nibs to be excellent. They're Jowo, which means they write well and smoothly and quality control is good. Bock nibs (often sold as Karas Kustoms units) are also great. A little springier and a little more feedback than Jowo, IMO.

[@Gnomereginam]

@@TheHardcoreDilettante Ohhh well of course I've missed this. Thanks a lot! I'll check it out

[@MrAndrew1953]

You can dip it in the bottle when it runs dry or for hard starts. I put a dab of Monteverde pen flush on the feed from an eyedropper.

[@jzapien1377]

“Maybe I’m a little tough on pens” over a ruby blood red splatter page

[@gabiwarrior7040]

oh man, i love your temperance , its really soothing.

[@colgaterob9006]

You've got a lot of eyebrow action going on here, I like it

[@superboss5444]

Idk how this was on my recommended but idc, I'm glad it was, your voice is so relaxing

[@robinrai4973]

You sprung the first nib at 6:03!

[@mikenel9793]

In time air Is sucked Back into the Cartridge and Flow can Begin again!Nice

[@carlosguerra3560]

“is it over?!”😂😂

[@youlikejazz7379]

God your voice and the pen smoothly drawing on the paper is so Satisfying

[@mrninjapants9008]

5:04 Looks like the cover of a cheesy murder mystery novel.

[@cbboone]

The feed's drying out, a huge problem with Conklin's omniflex nibs. Don't flex it too much, and take it slowly! You're spreading the tines from heavy use. Also, what you saw was nib creep, which happens with red inks when you let them dry.

[@nyanachase7741]

Personally I like it rough. Nice drawling. Sorry about the pen.

[@sydm4781]

Nyana Chase drawling.

[@elderwaters9570]

I have long periods between watching you and when I do its when I'm anxious and your videos help me calm down alot it's like the Bob Ross effect or whatever, anyway thanks Peter I love you

[@jeongminhyeong1938]

watching this hurt me a little. it looks like you started writing without testing out how much the pen can take and just went on fast strokes that lead the nib to be damaged =(

[@Oxxyjoe]

I don't think he put too much pressure on the nib. But maybe because he's so used to pens working he didn't treat this one delicately

[@colinnoble1899]

just move along. nobody cares

[@jeongminhyeong1938]

@@Oxxyjoe assuming youre a fountain pen user, if you have any experience with a gold nib or a flex nib, you know you dont just spring it on and on without carefully testing it. That is, unless you dont care for the pen. Whether the pen was flawed from the start or not, a first attempt on nib should be with more care

[@jeongminhyeong1938]

@@colinnoble1899 well you seemed to care enough to leave a comment, so please dont go around sharing negativity for no reason

[@Oxxyjoe]

I haven't ever used a fountain pen. I do like to draw, although I've not done much of it in some time. I'd like to try it

[@maisunn]

Peter, have you heard of Fountain Pen Revolution? They have a nib that they call "ultra flex" and it's fantastic. During a sale, you can pick up a Himalaya pen in ebonite or acrylic with an ultra flex nib for around $30. The flex is better than Conklin and their ebonite feeds are very juicy - little railroading or ink starvation. Check them out!

[@bokchoiman]

Get rid of those fingerprints, before someone frames you for murder

[@damiendesmond8893]

I had the exact same experience, I bought a Conklin All American with the flex nib and I thought my first nib was defective because I had the splayed tine issue after testing it. But I think it has to do with the nib design. Goulet sent me a replacement too, and I went a little softer on it and now it works well, no hiccups. I still don't go full blast on the flex, but after letting the pen gently "break in" a bit, it seems to have good line variation. Just not the veritable pools of ink. I think if you're getting those, you're on the fast track to splayed tines.

[@codydevlieger1503]

That thumbnail looks so good 😊

[@hasslichesentcheee1815]

So true ^^

[@slightlyrancidcheese]

Don't worry, it's not your misuse of the pen. I have the same Conklin pen with the flex nibs and ALL the Conklin flex nibs are super temperamental. They lay down too much ink and you need to keep twisting up the converter. I love the pen but I rarely use it because the ink always bleeds through the paper. I often just can't use the flex part, because so much ink is put down.

