Dear Members of The Fountain Pen Network;

I have purchased the following Calligraphy Pens:
[Cartridge]
Staedtler - Comfortable Rubber Grip Calligraphy Set - 2 nib Calligraphy set- gold plate nibs;
Panache - Master Calligraphy Set 22 Caret Gold Plated
Nicole - Master Calligraphy Set - gold plate nibs

In following their directions to the 'letter'-- I have not been able to go beyond the hint of ink near the reservoir; on top of the nib. In my attempts to 'charge' the nib; by drawing circles and lines straight; as to invite some flow of ink; I have gained nothing. Brand new nibs that are clean and carefully handled. With the hard shaking of these pens is there any flow of ink to the nib and only get a few letters of quality ink feed and then it quits.

Any ideas on what is going on with these Calligraphy pens? I've never had any trouble out of my Scheaffer Pens bought on the same day. My only complaint is their 'fine' nib is not fine enough. However, it is writing beautifully well; the above mentioned fountain pens; had the finer nibs to which I sought; but--they are not performing, so please if you have any advice please feel free to respond.

The next area of my inquiry to the membership of The Fountain Pen Network; is the purchase of:
Speedball No. 5 Artists' "Project Set" dip pens; which contains Lettering, Calligraphy, Poster Making, Cartooning, Sketching and Mapping nibs. Also included is a #102 Hunt Crow Quill Pen.

I have been gifted with 1970-1980 elbow Copperplate fine tip nib; to which has never been used. I have heard rumors; that with new steel nibs; they need some sort of treatment with heat and then 'human spit' before use.
May I please inquire as to how I prepare the elbow nib for Copperplate and the Hunt Crow Quill Pen for use properly now days?

Thank you for your patience with me.

Respectfully,
Maria

How do they fill? Cartriges? If so, then when you put on the cartrige, give it a good squeeze it to get ink into the feed and thus the nib. One other problem with brand new pens/nibs is that manufacturing oils sometimes retard flow. Most folks recommend a mild (10%) ammonia/ water solution to soak or run through the nib. Also what kind of ink are you using?

Dear Pakmanpony,

I am using the pen's included cartridges of ink. So, it isn't like trying to fit a Ford into a Chevy or vice versa per se; in using cartridges.

I shall try the ammonia/water solution, as I've pinched the cartridges and results in nothing.

You would think the manufacturing company would put a 'instruction' to flush the nib if that is to flush the manufacturing oils out.

Thank you for your advice.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully,
Maria

Hi Maria,

Hah, welcome to the scourge of nearly all brand-new pens. Oil.

Pens that are new are rarely actually CLEAN. What you must do is clean the pen. Put the nib and feed and section into some cool, soapy water and poke it around and shake it. Then rinse it under cold running water. Shake and dry. Then, put in a cartridge.

Once that's done, reassemble the pen. Put the cap on and give the pen three hard taps against a solid surface (such as your desk). Do this with the cap (and nib) pointing downwards (and therefore: at the desk). The jolting of the taps ought to get ink to flow into the feed. Don't do it too roughly, but don't be afraid of damaging anything. Just tap it good and sharp and that ought to get the ink going.

Dear Shangus,

Thank you for your response as well.

I wonder how many beginners have been discouraged by the manufacture not adding the instructions on how to clean the nib before use, due to their packing/manufacturing oil. I would think thousands.

Again, thank you so very much!

Respectfully,
Maria

Blow water through this section and out the nib. Stand over the sink, fill your mouth with water, and blast it through the nib.

Dear jmkeuning,

Interesting suggestion.

I suppose using a tire air hose would be too much force

Thank you for your suggestion.

Respectfully,
Maria

I use an ear syringe for this purpose because I don't like the idea of getting any saliva inside the section.

I use a syringe - left over from a pet's illness. Works great - and for refilling cartridges neatly too !

I use a syringe too. But the mouth works just fine.

Haven't tried Nicole Calligraphy Pens. But have had a lot more trouble with Staedtler and Panache than with the Sheaffer Viewpoint or Manuscript Calligraphy Pens. A shame, too, since I generally get along well with Staedtler products.

I bought a kit of the Staedtler pens and had poor ink flow problems. Eventually replaced them with a set of Rotring pens -- at a greater cost, I might add. The Panache worked alright, once I got them going. But just felt too flimsy and touchy to work with.