Test driving a wet noodle Swan 4500 fountain pen

[ThinkingFingers]

Wow... your handwriting is beautiful.

[pacquiaovsmarquezIV]

Your video went viral on Fiji

[beppeartz]

what is the name of this pen?

[azavalia1]

@beppeartz: Hmmm... Swan 4500 ? :)

[finalrender555]

Unbelievable handwriting!!!

And gorgeous Swan pen

[MrIpodcollector]

can you just write cursive or is there a certain way to letter your words.

[xXRoBeRtXHaYdNXx]

I love how you just have the camera lying on top of a box lol. And the rest of the video was awesome also. Flex nibs are cool.

[MrDav10]

what is this kined of paper?

[keifla]

Looks like 'mmm wet noodle' :) you have such beautiful handwriting.

[Skaldi3]

Beautiful Where can I buy one?

[Nccwuser]

Your writing is simply beautiful! How many years did it take you to train that type of perfection?

[LLAW019]

hi again, how thin are the thin lines / what size nib is it? I dont suppose it is a needlepoint (0.2mm or lower-XXXF) is it? thanks again

[TheNeonTide]

"when he said he had an interest in nip, i could not say no"

[LLAW019]

Sorry, may have double posted but how big are the grids on the paper you use? Thanks again!

[LLAW019]

Is it possible to have nibs that are even MORE flexible than this, that are soooo flexible, it opens whether you like it or not, like a paint brush? Or is this as flexible as a nib can get? Oh and how big are the grids on the paper you use? Thanks in advance!

[LLAW019]

Is it possible to have nibs that are even MORE flexible than this, that are soooo flexible, it opens whether you like it or not, like a paint brush? Or is this as flexible as a nib can get? Thanks in advance!

[ez2rmb92]

Hi. May i know what the full name of the pen and nib? Thanks Alot. =)

[LLAW019]

I understand you cant push too hard with a wet noodle, or a superflex for that matter, but how do you know exactly where the breaking pressure is? thanks

[azavalia1]

@LLAW019 You dont know exactly ever :) However with some experience you may be able to recognize the limits of individual nibs...

[MrPancakez]

You should keep making videos

[TheKeyWestian]

Hi. Do you know where i could get a sheaffer Stylist with a stub nib. Thanks. Wonderful video by the way.

[thapizzakillr]

Holy crap, this pen gave me a wet noodle lol it makes the "high end" precision and needle

Points I use look like crap, I remember my fountain pen... I have 2 that are getting mailed to me right now anyways

[ZozzyCube]

this is awsome

[Chemicist]

Do you think you could do a segment on a Waterman 42 safety with simple Italian overlay?

[Chemicist]

What is your favorite fountain pen?

[azavalia1]

@Chemicist A Waterman 42 safety with simple italian overlay. Best nib by far and a gorgeous pen

[Chemicist]

@azavalia1 Okay thanks, I will look into that.

[91962]

@azavalia1 You should do a video of it haha, I've heard of some very flexible 42's, and I presume yours is no less.

[jasonbouzouki]

hello, are you greek?

[azavalia1]

@jasonbouzouki Ναι, Βολιώτης αλλα για 25 χρόνια στις HΠA.

[babygurl5150]

Where can I buy this pen?

[PFplusW]

:) wet noodle

[JakeRulzDude]

How did you learn to write like this?

[MINIMI95020]

AAAAHHHH PANIC hahahahahahhahaa fuck shit that was FUNNY

[TheKeyWestian]

not to be insulting, but its 4500 not 450. Just puttn that out there.

Sweet pen though. Cheers!

[Stephaniewatercolour]

Very Nice!

[yellowtaipan]

"4:06" ahh panic! ROFL

[ICU2P]

You can do this with a fingernail cut the right way =P

[boatfreak009]

Hi do you know where I could buy a Swan 4500 like yours? Also where could I buy a flexible nib like the one on your pen?

Thanks!

[YoungKimchi]

I can fall asleep to your voice. (:

[qwonkso]

3:28 ^___^

[kash1992ify]

wow.....dats jus beautiful...thanx fo d info...i saw a pen lik dat fo d 1st tm...n m definitely gonna go hunting fo dis pen...thanx..n i lik ur handwriting...

