Fountain pen issue/problem?

[Jaybh1974]

Hi everyone
I just recieved my first fountain pen in the mail on Saturday. I bought a Lamy Safari with a fine nib. I was so excited, I tore the box open, put the cartridge in, and away I went.. Unfortunatly, I do not know if I am holding the pen wrong, or if the pen is not good, but it is just not writing correctly. It is very scratchy when writing, and missing sometimes when I write.

For instance, I tried writing my name (jaybh1974), and this is how it came out. As you can clearly see, it missed part of the "J", and totally missed the "1" and "9" the first time I tried to write "9".. any advice I can get would be greatly appreciated

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/jaybh1974/be3d8361.jpg

[aimsport]

Here's a great place that can help you too: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com

It could be that the ink is just beginning to flow and you need to wait a bit for the feed to get more saturated. The slit in the nib must contact the paper. Are you rolling the nib so that the slit isn't touching paper.

Just like shaving... a light touch works best.

Low ink flow can certainly make a nib feel scratchy.

I have dozens of Lamys, including in F, and they're all good.

[maxman]

There is a break in period. Keep up writing and it should start performing better for you.
You will see a difference if you step up to a higher quality pen, or a pen with a soft nib (like gold).

[Jaybh1974]

I had no idea that the back slit in the nib had to be touching the paper.. you are referring to this, correct?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/jaybh1974/5e2a2c81.jpg

[craig87c]

That's it! Just keep writing. The more you write with it, the more the nib will get ground down to how you write.

[Jaybh1974]

Thank you all so much for the info.. I feel so dumb.. lol

[maxman]

Writing with a FP is not as simple as it seems. The nib will form itself you your style of writing. This is especially true with gold nibs.
Don't lend you pen to anyone, get it firmly molded to your style of writing.
That may take longer with a steel nib. I don't know, I don't have any steel nib pens.

[aimsport]

With practice you will find that the nib needs only to barely float over the surface and ink will flow. It's an amazing feeling once you get it right.

If you learn to write well with a steel nib, then every other nib will be easier.

Oh, and have something to say, and someone to say it to... :-)....

Nothing like a hand written note.

[Jaybh1974]

So far I have been loving it, even though I was getting frustrated. I have been writing a ton. Even bought a notebook yesterday to start keeping daily notes to myself

[Miles]

Kudos, glad you like the safari :thumbup1: Did you get a converter for it to use your own choice of ink, or are you strictly going off of cartridges? If/when you're up to it, there's a ton of cool ink to go with your pen. Really makes writing fun.

Good luck!

[Jaybh1974]

I got the cartridge that came with the pen. However, I am ordering a converter and 2 bottles of ink today!!

[Jaybh1974]

so if I buy 2 different color inks, and only one converter, would that work? do I have to wash out the converter after it runs empty if I want to switch colors? or do I buy 2 converters?

[superbleu]

Only need one converter. Flush with water a few times if you change inks.

[Jaybh1974]

Thanks for all the great info!!!!

[Moe]

Dang you guys. Just my luck to come across this thread in the RSS feed. Took me back to the early 1960s when fountain pens were mandatory in Catholic schools (at least the ones I went to)--cartridge-only until high school. Now I'm getting FPAD. :lol:

[LuckyR]

I would actually get in the habit of flushing the pen (including convertor) when you refill, even with the same ink. You have to remember the feed is comprised of extremely tiny channels, you are essentially relying on capillary action to make the pen work, ie even a small amount of built up on the inside makes the pen work poorly.

As to steel nibs, since the iridium is actually in contact with the paper not the gold or steel (for most modern nibs) the tip should wear the same as gold nibs.

[maxman]

The nibs of the Lamy are Iridium?

[Groat]

The nibs of the Lamy are Iridium?

The tipping on the end of the Lamy pens and pretty much all modern pens is 'Iridium.' As iridium is expensive, it's essentially some hard metal alloy that will wear very slowly.

[maxman]

hmm. I didn't think anyone used iridium for nibs anymore.
I've had rhodium and gold.
I prefer gold whenever possible.

Good to know.

[Groat]

hmm. I didn't think anyone used iridium for nibs anymore.
I've had rhodium and gold.
I prefer gold whenever possible.

Good to know.

Modern fountain pens (generally) ALL have 'iridium' tipping. The truth is that almost all of them use a hard alloy instead of pure iridium, as it's expensive. However, your gold nib is not tipped with gold. Also, you may have a pen with a rhodium plated nib, but underneath it is almost certainly gold. There are some nibs made from palladium on high end pens, but those are the exception.

