Came across an article, here:

http://mikeshea.net/More_on_Noodlers_Ink.html

The comment is made the permanent Noodler's inks are repelled by plastic (Legal Blue, Legal Lapis, Aquamarine). Nib creep might be a result of the ink being repelled by the feed and forced out on to the surface of the nib.

If this has already been discussed I apologize for rasing it again.

Jim

Interesting and plausible thought. I liked the site too.

I don't think so. That would not explain nib creep with inks that work well in the vast majority of pens but creep in a "select few." In my experience, nib creep results from either slit damage or improper manufacturing techniques. I stop nib creep by repairing the slit.

Richard:

It would, however, explain nib creep in pens that only have creep with Noodler's ink and not other brands.

Jim

Can someone explain the term "nib creep" for me please ?

Regards,
Ruaidhrí

My Esterbrook points only exhibit nib creep with the Noodler's inks. Doesn't bother me or cause me not to use them. Pelikan, Skrip, Waterman's, Aurora - none of these creep with Estie points.

Ruaidhri,
To many, that cute mystery creature featured in so many of your creative endeavors could be classified as a nib creep...could he not?

"nib creep" is a term used to describe an obnoxious, repellent person who goes around stalking people with Noodler's ink in their pens......

..

..


..


Nib creep is when you have ink kind of seeping out of the slit.

Ink creeps from the feed over the top surface of the nib.

Nib creep with Noodlers black:

Thanks folks.

Always nice to clear up another patch of ignorance

This information has now been programmed into the Babbage MkIII for future reference.

Regards,
Ruaidhrí


BTW - quick note to any other readers - If you don't know - ASK.
It always surprises when people say "If I ask that I'll just look silly"

Nope, sorry. Noodler's will also creep in pens with hard rubber feeds. The problem lies in the chemistry of Noodler's, yes; but it has to do with the surfactant's wetness quotient, not any kind of repellency. This past Wednesday I repaired the nib slit on an Omas Arco that was exhibiting creep. It crept when tested before I worked on it, and it does not creep now. (I keep Noodler's Black on hand just for testing things like this.)

Richard,
If it's not revealing a trade secret, what is the slit defect that causes the ink to creep, and what do you do to repair it?

You may rest assured that I"d never try to do that at home.

gary

I have a pen where the nib has these little specs of ink on top of it. So it's a bit different than the picture shown above. Is this nib creep too?

The problem is anything that creates a capillary path across the edge between the slit and the top surface. Knife the slit to increase flow, you make nicks. Make the slit with a saw that's too rough or is damaged, ytou make nicks or grooves. Straighten the nib with the wrong tool, you make nicks or dimples. All of these are possibilities, and what I do to repair them depends on which it is and how severe it is.

OK - since all questions are fair game - does nib creep have any detrimental impact on the performance of the pen? I'm assuming it does or Richard wouldn't be fixing it (unless someone just is concerned with the cosmetics or is just bothered by it).

In my experience Noodler's is a creepy ink. Black makes the nib look sloppy and that kinda bugs me but I like the ink so much that I put up with it. Luxury Blue makes two-tone nibs look a bit like a Christmas Tree ornaments so I guess that's not so bad. Reading that Richard can fix the creep is encouraging, though. Might look into that...

Doug

It is not Noodlers only that exhibits "nib creep". This photo is a NNS Vintage with Sheaffer Burgundy (pre-slovenian). I am not sure if there is really a nick at 2/5 along the slit from the tick but other than this, I can not see anything else.

Well,

My experience with Noodlers.

I have a new Pilot VP. With Pilot cartridges of various colors the pen functions perfectly and flow is continuous. With two different Noodlers inks, the pen leaks out the nib and the ink coats the large section of the inner pen and the entire top of the nib. After clicking it several times, the ink starts to wick out through the clip prongs. Also, the flow gets erratic.

I have a Pelikan 600 I have used for years. I have used Quink and Watermans ink in it with no problems. I loaded it with Noodlers and after several days it starts to creep around the lip of the section onto me.

Perhaps these are nib adjustment issues, but I think there is something else here? Clearly Noodlers has more something in it than any other ink I have used. Note: the Pelikan did not have a problem for the first few days -- it took a while. This has been a completely reliable pen for years.

I am frustrated as I bought several different colors of Noodlers, and feel like they are unusable. (I well recall the issues with Penman ink and have a bottle or two I could probably be convinced to part with)

Ruaidhri... That is a great point. I have asked some "dumb" questions and have never been ridiculed or laughed at. My question has always been answered.... this IS a great site.
We all started in ignorance, the only way out is to ask questions!

The only pen that I have that exhibits this is a Rotring Core with Noodlers Aircorps Blue Black. Is it unsightly? Well, somewhat. Does it affect the pen's performance in any way? Not to my knowledge.

If that is the pen I put in my pocket for the day, I get a rather interesting color of ink together with a very nice writing pen.

I guess it doesn't really bother me.