Hello,

I've been lurking around (scary isn't it) reading a few reviews etc. and finally decided to drop in and actually become a member.

I honestly know very little about fountain pens, except that I like the way they write. I had originally got one of the pilot disposable fountain pens, and even with its low quality was very impressed compared to a normal ball point pen.

So I decided to get a Pilot/Namiki Knight (not the nicest pen, but hey I'm a college student) and although I love the way the pen looks, I had a question about its use. Being quite new to the fountain pen world I was a bit surprised that the pen lacked a manual, I guess it's kinda something they expect everyone to know. I inserted the ink cartridge and had 0 ink flow. I read on a note in the box that it was necessary to slightly squeeze the cartridge to begin ink flowing to the nib. My only problem is when I did ink began leaking out under the nib (from the side of the black piece, which I'm not sure the name of, opposite of the nib). Is this normal in fountain pen operation? I'm guessing this would be where you would fill a pen from an ink bottle; however I just wanted to double check that my pen isn't defective in any way.

Also, its not a major concern to me, however I have noticed at the beginning and end of my stroke I get noticeable ink blots (or at least thick lines). Is this based on the ink/pen or something in my handwriting? Any tips on minimizing this would be greatly appreciated.

Nice to meet everyone and hopefully you'll see me around more often, maybe eventually with something constructive to add!

Hello, and welcome!

Someone with a lot more experience will be along momentarily to help you but: I wouldn't squeeze a cartridge to get it started. I attach it to the pen and just shake the ink down until the pen starts up. And I would guess that the ink you are getting from "the black part" which I think is called "the feed" is because too much ink has been squeezed into that part of the pen. The blots at the beginning and end of your strokes might also indicate that there is too much ink in the feed (but not sure on this one.) It might indicate that you need to use a less-freeflowing type of ink in that pen, or it might mean that you need to have the nib adjusted for flow. But, as I say, someone with some real knowledge will be along soon to answer your questions. Good luck1

Hello and welcome to FPN. As Stang said, someone with a lot more knowledge will drop in to give you the answer to your question. In the meantime I hope that you get your pen sorted out and enjoy using it.

David

Hi,

Normally, I just hold it nib down, or place it nib down until the ink starts flowing. If you fill it with a converter, you will not generally have any such problems.

Dillon

Hello and welcome!! If you are using cheaper paper that tends to feather (ink line spreads our in feathery pattern after you write), it may be that you are not lifting up from the last letter fast enough and the paper is drawing extra ink making a blot.

Hi there and here are a few tips.
(1) If you squeeze, be gentle.
(2) Stick the cart in so that it gets puctured. Take it back out (carefully) and squeeze it a bit so that 1-2-3 drops of ink fall onto the feed and then reinsert cart.
(3) OR, stick the cart in and dip the nib into a bottle of ink (which you're going to end up buying sooner or later anyway).
(4) Buy a converter and fill as usual.
Once the pen starts writing, it should continue on so. The feed just has to be wet first.

That's all

Have fun and buy a Waterman Phileas or a Lamy 2000 or a Pelikan M200 or M215. Good choices for an affordable starter pen.

Mike

Welcome. You'll find plenty of helpful information in this forum.

Is it possible that you are applying more pressure at the beginning and ends of your strokes, or possibly rotating the nib to the left or right?

Welcome to FPN! You will get a real education here.

Welcome. There is all kinds of help here.

Welcome to FPN.

Hello and welcome to FPN.

Hello and welcome to FPN. Kick off your shoes and have a stroll around the grounds. There is lots of good information as well as people willing to share information. Heck you might even pick up a pen or two at the Marketplace.


Once again welcome.

Kurt