Total FP newbie here. Using pelikan blue black ink, in my new m200. It doesn't seem to put down much ink unless is press on a bit. It writes, and doesnt stutter at all but its not a very generous flow, pressing onto the page is enough to tire my hand out after a while just like a ballpoint would, it just doesnt 'float' like people describe.

I gather its not supposed to work like this? Any advice?

i think that's more the ink than the pen. you shouldn't have to apply any pressure other than that which the weight of the pen creates. and if you're tiring your hand with putting pressure on it, you can also be damaging the nib.

Pelikan blue-black is one of the dryest writing inks you can buy. if the it isn't skipping or stuttering, then it's probably not the nib. I'd switch inks (Diamine is very free-flowing as are many of the Noodler's, Waterman, and PR inks.) Waterman inks are among the most dependable inks WRT flow. Diamine seems to flow as much if not more so.

OR

you can tweak the ink if you just feel you have to use it. start with emptying the pen and doing a quick rinse with mildly soapy water (use a mild hand dishwashing detergent like Palmolive or the like). Then rinse the pen a couple of times with clear water. Then fill. Enough soap should remain behind to mix with the ink and improve the flow.

another route is to set aside a few mils of ink in a different container and add a *teeny tiny itsy bitsy* bit of same said detergent. what I do is take a wood toothpick *touch* it to the congealed goo that always ends up in the cap of the detergent bottle, then gently mix it into the ink. don't shake. Don't dip the toothpick, that will make the ink flow so fast you won't be able use it. it should barely have a sheen on the tip. That's for about 3-5 mls of ink. i would not try this with a whole bottle until you're comfortable with how much it requires. it make take two of the "touches" - experiment until you find a flow you like.

or you could order stuff from Tryphon that will improve flow but then you'd have to wait for that to get to you and... Still, eventually i think it worth it to do so. just that in the interim, dish soap will do just fine.

IF none of this improves the flow, than it's the nib not the ink. there are some folks here who are more comfortable with describing nib adjustment than I am so I will let them chime in. But do try the above method first. I'll be very surprised if it isn't the blue-black ink. I've never had a dry-writing 200. But Pel b-b is well known for it's stingy flow.

btb, another ink know for this property - MB inks.

UPDATE: Switching to Waterman black has made all the difference, it's like a new pen now Messing around with inks is clearly a rather fun activity.

Also, bonus, it seems to dry faster and likes my paper better so I'm a happy bunny!

Cheers KCat

Let the ink addition begin .

Use PR Tanzanite ink!