Not sure why but I've been thru a lot of Balance Nib problems lately. All moderns.

Found a Walt Disney Balance from 10 years ago - tip is scratchy, and iridium is imbalanced. More on one side than the other.

Have a Blue Balance - been thru 2 nibs there - both were baby bottoms and skipped.

Perhaps in the late stages of Sheaffer they had some consistency problems - but I didn't think it would go back about 15 years.

I've got 2 targas that are perfect nibs, and 2 Legacy's with splendid nibs - joys to write with. The disappointment in the Balances is the beautiful finishes - but bad nibs all - must fix or search for some more - anyone else same problem ?

Bill

All mine, Balance & Balance II's have been great. Maybe you have been unlucky or the stars have smiled at me.

Interesting point! I noticed the same on my Balance LE (featured in my avatar): it was a bit scratchy at first, but I wanted to love it, so I did use it, but only on smooth paper. It got better and better, and now it’s one of my (two) favorites. Feed-back and character, yes, scratchiness, no. Love it.

The simple black Balance II was the best out-of-the-box writer I’ve ever had, two luxury models (Jade, Millennium) I also have are just fine.
All my nibs are medium; I’m under the impression that “particular” (broad, stub) nibs have given the most problems.

Kees