I have a Carene with an F nib. After inking it I can write about 3 full pages of a 7x10 notebook and then the ink flow stops. Initially the flow is wet, smooth, predictable, and lovely. But slowly, the writing dries up, the nib starts to skip and eventually the pen refuses to start altogether. This happens with the converter half full. I can restore normal writing by carefully screwing the plunger down to push more ink into the nib section (a procedure not always neat and controllable).

I've read many posts on similar problems with this pen. Most owners suggest flushing the pen with water + soap, which I've done several times, but the problem persists. I have also tried many inks. I don't believe it's a ink or nib problem. I believe that somehow the ink runs out of the nib section and what's in the converter is stuck there. I checked the tiny tube inside the nib section. This is the tube that supposed to suck ink from the converter. The tube is half plugged and half open, however, the plug appears to be there by design.

Does anyone have any idea how to make the ink flow normally from converter to pen nib? Is the little tube in the nib section supposed to be fully open?

Thanks,
Aldo

Aldo, my Carene does this too. At first I thought that this was a problem with the inlaid nib, but none of my Sheaffer Legacy pens (also with inlaid nibs) have this problem, so it must be unique to the design of the feed on the Carene. I'll be eager to hear what responses you get. Like you, I've done the soapy water routine.

[center][/center]I think it is becouse on many Carene pens the point is not flush with the feed.

I don't have a Carene, but I'm curious if the pen does the same thing when fed with a cartridge instead of the converter?

That was going to be my suggestion as well. It sounds like a converter problem. If it still acts this way with a Waterman cartridge, then you'll know it's a feed problem and needs to be sent for a service.

So.... why is it that cartridges would be more reliable than converters? I would think that the opposite would be true, because the converter draws ink UP into the reservoir before it flows back DOWN into the feed, whereas a cartridge only flows DOWN into a feed that has not been previously lubricated by filling the reservoir.

I just bought a Carene Amber Shimmer Medium Nib the other day (my first Carene) and it's doing the exact same thing. I'm really dissapointed. I've been using the converter thus far and will try the cartridge as soon as that is empty.

If there is a gap beteen the feed and point (like 1 I have and most in the pen store) that could be the problem. I have another Carene with the point flush with the feed that seems to work much better.

A converter tube is made from a hard plastic with a smooth-as-glass finish and certain inks will cling to this smooth surface and refuse to flow down into the pen feed. Cartridges are made of a different plastic with a rougher finish and I have never seen any ink exhibit a clinging problem. Ink flows back and forth with the slightest tipping of the cartridge. With a converter, ink can get stuck so firmly that whacking the pen, dropping the pen on the nib, or thwacking the side of the converter hard with a finger will not dislodge the ink.

I would recommend testing with a cartridge before accusing the feed of misbehavior.

I have only used cartridges in my Carene that has flow problems. That is what made me look close at the feed and point. Hold the point up, put a white piece of paper behind and see if the point has a gap from the feed. I don't see how a pen can work as well as it should if the point is not flush with the feed. My other Carene, cartridge only, point flush with feed, works very well.

Yes. After a while I resort to squeezing the cartridge but it's not as effective as turning the plunger on the converter.

[/quote]I think it is becouse on many Carene pens the point is not flush with the feed.
[/quote]

DPMahon, do you mean that the nib need to be er-aligned?

Well, no, without any squeezing. There should never be a need to squeeze the cartridge.

Hmm, well if the cartridge gives the same problem it sounds like the feed might very well have a problem. Ink is drawn out, down the feed, and to the paper by capillary action. This creates a slight suction in the cartridge/converter and the feed needs to let air into the cartridge or converter to replace the ink that's drawn out. If that's blocked then the pen will write for a while and then fade out.

Carenes are usually very wet pens, so it definitely sounds like time for a service.

I think it is becouse on many Carene pens the point is not flush with the feed.


DPMahon, do you mean that the nib need to be er-aligned?
I mean the point and feed need to be flush together. The one that I have that is not (you can see daylight between feed and point) seems to have flow problems. The other Carene (point flush with feed, no daylight can be seen from the side) works fine. Both with cartridges.

OK, I understand what you mean now, and yes, there is quite a visible gap between the nib (point) and the feed. I can easily pass the edge of a piece of paper between nib and feed. I agree with you, if there is such a big gap, then capillary action would not be as effective. I can press the nib with a finger so that it meets the feed below it but it springs right back. If that is the problem, how can it be fixed?

Must be sent back to Waterman, stateing the problem, to fix. I've never seen this issue talked about on this site so I brought it up. I have over 50 fP's and this is the only one with a point not flush ith the feed.