Squeaky Nib

[perrywang123]

Hi so i just got a pilot decimo (18k med nib) in the post today and am trying it out with the cartidge that it came with. I think the nib is quite smooth but it squeaks (like a consistent high pitched noise) when i write. Is there something wrong with the nib? should i get it looked at? or will this just go away after more writing

 

thanks!

 

edit: it squeaks only with horizontal movements

Edited March 2, 2015 by perrywang123

[graystranger]

Perry Wang,

 

I have five Vanishing Point nibs (same as used in the Decimo) and two of them squeak when I'm writing on smooth paper (Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Midori, Apica). I don't worry about it. If you think about it a nib is like a tuning fork, so this may be the source of the sound. As long as it writes smoothly and nicely wet I don't worry. I just think of it as the nib talking or singing to me. I expect it will go away as the nib gets a little wear and maybe some ink buildup under the nib. Some people love the scratchy sound of a nib on paper, like a flashback to the olden days of quill pens. Think of it as the pen making music.

 

The fact that it squeaks only on horizontal strokes indicates to me that this phenomenon is related to the two tines vibrating, as that is the stroke direction that would activate a "tuning fork" response. I never paid close enough attention to my nibs to observe what direction was involved. Your Decimo is a nice pen. If I did not already have two Vanishing Points I would probably get a Decimo. I just love using cap-less pens when I'm not at a desk or table. I think the M nib is the most practical Pilot nib for me, it is close to a Lamy F nib. I keep one pen with the F nib and one with the M nib with me most of the time.

 

I bet if you write with a heavy hand it won't sing. Just a guess, I am not going to try. One of the reasons I love fountain pens is that I can write with a very light touch, and I am not going to change how I write with a pen.

 

Be careful when you insert the nib assembly back into the pen after filling. Make sure you don't jam the tip of the nib against the internal walls. I think I bent my M nib slightly doing this. After some 10 years of daily work it became a tiny bit scratchy. When I learned about tuning and straightening the nib I looked at it with an eye loupe and one of the tines was a bit higher than the other. Just a tiny bit. I flexed the other one up carefully over several iterations until it wrote smoothly again. However, the M nib started writing a little wider, closer to a European M because the raised tip writes wetter. Not bad, a great writer, but I you insert the nib assembly back into the pen with a quick forceful motion you could really damage the gold nib. As with all things pen related, be careful, go straight and smoothly. My first VP is about 16 years old and used every day at work for 14 years and now at home is an every day carry. Still looks brand new, writes wonderfully, and can sit for two or three weeks without the nib drying out.

 

If the sound really bothers you, we may get some answers on stopping this from happening in the replies to come. I just love Pilot nibs, they write so wonderfully. The EF is amazingly fine, but I don't use it too much. Very scratchy on non-smooth papers and not for someone who writes with a heavy hand. Wonderful for making super fine edits or writing very small in pocket notebooks. I amazed at how smooth it writes on quality paper.

Edited March 2, 2015 by graystranger

[alexander_k]

Over the years I've noticed that many nibs squeak on smoother paper. The same nibs are quiet on more absorbent paper, although they tend to be the ones that don't have a perfect flow (my main criticism of the otherwise excellent VPs). So long as it's merely a matter of mildly irritating sound, I try to ignore the issue. Turning the radio on usually does the trick ;-)

[jar]

Look at "Singing" here.

[Paddler]

The singing may go away with more writing. Changing the ink can also make the problem disappear.

[Uncial]

I actually like singing nibs. I can see why it might be an annoyance to some, but so long as the pitch isn't unpleasant it doesn't annoy me.

[doggonecarl]

I have a Rotring Initial, XL nib, that squeaks. I bought a lubricating ink (Noodler's Eel Turquoise) and that's helped a little.

[ndw76]

My Lamy 2000 with a broad nib squeaks on good paper. I love the sound.

[perrywang123]

ok thank you guys so much!! I guess I am really paranoid (this is the first time this has happened) especially this is the most expensive pen I have at the moment and I wanted to make sure nothing is wrong =)

[jar]

ok thank you guys so much!! I guess I am really paranoid (this is the first time this has happened) especially this is the most expensive pen I have at the moment and I wanted to make sure nothing is wrong =)

 

If it is serious enough that it sprays then worry. If it is too annoying worry. Otherwise hum along. One of my favorite Parker "75"s with a great italic nib sings.

[I.M.]

I haven't got a nib that sings, not yet. But my Faber Castell whispers, which I love

[PolarMoonman]

I hate the "singing" it reminds me too much of cheap mechanical pencil leads...