[ebutuoyjg]

ive never seen a "wet noodle" before. im looking for a pen for drawing and want a huge range from the finest line i can get to a nice thick line. i t would be great if there was also something like this but that allowed me to reduce the ink flow. i guess my main aim is variety of line. often i draw with the back of the nib to get the fineness and crispness i am after but it often destroys the nibs feed system. any suggestion s for me to look into that wont break the bank?

[azavalia1]

@ebutuoyjg look either

1) for artists nibs in vintage Watermans (expensive and you need to know what you are looking for)

2) Have a nibmeister to make one for you (expensive and can take few months)

3) Try dip pens

4) Try dip pens with the Ackerman pump system

[jjskinn32]

this is amazing. Where would you be able to purchase a pen like this?? (preferable somewhere other than ebay)

[kanajlo]

@jjskinn32

Try Oscar Braun pens.

A lady named Pam will actually talk to her customers. The prices are wonderful. I am very happy doing business with Oscar Braun pens.

[zem1956]

wow i have never seen a pen like thatf\\

fountain pens are hard to find in stores in sf, ca

[Killswitch750]

i really like fountain pens but i wouldnt know where to get exspept for on ebay, is there any other sites?

[Philosophy649]

Do you have an idea on where i could buy this or how much it is.  I'm getting bored of my waterman eyedropper.

[Flinty88]

And when he said he has an interesting nib, I could not say no.

If i had a dollar for everytime...

[orrinoconnor]

@cchj768,,,,, I just wish I could write !

[bertocaster]

AHHH panic panic! lol amazing handwriting man!

[exconvictriddick]

I just got my Namiki Falcon Fountain Pen. It has a flexible nib. The thing is i can't produce anything similar to yours. The nib itself is fine because of notetaking purpose. Medium Nib is kinda big.

I was wondeering, why can't i produce that kinds of stroke. Is it the paper im use (it feels and sound like i'm scraping the paper). The ink or perhaps i bought the wrong brand of pen? or probably i need practice? lmao

[azavalia1]

First of all the Falcon is a semiflex at best. With medium you can not get good line contrast. Fine would be better. But this pen can not reach the vintage flex.

(Practice will help for sure :))

[fudgie686]

An inspiring pen.

[koolskater5]

Your hand writing is amazing! I'm jealous.

[twobitmage]

that pen looks awesome.

[aget19]

what sort of ink are you using here. it looks lovely

[azavalia1]

It is Ecoline Magenta - a watercolor.

[0tt0ni0]

very nice - is the pen still avaiable?

[azavalia1]

Hi, the pen is still available - for me to write :)

[blip789]

@azavalia1 It seems that John from the UK has lent his "Stradivarius" to someone who can really make it "sing".

Inspiring video, thank you.

[cias86]

where can i buy this pen?

[steamupboy]

you can buy some of these pens as parker brand myer or david jones

[GeorgiosMICHALAKIS]

The Greek part was awesome, as well....

Everything is also well explained (one eventually obtains satisfactory responses to a number of questions).

[azavalia1]

Ευχαριστώ Γιώργο.

[GeorgiosMICHALAKIS]

Who voted against this? Why, doesn't the gentlemean explain issues conveniently? Anyhow. I just got a Merlina pen, fine nib (14k) thinking that it was flexible but, unfortunately, pressing a bit on the nib gave me NOTHING of what is seen here. I'll ask the same question as "cias86": WHERE and at about how much can one find such a pen (or its contemporary "equivalent"). Thank you. Season's greetings.

[uberwaffle]

if you're looking for a contemporary equivalent, you won't find it in a fountain pen as they just don't make flex nibs for FPs anymore. Your best bet is to get some dip nibs and try those, speedball are the big brand here usually, and they have a wide variety of flexible to rigid-as-a-nail nibs. the downside is they are dip pens, not fountain pens like these. flex fountain pens are pretty much just vintage now, so you have to look around on ebay or collector sites, that sort of thing.

[yyyy2999]

shocking

[sayurine28]

O-M-G lovely

this is amazing (^_<)d

I would love to write that beautifully!!

[werty302]

beautiful

[TehZeppelin]

Wicked!

