Conklin Glider Circa 2007 Fails

[jwritebol]

I was given a very nice Conklin Glider pen at a conference in 2007 that I've wanted to write regularly with but I have had absolutely zero luck with in terms of performance. I've used both a cartridge refill and piston refill with quality ink and the pen is completely inconstant in flow, railroading and doesn't write well at all.

 

I have to scratch at the paper several times just to get the ink to appear, and when it does it comes out blotchy and half walk. No matter how long I try and write for I just get skipping scratches. I am new the the fountain pen community so I don't know all the technical terms for what I am experiencing, but I would like to be able enjoy this pen as much as possible.

 

I do have a Lamy Safari that is always consistent and writes so well. Did I just get a bum pen or are there steps I can take to improve my Conklin? Thanks.

 

[Ron Z]

That looks like a Pennsylvania flag. Where?

 

There are a number of possible causes - contamination on the feed, improper set on the feed, tines set too far apart. Check all three.

[SteveE]

That looks like a Pennsylvania flag. Where?

 

There are a number of possible causes - contamination on the feed, improper set on the feed, tines set too far apart. Check all three.

 

. . . and with modern Conklin pens, it could also be tines set too close together, or even a "bad" feed. Some of the plastic feeds used in modern Conklin pens exhibit very marginal ink flow. I've had to modify several to get them to work. Usually, though, a good cleaning and adjustment of the tine spacing and alignment gets them going.

[jwritebol]

I'm in Michigan actually. And I'm very new to fountain pens. I have a Lamy Safari that never has problems and a Pilot Metropolitan as well as this Conklin.

 

My guess is the Conklin is the most expensive pen, but I've had no success with it and really want to enjoy it. Can you give me some recommendations on where to learn how to set the tines or check the feed. Thank you.