Help With First Targa

[christieavon]

I have just gotten my first Targa and I am rather disappointed to say the least. The feed is really scratchy when I write with it and it doesnt have a smooth flow at all. From the reviews Ive read they are wonderful pens. I am not sure what is wrong with it to do anything

[PAKMAN]

I'm assuming it was a used Targa, if so a good cleaning of the nib and section could help the situation greatly. There may be old ink hiding out that is blocking the flow channels. 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water makes a good clean out solution. If you have a loupe you may also want to look at the tines of the nib to see if they are aligned.

[christieavon]

I am a beginner so I do not have a loupe. I did soak it in pure water overnight until the water was clear. Ill try the ammonia. I also think by looking at the pictures Ive seen that it is an extra fine and Ive never had a nib that fine either

[Roger W.]

Your feed wouldn't be scratchy it would be the nib. As far a flow issues anything less than a medium might be stingy with the ink. The other problem is that these are plastic feeds and can be persnickety with flow. I've used a classic medium for over 30 years and the feed needs kept pretty clean and it writes a fairly thick line. I've also had a slim fine for 30 years and that will tend to skip so much so that I tend not to use it.

 

Roger W.

[christieavon]

What I meant by the feed being scratchy was the feed of ink. It is doing a bit better since I literally stood the pen feed down and let the ink feed through. Im thinking that it may just need some babying. Im also thinking it hasnt gotten totally clean from the old ink

[OcalaFlGuy]

Take your pen in with you to a local jewelry store or pawn shop and check the nib tines at their counter with their loupe.

 

They won't mind at all and their counters are usually well lit.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[jar]

Also, pay attention to when the pen is scratchy; is it worse when going in one direction?

[ac12]

An XF nib will is fussy and tends to feel scratchy.

The XF nib is sensitive to the texture of the paper surface. That tiny tip will follow the texture of the paper, and you will feel it. This is especially so if you press down with any pressure, because then the pen will really feel the texture of the paper.

I suggest changing to a HARD SMOOTH paper for that pen (Clairefontain or Rhodia), using Waterman ink, and a LIGHT touch, then see how it feels.

 

The other is as jar asked.

If the pen is scratchy in one direction L->R or R->L, then the tines are likely out of alignment, and the pen will never feel smooth until the tines are aligned.