[preeti5765]

please suggest which pen to buy , any particular brand,good quality

[ayattiubing]

buy something for china...you wont care if you lost it... i lost mine and it gave me a headache for a long time

[dnl5649]

waterman is the best brand, to me anyway.

i have a pen from the 1940's a waterman, a very nice pen

just like the one used in the vid, but a little different

[yyyy2999]

faber caster is not bad

[rsuriyop]

never used a fountain pen before. are these the type that you have to keep constantly dip into a bottle of ink?

[TemurAmir]

No, that's why the pens you dip are called "dip pens" :P

[dnl5649]

you don't have to dip a fountain pen in ink, you fill it and you only fill it after a month or so, when you run out of ink

besure to use quink ink, others will screw up your pen

[ScReAmDeMoN58]

ive not seen a pen like that since my school days,i used to have to dip it into the ink lol they have come on since then and hope they dont make as many blotches ias i used to

[teddybigbass]

some of the best callig iv seen

[cchj768]

I wish I could write like you.

[shamone23]

Hi, I really want a wet noodle. Where can I get one? Please help me find one. I have tried searching in google for things like "wet noodle" but the results have nothing to do with fountain pens. Can these be bought new, or are they not made anymore and vintage ones need to be bought? I really prefer brand new fountain pens. Can you give me the name of a few pens that have nibs like these? Please reply, I would really appreciate your help. Many thanks.

[catprince1015]

wet noodle isnt a pen- its a term. what he has is a swan 4500

[EeekMeep]

I think he knows that, since he asked for pens that have ..."nibs like these," i.e., wet noodles.

Shamone: Try the auctions for vintage Waterman or Sheaffer pens. Learn what to look for in a flex nib, such as a 14k or 22k gold nib, and a very long nib, (the tines will be long, not necessarily the whole nib.)

You can also pay to have a modern 14k nib made into several different degrees of flex. Try Richard Binder in a search.

The modern nib needs to be exposed, rather than hooded.

Good luck.

[loafingsmurf]

@EeekMeep, you seem to know about fountain pens. I am new to fountain pens, and I've been buying some in the local open air market.

I'm looking into getttin a 22k iridum gold nub fountain pen ($20). Although it has a large piece of plastic on the nib.

I was wonding if you know what this large plastic piece does and if it is a sign of poor quality?

[EeekMeep]

Does the section, (the part of the barrel with the nib is called a section; above that is the barrel,) cover the nib most of the way?

This is called an "hooded nib," and it's fairly common. It won't change the way your pen writes, no matter how well made. It's a purely stylistic design. Hero, (inexpensive, not cheap, Chinese brand,) makes a lot of these as knock-offs of older American pens that came out during the Star Trek years.

I'll put more in another comment.

[loafingsmurf]

@EeekMeep, sorry it took a while to respond.

For slightly less than $20, I got a Kaigelu 325. It kind of has a long nib, and I kind of can control the thickness of the writing. Applying gentle pressure can make a thin line and writing with harder pressure can make a thick line.

Although, this pen I bought can not compare to the one in this video.

[EeekMeep]

Check to see that the tines are aligned properly, as well as you can, as small problems can be difficult to spot without magnification. Ask to see the filling-system if it's not a true piston filler.

Price really doesn't factor into FP. I take a $10 Pilot with me everywhere, and I adore it. It's mass-produced, injection-mold plastic with a steel nib. I have many pens, some very expensive.

What matters is whether or not you like the pen and whether or not it writes the way you want it to.

[Stevein8tor]

you truly have a gift.. Thanks for the video

[bermicmon]

Really a nice pen!

[comedystandup777]

3mil? not even 1

[maedumae]

ok thank you but which pen can I buy?

[afagjoi]

Thank you for this video. A classic and historical brand of fine writing instruments.

Enviable pen.

[maedumae]

so how can toy buy this one??

[maedumae]

I want this pen!! how much cost?(aprox)

i have a cross , pilot and 2 more

[azavalia1]

Not for sale. I am sure you can find similar pens for ~$100 especially if you dont mind minor cosmetic problems.

But this one is not for sale :)

[afagjoi]

Swan brand doesn't exist any more. But you can get some of their classic pens in some online stores. Very recommended pens.

