Noodler's Flex pens

Noodler's flex pens are hard to come by. They sell out as fast as retailers get them and for good reason, they're probably the best value in a fountain pen. They're great to draw with and at 14 bucks how can you go wrong?!?

I used Noodler's flex pens and ink 
for these Ben-Hur drawings.

They're old-school piston fill (Nathan doesn't believe in or produce cartridge refills) that have a terrific flex nib. I ordered mine from Goulet pens along with a bottle of Noodler's #41 brown. (They sell as soon as they're released, so sign up for the email alert for when they're back in stock). Goulet is a top-notch retailer; shop on their site once, and you'll be back again; they're awesome

I used a reed pen and my new flex pens to illustrate the cover of Ben-Hur; for a new edition published by Penguin USA. 

I really like the flexbilty of these nibs.

Flex pen, reed pen and a little wash.

To be honest, the Noodler's Flex is not the word's most luxurious pen. In fact, people complain the that resin it's made from is kinda smelly, I call it that "new Noodler's" smell, and it fades the more you use it. But if you maintain them properly (it's easy), they are sure to be workhorses for years to come. And be sure to read the insert that comes along with a new pen... it gives you everything you need to know about this gem of a company!

Below are the comps of my cover designs.

Above is the approved design.

This new edition should be in bookstores 

in April 2012