Drop Of Ink On Nib - Always

[Gemma Plum]

Hi there,

 

I have a question, with which I hope someone here might be able to help me:

Since recently I am the proud owner of a vintage fountain pen. A Waterman 52, flex nib.

 

The pen writes and draws heavenly. BUT there is always an ink drop on the nib when I open the cab. When I start writing (or drawing) the pen consumes the ink again and the drop disappears, It doesn't stain the work or my hands. But I never had this with my other fountain pens (Sailor, Pelikan, Parker & Pilot; a lot of Pens-with-a-P). This is the first pen with a rubber sac and a lever. So maybe I'm doing something wrong. (Or maybe this is normal, with these filling systems?)

 

When I fill it I put the pen with a closed lever in the ink bottle, opened it (relaxed and all the way) and closed the it and I wait 1 second (and a bit) with the the nib still in the ink. Then I opend and closed again still in the ink and wait 1 second (and a bit) with the the nib still in the ink. The third time I opened and closed and waited 10 seconds (and a bit) before taking the pen out. It writes fine this way; without dribbling but an ink drop appears on the nib when not in use. So I tried refilling the same way and at the end before closing up I drop three drop and click closed (that always worked for the twisting refillers) but it didn't matter; it still leaks a drop when not in use...

 

I corresponded with the seller who is always very nice and gave me wonderfully tips about filling and maintenance and he suggested it could have been:

 

1. Not closing the handle properly (but I did),

2. Harsh handling (but I treat it with a lot of love),

3. Bumping in a bag (I do travel with it but it also leaks when it is laying flat on table that isn't moving and nothing is happening to it, and all the other fountain pens I carry along don't drip),

4. Temperature difference (this can't be it, for the same reason as number 3 can't be the reason),

5. A dirty cab (to test I cleaned the cab every time before recabbing, so that's not it either).

 

So, does any of you have a clue what could be happening here? And what I could do to stop this drop from appearing? :blink:

Edited January 3, 2013 by Gemma Plum

[Gemma Plum]

A very fast update;

 

I thought I ask around before I start nagging the nice and helpful seller again who took lots of time explaining what I should consider before deciding on a pen, what nib choices there are, explained the filling system with more than a A4 of step by step instructions and wrote a very comprehensive mail on the dripping of fountain pens.

 

But in the mean while (just after I posted my question) the seller has contacted me and inquired how my pen was doing and if it was still leaking... He offered (without me asking) to take a look at it and pay for the shipping cost both ways! Although I hate to send it back and miss it for a month or so, I love his offer and his service. I think I just send it back for a while and go back to using my 2nd fav; my Sailor Zoom...

Edited January 3, 2013 by Gemma Plum

[Ted_1944]

A very fast update;

 

I thought I ask around before I start nagging the nice and helpful seller again who took lots of time explaining what I should consider before deciding on a pen, what nib choices there are, explained the filling system with more than a A4 of step by step instructions and wrote a very comprehensive mail on the dripping of fountain pens.

 

But in the mean while (just after I posted my question) the seller has contacted me and inquired how my pen was doing and if it was still leaking... He offered (without me asking) to take a look at it and pay for the shipping cost both ways! Although I hate to send it back and miss it for a month or so, I love his offer and his service. I think I just send it back for a while and go back to using my 2nd fav; my Sailor Zoom...