After having a true flex pen (a 1912 Mabie Todd Swan C2) I tend to agree with something Brian Goulet said about anything modern sold as flex: they're not really flex. Vintage you have no need for any more pressure than you already have in regular writing. I have (frighteningly😁) splayed my Mabie Todd to almost 90° on accident. It's still surprising that no one gets these right. A lot of vintage and modern dip flex are steel and more flexible (but they're untipped and spring steel, not stainless steel.) Brian said they're more "bouncy" than flexible. That'll give you some line variation as well. Not dissing on Gravitas in the least. They're great pens. Just don't expect anything like a "wet noodle" from a Jowo nib. Think your review was spot on. Modern "flex" tends to require a decent amount of pressure to get line variation. And a side note you didn't mention: the Entry was designed as an homage to one of my favorite pens, the double jewel Esterbrook J series. (And even the "flexible" nibs in vintage Esterbrook pens really weren't that flexible. Sure, they did happen, though hit or miss. I have several 9128. Only one has some flex, but they were sold as "flexible" or "for shaded writing." Their pre Dip-Less pens had several truly flexible steel ones, but stainless steel?) So Ben knocked it out of the park with his homage. Moreso than the Kenro Esterbrook has done yet, IMO. Thanks for the extra nudge towards getting one, James! Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas! God bless!
Merry Christmas to you, too, Paul! I hadn't thought or known about the nod to the Esterbrook, thanks for that detail. I appreciate the insights into vintage pens and connections to them.
@@JG3Reviews If I remember correctly, the Esterbrook connection was mentioned by Doodlebud. And Ben Walsh verified it. I've been a vintage Esterbrook fanboy since 1983. 😁
@@SpringNotes Beautiful flex. It sprung back (more careful now 😉). Pre 1930 there's plenty of lovely flex from most companies. For a budget flex, look at the Warranted nibs. Cheaper nibs even new, so they tended to be thin enough to get some nice flex. And because they are "not the original nib" in a name brand pen, even in ones that used them for a standard nib, they tend to be ignored.
Thanks, James! I have a similar experience with the omniflex nib on a Monteverde pen--sort of flexes if you go slow and walk the fine line between pushing and springing. For line variation in normal use, I prefer a stub or italic nib.
I use stubs most often as well, and in part it is because I can get the effect without the pressure, since that's a draw to fountain pens for me to begin with.
Your usual superb review, James. Looks like an excellent pen -- although I mostly was interested in the nib comments. From the first glance, I though the nib looked like the FPR flex (not ultraflex) nib. And, your experience with the Graitas flex nib mirrored mine with the FPR. Not bad. Not vintage. My best "modern" flex nib is the Pineider iperflex. A bit pricier! Well, a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hummm.. I have two Gravitas Pocket pens, both with Gravitas branded fine nibs. Both Flex! Seemingly as wide and easily as this nib does. Ben is selling an ultra-flex fine nib (with scalloped shoulders) unit separately that I may buy. (Fits Scmidt nib unit pens)
Nice video! I have an Opus 88 Demonstrator with an EF Flex nib. If I'm going to flex it, I like to hold it flatter than normal so the pressure is applied more directly in the direction the nib wants to flex. Mostly, however, I just use it with light pressure. Speaking carefully, and with hope we're both sons of the Lone Star unlikely to find offense in the subject, it's interesting how many fountain pen people are familiar with, or are at least unbothered by, firearms. I don't think it's a powers of the pen and the sword thing. I suspect it's because both endeavors welcome care and proper handling of the tools. If my comments cause offense, please accept the apologies of a peace-loving writer with a touch of the country boy in him. Your channel is very enjoyable.
Excellent review James. The nib reminds me of the one offered on a Noodler's Ahab pen (no breather hole). Like the Noodler's nib, it is not very flexible but will provide some line variation. That you are using a Noodler's ink seems to vindicate my opinion.
Thanks. Yes, it does look like that nib. It's a lot like the nib in my Kanwrite Desire (I think it flexes just a bit more easily), and they make the Ahab's nib, too. Now I need to get those out and compare for myself back to back. My Ahab is a bit springier than my Desire, and this seems closer to the Desire....just going by memory, though, I'll have to check.
