Suddenly Misbehaving Jowo Ef

October 30, 2019

I bought a Moonman C1 but found their nib too broad, so I swapped it for a Jowo #6 steel EF, which I got from FP Nibs, and had them add Rhodium plating because I wanted that really white metal look for this minimalist pen. I think I did a good job swapping it using the original Moonman feed.

At first I was delighted. The pen is absolutely comfortable in my hand. The nib was smooth with just a hint of feedback, and with a somewhat wet ink--Monteverde Purple Reign--sloshing around inside it was a joy to look at and write with for long writing sessions.

Then one day it changed personality. Left alone (and capped) for more than a minute, it hard starts. After writing three or four lines, it skips on the upstroke when writing lower case a or o, then gradually, gradually, it dries up while I'm writing and stops as though something is throttling it. But worst of all, now on the upstrokes it feels like I'm pushing an old crowquill nib in the wrong direction, actually scraping the paper, whether on smooth Rhodia, Muji notebooks (my favorite), or cheap printer paper.

I never applied any particular pressure to the nib, never dropped it. I tried other inks--DeAtrementis Document Purple and Noodler's Burgundy, flushing very well between ink changes--but the problem was similar (worse skipping with the dry-ish Document ink, but that's no surprise). Looking through a magnifier I don't see any obvious issues. I've thoroughly flushed it with Goulet pen cleaner, flossed it a couple times. It behaves again for awhile afterward, then the problem returns.

Could some of the Rhodium plating have chipped off, turning the tip abrasive? I just can't tell. I don't blame FP Nibs: it worked beautifully when it first arrived. I don't want to have to order a replacement nib if I don't have to. But I'm new at this, it's my first Jowo nib and the first I've ever swapped in a pen, so I'm asking the collective minds here what I should be looking for. Any advice?

I took the best photos I could manage. The dark line near the underside of the tip is just ink.

Edited October 30, 2019 by Billingsgate

October 31, 2019

Chipped tipping would be very visible from that pic (I've had it happen once to a platinum UEF but it only happens on REALLY sharp nibs that catch the paper REALLY badly, or are just inherently weak vintage tipping) so not that.

I don't see any obvious misalignment or baby's bottom, though the pictures aren't perfect for that diagnosis, but if it wrote well before, unless you did something dumb with it, it wouldn't happen again.

I do find my purple inks to be quite prone to hard starting in general. Judging by the amount of dried ink around the feed and nib, maybe the pen just needs a fresh fill, a clean, or a different ink. For reference, even my pilot cusotm 91 will hard start occasionally with cross violet or mont blanc lavender purple. I think purple inks are just one of the harder kinds to get perfect.

Try cleaning it (just rinse with lukewarm water) and a new, more normal ink. All the inks you tried are boutique and could very well all not play nice with a nib that isn't extremely wet. It's likely there was no mechanical damage. Rhodia wouldn't suddenly ruin it. No paper would, short of writing on 120 grit sandpaper.

If you have something simpler like pelikan 4001, waterman blue, pilot blue/black/BB, lamy, quink, try those and report back.

Also, it just occurred to me that the document ink could have clogged the feed a smidge. De atrementis document ink is pigmented, so pull the feed and scrub the slit with a toothbrush too, or run a shim down the length of the feed slit.

My C1 has literally been inked as an eyedropper nonstop since June with Hero brown with its original fill, and hasn't shown a hint of dryout and writes every single time nib touches paper, even when left for weeks at a time, so the cap seal is unlikely a problem.

Edited October 31, 2019 by Honeybadgers

November 4, 2019

@Honeybadgers: Much appreciated! I think you may be on to something about the document ink. It actually coated the inside of the transparent barrel like a layer of purple-colored motor oil, never actually settling. That worried me enough to drain it and clean it 24 hours later. It took a 24-hour soaking and extensive scrubbing with Goulet Pen Flush and at least 30 cotton swabs to completely restore the barrel to full colorless transparency. Though I flushed the nib/feed/section (without disassembly) probably 100 times with a squeeze bulb, and went through a quarter of my Goulet Pen Flush in the process, you're probably right that there may still be residue in there. I will take it apart.

I have some Pelikan 4001 turquoise which I will try next, following your advice. Thanks again.

November 4, 2019

I concur with Honeybadgers, to me it looks like most likely a dried ink issue. Reds are very prone to stain, after some time, the stains may grow to difficult flow. A good flush with water should enhance its flow. If that is not enough, a flush with water and 10% ammonia (supermarket "grade", without detergent) may be enough.

After that, if these attempts fail, you may consider other options. I assume you haven't modified or touched the pen (as in removing the feed and nib). The next step to try might be, as Honeybadgers suggests, to remove the nib and feed and try to clean them, by soaking in water or water+ammonia, and brushing gently with a soft cloth or a toothbrush. The main issue here is to ensure you put them back correctly (not too far in or out) because that may also result in ink flow problems. Taking a picture before removing them may be helpful as a guide later.

That should most likely solve your issues.

Edited November 4, 2019 by txomsy