Pelikan M&k 120

[ceebert]

Ive got a Pelikan 120 OM. Dried ink everywhere, so I soaked and worked the piston. Working the nib collar, I pulled the nib and feed. I could flush out the ink that way, so I re-seated the collar - I had only gotten a healthy quarter turn anyway - and replaced the nib and feed. In some placements, the nib swims out of alignment, but now it is in a somewhat stable spot.

- I believe that this is an ebonite feed. Will setting the nib with heat steady it?

- Do I want to free the nib collar, and clean everything before I proceed, or leave it alone? I would hate to grind the feed up trying to work the collar against whatever is dried up in there.

- Is there a better way to unthread the collar?

 

Thank you

[OCArt]

The nib collar is likely cracked. If you have a 120 made by Pelikan, as opposed to Mertz & Krell, it is possible to find replacement collars. I remember buying some from a shop in the UK but don't remember their name.

[ceebert]

No, this is an M&K: flat bevel cap band, smooth body-to-filling knob transition, straight taper section.

 

I have found that Uber Pens has Type 2 collars and feeds ( and barrels and pistons):

https://www.myuberpens.com/vintage-original-1970-s-pelikan-120-series-type-2-merz-krell-ebonite-feed-ring-unit-part-spare-repair.html

 

Thanks, I shall order one.

[OCArt]

Oh good find!! I do believe this will fix it!

No, this is an M&K: flat bevel cap band, smooth body-to-filling knob transition, straight taper section.

I have found that Uber Pens has Type 2 collars and feeds ( and barrels and pistons):
https://www.myuberpens.com/vintage-original-1970-s-pelikan-120-series-type-2-merz-krell-ebonite-feed-ring-unit-part-spare-repair.html

Thanks, I shall order one.

[Honeybadgers]

I lucked out, mine's collar is seized solid in there, but the nib and feed still fit in there tightly.

 

Let us know if it works. the M&K's are weird little buggers (but man they write nice)

[ceebert]

Yay! It works!

I got a new collar and a feed while I was at it, for $7 a piece, from the extra-helpful Uber Pens (myuberpens.com). They carry Merz and Krell 120 pistons and barrels, plus M/MK and Pelikano parts, too.

 

In for a penny, I went ahead and soaked the section in Rapid-O-Eze. I had used Speedball before, and with the heavier-duty cleaner I got an extra half-turn in from the extra schmutz in the threads - worth it! An old small triangular file fit the collar nicely, and backed it out with little bother. Yep, cracked it was, in a nice straight-ish line all the way through. Scrubbing wasn't necessary, just an easy brushing cleaned the threads (Rapid-O-Great!) and the new collar threaded in easily. The nib and new ebonite feed seated MUCH deeper than before, and now my nib doesn't wiggle or start hard, which isn't as dirty as it sounds.

 

I really like the M&K 120s. You're right, they really are dreamy writers. This one is an oblique medium, and even smoother than the fine nib 120 that I've been using for a long time. I've got an IBIS, and a couple of Type 1s, even the recent blue reissue, but there's something about the Type 2 that pulls me back. I'm so happy to have this one settled.

 

Thanks everybody. Fountain Pens Win Again!