Hi
I recently purhcased a Parker Duofold for the first time and seem to be having a few teething problems.
The nib didn't seem to flow very well (as compared to my old faithful and much cheaper Arrow Pen I've been using for 19 years) so the chap exchanged it for me to one which did seem a little better. (a medium nib) Anyhow I decided that maybe I would actually be better with a Broad nib which I also purchased.

It does write beautifully, but here's the catch - it's just on certain papers. Now I know all nibs are different and even with the pen I've loved all these years it didn't write so well on some papers but my Duofold just seems to be lacking a bit in the flow department on most things, all bar one paper it seems a little scratchy and the text looks like it's been written with a thinner nib, Whereas on the right paper it looks ok.
Also if I'm writing and pause for a few seconds before continuing to write it doesn't always ink the first stroke. I have a new bottle of ink, (all of which I have used with my Arrow with no problems) I've tried washing the pen out, and am now trying the pen with a cartridge and it still is the same. So what I really would like to know is:

1: Is this just the nature of the pen/nib and I just need to use it on a limited type of paper
2: Am I being unrealistic in my expectations of the pen
3: Has anyone else had problems like this and have any advice for me!!
4: Is it just me!

1. Fountain pens are picky workers and will only write properly on certain types of paper. If the paper is too thin, too thick or too smooth (I speak here of paper such as wrapping-paper, waxed paper, etc) - it won't work properly. Ideal paper should be smooth, but not glossy, not too fibrous and not so thin that the ink bleeds through.

2. Perhaps. One thing that counts against a fountain pen is that when you're not using it, you MUST cap it. If you fail to do that, the ink will dry in the feed and to get the pen going again, you will need to scribble and/or shake the pen to get the ink back into the feed.

3. Yeah. This has happened to me. If the pen's brand new, give it a wash - a good filling and emptying once or twice with some clean, cold water, ought to do it. Use GOOD QUALITY paper - You can usually tell by feel. Smooth, not too thick or thin and not too 'fuzzy' or fibrous. A good example is standard printing-paper - I've never gone wrong using that.

Thanks for that, I feel much better!! I was starting to think it was just me!
It's odd you should mention the standard printing paper - thats the one thing it does write well in. I do always keep my fountain pen capped when not in use and store it flat ect.
Now I just need to invest in some decent jounals or something. The one good thing that has come out of this is that if not every pen will write on all papers then I shall just have to start collecting them myself (I'm waiting for a waterman Carenne to arrive as we speak!)
Thanks again for the advice!

Annie, what type of Duofold do you have? There are dozens of variations.

Parker Duofold International - Blue Pinstripe (circa 2004) With a Broad Nib ( have also a medium nib)