Sorry, more newbie questions, but I first spent time searching the forum and could not find my answers.

My 215 seems to have the skipping problem that is oft discussed. I would like to first try rinsing/flushing it to see if that is the problem. So here are my questions -

1) If you use soapy water, should that be just on the nib, or do you flush the entire pen with soapy water?

2) I assume by flushing, one eliminates the ink, and then fill and release cool water through the filling process. Is there anything else that should be noted?

3) I see many recommendations to use Chartpak if there is a nib problem. I can't figure out if they are a repair center or what. Also, I found their web site but it is confusing and I am not sure how to communicate with them.

4) Last - how long can you typically not use a fountain pen and leave it with ink inside without clogging it up? If it won't be used for a few days/weeks should you let all the ink out?

I know - a lot of questions. As always this forum is a wealth of information. Thanks in advance.

Pelikan nib units screw out easily so you might want to try cleaning that way,too. You can contact Chartpak from their web site www.chartpak.com. Also I read in your another thread that you got this pen at Levenger. Have you taken it to them and try exchanging it? The Levenger store I've been to let me dip test their pens, so you might want to try that if you live close to them.

You are correct, but I do live a bit of a distance away, and I think they are out of inventory anyway. Oh well.

Yes, Levenger is getting rid of pens other than their own :(

I think "flushing with soapy water" is just getting soapy water in and out of the pen as you are filling ink. You probably don't want get soapy water al over the pen.

My pelikans work pretty well even after weeks unused, but probably that's not the best thing to do :rolleye: It might depend on how saturated the ink, too.

once you get to this page:

http://www.chartpak.com/contents.html

you will see on the left side of the page a button that says "communicate" - click here and you'll get a window with phone numbers and email link.

As Taki said - fill and empty the pen with mildly soapy water as you would with ink - immerse the nib, fill pen, empty, fill, empty. Then do the same with clear water a couple of times. Be sure to dry thorougly before refilling with ink else your ink will be diluted and might not give you a good idea of if the flow will be okay.

Period of time with ink depends somewhat on what ink you are using. But I wouldn't leave a pen inked for more than a month or two with most modern inks - many of them being very saturated. Probably won't hurt it so much as be a pain to clean out later.

I flushed my 215 as suggested and it is writing much better so far. Thanks everyone!

Hi,

If you need any more help, as a Pelikan Authorised Dealer, I would be very happy to help you or answer any of your questions to the best of my ability. Though I didn't sell it to you, I would very much like you to be happy with it.

Dillon

K this might be stupid to ask but what's the difference the the 200 and 215? And my 200 has the rounded cap at the end with the gold pelikan logo at the end, what year is it from?

Thanks
Brad

Besides their looks, the 215s have metal barrels and are far heavier.

As helius says, it's the metal barrel and greater weight of the M215.

Your M200 was made before about 1997.

Thanks Richard