The tipping may be seen in the picture below. The 'bump' on the far right side of the nib is the tipping material. It is mostly on the other side of the nib where paper makes contact. It's spot welded onto the nib before they cut the slit and then polished.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/85/208475372_a48a32f783.jpg

[demerson]

The Safari is a great value in fountain pens, but almost all of the ones I have encountered benefit from two things:

1. they write on the 'dry' side; the slit tends to be tight. Flossing it with a very thin bit of mylar helps, and,

2. the manufacturing residue on the feed inhibits ink flow, so flushing the works out with some slightly soapy water can improve flow.

These are very robust, forgiving pens to work on, and a great place to start.

[Fer]

+1 on the breaking in process and the FPN. After this it is wonderful. I don't personally like fine nibs. The great thing about the safari is that you can easily interchange the nibs.

[Jaybh1974]

dumb question, but the nib is supposed to be kind of leaking like this, right?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/jaybh1974/3947dd13.jpg

[rickboone1]

What's on your nib is called nib creep. It's normal, more so with certain inks. Not a problem. What it's doing is called skipping. This is indication of a nib that needs some tuning or a feed problem. Possibly both.

To answer your question about using different inks, just rinse it out is all.

Onto fixing this skipping....

Take it apart. Put the section and nib into a solution of 1:10 ammonia/ water. Let it set for a day or two. Get a baby nose sucker thing. Squirt water through that section (section is part where your fingers hold it, basically) over and over after it's soaked.

put it all back together and try it again. Look closely at your tines (sides of the nib that come to point). Are they in line with each other? One should not be higher than the other.

Lamy's seem to put some kind of gunk, possibly protective coating, on their pens. I had one that took me a while to get going right but now she's a beautiful writer. Quite smooth.

Yes, iridium is still used very frequently in pen nibs afaik. Gold is used, but rather expensive.

If that soak doesn't help, PM me and I'll give you more instructions or be glad to take a look at it myself.

[maxman]

hmm. I learned something today!
Thanks guys.
I sold most of my pens, I'm left with my first purchase, an old Cross.
Maybe it's time to look at a Lamy Safari. :laugh:

[rickboone1]

hmm. I learned something today!
Thanks guys.
I sold most of my pens, I'm left with my first purchase, an old Cross.
Maybe it's time to look at a Lamy Safari. :laugh:

There's tons to look at. Only thing I don't like about the Lamy's is the grip.

[Jaybh1974]

Thank you. That was a plethora of loads of information and it is greatly appreciated..

Last question, when I remove the cartridge from the pen to do the cleaning, it wont leak all over the place, right?



What's on your nib is called nib creep. It's normal, more so with certain inks. Not a problem. What it's doing is called skipping. This is indication of a nib that needs some tuning or a feed problem. Possibly both.

To answer your question about using different inks, just rinse it out is all.

Onto fixing this skipping....

Take it apart. Put the section and nib into a solution of 1:10 ammonia/ water. Let it set for a day or two. Get a baby nose sucker thing. Squirt water through that section (section is part where your fingers hold it, basically) over and over after it's soaked.

put it all back together and try it again. Look closely at your tines (sides of the nib that come to point). Are they in line with each other? One should not be higher than the other.

Lamy's seem to put some kind of gunk, possibly protective coating, on their pens. I had one that took me a while to get going right but now she's a beautiful writer. Quite smooth.

Yes, iridium is still used very frequently in pen nibs afaik. Gold is used, but rather expensive.

If that soak doesn't help, PM me and I'll give you more instructions or be glad to take a look at it myself.

[rickboone1]

Thank you. That was a plethora of loads of information and it is greatly appreciated..

Last question, when I remove the cartridge from the pen to do the cleaning, it wont leak all over the place, right?

No. Just be careful with it and don't squeeze it or anything. Any questions, just ask. If you want me to talk you through it, let me know and I'll shoot my number to you. It's pretty easy, but can be confusing if you've never done it. Was for me anyway.

[Groat]

Last question, when I remove the cartridge from the pen to do the cleaning, it wont leak all over the place, right?

It shouldn't. Just keep the opening facing up. My rule of thumb when dealing with ink, be it in a cartridge or a bottle, is to do it somewhere 'safe.' I'll either put a piece of paper down to catch any drops or just do it over the sink.