Thank you for an interesting and informative review. Can you tell us how easily the pen starts up if you have not used it for a day (cap on)? Does the flex start up as well as a regular nib?
I use two 100W equivalent LED bulbs, soft white (I believe about 2700k? I’m away from home at the moment) in a soft box. I’ll use daylight (~5000k) sometimes as well. This light does create a warm look that really plays well with certain pens, ink, and paper. Thanks for asking!
I know that's frustrating. I haven't had that experience with Gravitas, but have two pens I've been waiting on for as long with no updates (one of those is a small family business like Gravitas, the other a larger operation). I don't know if it's the holiday crush or what? I've noticed that he hasn't had time to post as much on his projects as he had been, so that may be it?
It may be. I don't recall ever seeing or hearing who makes it. But the writing is quite similar to the Kanwrite Desire I reviewed, so that would make sense.
Buenas noches. No consideraría calificar esa punta como flexible. Es evidente que no tiene buena capacidad de retorno. Es una punta que admite variación, pero no se ve como una buena flex. Sorry. Personal apreciación.
I really was impressed with the design of this pen and the fact that it was available in solid copper caused me to order one almost immediately. However that being said, I never got the pleasure of owning one. I had a terrible experience with Ben in attempting to obtain a copper Gravitas Sentry from him. The "wrong" pen arrived in good time. I contacted Ben and he blamed the error on a technology glitch in the fulfillment process and it was agreed that I would mail the incorrect pen back and in compensation he would include an extra nib with my order. Immediately I placed the pen in the mail an sent an email to Ben containing an image of the postage receipt with all pertinent tracking info. I informed him by email as soon as the package arrived in Dublin. When it did not move from there I contacted Ben advising him that he should check on it. Over the next weeks I sent repeated communications suggesting that he check with the postal authorities about the status of the package. Since I assumed that the correct replacement pen with the additional nib would have been dispatched shortly after I had sent confirmation of my return; I was elated when after not having any communication with Ben for some time, a familiar package arrived to my mailbox. Immediately as I held it in my hand I realized it was the same package I had mailed weeks earlier having made a complete round trip. I paid another $17.50 to return it "again", with the assurance that the pen I ordered was on it's way, repeating all of the above ending again in Dublin, and after months waiting for what I had hoped would end in a satisfying writing experience and possibly my pen-of-the-year; in reality ended up being the return of the price I paid, less the $35 in return postal fees and a remark from Ben about the difficulty in dealing with The U S Postal Service (which by the way got the package from overseas to my box twice)and that I could have saved us both a lot of trouble if I had let him know at the outset that I just wanted my money back. No, Ben, at the outset I wanted the correct item I ordered; only after months of hassle and expense with no gratification did I request a refund. All messages and emails confirming that the above is accurate are on file.
That is very frustrating, I know. I haven't had that issue with Gravitas, but have with another maker (I did have the issue of our local PO kicking the package all the way back to Dublin for an extremely finicky reason). I sure hope that gets sorted.
I may put up a side by side to show its difference from a standard fine's inflexibility. But when Ben Walsh introduced it, he said it wouldn't be like an FA or Ultraflex, so the expectations were not that it would be. I understand it was to be a sort of semi-flex.
![🔴 ฟุตบอลแชมป์กีฬา 7HD แชมเปียน คัพ 2024 [รอบ 8 ทีมสุดท้าย] - ช่วงบ่าย](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M0S_ReCIkxg/mqdefault.jpg)
I've had my eye on the gravitas line for a while but havent yet pulled the trigger. Thanks for the review.
After having a true flex pen (a 1912 Mabie Todd Swan C2) I tend to agree with something Brian Goulet said about anything modern sold as flex: they're not really flex. Vintage you have no need for any more pressure than you already have in regular writing. I have (frighteningly😁) splayed my Mabie Todd to almost 90° on accident.
It's still surprising that no one gets these right. A lot of vintage and modern dip flex are steel and more flexible (but they're untipped and spring steel, not stainless steel.)
Brian said they're more "bouncy" than flexible. That'll give you some line variation as well.
Not dissing on Gravitas in the least. They're great pens. Just don't expect anything like a "wet noodle" from a Jowo nib.
