Help Identifying Nib Size Of 146

[YonathanZ]

Hi,

 

I've recently picked up a used 146 with an 18K nib. I think it's either a Fine or an Extra Fine but would like to know for certain, if possible.

 

Thanks.

Edited September 12, 2019 by YonathanZ

[Michael R.]

fine, extra fine usually has "longer" tipping material.

 

Cheers and enjoy your pen

 

Michael

[YonathanZ]

Thank you. Is this nib size typically dry? I find it rather dry on Rhodia paper, even with wet inks from Diamine and J Herbin.

 

With Montblanc ink its almost unusable. I also get a bit of skipping in fast writing.

[CS388]

I concur with Michael R. Fine.

Looks nice.

 

Because the contact area of the nib is so small, F and EF nibs can seem scratchy and dry if the ink flow is not good.

Have you tried flushing it out, or an overnight soak (or two)?

Some of the feed channels are very fine and dried-up old ink can clog them.

 

Once it's all up and running, you should be able to use most inks in it.

I have a few fine nibs (MB and others) which write nice and wet.

 

Good luck

 

PS: Upload your pictures into your post,using the FPN upload. Then we don't have to go to other sites to see them.

[YonathanZ]

I did flush it with some water and a bit of dish soap when I got it.

[CS388]

Good start.

 

If it had been lying unused for a long period (sometimes years!) it may require many flushes to dislodge old ink from the finer feed channels.

You could also try an overnight soak - stand the pen in a glass of water ( the water only needs to cover the section) and leave it overnight. Longer, if you can. Sounds primitive, but it's very effective.

 

(This is all assuming that flow is the problem. If it's other nib issues - different strategy etc)

 

Some people swear by pen-flush solutions - and the last resort is to strip it down and clean it manually.

Hopefully, a few more flushes may do the trick!

 

Good luck.

[YonathanZ]

When soaking, should I use water only, or add some dish soap?

[CS388]

I use just water. Tap water.

[YonathanZ]

So I did that and it didn't help. Anything I can do other than have a professional take a look at it?

If I use a brass sheet to widen the nib and over-do it, can it be undone?

Edited September 16, 2019 by YonathanZ

[jslallar]

So I did that and it didn't help. Anything I can do other than have a professional take a look at it?

If I use a brass sheet to widen the nib and over-do it, can it be undone?

 

brass sheet would mean taking off some material and that cannot be undone

 

I would humbly suggest to widen the gap (slit) by firmly pressing down the nib tip on paper so that the tines separate by about a millimeter. and then let go, this should open the slit a little and increase the ink flow. plus even if you by mistake bend the nib too much it can easily be reset by the nib meister as no nib material has been lost by rubbing away.

 

if the pen has been unused for many years it may take more than an overnight soak to dissolve the hardened dried ink in the feed.

[sansenri]

although not everyone agrees on the method of widening the tines with a sheet of material in between them, in my experience it works on very dry nibs.

I don't use brass because I think it can be too hard on the nib, I use a piece of old photographic film, which is much milder on the tines, and carefully run it between the tines from the tip. I do this with the pen loaded with ink, and test the result, and repeat until I get better flow.

[YonathanZ]

An interesting development:

 

I did press on the nib many times to see what kind of line variation I can get from it (a lot). I didn't know this widens the gap permanently; guess I'll stop doing that.

 

In addition, I flushed it once again with water but this time actively helped it dry by placing it vertically, with the nib down, touching tissue paper. It worked well in pulling the water out. However, I then rubbed the nib with tissue paper and noticed a blue color - possibly the ink the pen was originally used with (indeed, it hasn't been used in years when I bought it). I noticed the ink comes from the collar of the nib so I held tissue paper to it for a few minutes until it was completely dry.

I then filled it with new ink - Diamine Monboddos Hat and now it writes noticeably wetter.

I have no experience with this ink in another pen so it could be 100% it.

I think I'd like it slightly wetter but am worried about losing the effect of shading.

[sansenri]

Sounds like the pen had dried ink in it.

if I were you I would insist in the cleaning by dipping the pen in clean water overnight.

Before doing so also fill it with water so the feed gets soaked also from inside.

If there is any dried up ink it will gradually dissolve and flow will improve even more.

No worries for the shading, the cleaner is the pen the more it will work as it supposed to, giving you the best performance.

[YonathanZ]

I already dipped it section-high in a glass of water a few days ago. I think its completely clean by now.

 

I have looked at it closely with a macro lens (sort of) and the times appear both slightly misaligned and tighter than the ones of my Pilot Custom 74 (which is plenty wet).

 

I might have a professional take a look at it soon.