I picked up a nice Green J with a 9788 flexi nib. But it only wants to write if it's been dipped. The Green Estie writes fine with a 9460 in it though.

I soaked the 9788 nib overnight in soapy water, but it didn't help. Perhaps I need to soak it longer? Add a tad of Ammonia?

It looks in great shape and does write very smoothly, a bit stiffer than my 9048 (which is a favorite).

Soaking does not always solve the problem. Blow through the renew point. If air does not go through it is still clogged. With the esties you have too choises. Either use a steel guitar string to dig into the dried ink or knock off the feed and clean the ink channels directly.

Thanks antoniosz! I do have a guitar string handy.

Guitar strings are a great suggestion. I use something similar, an old violin E string, in addition to using one of those blue ear bulbs you can get at the pharmacy. I put an esterbrook section on the end, suck up some water/ammonia mixture, screw in the renew-point, and squeeze hard. Betwen the two, that should get out most anything stuck in there.

Best-
Brian

Another great idea Brian, thanks!

And if the pharmacy doesn't have the blue ear bulb, try Radio Shack for the red rubber de-soldering bulb - remove the white nylon insert, and the Estie nibs fit directly - no need for the section.

You can blow cleaning sol'n through quite easily on a non-clogged pen, and most clogs clear well. Some need a little ultrasonic persuasion.

Gerry

Thanks all! A combination of these tips payed off, and the 9788 nib now works like a charm.

The pen works much better than my guitar (well the player anyway).

Well, yeah - now that you took the piece of guitar string off to clean the nib...

Gerry