Think your review was spot on. Modern "flex" tends to require a decent amount of pressure to get line variation. And a side note you didn't mention: the Entry was designed as an homage to one of my favorite pens, the double jewel Esterbrook J series. (And even the "flexible" nibs in vintage Esterbrook pens really weren't that flexible. Sure, they did happen, though hit or miss. I have several 9128. Only one has some flex, but they were sold as "flexible" or "for shaded writing." Their pre Dip-Less pens had several truly flexible steel ones, but stainless steel?)
So Ben knocked it out of the park with his homage. Moreso than the Kenro Esterbrook has done yet, IMO. Thanks for the extra nudge towards getting one, James! Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas! God bless!
Merry Christmas to you, too, Paul! I hadn't thought or known about the nod to the Esterbrook, thanks for that detail. I appreciate the insights into vintage pens and connections to them.
@@JG3Reviews If I remember correctly, the Esterbrook connection was mentioned by Doodlebud. And Ben Walsh verified it.
I've been a vintage Esterbrook fanboy since 1983. 😁
Hey Paul, were you able to fix that vintage 1912 Mabie Todd ? Fingers crossed, yes ?
@@SpringNotes Beautiful flex. It sprung back (more careful now 😉). Pre 1930 there's plenty of lovely flex from most companies.
For a budget flex, look at the Warranted nibs. Cheaper nibs even new, so they tended to be thin enough to get some nice flex. And because they are "not the original nib" in a name brand pen, even in ones that used them for a standard nib, they tend to be ignored.
@@paulherman5822 I'm so glad it sprung back !
Happy Holidays to you and yours Mr. James
Thanks, I hope you enjoy the holidays, too!
Thanks, James! I have a similar experience with the omniflex nib on a Monteverde pen--sort of flexes if you go slow and walk
the fine line between pushing and springing. For line variation in normal use, I prefer a stub or italic nib.
I use stubs most often as well, and in part it is because I can get the effect without the pressure, since that's a draw to fountain pens for me to begin with.
Your usual superb review, James. Looks like an excellent pen -- although I mostly was interested in the nib comments. From the first glance, I though the nib looked like the FPR flex (not ultraflex) nib. And, your experience with the Graitas flex nib mirrored mine with the FPR. Not bad. Not vintage. My best "modern" flex nib is the Pineider iperflex. A bit pricier! Well, a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to you, too!
Hummm.. I have two Gravitas Pocket pens, both with Gravitas branded fine nibs. Both Flex! Seemingly as wide and easily as this nib does. Ben is selling an ultra-flex fine nib (with scalloped shoulders) unit separately that I may buy. (Fits Scmidt nib unit pens)
The brass pocket one writes really well.. best bang for the buck.. I will surely buy one more
Hey! You can cut/grind the nib and form a sholder on it like the fpr nibs on your own as well i did it to mine
Nice video!
I have an Opus 88 Demonstrator with an EF Flex nib. If I'm going to flex it, I like to hold it flatter than normal so the pressure is applied more directly in the direction the nib wants to flex. Mostly, however, I just use it with light pressure.
Speaking carefully, and with hope we're both sons of the Lone Star unlikely to find offense in the subject, it's interesting how many fountain pen people are familiar with, or are at least unbothered by, firearms. I don't think it's a powers of the pen and the sword thing. I suspect it's because both endeavors welcome care and proper handling of the tools.
If my comments cause offense, please accept the apologies of a peace-loving writer with a touch of the country boy in him.
Your channel is very enjoyable.
Glad you like the channel, and certainly no offense here (though I understand your approach to a sensitive topic).
Excellent review James. The nib reminds me of the one offered on a Noodler's Ahab pen (no breather hole). Like the Noodler's nib, it is not very flexible but will provide some line variation. That you are using a Noodler's ink seems to vindicate my opinion.
Thanks. Yes, it does look like that nib. It's a lot like the nib in my Kanwrite Desire (I think it flexes just a bit more easily), and they make the Ahab's nib, too. Now I need to get those out and compare for myself back to back. My Ahab is a bit springier than my Desire, and this seems closer to the Desire....just going by memory, though, I'll have to check.
