Flex
From Penpedia
A flexible nib is a style of nib that responds to pressure by spreading, or flexing, the tines as one writes. This results in a line width that varies as the pressure on the tip is changed. This varies from a stub or italic nib, which controls line width by the direction of the stroke.
A flexible nib is not a shortcut to beautiful copperplate type handwriting. Using a flexible nib with any degree of proficiency requires quite a bit of practice, to learn how to get the nib to respond to pressure, and to get a feel for flex characteristics to prevent springing a nib. They can also be difficult for modern writers, who tend to use a somewhat heavier hand, which can fatigue and damage flexible nibs over time.
Flexible nibs were generally very popular before the widespread use of carbon paper began to filter into the business world. Carbon paper requires a firm, manifold style nib to successfully transfer the imprint through the carbon paper. This pressure simply isn't possible with flex nibs. Some of the best flexible nibs come from the pre-Depression era of the 1920s and earlier, though flexible nibs can be found in fairly wide use up until World War II. By the 1960s, flex had been almost entirely abandoned, as a decreasing emphasis on handwriting was taking place, along with competition form cheap ball point pens. Because flexible nibs require more expensive materials, they were uneconomical in a ball point world. Stiff nibs are both more resistant to abuse, and easier and cheaper to produce.
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Types
Be advised that there is not necessarily a set standard as to what might make a pen a semi-flex versus a full flex. It is mostly a matter of feel and comparison, and people's opinions will differ on it.
Semi-Flex
These nibs are generally just a step off a rigid nib. They will yield under pressure, but only a marginal amount, perhaps going up one to two line widths. These are easier to write with as they won't change line characteristics as often or as easily as more flexible nibs. Under a normal writing pressure, they are more likely to lay down a more even line, only flexing when specifically pressed.
Full Flex
This is the middle of the pack. It is much more responsive than a semi-flex nib, and will give you greater line variation through a wider range of pressure. These will usually respond under normal writing pressure, and will flex somewhat easily, especially on down strokes. Line width could vary up to about 500% of its thin stroke. Waterman is known for producing some of the best and most reliable full flex nibs in the first half of the 20th century.
Wet Noodle
Wet noodles will often have the most flex of any pen, being able to reach line widths of a full flex and even beyond. They will respond nearly effortlessly to any writing pressure, and can be a challenge for day to day writing. There is almost no resistance to writing pressure. Fountain Pen Network user antonioz has produced a YouTube video demonstration of a Swan 4500 wet noodle that shows how wide and easily it will flex.
Vintage vs. Modern
Modern flex nibs are not the same beast as their vintage counterparts. Where a vintage flex nib is springy and responsive, modern flex tends to be softer. Modern nibs are also found made in new metals that have different characteristics than gold, like titanium used in the Omas Emotica. Some people blame the differences between modern and vintage flex on the loss of the art of making vintage style flexible nibs during the decline of their popularity after World War II.
Some nibmeisters have studied flexible nibs, and are tooled to add flex to standard 14K gold nibs. Richard Binder has spent a good deal of time studying vintage nibs, and uses a technique that very closely approximates vintage flex. John Mottishaw is also known for producing flexible nibs, however in a manner that differs in Binder's, and results in what some users identify as a somewhat less vintage feel.