[@OmnikTWR]

Bro, you be flexin'

[@Blitterbug]

Dude! You sprung the tines! Too much force (can't blame you, looks like a blast to use). You have to be *really* careful with flex nibs.

[@Gantorin]

Get a real job?... So... like me? Do I have the "real" job, or do you at this moment? I work in insurance whwre they bribe you with desserts, and have activities with in you job duties to color printed items where they are displayed on a cubical wall for all to see together... Besides the pay check... that to me is 5th grade or lower... They treat us like 5th or 4th graders. They also talk to us like young children, and some eployees older than me act like school children. I go to work, I do my job, I earn my check, and care for customers. But I am not a treasured person in the office... I feel I am far from it. So who has the "real" job?... That is the question. I'd ask to trade you jobs, but I cannot bring myself to offer it to you because it would feel like a scam in some aspect. Just do what you do... your great at it in my mind. I like to do my job politics aside, but you get the good with the bad sometimes.

[@Sam-mb6mg]

This was in my recommendations and I’m a little confused but I am not disappointed. This was oddly satisfying to watch

[@repeat_defender]

you're over flexing the heck out of it, the feed can't keep up. slow down, don't press so hard.

[@josegonzalez-kv1fp]

You need a little bit of air in the ink chamber for the ink to flow out correctly

[@muskndusk]

Opens box with pen nib . . . Ouch! You're writing too fast for the feed to keep up. Flexing uses lots of ink, which drains the feed. You need to write very slowly. Also, don't use so much pressure on the nib, you'll splay the tines. It's a delicate instrument, treat it tenderly. Maybe you're just not ready for flex fountain pens?

[@1337Jogi]

Or maybe an expensive pen should function just fine whatever you do. If if doesnt work properly the price is not warranted. Its not that is particularly fancy in other apsects. Looks nice but not tat special. I remember my Lamy in school had alot of flex and worked just fine. That is because it was produced to work not too look good.

[@nontees9882]

at 12:22 i almost fell out of my chair. Peter you are an inspiration to me always

[@Ambern]

Maybe I relate to the title

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

You're too flexible for your own good?😆😆😆😆👍👍👍

[@Ambern]

@@x-changex-outx-oner8224 apparently 🤔🤔

[@x-changex-outx-oner8224]

@@Ambern 😆😆😆😆Too funny!!

[@ethanmetcalf9752]

Your voice is so soothing that, long worballing columns of air almost put me to sleep 😂👌 subscribed

[@KenStentiford]

Wow this pen is BAD. Surprised this came from Goulet.

[@j.vincent3625]

Nice save, lol...just keep reviewing as the ink stops but the drawing continues...and that "Jesus envy" doo is perfect for this very forgiving pen review. Peter...you're the man.

[@EvanDeitrich9]

Why do these pen companies put so much fancy in the boxes, i don't get it. It's the pen that matters.

[@RizkhyDestatama]

Nope, packaging matter. Without it company cannot jack up the price so high. Also many use this kind of pen as a gift, so package matter

[@TheActualCaveman]

To butter up your butt cheeks in prep for the girth of the price. For me a 150 dollar fountain pen should be made of wood burl or straight quality metal of some kind.

[@berzerkwolfgangson5209]

I recently got a conklin herringbone with an omniflex nib. I had the same exact trouble with the ink flow and the tins being in the right place. I had to have a lot of patience and basically break in the pen. I honestly love the pen and its taken over as my daily writer as well as drawing pen. The nib doesn't sit straight with the feed, but its easily pushed back into place with light pressure. I've also read the the nib requires a lot of ink and i am also having to twist the ink converter to make sure ink is constantly pressured into the nib.

[@puggles9141]

You look like Jesus when he was baptized. 🤔🤔

[@mineman2142]

i love that when a tool is failing you your first route to solve the problems is changing how you use it :)

[@Ninjajessie4]

Hello

[@lunoxmos7623]

6:04 You can see how the tines splay, and that essentially is why it failed afterwards. The capillary action gets broken, and ink won't flow down to the tip properly.

