Leaking Nib On Vanishing Point

[ronnyc269]

Hi folks,

Was two months into a beautiful relationship w my new Namiki/Pilot Vanishing Pt (in medium) when

I noticed a tiny blot of ink would appear on the nib every time I clicked it open. It would show up right in the center, up from the hole but right before the tip, almost like a splash from out of the center line dividing the tines. I would wipe it off and pretend nothing happened. Until the next click. It's driving me nuts. VP still writes beautifully but can't stand this new smear/blob action. Did I damage the nib somehow? Any theories/tips would be greatly appreciated as always.

Ron

[Kelly G]

A few questions. What type ink are you using? Are you using a cartridge or converter? How do you fill the pen? How do you store the pen when it's not in your pocket (or however you carry it)?

 

 

[mysta rave]

Try a more viscous ink...sounds like your ink flows too much unless you misaligned your nib/feed somehow.

Edited April 17, 2007 by mysta rave

[MYU]

A few questions. What type ink are you using? Are you using a cartridge or converter? How do you fill the pen? How do you store the pen when it's not in your pocket (or however you carry it)?

Agreed. Thin inks tend to run a bit too freely in the VP. The Pilot Medium is a bit of a wet writer as it is. I take it you're using the OEM piston converter that came with it?

[HDoug]

I use Noodler's bulletproof inks in my VP and always have that blot on the nib. I pay it no attention, and it doesn't mess with the writing or function of the pen at all. Noodler's creeps! It will creep on all the metal bits so what was bugging me was it was creeping up the nib assembly into the pen itself until I "polished" the metal part that holds the nib with car wax. That acts as a creep guard, and keeps the ink from creeping into the pen. It's kind of like the metal bands around the trunks of coconut trees that keep the rats from getting into the fruit...

 

Doug

[ronnyc269]

A few questions. What type ink are you using? Are you using a cartridge or converter? How do you fill the pen? How do you store the pen when it's not in your pocket (or however you carry it)?

Kelly G, MYU and mysta rave: I am using Namiki Blue via the converter; now that you raise it I realize that the problem started when I switched from cartridge (Namiki) to converter. I usually carry it in my chest pocket, clipped, nib side up. mysta rave what viscous ink do you like? will try that out see what happens.

H Doug: Reassuring to hear that my VP isn't all alone w its nib smear problem. Cool analogy re the tree anti-rat metal strip.

 

I appreciate your responses.

[dwwst12]

I've been having some issues with the ink creeping up the metal part above the nib as well. And I'm wondering if there is a way to clean the (forgive me, I don't know the terminology for it)...."part that houses the nib" -- the internal part once you remove the nib and the barrel. I feel like there must be ink floating around in there, and that can't be good!

[Emthigious]

Was there ever any follow up to this? I'm experiencing the same. I didnt get inky fingers yet, but it does annoy me. I might try the car wax solution :-)

[Cursive Child]

Emthigious, others, do you have a solution. I have the same problem, and results in the ink draining out from the cartridge or convertor (tried both), and accumulating in the barrel.

[Cursive Child]

Emthigious, others, do you have a solution. I have the same problem, and results in the ink draining out from the cartridge or convertor (tried both), and accumulating in the barrel.

I sent the pen to Pilot USA for warranty repair, and they replaced the nib and gave me a new converter. That has fixed the problem. It must have been some air entering the nib unit.

[bemon]

I've had this happen with a some inks. Most Noodlers inks I used leaked as well as some other brands I can't recall now. Switched inks and the problem went away.

[Tasmith]

Just started having the same problem with Akkerman #3 Blue.