Safari + Ink

[skysora]

Greetings, FPN.

 

Certain inks seem to pose problems for my Safari:

 

 

I think ink gets clogged between the cap and the inner cap. I don't mind it at all, but my significant other does. I've been given a challenge to come up with ten inks that are problem-free, and I thought I'd ask the noble members of this forum for help. I would be very grateful if you could share with me some inks that you've used with your Lamy Safari without this problem.

 

And am I correct in thinking that this is caused by capillary action? Too much evaporation?

 

Thank you!

[wastelanded]

What inks have you used, that act like this? How many have you tried so far? How do you fill the pen, by dipping into the bottle or with a syringe?

 

I've used mainly Diamine inks - Midnight, Umber, Damson have posed no problems so far for me. So far, the only ink that has creeped onto the nib of my Safari is MB Midnight Blue, but just around the nib slit.

[skysora]

What inks have you used, that act like this? How many have you tried so far? How do you fill the pen, by dipping into the bottle or with a syringe?

 

I've used mainly Diamine inks - Midnight, Umber, Damson have posed no problems so far for me. So far, the only ink that has creeped onto the nib of my Safari is MB Midnight Blue, but just around the nib slit.

 

Thanks so much for the swift response, wastelanded! I fill the pen by dipping into the bottle. I've tried many inks, but so far this has happened with:

 

PR Avacado

Platinum Carbon Black

Diamine Poppy Red

Diamine Kelly Green

Diamine Maroon (only when diluted)

R&K Verdigris

 

That's great to know about Midnight, Umber, and Damson, since I'm a big fan of Diamine inks.

[Renfield]

IT happened to my wife's White Safari.

 

She normally uses Cartridges(Lamy Blue), so no dipping into the bottle.

 

It washes off though.

[skysora]

IT happened to my wife's White Safari.

 

She normally uses Cartridges(Lamy Blue), so no dipping into the bottle.

 

It washes off though.

 

Thanks, Renfield. That's good to know that your wife experienced the same thing with cartridges.

[Original]

I use waterman absolute brown (formerly havana brown) and its really well behaved.

[skysora]

I use waterman absolute brown (formerly havana brown) and its really well behaved.

 

A gorgeous color! I haven't tried Waterman inks, and I don't have any browns--I'll give it a go.

 

Thanks so much, all, for your fast replies. I write with fountain pens exclusively and I've successfully "converted" my husband (I mean, with a great pen like Safari and a gorgeous ink like PR Avacado, hard to resist). But as much as he loves the writing experience and the beautiful ink, the "leaking" just gets to him. He wants ink to stay in the pen at all costs.

 

He is even opposed to an occasional nib creep...so I threw up my hands and called for your help! Thanks!

[brownargus]

I have used Diamine Sapphire and Herbin Sapphire with no problems. I have also used Monteverde blue cartridges.

Edited December 6, 2012 by brownargus

[skysora]

I have used Diamine Sapphire and Herbin Sapphire with no problems.

 

Thanks, brownargus. I have a sample of the Herbin Sapphire--will give it a try!

[MKeith]

I have had excellent results in my Safaris with all the Pelikan 4001 and Waterman bottled inks, as well as Lamy cartridges, without any of the problems you encountered.

Edited December 7, 2012 by MKeith

[daTomoT]

I use the Lamy Vista, a similar model, with lamy blue carts - no issues.

[carlos.q]

I have used my Lamy Safari and my Al-Star with all kinds of inks and have had no problems. I even tried out "the ink that shall not be named" and had absolutely no problems. Great pen!!!

[skysora]

Thanks, MKeith, daTomoT, carlos.q, for your feedback!

 

I own five Safaris, and I cannot live without them.

I'm totally fine with wiping off the ink, etc. and

I hope my inquiry did not come across as pen/ink bashing.

I'm just curious to find out whether many of you have encountered this mini-issue.

And if there is a name for this phenomenon.

 

Thanks again!

[psychdude]

I had this at one point with my old safari. I emptied the pen, pulled off the nib, cleaned the feed and nib (including the hard-to-reach inside of the nib where it grips the feed), and put the nib back on with significantly more force than was required to take it off. It sort of clicked into place...it hadn't clicked out of place when I took it off...and the leaking stopped. Just a thought...

[skysora]

I had this at one point with my old safari. I emptied the pen, pulled off the nib, cleaned the feed and nib (including the hard-to-reach inside of the nib where it grips the feed), and put the nib back on with significantly more force than was required to take it off. It sort of clicked into place...it hadn't clicked out of place when I took it off...and the leaking stopped. Just a thought...

 

psychdude, So the issue could be on the pen's side... Hmmm... I'll have to try this. Thanks for the thought.

 

MKeith, I just checked up on a Safari that was loaded with Pelikan 4001 Turquoise a few hours ago. So far so good!

[Safari_Camo]

Have the same issue with Diamine Ultra Green, I really tired to find a solution, so I leave that ring and flush my pen when is not in use.

[smk]

Here are the inks I remember using with my Lamy Safari and Vista - none have exhibited the problems you reported:

 

1. Waterman Havana Brown (old bottle) - currently inked.

2. Pelikan Brilliant Black - in a Safari that I carried around and got knocked about a bit.

3. Pelikan Brilliant Brown.

4. Montblanc Racing Green.

5. Lamy Blue cartrige - used while travelling. This pen went through a lot of temperature changes - from 97 degrees outside to air-conditioned buildings.

 

I'm sure I have used others but can't remember for sure - I don't have any of the inks on your problem list though :-)

 

Salman

[skysora]

Here are the inks I remember using with my Lamy Safari and Vista - none have exhibited the problems you reported:

 

1. Waterman Havana Brown (old bottle) - currently inked.

2. Pelikan Brilliant Black - in a Safari that I carried around and got knocked about a bit.

3. Pelikan Brilliant Brown.

4. Montblanc Racing Green.

5. Lamy Blue cartrige - used while travelling. This pen went through a lot of temperature changes - from 97 degrees outside to air-conditioned buildings.

 

I'm sure I have used others but can't remember for sure - I don't have any of the inks on your problem list though :-)

 

Salman

 

Thanks so much for the extensive list, Salman. Perhaps a consensus is emerging that Watermans and Pelikans go well with Safaris? I have yet to try the Lamy Blue cartridge, believe it or not!

[skysora]

Have the same issue with Diamine Ultra Green, I really tired to find a solution, so I leave that ring and flush my pen when is not in use.

 

Safari_Camo (you must be a fan of Safaris?), thanks for letting me know about Diamine Ultra Green. My husband prefers a green ink, but I will now cross that ink off the list!

[Renfield]

Here are the inks I remember using with my Lamy Safari and Vista - none have exhibited the problems you reported:

 

1. Waterman Havana Brown (old bottle) - currently inked.

2. Pelikan Brilliant Black - in a Safari that I carried around and got knocked about a bit.

3. Pelikan Brilliant Brown.

4. Montblanc Racing Green.

5. Lamy Blue cartrige - used while travelling. This pen went through a lot of temperature changes - from 97 degrees outside to air-conditioned buildings.

 

I'm sure I have used others but can't remember for sure - I don't have any of the inks on your problem list though :-)

 

Salman

 

My daughter gets Nib creep with Pelikan Brilliant Black, However with Noodlers Black the Nib creep was unbelievable! and the flow was bad.

 

The Pelikan was the alternative and to be honest, better than the Noodlers