Can you press one of those silicone pads they make to protect furniture on it to stop rolling? If not then just turning it seems to work quite well.
Top notch review, Gravitas is a great company.
It’s a beautiful pen. It strikes me as a fine with a bonus flex.
That's how I approached it, and it does that well. I think it basically has a range from a fine F to B.
Thank you for an interesting and informative review. Can you tell us how easily the pen starts up if you have not used it for a day (cap on)? Does the flex start up as well as a regular nib?
So far it has not had any hard start issues. United for a day or two has been no issue, even for this flex nib.
Nice pen, interesting video. So, you're the pen and pistol packing pastor from Texas?
😆
What color light is that you are using on your writing desk? It has this warm mellow tone that goes so well with the paper and the turquoise ink.
I use two 100W equivalent LED bulbs, soft white (I believe about 2700k? I’m away from home at the moment) in a soft box. I’ll use daylight (~5000k) sometimes as well. This light does create a warm look that really plays well with certain pens, ink, and paper. Thanks for asking!
Interesting, thanks!
I ordered one a month ago. No delivery. Company not responding to requests for information.
I know that's frustrating. I haven't had that experience with Gravitas, but have two pens I've been waiting on for as long with no updates (one of those is a small family business like Gravitas, the other a larger operation). I don't know if it's the holiday crush or what? I've noticed that he hasn't had time to post as much on his projects as he had been, so that may be it?
Flex is cool, I wish I knew how to do flex writing
Why does your turquoise look so much lighter than the others?
I like your flexing fox.
🤣
Reminds me of Kanwrite nib.
It may be. I don't recall ever seeing or hearing who makes it. But the writing is quite similar to the Kanwrite Desire I reviewed, so that would make sense.
I believe it is
Buenas noches. No consideraría calificar esa punta como flexible. Es evidente que no tiene buena capacidad de retorno. Es una punta que admite variación, pero no se ve como una buena flex. Sorry. Personal apreciación.
I really was impressed with the design of this pen and the fact that it was available in solid copper caused me to order one almost immediately. However that being said, I never got the pleasure of owning one.
I had a terrible experience with Ben in attempting to obtain a copper Gravitas Sentry from him. The "wrong" pen arrived in good time.
I contacted Ben and he blamed the error on a technology glitch in the fulfillment process and it was agreed that I would mail the incorrect pen back and in compensation he would include an extra nib with my order. Immediately I placed the pen in the mail an sent an email to Ben containing an image of the postage receipt with all pertinent tracking info. I informed him by email as soon as the package arrived in Dublin. When it did not move from there I contacted Ben advising him that he should check on it. Over the next weeks I sent repeated communications suggesting that he check with the postal authorities about the status of the package.
Since I assumed that the correct replacement pen with the additional nib would have been dispatched shortly after I had sent confirmation of my return; I was elated when after not having any communication with Ben for some time, a familiar package arrived to my mailbox. Immediately as I held it in my hand I realized it was the same package I had mailed weeks earlier having made a complete round trip.
I paid another $17.50 to return it "again", with the assurance that the pen I ordered was on it's way, repeating all of the above ending again in Dublin, and after months waiting for what I had hoped would end in a satisfying writing experience and possibly my pen-of-the-year; in reality ended up being the return of the price I paid, less the $35 in return postal fees and a remark from Ben about the difficulty in dealing with The U S Postal Service (which by the way got the package from overseas to my box twice)and that I could have saved us both a lot of trouble if I had let him know at the outset that I just wanted my money back.
No, Ben, at the outset I wanted the correct item I ordered; only after months of hassle and expense with no gratification did I request a refund.
All messages and emails confirming that the above is accurate are on file.
That is very frustrating, I know. I haven't had that issue with Gravitas, but have with another maker (I did have the issue of our local PO kicking the package all the way back to Dublin for an extremely finicky reason). I sure hope that gets sorted.
Fine Flex... Or as I call it : noflex flex nib
I may put up a side by side to show its difference from a standard fine's inflexibility. But when Ben Walsh introduced it, he said it wouldn't be like an FA or Ultraflex, so the expectations were not that it would be. I understand it was to be a sort of semi-flex.