Lamy Dialog 3 Problems

[OTDoc]

I have had the exact same problems. The dent is apparently normal and helps the mechanism grab the nib section. The dry out seems to be a common problem too. My nib was also out of alignment with the rest of the pen when it came out of the body. I sent mine off to filofax and they informed me that these are common problems that they are trying to fix. They are shipping D3s back to Germany for repair and noted that Lamy is way behind on these in terms of repair and manufacture. Mine has been gone for about 4 weeks now. I am hoping that they will just replace it or the defective parts with a redesign that fixes the problems. I love the pen and love the way the Lamy gold nibs write so I don't mind the wait but do hope they fix the dry out problem.

 

I don't seem to have a dry out problem, just the slight looseness of the whole nib section within the main grip section as one writes. Did you have the same issue?

 

No. Can't recall that looseness was an issue for me.

[rsx]

Just picked up a Lamy Safari that I haven't used in four weeks. It wrote instantly. Same for my Pilot Fermo, twist drive vanishing point. Solid fine nib that does not rattle and will not dry out if closed for 5 minutes or 5 weeks.

 

Just noting that the technology to do this correctly is out there. The D3 looks nice, and I'm sure I'll have one sooner or later, but maybe I'll just wait awhile. As far as I can tell none of the major US outlets have them in stock at this time anyway, perhaps because of production problems.

[hocm]

The 'dent' on the underside of the inner section is intended to be there, it is not an anomaly.

 

The Dialog 3 does have inkflow problems, rather dry out after non usage i was having problems with no ink flowing at all after about half the reservoir was finished and would have to rotate the plunger in a bit.

This happens because the feeder which connects the reservoir to the nib is badly designed in the Dialog 3 - its spine does not slide freely at all when u take the whole thing apart and this causes problems with inkflow....this problem can be readily rectified by swapping the feeder for a safari one...costs about $10.

[kwinana]

Ok, so my dialog stopped writing today; well not completely, just missing and sometimes stopping altogether. I thought it ran out of ink. I checked the convertor to find it to be full and what appeared to be an airlock between the ink and the pen. Admittedly, the pen was filled with De Atramentis Steel Blue ink and maybe the Dialog is designed to drink only Lamy inks. I returned the pen to the store from which I purchased it and they were more than happy to exchange it for a Pilot VP. At the store we tried remedies like inserting a Lamy ink cartridge; that seemed to improve the flow. Then we inserted the convertor and used some Lamy blue ink and the pen seemed to flow. But things always work in the store until you get home, that is another story. So I am waiting a while to see if the nib dries and starts and stops. Hopefully the Lamy ink is the issue, however, i have a feeling the problems are not over and this seems to be the perfect motivation to excahnge this pen for a Pilot Vanishing point, after all Pilot has been making it for years and Lamy is new to capless fountain pen technology...

 

Has anyone noticed differences in performance of the Dialog 3 depending on the ink used?

[GirchyGirchy]

Just noting that the technology to do this correctly is out there.

I wouldn't even call it "technology" - more quality control and design than anything. All four of my old Sheaffer school pens are perfectly reliable, but the same can't be said for many of my modern (and much more expensive) pens.

[kwinana]

After rinsing my Dialog 3 and expelling water and ink mix via the convertor through the nib assembly and feed, I filled it with Lamy Black ink with good results. Much improved flow and no stoppages as of yet. Perhaps these pens nib feeders need a thorough cleaning and rinsing straight after purchase, drying with a tissue (kleenex) and then filling with ink.It remains to be seen how well the Dialog 3 performs with Lamy Black ink. if it performs well, I will try some other ink brands. I will keep you updated.

[sirksael]

The converter issues are probably the same as with many pens: They need a thourough cleaning, and for some inks you need to put something in the convertor to break surface tension. I had this issue with a Delta pen, I put the little platic ball of a spent pelikan catridge in it to brea surface tension.

Lamy seems to be getting a lot of bad comments on the Dialog 3. While it is true that people tend to post only negative experiences, there are a lot of then and they do seem to have a quality control issue on the D3. This is a high end pen and it should just work and perform outstandingly. Luckily, I seem to have a specimen that does just that.

[beluga]

After rinsing my Dialog 3 and expelling water and ink mix via the convertor through the nib assembly and feed, I filled it with Lamy Black ink with good results. Much improved flow and no stoppages as of yet. Perhaps these pens nib feeders need a thorough cleaning and rinsing straight after purchase, drying with a tissue (kleenex) and then filling with ink.It remains to be seen how well the Dialog 3 performs with Lamy Black ink. if it performs well, I will try some other ink brands. I will keep you updated.

 

 

 

I had similar Dialog 3 ink flow issues with PR inks (mainly Tanzanite and Midnight Blues), but these disappeared when I switched to Pelikan (Violet).

In the past, the Dialog 3 would dry up or skip after 2 days without use, but now the pen starts on first attempt and writes perfectly without skipping after almost a week.

