Parker Challenger Nib Question

[BlotBot]

I recently restored a Parker Challenger. I am not very happy with how it writes. I was expecting a nice pen. It's very scratchy, and I can't see or feel any tipping on the nib. Did these nibs have tipping originally?

[northlodge]

I recently restored a Parker Challenger. I am not very happy with how it writes. I was expecting a nice pen. It's very scratchy, and I can't see or feel any tipping on the nib. Did these nibs have tipping originally?

 

They do have tipping, and do make good daily writers.

 

I have one listed on ebay at the moment ( 171423824103) which will show you a nib

[Hooker56]

BlotBot,

 

Buy an inexpensive 10x loupe ($4-10 on Amazon). It will make it much easier to assess what's going on with the nib. If it does have tipping material, it could be misaligned. Misalignment is a fairly easy fix just using your fingernails.

[BlotBot]

It has a silver patch at the tip, but this patch does not protrude at all. Is that the normal amount of tipping?

[Hooker56]

Ellen,

 

Pictures would be very helpful at this point. If you have an iPhone you can get a free magnifying app and get reasonably clear pictures to post.

 

Challenger Nib

 

 

Royal Challenger Nib

 

Neither has much iridium left, but they are BOTH great writers.

 

Pictures would help with your diagnoses. Fix can often be pretty simple.

 

Thanks,

 

Clayton

[BlotBot]

Thank you Clayton for the images. Maybe I need some smoothing of the nib. The right edge in particular is catching on the lesser quality papers. I have some micro-mesh from Goulet. Maybe that would help?

[Hooker56]

If it is the gray Micromesh (12,000 grit) it is perfect. lightly do a few ssss's and maybe a 10 or two with the pen inked, then write with it and see if it is smoother. If you feel where it is snagging, lightly run that spot over the mesh. Don't overdo it. It is very easy to wear away the tipping material rapidly. as soon as it feels smooth again, stop and test write with it.

 

Go slowly- good luck

[ac12]

BEFORE you use the micromesh, make sure that the tines are in alignment.

I have had several pens that were scratchy, but after the tines are aligned were just fine.

If the tines are out of alignment, a micromesh would do little good, and possibly a lot of hurt.

 

You will need a 10x loupe to look at the tines to check alignment of the tip.

Edited August 28, 2014 by ac12

[Hooker56]

Good catch Act12.

 

Ellen,

 

Go here:

http://www.richardspens.com/

 

and enter tine alignment into the search box. There is a great illustration that should help.