[@tristanrichardson5848]

The snap of the cap is amazing

[@gluis2k]

Thanks Peter, this video helped me decide between the omniflex nib and the #6 jowo nib on on my new Conklin pen. 👌

[@mvaron2546]

I have two Conklin's and they both behave badly like yours does. Neither of mine have flex nibs. I think the problem is with the feed.

[@BelindaShort]

I always appreciate the candy from Goulet pens that ends up somewhere under my couch.

[@NGMonocrom]

I don't have an Empire. But I do have a Duragraph with that same so-called flex nib. The problem is not that it's too flexible. It's not flexible enough to continue ink flow! It doesn't flex nearly as much as advertised, and when you try to flex it more; the ink flow cuts off. And it takes several seconds to go back on. Works great as a daily writer..... if you never flex the so-called flex nib. Modern companies simply are unwilling to make flex nibs the way they were made decades ago. The only one that has mostly pulled it off is Noodler's with the flex nibs commonly found on their Ahab pens. Why? Because they slit that nib all the way down the middle. Other modern-day companies don't want to do that. It doesn't look like a traditional nib. True! But it actually works! It's the only one I've found that does so. I have two vintage flex nib pens. A Waterman and a Conway Stewart. Compared to those two, the flex nib on my Noodler's Ahab is about half a notch below the performance I get from them. And quite frankly, that is amazing! No other modern-day flex nib even comes close! Not even remotely! I no longer advise folks track down a vintage flex nib pen anymore if they want the performance of a genuine flex nib. I tell them to get a Noodler's Ahab. They're a lot easier to find, a lot cheaper, and they're all in mint condition! P.S. ~ Goulet makes their own bubble wrap. Good place to buy Noodler's products too.

[@dramacat1]

I had nothing but frustration with my Conklin omniflex nib, and my experience was the same as yours. Wrote well for half a page or so, then dried up. Flex was fine until it wasnt - poor flow from the feed, easily sprung tines, horrid railroading. I even got YAFA to replace the nib unit, but it did the same thing. Ultimately, I concluded that the omniflex nib is garbage. I’m sorry you had trouble with yours, but I feel validated to see that I wasn’t alone in my experience.

[@santiagoelias6172]

.finally...13 minutes of screwin around with that thing..waiting for you to actuate brain to hand to paper mode...i dig watching you draw dude..you are becoming one of my favorite artist...i tried your style of drawing...i couldnt do it..but has become an excercise of mine..just to get me motivated..thank you for posting this video..think I'll stick to my trusty steel body construction neoprene infused cartridge filled ball point model # R-301 size 0.7 (blue ink only) purchased @my local 99c store...YOU ROCK!!

[@elileyba]

Peter you have a job others would envy. You make people happy

[@wiesje93]

I’ve been wondering for a while what people would think if they found all the ‘help me’ scribbles in my notebooks I use to test pens. I’m happy to see I’m not the only one who does this.

[@DrachenPrime]

Your youtube channel is a real job. Keep it up!

[@MTSVW]

Nib issues aside, that ink is beautiful. I love the line variations in color from orange to crimson.

[@tinglesasmr695]

I love your videos I know this is not supposed to be asmr but it's really relaxing

[@prudenceglasby7702]

It looks like you're pressing quite firmly down with the pen. Flex pens tend to need not be pressed down so firmly for each stroke. Go more gently on the up stroked for more line variation, and slow down on the down strikes so the ink can catch up.

[@bieberninja1]

barely a minute into this video and i'm enjoying your mannerisms

[@TransJazzyTime]

Love your voice my dude its soothing af

[@miac4908]

I'm double jointed,I can relate to this pen right now.Winter sucks! BTW that was very realistic bloody Red color.

[@yokai6449]

Loving the fountain pen reviews, Peter 🖋🖤

[@mikaela2595]

Peter really out here curing my constant anxiety of failure.