the first and major issue is that it seems to have a misaligned XF nib.
ever since i got it, it has had problems starting up...sometimes even between my first, middle and last names (see below).
and it writes scratchy unless i hold the pen just right and find a "sweet spot"
i've never had any problems with my next cross FP...a verve platinum with a butter smooth M nib.
with the merlot being my first cross FP, and with the nib being XF...
i figured that the scatchiness was due to the XF of the nib...which doesnt really write like an XF...more like a M/F...
on closer inspection, i noticed that there was a space between the tines that appeared to me to be abnormally wide.
and upon even closer inspection, i noticed that the tines didn't "square up" properly
(that is, one tine was higher than the other)
now, i don't know anything about realigning tines...and especially with a wrap-around nib like the verve's...
so i've just used the pen as it is...on the rare occasions i need it (see below)
another problem i noticed with the pen...
it seems that slowly, the shiny finish of the pen has been dulling.
when i got a vere merlot selectip pen,
and i put the two pens side by side, there is a noticeable difference in the finish.
i didnt notice this change in the FP since it probably occured over some time.
lastly...
the "silver" band that is between the section and the barrel...
has brassing!!!!
the nice rhordium(?) finish has worn off where my thumb usually is when using this pen!!!
i'm extremely dissappointed with this.
i don't use the pen very much...only on rare occasions...mostly i just carry it around...
its basically my "signature" pen.
so i was wondering what i should do about getting this pen repaired...
1...send it into cross to have them replace the nib/section unit?
which i'm not sure is a good idea.
they don't make the merlot verve anymore...they probably dont have parts for it available anymore either.
with the problems that the pen has...nib/section, brassing, barrel finish changes.
they basically have to replace the whole pen!!
i don't want them to replace the pen with another type of pen.
and if they do happen to have parts available...
i wouldnt be surprised if they dont have an XF nib...
and i really do like the XF.
2...send the pen to a nib meister?
this option is more expensive...which i can ill afford at the moment.
also, i dont think the brassing or the barrel dulliness would be correctable by them.
3. is there any other option?
i hope i can get some suggestions on the best method to proceed to get this pen repaired.
)
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