[Lamy Safari] Un-Noticeable Line Variation After 4 Months Use.

[minddance]

If you want crisper horizontal strokes, use Marumann Paper. Or any paper that keeps a very tight line. Campus 836 with feedback could be considered too. From your photo, I see distinct line variation. And also probably consider dryer inks that stay close to your nib, though dry inks + Maruman Paper might be an overkill. Please consider Herbin Cafe des Iles, Pelikan 4001. They can quite clearly reveal the nib 'shape' or grind.

Edited December 1, 2017 by minddance

[Honeybadgers]

The nib hasn't worn down because of writing on paper (a hyper mild abrasive) after 4 months. Looks to me like it has simply opened up as you used it. even normal writing pressure will settle in a nib, which is what so many people attribute to the nib "breaking in to the user" which they consider related to wearing in the tipping, which just doesn't happen without years of regular use as an only pen. Even untipped steel will last at least a couple years before it starts to get a burr and require smoothing.

 

Generally with steel nibs, moreso than gold, the metal will bend ever so slightly under the constant writing stresses and find its natural orientation under your writing pressure (which is a nonzero number, everyone writes with a little pressure, particularly on downstrokes. Get yourself a super wet noodle or dip nib to find out just where your pressure spots are, for me it's straight downstrokes.) It's why giving your pen to a friend (who knows not to press down like a ballpoint) won't actually mess up anything.

 

Most nibs are relatively tight from the factory and will open up to a wetter flow as they're used and gentle, regular pressure is applied to them.

 

Pakman, he posted a thread earlier asking how long he could expect one of these nibs to last, so it's very reasonable to assume he gave himself a writing sample when he got it just to see.

Edited December 2, 2017 by Honeybadgers

[jmnav]

The nib hasn't worn down because of writing on paper (a hyper mild abrasive) after 4 months. Looks to me like it has simply opened up as you used it. even normal writing pressure will settle in a nib, which is what so many people attribute to the nib "breaking in to the user" which they consider related to wearing in the tipping, which just doesn't happen without years of regular use as an only pen. Even untipped steel will last at least a couple years before it starts to get a burr and require smoothing.

 

I'd say that, while your argument is basically correct, new nibs do suffer strong abrassion in the very first weeks/months: any imperfection suffers very strong pressure, so even against paper they fade away quickly. Once the nib is "stabilized" then, yes, it'll take years for any significant wearing. My dependable Pelikan 200, for instance, has "grown" a whole grade, from M to about B... but it has taken almost 20 years of daily use!

[ralfstc]

Props to Pakman! That was my question too; in order to write "previous line variation" you'd have to know that it was going to change . . .

 

As for the substantive issue I agree with everybody else, it's just wetter, for whatever reason.

 

Ralf

[Wolverine1]

Where are you at? Because, I would recommend that if you are near Lahore or Islamabad, getting with a very experienced person like Khan-Saab, whose username on FPN is "mitto", and discuss your options with him.