Waterman's Safety Question

[obnubilator]

Hi everyone, here is another question where I will probably make a fool of myself, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

The question is: what keeps the nib from pushing back down into the barrel when you write with it? I got my first Waterman's safety—an 0644—recently, and restored it with David Nishimura's o-ring technique. It went well, and the pen now holds ink without seeping, and the in/out spiral action is as smooth as silk....but I can't write with it, because as soon as I press the nib to paper, it spins back down into the darkness.

 

It seems likely that I am missing something that should be incandescently obvious; can anyone tell me what it is?

 

Thanks,

 

Rick

[jisip]

Hi Rick. I have the same mechanism in my Waterman's safety. I think it's just friction. The knob is not supposed to turn like a piston filler since it's the only thing keeping the nib engaged. Maybe a little too much silicone grease?

 

Cheers,

Jonathan

[obnubilator]

Thanks, Jonathan,

 

That's what I was thinking/fearing. Maybe it will gum up over time. Or I could disassemble it again and pour sand into the helix : )

 

Another thought is that perhaps the cap helps to freeze the knob when it is posted—it acts as a clamp, gripping both knob and barrel. Unfortunately, though, my cap has a crack at the lip, and therefore doesn't really grip either one.

 

For now, I am wrapping a piece of electrical tape around the knob. It's inelegant, but works fine.

 

—Rick

[Vintagepens]

You may need to add another O-ring or two. It's rotational friction on the shaft that keeps the nib from being pushed back into the barrel. More rings, more friction.

[obnubilator]

Thanks David, I will try that