Actually, thank you for my old Waterman Carene, because it was always scratchy; I hated its feel. It's been sitting unused, unloved in a drawer for years.

But after discovering FPN and using the search feature, I was able to discover and successfully use these tips:

Ray's tips on tine alignment

OldGriz's brown paper bag trick which also contains a description of the penny trick as well.

My hated old pen is, for the first time, useable. I feel like I got a new pen! Thanks!