NOODLER'SInk Ahab Piston Fountain Pen - Max Emerald

If you can find a way to make writing more fun, you will be more likely to do more of it. I have two of the Noodler's Flex Nibs. The Ahab is kind of chunky, but it is a very light pen. I'm told that as we get older, the chunky pens provide more control and are more comfortable. My other Noodler's Flex Nib is a clear Standard Flex Nib, which I prefer as it is skinny. Both pens are very smooth to write with, and I would easily pick either one over many previous pens. These pens use a reservoir, instead of a cartridge, which may make a difference to some. The nice thing about the reservoir is there is no waiting for the ink to flow through to the tip. As soon as the pen is filled, it is ready to start writing. My ability to create copperplate scripts is way off in the future, but I am enjoying the pens all the same. I can definitely feel a bit of spring action in the tip, and I can vary the line width. The Ahab seems to have more ink flowing from the nib than the Standard. The reservoir fountain pens will allow a greater variety of ink colors. I prefer to sign documents in a dark blue color, that is easy to see on the original. For taking notes, the dark blue is easy on the eyes, and the pen is very fast and smooth for writing.

This is one of five different Noodler's fountain pens that purchased at the same time. I have been using Noodler's inks for at least the last decade, and found them to be a very good ink with a large selection of colors, and I wanted to see how these very inexpensive pen stood up. This Maximilian and one other were the best of the five pens I tested. Since I usually spend much more for a good fountain pen, it was nice to find a good writer at the twenty dollars price range. Noodler's won't keep me from buying more expensive pens, but these are perfect for a novice fountain pen user.

I love this pen to bits, it's my absolute favorite ever edging out the LAMY Vista. The only downside: after a while riding about in my pocket or bag, there's usually ink all over the part of the barrel inside the cap -- it's never leaked actually out of the pen, but I have to wipe it up or get ink all over my fingers before I use it.But everywhere has kleenex and I carry an old handkerchief specifically for ink -- I have a few dip pens -- so it's not a problem, just wastes a little ink.But seriously I love this pen. It's wonderful.

This steel nib pen performs nicely and should be favorably considered as a starter fountain pen. The nib is not flexible but without burrs and puts down a well-metered ink flow. The overall quality and presentation is very nice. I like this pen as a day-to-day utility writer as well. A few bucks to teach a young person the joys of handwriting with a fountain pen. Think about it...

I followed advice and flushed the pen with a mixture soapy water and ammonia prior to loading with ink and using. This pen is marvelous and has worked without a single hitch.

Using heart of darkness and the color is light, The ink is very dark with dip pens. Might be a flow issue

I own the clear version. This poor man's fountain pen has gotten a lot of criticism because new owners don't read directions for use!It's $22 for a reason… it's not been thoroughly cleaned from manufacturing and the feed has not been formed to match the nib. Use soapy water to clean all the pen parts (remove nib and feed from section by pulling them straight out while wiggling them a bit) and then use a candle to warm the ebonite feed and then press it against the fountain pen nib. Wait for it to fully cool, re-assemble the pen, and ink it with some good noodle's ink and you'll enjoy the writing experience.The flex nib requires a significant amount of pressure to get some flex out of it, which was unsatisfactory. So, I took a Comic G nib (used for dip pens and calligraphy) and ground off the back of it (so I could cap the pen) and flattened it out a little with the tap of a hammer (it was too curvy for the feed and sat above it in the middle).I then used a piece of fine sandpaper folded over to very slightly widen the channels on the ebonite feed so the ink flow would keep up with the Comic G nib.I know all this seems like a lot of work, but it only took about 20 minutes and was a fun project. What did I have to lose? $30 in a pen and some nibs?It was all worth it. What I got for $30 was a flexible fountain pen that rivals the classic Waterman Ideal #7 pink (in my opinion) that goes from ultra fine lines to outrageously broad lines with very little pressure and little to no railroading.Forget buying a pricey Namiki Falcon and having the nib ground down for spencerian calligraphy. This will do the same thing for a lot less money and you will have the pride of knowing you created it yourself!Hope this helps.

This is a celluloid pen with a "flex nib"--that is, the steel nib has two tines with no ink hole and as you press on the down stroke, the line is broader. The pen has:Piston fill converterScrew cap that can be posted on the barrelStainless steel flex nib (fine)Green marbled colorPros:Can be used for Spencerian and other scripts that require a broad and fine line.Reasonably pricedConverter includedNice if you like a thicker barrel on a penCons:Yes, it has the cheesy smell at first (will fade. That's the celluloid --actually a casein plastic.)The flex nib is not as smooth as non flexing nibs. You can't write too fast if you want variable width lines.You can change out the nibs and put in non-flexing nibs, which is what I plan to do.

Great to work with these materials together