 

After experimenting with Noodler's and Private Reserve (PR) inks, I have started again using more and more the old reliable, trouble-free stalwart inks from Pelikan and Waterman.

They may be less vibrant and come in fewer colours than more saturated specialty inks, but they also appear to be less plagued by SITB, flow problems, pen staining and other troubles.

To me it seems that some speciality inks may shine in one area but fall then significantly short in others, when my actual requirement is for an ink that performs reasonably well in all areas.

 

 

 

 

B.

[orange lamy]

Reviving the dead.. any updates from lamy about these dialog 3, i ordered one and now starting to feel nervous... lol

[elderberry]

I bought one only recently, no problems whatsoever.

[Nokin]

I've found the Dialog 3 on clearance here at W.H. Smiths for £138.95, saying it's reduced from an original price of £184,95. However, most mainstream sellers are now selling the Dialog 3 here for a considerably higher £250.

 

Therefore I'm presuming that the 'clearance' line is old stock, so my question is this: Have there been any design/mechanical (or QC) improvements to the Dialog 3 to deal with some of the issues raised about nibs quickly drying out and loose fitting sections, resulting in newer models being much improved, and therefore justifying in the 'new' higher price? I don't mind paying the higher price if I'm going to be getting an improved version of the pen, but not if nothing has changed!

[cbbp]

I have 2 Dialog 3s. The first I bought very early after launch, and the pen does dry out between uses (overnight, or after a few hours IIRC), enough that I haven't been using it much. When the black model was released I couldn't resist, and I figured (hoped) the nib dryout problems had been solved by then... and they were!

 

I'm happy to say my black Dialog 3 can stay weeks without use and startup perfectly

 

Now, I guess I should send the other one to Lamy to get fixed...

[Pippin60]

Its really too bad I almost brought one after Christmas but I just couldn't warm up to the shape. I love my VP's and any retractable FP.

 

I'm sure Lamy will happily repair or replace but it makes me wonder if this is just the odd one or is there an issue with the design. If you've contacted Lamy and are in the process of sending it to them for a repair I for one would love to know the outcome. Good Luck.

 

I did end up buying one and I love it. By the way the problem with the mechanism may be your fingers interfering with the clip, remember the clip retracts a little and it will get out of sync if you restrict its movement. Maybe a ergonomic design flaw but at least in mine the mechanism works fine. Also my medium nib never dries out. Mine is filled with Namiki Iroshizuku day flower and is in fact very wet.

Lamy has great service however or try another ink and did you flush it out well before filling it the first time?

 

 

[Spector]

definitely contact lamy customer service. they have very good warranty and customer service.

[Draless]

I had an issue with my trap door and the nib rubbing on the side of the body and Lamy will not fix my pen.

 

Needless to say I wont buy another Lamy and have an expensive paper weight

[Scylax]

My black Dialog 3 is one of my favourite pens. It does have a little dry-out if I don't use it for a few days, but nothing worse than that. I also found that switching to a steel nib improves the dry-out issue, though I don't know if this is only coincidence. I've had no issues at all with the mechanism. I can't imagine your issues are ones you should accept. I would certainly get Lamy to check it out.

[Emsiesse]

Hello everybody,

 

I too encountered some opening mechanism problems with my Lamy Dialog 3.

 

Before sending back the pen I tried half-a-drop of petrolatum on a Q-tip into the mechanism and it seems to work fine again .

 

I love this pen and just could not accept the idea to be separated for two weeks of one of my favorite daily writers !

 

Hope this helps !

 

MC

Edited February 23, 2014 by Emsiesse

[lehrer07]

I’ve sent my pen to Lamy twice for repairs/servicing because of the pen not opening properly. When I get it back the pen opening mechanism works flawlessly…until I ink it up following Lamy’s guidelines for filling.

 

The pen also leaks ink out of the nib unit into the mechanism. I only put Lamy ink in it now and no matter what way I store it, horizontal, at a slight angle with the nib end up, or fully upright, there ends up being ink on the inside and then outside of the opening mechanism upon first or second use after filling, and then upon every subsequent use.

 

This is still, by far, my favorite pen and it pains me to see it perform so poorly. I am seriously considering buying a Lamy Studio with a gold nib to replace the Dialog 3 as a daily writer.

[JAGSpencer]

I contacted Lamy and they said I had to send the pen back to them for repair or part replacement. They wanted $35 plus shipping. Before I did this, for a pen I received as a gift, I took out the nib assembly and gave the cap a good shot of WD40. Problem solved instantly.

[RMN]

I contacted Lamy and they said I had to send the pen back to them for repair or part replacement. They wanted $35 plus shipping. Before I did this, for a pen I received as a gift, I took out the nib assembly and gave the cap a good shot of WD40. Problem solved instantly.

 

Don't know which version you have. But if you have the very first edition you will basically get a whole new upgraded pen back.

 

D.ick