[TrashmanScott]

Εγώ είμαι Τριπολιτσιώτης. Σήμερα αγόρασα μελάνι και μία πέννα. Προσπαθώ με αυτήν να εξασκηθώ στήν Βυζαντινή καλλιγραφία, αλλα δυσκολεύομαι. Καλίτερα μου έβγαιναν τα γράμματα με τέμπερα και πινέλο. Ίσως να φταίνε τα nibs που πήρα. Τί προτείνετε να κάνω?

[NeoQuello]

what kind of paper do you use and where can i buy it... and where did you get this pen??

[bunchoradishes]

May I ask which ink you are using there? beautiful on this flex pen!

[azavalia1]

Ecoline Magenta.

It is a german watercolor.

[bunchoradishes]

Is that safe for the pen? or do you have to rinse the pen afterwards?

Also, could I ask why you opted to use watercolor instead of ink? less opacity?(?)

(sorry for the questions-- my ink knowledge is a tad wanting)

[azavalia1]

It is safe for pens. It is water soluble.

It is actually rather weak on pens with low flow. It is nice when the flow is generous.

I rinse every pen with every color (when I empty it).

Be careful with BHR and red inks - I had couple of pens that discolor (on the section) because of red inks)

[bunchoradishes]

Thank you very much for the detailed answers! I just might pick up some watercolors the next time...

[azavalia1]

The ink is Ecoline Magenta. A watercolor from Germany.

[NeoQuello]

Do you or does anyone reading this have a Parker Vector Fountain Pen and / or a Cross ATX Chrome Pen .. if yes would you please do a review. please and thankyou the Vector sells for 23 the ATX Chrome sells for 60-70. ..

[Fijiana]

"AHHHHH! PANIC!......uhhh, whats going on?..."

Best Line Ever!!

In all seriousness though, thank you for this post; very informative and original.

And you writing is impeccable.

[Kalyvakos]

Hey are you Greek? Because i saw that you wrote the Greek alphabet =D

[azavalia1]

Ναι, είμαι Βολιώτης (αλλά για πολλά χρόνια στην Αμερική).

[Kalyvakos]

Εγώ είμαι Τριπολιτσιώτης. Σήμερα αγόρασα μελάνι και μία πέννα. Προσπαθώ με αυτήν να εξασκηθώ στήν Βυζαντινή καλλιγραφία, αλλα δυσκολεύομαι. Καλίτερα μου έβγαιναν τα γράμματα με τέμπερα και πινέλο. Ίσως να φταίνε τα nibs που πήρα. Τί προτείνετε να κάνω?

[BugzMoran8]

How much does a pen like that cost?

[azavalia1]

About 50-200 depending on condition.

[CamelNLD]

If your intrested in calligrafy you can buy a calligrafy pen at you local art store. It will cost about 5 euro. (no flex nib) :)

[thibaulthalpern]

very nice handwriting!

[Born2killx]

Lol, "and nothing stops the Energizer".

[nikanj]

I already have had hand writing. This just makes me feel ever worse about myself :P.

[mrsbriandear]

Can you recommend a text book and kind of pen for a beginner?

[mrsbriandear]

I am in awe!!! Thank You so much for taking the time to post this. I have always wanted to learn script, you have motivated me to try it!

[PenTV]

Beautiful writing -- that takes a lot of skill and practice. Thanks for sharing that!

[vaLnity]

Is there a specific name of the paper you using? I've been looking for that type of grid paper/notebooks for very long!

[yomamaspetbeaver]

U have AWESOME handwriting, I have a fountain pen and it does this but I have two of the metal things at the tip of the pen, one is wide and one is normal

[minibus1351]

Is writing is not human..

[winterstellar]

Okay..now I see why you would want a fountain pen..That was beautiful and pretty impossible with a ballpoint pen, I guess.. You can learn so much on YouTube! 5 stars!

[yura187]

Im gonna go and put gun in my mouthh...I have never seen such writing ..beautiful..

[zidane851]

4:08 priceless AHHHH PANIC!!!!!! awesome writing by the way. and beautiful pen

[kingtut5838]

WOW - Drools - Teach Me!!!

[lMsoCOOL]

your handwriting is to die for. *drools"* me likey!!

[phraze]

u have some neat writing lol

[Ellen05276]

Wow....So Good!!!!!!!

what kind of pen is that??

Where can we get that pen??

[azavalia1]

This is an early 20th century Swan.

