Lamy Safari question

[formerchickenscratcher]

I have a couple of Safaris. One with an 1.5 italic nib and the other with an EF nib. They write great and I think they provide a great niche in my pen quiver.

 

My question is this. It seems that, if I'm lucky, I can only write up to 3/4 of a page with the italic and 1 page with the EF. I think this is because I have not mastered the best way to completely fill the converters.

 

What advice do you have out there on the optimum way to fill these pens and how to minimize the mess during and afterwards.

 

Thanks

[Lloyd]

How big a piece of paper are you using-3 acres?!? I have a fine nib and it writes many pages. Just turn the converter to expel the air, immerse the nib into the ink and twist the converter to fill.

[James P]

Hi there,

 

Does this happen with other pens too, or only the Safari?

 

Are you immersing the nib and part of the section completely in the ink? I have found that many people don't put the pen far enough into the bottle and thus draw up a considerable amount of air with the ink.

 

Once the nib is deep enough, I twist the converter to fill the pen. With the nib still in the ink bottle, I then empty the converter and re-fill it. Repeat the filling process two or three times to ensure that you get as much air out of the converter as possible. Then when the converter is full, pull the nib from the ink bottle, expel a drop or two of ink by twisting the knob on the converter, then back it off a bit so the converter isn't completely full - a little air is a good thing.

 

As far as the mess goes - The Write Fill Cartridge/Converter Fill Kit can help eliminate all of the mess involved with filling a pen. You simply fill up the syringe with ink, which you then inject directly into the converter. A very neat little device.

 

Otherwise, keep a soft cloth or tissue handy to wipe the nib and section when you're done. And don't be ashamed of the ink stains - Let your Freak Flag Fly!

 

Hope that's helpful.

[BMWRT]

You shouls see a difference in the degree that the cartridge empties between the two nibs. The EF is not going to lay down the same amount as the italic nib.

 

With that said you should be getting way more than 3/4 of a page per converter

[formerchickenscratcher]

Thanks all for your replies. I use Clairefontaine 8 1/2 x 11 3/4 paper. I must not be dipping the business end of the pen far enough into my bottle of Noodler's. With my other pens, all piston fillers I have no problems and can write several pages with them. Their respective capacities must have spoiled me.

Edited July 3, 2006 by formerchickenscratcher

[*david*]

It is possible (though not as good from a rinsing point of view) to fill the converter outside of the pen, and then put it in like a cartridge.

If you do this, make sure to rinse your nib out thoroughly, by filling and emptying many times through the nib with plain water, after going through a few fills of ink.

 

Also - don't try to fill it absolutely 100% completely full - pens flow better with an air bubble in the ink. It doesn't really matter how big the air bubble is, as long as there is one.

 

 

 

Edit: If I fill my Safari this way, I find that immediately the feed takes up a significant amount of the ink I just put in. So on the first fill it looks like it's already low on ink and I didn't even do any writing yet.

 

Second edit: When you dip a Safari, you have to dip it so that the finger grip is right in the ink. Wipe afterwards.

Edited July 3, 2006 by *david*

[andyc]

I'd second the point about the feed holding lots of ink. I noticed with new cartridges they seemed to be half empty as soon as I started writing with them, so there obviously is a fair amount of ink being held in the feed.

 

Also, it is very easy to end up with lots of air in the convertor when filling (I use cartridges as backup when travelling and bottle ink when close to home). Oh, and I'm using Noodler's, too.

Edited July 4, 2006 by andyc

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I have a Lamy ABC (same feed and nib). I write hours and up to 20 pages a day with it.

 

My suspicion is that you have not fully immersed the grip in ink.

 

Dillon