[Jaybh1974]

No. Just be careful with it and don't squeeze it or anything. Any questions, just ask. If you want me to talk you through it, let me know and I'll shoot my number to you. It's pretty easy, but can be confusing if you've never done it. Was for me anyway.

Thank you. I am going to give it a go tomorrow in my office.. I can get some ammonia from my maintenece crew.. sounds easy enough.. but 2 whole days without playing with my new pen.. ughhh. lol

[Jaybh1974]

I will be sure to keep the opening face up.. absolutely. great advice



It shouldn't. Just keep the opening facing up. My rule of thumb when dealing with ink, be it in a cartridge or a bottle, is to do it somewhere 'safe.' I'll either put a piece of paper down to catch any drops or just do it over the sink.

[njpaddy]

Thank you all so much for the info.. I feel so dumb.. lol
Don't feel bad. When my daughter's fiance brought over a FP for me to try, I couldn't get it to write. He had to show me how to hold it. duh!


so if I buy 2 different color inks, and only one converter, would that work? do I have to wash out the converter after it runs empty if I want to switch colors? or do I buy 2 converters?

I bought a second cheap pen (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pilot-Namiki-Gold-Ring-Fountain-Pen-FP-78G-Green-M-Nib-/120674314585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c18bfe959) for the second ink. Writes much better than I expected. Almost as good as my $50 fp.

[Cheech]

I bought a second cheap pen (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pilot-Namiki-Gold-Ring-Fountain-Pen-FP-78G-Green-M-Nib-/120674314585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c18bfe959) for the second ink. Writes much better than I expected. Almost as good as my $50 fp.

Don't be surprised if your next pen doesn't write as well as the Pilot. Cost is not always an indicator of quality. I've never used the 78G, but they have a very good reputation.

PS to the OP, you may want to kick down for a loupe. I can't remember the power on mine, but it makes checking the tines much easier. Fountain pens can be very subtle things and a small misalignment will really come through in the writing. I'm sure someone here can recommend an appropriate power and some places to pick up/order one.

[rickboone1]

Yes, 78G is one of my favorite pens! Love those.

[Jaybh1974]

What's on your nib is called nib creep. It's normal, more so with certain inks. Not a problem. What it's doing is called skipping. This is indication of a nib that needs some tuning or a feed problem. Possibly both.

To answer your question about using different inks, just rinse it out is all.

Onto fixing this skipping....

Take it apart. Put the section and nib into a solution of 1:10 ammonia/ water. Let it set for a day or two. Get a baby nose sucker thing. Squirt water through that section (section is part where your fingers hold it, basically) over and over after it's soaked.

put it all back together and try it again. Look closely at your tines (sides of the nib that come to point). Are they in line with each other? One should not be higher than the other.

Lamy's seem to put some kind of gunk, possibly protective coating, on their pens. I had one that took me a while to get going right but now she's a beautiful writer. Quite smooth.

Yes, iridium is still used very frequently in pen nibs afaik. Gold is used, but rather expensive.

If that soak doesn't help, PM me and I'll give you more instructions or be glad to take a look at it myself.



I followed your steps.. works like a charm. thanks to everyone for their help!!!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/jaybh1974/7f9e0c55.jpg

[Jaybh1974]

Well now that my pen is working great. I have decided to get some ink and a converter. Luckily I am lucky enough to have found a small bookstore in my area (about 10 miles from my house) that sells pens, inks, converters, paper, etc.. If I would have known this before I placed my order on the net last week, I probably would have went that route.

[Geeno]

Yes, 78G is one of my favorite pens! Love those..

Mine too! I especially like my F nib pen.

BTW: RB1 - sent you a PM.

[Jaybh1974]

So there is place near my house that I found out about. They arent a store, but i didnt know that. they are basically web only. But they were so nice. The owner took me in the back and showed me his inventory. I ended up getting some Pelikan ink, a Lamy converter, and a Rhodia pad.

[aimsport]

lol. Have two 78G's in my pocket right now. La Reine Mauve and Bay State Blue... but the nibs are Pilot Pluminix/Plumix nibs that I pulled from some pens I got at Target. Nibs are italic medium and smoother that the stock 78Gs.

Great combo.

[Groat]

So there is place near my house that I found out about. They arent a store, but i didnt know that. they are basically web only. But they were so nice. The owner took me in the back and showed me his inventory. I ended up getting some Pelikan ink, a Lamy converter, and a Rhodia pad.

It's great to have a retailer in the area, even if it is online. The Goulets are close enough to me that my stuff arrives in a day, which is fantastic.

[rickboone1]

Glad it worked out!