I have just purchased my first Pelikan (M800) and filled it with Pel blue-black. Found the ink very light coloured so switched to Private Reserve American Blue.

I had some problems with feed so I tried flossing with thin plastic but that only worked for one day then the pen went back to normal - thin colored inks, jumpy feed and a bit scratchy.

While I was testing it, I discovered that writing on the other side of the nib point made a huge difference - as if I was writing with a completely different pen - ink flowed beautifully, nice and smooth writing, instant starts etc...

So clearly the writing side of the nib point is off somehow, rather than the feeder or the tine spacing.

I've checked through the the forum several times but can't find anything that could explain this other than the famous baby bottom. Is it possible to get a baby bottom on one side only? Or is this, in fact, proof that I have a baby bottom on the correct side of the nib point?

I've also considered that the tines are angled slightly to make a / \ shape rather than _ _ shape, which would explain why the pen works so nicely upside down.

Any suggestions as to what is the problem and potential fixes?

Hi le Paulo,
Welcome to FPN.
I'm going to do a post on this but i am most unhappy with Pelikans for the lack of saturation problems you mention.
However, if you do a general search you will find two things.
First to dis Pels on FPN will almost get you lynched

Sencond though do a search on "flow" and all the advice will be to flush out the pen with soapy washing up water several times. This sometimes works to improve nibs from new or after an ink change.

Good luck with it.

Armchop

No dis intended. I'm here to identify the problem and fix the pen.

Multiple washes and flushes did nothing to change things and I know it's not a flow problem because as I mentioned in my earlier post, flipping the nib over changes the writing profile completely and removes all problems.

Really sorry to hear about your problems with the new M800. I do think they are great pens.

I would think any FP would perform differently upside down, if for no reason other then it is a different surface. So out of curiosity I just took my favorite M800 and performed a little experiment. I should say I have no flow problems with any of my Pelikans.

M800 with Italic nib. #1
When upside down I get a different line variation but still a perfect Italic. The flow seems to be decreased because the ink line is much lighter. In fact when I draw straight lines it fades, but not when writing.

So I got my other 2 M800s and tried them.

M800 M nib out of the box. #2
It has a wet line but no shading when I write, very smooth.
Upside down I get a very fine line also with no shading and no fade.

M800 M nib cursive. #3
The same as 2, but with great line variation.
Upside down it is even finer then 2 and if I wrote fast it would show drop out.

Take a look at the Pentrace Article "Pen Dr #370". It might be helpful. Here is the link:

http://www.pentrace.net/penbase/Data_Retur...p?ID=370&cname=

It's funny I write with all my EF Pelikans upside down only because I like the finest/thinnest line possible. Worst case I would send it off to Chartpak for repair. They are very quick on the turnaround and do a great job.

Good Luck,

I think "dissing" any entire pen brand as an absolute statement, esp. with the implication that those who like it are clueless/inept/etc., will tend to get a frosty reception.

I've never seen anyone get grief here for trying to figure out why a pen is not working properly.

The repair experts may have a good answer for you, but if it was me I would simply send it Chartpak, as they will set it right quickly and they won't charge you anything.

That said, the Pentrace article in the link is quite interesting. Hopefully one of our experts can guide you as to whether that is likely to be the issue or not.

Thanks Sonia, Chartpak isn't an option for me in Australia or even in Malaysia where I had the pen shipped from.

The link from Pen Doctor is very interesting but looks like something only a Nibmeister should try. Pelikan Australia is unlikely to fix this under my warranty as I purchased it overseas. Hence my interest in trying to find home-grown solutions!