Noodlers Boston Safety Pen

[Lelouch]

Take it apart again. Your o-ring may have a slight cut, or more likely it is pinched in a little. I put silicone on all of my threads just to make sure it was good. My pen is not leaking anywhere.

Thank you for your suggestion, Ill take it apart again and take a look (its just been sitting unused and Ive been a little sad, because it was so comfortable in the hand).

[IndigoBOB]

Nope it's a no. 2 nib. I don't know where the no. 5 idea came from. I exchanged the nib with a vintage Waterman 521/2 pen and it fits perfectly.

 

 

 

Have you tried a #5?

[ReadyFireAim]

#2 is the old Waterman numbering system.

#5 is the new one

#5 = 5 mm section insert dia.

#6 = 6 mm...ect.

 

Generally speaking, although there is much variation & test fitting is still necessary.

Edited February 7, 2018 by Nail-Bender

[Lelouch]

Quick update: as per KKays suggestion, I took apart, re-examined, and regreased the parts. It now functions very well and without leakage so far. Im now confident enough with it to bring it with me as part of my EDC for a little while (in a pen pouch of course).

[KKay]

That is great news Lelouch! Did you open the cap too, and put silicone grease in there?

[fountainpen51]

Has anyone tried to remove or change the metal rod inside the lid? I tried to pull it but it is hard.

[KKay]

I don't believe you would want to take that rod out of the cap. If you mean unscrew the top of the cap, it is very hard to do so.

[fountainpen51]

I don't believe you would want to take that rod out of the cap. If you mean unscrew the top of the cap, it is very hard to do so.

oh no, it turns very easy, the idea is to change the bar for a titanium as another FPN commented previously, but I do not want to throw and break ...

[KKay]

I guess I missed it, or maybe I forgot. Regardless I don't recall that.

[Lelouch]

That is great news Lelouch! Did you open the cap too, and put silicone grease in there?

Yes I did. However, at work yesterday I had a repeat of the same issue. I am beginning to wonder if it is perhaps the case? If so, then this may be relegated to a desk pen. I use a Pelikan 2 pen pouch.

[sciumbasci]

Well, for those of us with big pockets and no patience, there's always the Goldfink Imperial, which is a safety pen, made of ebonite (if I did not misunderstood).

 

Me? I'll wait for the Noodler's

[KKay]

Lelouch, the case? There is a seal inside that cap, besides the threads. (the threads need silicone too) It also needs silicone, but be very careful with the housing. Put silicone on that seal, all over it and on the inside of it. Just a light coat will do it. Maybe you should point the pen nib up when storing it, until you find out the cause. Mine doesn't leak at all.

Edited February 17, 2018 by KKay

[inkstainedruth]

Well, for those of us with big pockets and no patience, there's always the Goldfink Imperial, which is a safety pen, made of ebonite (if I did not misunderstood).

 

Me? I'll wait for the Noodler's

 

I see that Luxury Brands is going to have a table at the upcoming Baltimore Pen Show. Hopefully they will have info on the ETA of more Boston Safety Pens.

I think I'm hitting that table as soon as I get there Friday morning -- but I suspect there may be a line....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Tweel]

Lelouch, the case? There is a seal inside that cap, besides the threads. (the threads need silicone too) It also needs silicone, but be very careful with the housing. Put silicone on that seal, all over it and on the inside of it. Just a light coat will do it. Maybe you should point the pen nib up when storing it, until you find out the cause. Mine doesn't leak at all.

 

That doesn't sound good. A safety pen shouldn't need to be dipped in grease to stop multiple leaks -- all of that should be inherent in the accuracy of the machining.

Edited February 17, 2018 by Tweel

[dannzeman]

I got another small batch in this week. Looks like there's a few left after fulfilling all the back orders. https://nibsmith.com/product/noodlers-boston-safety-pen/

[KKay]

 

That doesn't sound good. A safety pen shouldn't need to be dipped in grease to stop multiple leaks -- all of that should be inherent in the accuracy of the machining.

This pen is sort of like a eyedropper in a way. You have to silicone the threads, just like you would an eyedropper. There is no piston or converter. It is a retractable nib that sits in ink that is held inside the pen. You don't dip the pen in grease. You grease the threads and the o rings. If you want to do the seal in the cap, do it. If not, don't!

[Tweel]

I know, but I mean that the original safety pens of a century ago didn't need silicone grease (which of course didn't exist) or other (literal) stopgaps. The hard rubber was so precisely machined that the pen sealed itself, hence the term "safety pen": you didn't have to worry about it leaking. I think Nathan Tardif is having trouble getting his manufacturer up to the accuracy and repeatability standards of early twentieth century manufacturers! Slow production and lots of rejects might be why the pens are coming in small batches.

Edited February 17, 2018 by Tweel

[KKay]

The pen costs 55 dollars. To get one precision machined it would cost a whole lot more. This pen is incredible for 55 dollars. If you don't like it, don't buy one. This is made of ebonite. I am sure other people would LOVE to have it. I know I LOVE my pen!!!!

 

Oh, and the older pens have cork seals. That costs a fortune to have one redone by a pen guy, and is a lot of trouble. Also Nathan's pen uses O RINGS which to me makes this a far superior pen. Price the older pens, and compare to the price of Nathan's pen. There will be a huge difference in price. To top it off a friend of mine just got me a Waterman #2 flex nib for my pen. I am in heaven, and use this pen everyday!

Edited February 17, 2018 by KKay

[Honeybadgers]

Has anyone tried to remove or change the metal rod inside the lid? I tried to pull it but it is hard.

 

 

don't remove it. It's not threaded in, at BEST it's a friction fit and you may damage it.

[Tweel]

The pen costs 55 dollars. To get one precision machined it would cost a whole lot more. This pen is incredible for 55 dollars. If you don't like it, don't buy one. This is made of ebonite. I am sure other people would LOVE to have it. I know I LOVE my pen!!!!

 

Oh, and the older pens have cork seals. That costs a fortune to have one redone by a pen guy, and is a lot of trouble. Also Nathan's pen uses O RINGS which to me makes this a far superior pen. Price the older pens, and compare to the price of Nathan's pen. There will be a huge difference in price. To top it off a friend of mine just got me a Waterman #2 flex nib for my pen. I am in heaven, and use this pen everyday!

 

Engineering is a trade-off, you're right. And the o-rings are a good and practical idea. On the other hand, I'll bet Tardif is trying to get them to do better.

 

I may get one of the pens. In fact, if I get one, I'll probably get two, because I like to use complementary colors. I'm just watching the early reports and thinking about what I read. (I don't think anyone would want FPN members to self-censor just to aid promotion.)