THIS pen is not for sale but you can find similar ones.

[gangstabrutha]

What kind of font you writing with?

[azavalia1]

This is a quasi-copperplate

[luigi12356]

where did you learn to write like that, it is amazing the way you write!

[mystarave]

Very nice Antonio, I bought a semi-flex Wahl flat top from you!

[Claire1Rogers]

i love writing and fountain pens.

and im ur FAN!

[atearofjoy]

WOW! Must be expensive..

[azavalia1]

Not really. My guess is that you can find a similar pen for about $50-$150 depending on cosmetic condition.

[JoanPhoenixFilms]

Realy nice ! Thanks for tin gthe time to demonstrate your wonderful hand with letters. The pen is nice to, but the driving is the thing !

[randomrazr]

where do u get pens like that

[deckstore]

2:10 holy shit thats nice writing for an l i cant write that fucking well nice job some one praticed handwriteing in school

[vonstalheim]

very enjoyable but very expensive on ink

[RodCornholio]

Parakalow!

[huijingwu]

This is Greek for thank you.

[jo5567]

how much is the fountain pen?

[someguy5645]

Probobly a couple hundred $, because they seem to be rare.

[vintagewriting]

Just discovered your video. It was great! Your writing is terrific and the pen is amazing. I think what I liked best was how we witness your reaction as you discover how good the nib is, when you first start writing with it. Excellent job. I sell pens based on how they write---it's lucky to get anything approaching the capabilities of your Swan---and the movie clip is a great way to show this. Thanks very much! Rob Morrison

[Redskins913]

wow!

[BloodyDracula]

Impressive! Check out "The Official Fountain Pen Inventor" on Youtube!

[randomrazr]

nice skills and nice pen. how much was that. btw, at time 4:08, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA"

[miltonbonani]

Fantastic! Congratulations for your skill.

[azavalia1]

Zenmann44, it's not a prototype. The same vintage model can be found with stiff or flex nibs. You have to try or buy from people that know. ebay is tricky. I prefer pentrace and fountainpennetwork - their marketplaces are frequented by pen aficionados much more knowleadgeable that the typical ebay buyer.

[joseph2137]

How do you write so nicely with a fountain pen?

[Shangas]

Practice and a fountain pen. Can't do stuff like this without a nib.

[Individuell83]

Hmm.

It's a very interesting pen with a amazing nib I never saw a so soft nib.

My monblanc 144 have a soft nib but that is amazing and I love your script =)

[phogz0r]

Very interesting video ! I definitively want to see more :)

[CanItAlready]

I was not expecting to find a video from Antonios when I searched for "fountain pen" on here. Wonderful surprise. I love watching this kind of demonstration.

[fuzzybutchkins]

I could watch Antonios write with that pen and listen to him talk about it for hours. It's like a fish tank, only with a greek accent and much more interesting because it's a fountain pen.

[lukaas0073]

Beautiful skill on show here.

You should continue making videos because you have a great style "on camera" relaxed, knowledgable, charming..... Thanks, Luke

[theosone]

hi:) where can I get a pen like this?? pls let me know... regards from poland!

[eah3rd]

Very cool! I am a fountain pen enthusiast--vintage and new-old pens--and really enjoyed this video. Penmanship seems to be falling by the wayside with keyboards and such. The letters formed in this video were beautifully created. As for a nib, I prefer one that makes a wet, bold stroke, similar to the nib used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Let's see some more videos on how to properly hold and use fountain pens. Nice job!

[higdoghiggins]

what the ....?

[sheafferer]

Antonios, this has been a great experience, a lesson of penmanship and a know-how to that small flex nib in the early Swan eyedropper. I've watched it three times now. Thanks a lot, would be wonderful if you decide to post more vids of this kind.

Kind regards,

Nicholas (sheafferer)

[azavalia1]

Nicholas, and Alabamapenman, and all the others on FPN and Zoss, thank you for your kind words. As for more videos, I hope so. I need to get a better picture quality.

[zenman44]

Ssir,

can you tell me if I can purchase one of these pens or is it a prototype? I could not find one on ebay or google. Please let us know where we can buy one. Thanks, Robert

[Alabamapenman]

What a gift to lovers of fountain pens! Great video. Hope to see more.