Not a Wet Noodle

Liking the look and feeling encouraged by reviews and talk about the new Noodler’s Flex Pen, I jumped on the bandwagon and ordered one from Brian and Rachel at The Goulet Pen Company. Whatever anyone might say about Brian and Rachel, you will never in a hundred years hear any complaints about the service they offer customers. In four simple words: THERE IS NONE BETTER. Brian and Rachel do it better than anyone and they do it with a smile and they do it fast. Not even possible for someone to regret doing business with The Goulet Pen Company.

Wish I had better things to say about the Noodler’s Flex Pen I received from Brian and Rachel today. No question, it is a handsome fountain pen. It comes in about thirteen colors, with more promised, and at $14.00 is dirt cheap. Very lightweight, it measures five and one-eighth inches (13cm) closed and almost five and a half inches (14cm) posted. The makers describe it as a classic 1960s design and I wouldn’t argue with that. Nice clean lines, one silver band and a silver pocket clip. Naturally, for such a low price this band and clip are not really silver, but more likely white metal. The body is a celluloid derivative, and in the case of mine a color called ‘Ivory Darkness.’ As I said earlier, it is a handsome-looking pen.

The nib is stainless steel tipped with ‘a hard platinum group metal alloy.’ Again, when you see the word platinum keep the low price in mind. The directions (too long and too complicated, remindful of an old computer software manual) suggest that with the flex nib, writing should be adjusted to allow better ink flow to the page. And there’s the rub. In my trials and experimentation, anything faster than the hand of a child practicing script produces skips. The sample poem in the photo here had to be written tediously slow to avoid an inkless nib. In line with my own personal preferences, the stainless steel and the nib’s fineness become something of a problem. I like more nib and equally more ink—a wetter line in other words.

It’s hard to compare the Noodler’s Flex Pen with other inexpensive fountain pens, because I can’t think what might be in the same price range. My Pelikano Junior cost more. Hard also to recommend the Flex as a starter pen, because the nib would cause problems for young students. Suppose I could say that the Flex is a good choice for people who want to give slow, ‘pretty’ writing a try. No regrets about buying it, but doubt it will be a fountain pen I call upon often.

For those who like a fine nib, a little flex, and don’t want to spend a lot on a fountain pen that comes in more than a dozen colors, the Noodler’s Flex Pen is your baby.