I have a nearly-new Aurora Optima (M) that has a bad habit of just stopping in the middle of a page. I sent it to Pat Formato at Kenro, who replaced the nib. I just got it back and it's still doing exactly the same thing.

Anyone had this problem? Advice? Shared tears?

Call or email Pat and tell him that the problem persists. They will fix it.

I recently bought a baby Micra Montegrappa. It is adorable but skipped. MB sent it back to Italy to be adjusted.

Do not despair, they will fix it!

Try cleaning it with dishwasher fluid: put a couple of drops in a large glass and flush the pen several times. After that repeat with plain water, dry, and fill it with ink. I've had the same problem you describe with some pens (Sheaffer, Waterman, Parker, Montblanc...), and the dishwasher has done the trick.

My guess is some sort of grease or skin oil in the nib or feeder from the asembling process; this problem seems to be less common in cheap pens.

Juan

If that doesn't fix it, sometimes it needs a new feed. I have a Visconti on vacation in Italy as nothing would make the feed behave.

It most likely will be the feed. I wanted a nib customization, so I just had Deb Kinney adjust the feed on my Optima when she stubbed it for me. I echo everyone else though - Kenro will take care of you.

Forgive my ignorance, but since the Aurora Optima is a one-piece pen - the section doesn't detach - how would they be able to replace the feed?

Well, I personally always let an expert do that work. However, the Optima nib/feed unit screws out. It is one of the reasons I love my Optima and Modern 88.

If you were comfortable with repair, you can actually slide the nib out of the unit after screwing it out and adjust the nib & feed yourself.

Juan,

I followed your advice verbatim, refilling the pen with Namiki Blue, which I know to be smooth-flowing. It's writing at the moment, so far so good...

Thanks.
GNL

Like you, I prefer to let the professionals handle it. The last thing I want is to damage a fine Italian fountain pen through my own clumsy attempts at repair.

Did Deb Kinney's adjustment of the feed on your Optima fix the problem? Is it a free-flowing pen now?

Great news! Sometimes I've had to repeat the process several times, probably because some feeders/nibs are more intricate or there was some more tenacious grease or something.

One more thing: Aurora nibs are made of plastic, but they're very close in texture and feel to ebonite, so they may need to be soaked in ink to work properly.

Juan

GNL wrote:

"Forgive my ignorance, but since the Aurora Optima is a one-piece pen - the section doesn't detach - how would they be able to replace the feed?"

Remember that the nib unit unscrews from the pen. The nib unit can be removed and soaked to clean it up. Or it can be unscrewed and replaced.

An Optima is a great pen, and you should not be having a problem like this. When it is fixed, you will have a real keeper.

Yes, unscrewing the nib and feeder is a way to do a more thorough cleaning. A further step (I only suggest as a last resource) is to use some toothpaste and rub it onto the underside of the nib (the side that's in contact withthe feeder). Toothpaste is abrasive and it will create some texture which will help with flow.

Nevertheless, I don't suggest this since it's better to use the less intrusive solutions first, and Aurora pens are hih quality pens which shouldn't need this.

Juan

Unscrewing the nib/feed unit is also a good way to flush the pen easily, i do this when i am switching colours.

Hi,

The feed is made of ebonite with a plastic in the end. Some lower cost pens like the Ipsilon have an all plastic feed.

Dillon

You're right; it's ebonite.

Juan

Try writing only around the edges of the page, and stay out of the middle.

Fred