Lamy 2000 Struggling On Rhodia Webnotebook - Help!

[brodymcd]

My wife bought me a Lamy 2000 F nib for my birthday - AWESOME!

 

I have been journaling for my kids and recently decided I would switch from Piccadilly journals over to Rhodia Webnotebooks because I want the journals to hold up well over years.

 

LOVE the Rhodia paper, but sometimes the LAMY 2000 squeaks on it, has some hard starts, and some skipping. It doesn't seem to have that problem on other good-but-not-Rhodia paper. Is this perhaps something that is ALMOST a problem with the pen, but the sizing on the Rhodia exacerbates the condition of the pen? Does the LAMY have a sweet spot that is more finicky than other pens? Maybe the flow isn't wet enough. I have tried my Vanishing Point M in the Rhodia.... and the line width is about the same, but it looks more wet and feels less squeaky.

 

Thoughts on the effect of the Rhodia sizing?

 

Thanks,

 

Brody

[Algester]

uhuh... is the 2000 brand new? if so does it write dryly? if so there's a chance that it's easily a very closed tine problem...

[brodymcd]

It is indeed new, and does generally write dryly. What is a "very closed tine problem?"

[Lyander0012]

That's essentially when the tines of the nib are too closely pressed against one another. This'll inhibit inkflow and increase drag across the page, leading to what you term a "squeaky feeling".

 

Try wettening the flow a bit, maybe. That'll hopefully solve your problem for you.

 

 

Kevin

[h.farmawi]

Rhodia use very soft paper, this might cause a friction problem for a dry smooth writer. Maybe ??

[brodymcd]

what are ways I can help this issue without sending the pen into a nibmeister?

[Lyander0012]

Well, if you're confident enough in your dismantling skills, you could take the pen apart and, making sure not to lose any of the tiny parts such as the washer or the o-ring that keeps the cap in place, take the nib/feed unit out. Gently press the nib against a thumb and apply steady force. Check the tine alignment every once in a while, and be careful that you don't apply too much pressure and spring the nib.

 

 

Cheers!

K.

[carlos.q]

What ink are you using? Maybe you need a wetter ink.

[brodymcd]

I'm using Noodler's Black because I like the permanence for journaling.

[casualmerlinconstant]

Try using it for a while. Many people have initial dry issues with the lamy 2000. After a while it goes away. If it does you don't have to mess with your nib.

[FriedIceCream]

You can always try squeezing one of the thicker grades of brass shim in between the tines. Spreads them a tad which ends up with a slightly wetter flow. Might be all it needs and is usually my first step before I go taking pens apart. Not sure how effective it'll be on the semi-hooded nib of the 2000 but I think there's enough nib exposed that it'd be worth a shot.

[carlos.q]

I'm using Noodler's Black because I like the permanence for journaling.

I experienced a similar problem with Noodler's black and my Pelikan M200.

Before you start messing with the nib I would suggest two simple alternatives:

1. Use a wet and free flowing ink like Waterman.

2. Dilute Noodler's black with some distilled water.

If none of these alternatives work the brass shim should do the trick. Just make sure you buy the right one!

[Algester]

To me I just straight out have someone tune the nib... Since it was writing very dry even with Iroshizuku ohh yeah and this was after I sent the pen to our local service center abd was even dry when I dip tested in front of the lamy kiosk we normally have

[RMN]

Hmmm.

 

Several points to be made, (and already partly made above)

 

 

!: New pen: Did you flush thoroughly before first use? If not, do so now. Because of grime and dust residue from manufacturing.

 

2. Ink: try a well behaved ink like Waterman blue or blueblack. It is not permanent, I know. But if the pen works with this ink, the pen is OK.

 

3. a. Check the nib. Take a magnifier. Are the nib tines even? Is there just a bit of light let through between them? If not, the may be too tight set. See above posts.

 

3. b. Check nib etc.: Do you have a baby bottom? No not you personally, but the nib. The slit between the tines should be just wide enough to let the light through up to the very tip. If the end of the slit flares out a bit (like Y instead of || ) the ink will not get a good contact with the paper. Solution: back to shop, as this is a new pen.

 

4. Paper. Some slick paper is not reacting well to skin-oils. On top of a new paper it is ok, but further down you get skipping. The ink does not permeate the paper on the places where skin oils are deposited. Solution: use a support sheet where you rest your hand, which then slides over the paper as you write.

 

HTH

Good luck

 

D.ick

[mtraug11]

I've found that my 2000 (F) provides more feedback, which one could equate to scratchiness, on finer paper (Rhodia and especially Clairefontaine). On cheaper paper, it is very smooth. You would think it would be the other way around, but its not. I don't think it is wet vs. dry issue with mine, but could be wrong. I have only used Waterman inks in my 2000. It's the only pen I own that exhibits this behavior. It does appear to have gotten a little smoother over time, but if so, only slightly.

[brodymcd]

RMN

 

1) I did flush when I got the pen

2) I don't have any Waterman ink, although Diamine Red Dragon seems to run wetter in other pens and I did try that, no luck

3a/3b) I don't have a loupe but am ordering a tuning set from Goulet. I will check the nib with the loupe when I get it, and possibly do some brass sheet flossing.

4) I thought of that skin oil thing and have been using a protector sheet. I get the same effect sometimes even at the start of the page.

 

Thank you all for being so helpful. I think the bottom line is that the pen is too dry and likely due to tines being too close. I can't tell for sure by the naked eye but gosh, it looks tight. I can't return the pen because rather than buying from Goulet or some place my wife bought off Amazon to surprise me for my birthday and their 30-day window is out.

 

I've always wondered what a nibmeister tuning would do... looks like if the brass sheets don't work I'll find out

[flyshot]

I'm not a fan of Rhodia paper.

My nibs seem to flow so much better on Tomoe River paper.

 

I experienced the same thing. I always use something under my hand to keep the oil off of the paper.

Rhodia paper seems to resist my smooth nibs.

 

I think it's the paper...not your pen.

[brodymcd]

Flyshot - well...I can write in the Rhodia no problem with my Vanishing Point M or my Lamy Al-Star 1.1 stub. The VP line is about the same size, maybe just maybe 10% thicker but I can see the shine that it lays down more ink.

 

Ultimately, I'll feel it out. I guess I shouldn't push on myself so hard. I have like 15 pens. I don't have to get the Lamy 2000 figured out this second.

[lurcho]

I've found Rhodia paper to be awful for most of my fountain pens.

 

It's not your pen. It's that dreadful French paper.

 

Never ceases to confuse me why FPNers like Rhodia.

 

Because it's no good. It repels ink.

 

Buy (if you can) Black n' Red notebooks, or any other Hamelin/Oxford paper.

 

Go German. Germans make great pens and even better paper. And, for that matter, the ony women on earth that are more comely are those from Ukraine. (And the Czech Republic.)

Edited July 31, 2014 by richardandtracy
Language

[brodymcd]

lurcho

 

all other potential discussion points aside... I use other pens in the Rhodia - zero problem. So... it is the pen in this case.