Inconsistent Ink Flow?

[jjaberg]

Help! Got a problem with inconsistent ink flow. This has happened with two different pens that I acquired new. Both pens are fitted with converters and when I fill them they start out writing perfectly - but after a certain amount of writing they begin to gradually write dryer and dryer and intermittantly skip. Eventually they may stop writing completely. I have tried repeated flushing, an overnight amonia soak, and using an ink that is supposed to be wetter. The only thing that reliably helps is, when the ink flow stops, to twist the converter plunger down enough to force a drop of ink out of the nib/collector. Then they resume writing perfectly again - for a while. Could it be a coincidence that the same thing happens with two new different brand pens? I wonder if its something I'm doing. Does this happen with converters somehow - and is there something I can do, or should not do, when I fill the converter? Neither of these pens are expensive (maybe that's the problem?) so I'm not sure I want to send them off to be repaired. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

JKJ

[WendyNC]

jjaberg, I've had that issue with just about every twist converter I've ever used. It has to do with how much the ink clings to the sides of the converter and, I'm convinced, is affected by shifts in barometric pressure. My few c/c pens drove me nuts in spring when our pressure was shifting up and down five points in a 6-8 hour period (and sometimes less).

 

I've gotten fairly good at "priming" the nib holding the pen upright and usually find myself doing it at 1/3 and 2/3 intervals.

[jjaberg]

jjaberg, I've had that issue with just about every twist converter I've ever used. It has to do with how much the ink clings to the sides of the converter and, I'm convinced, is affected by shifts in barometric pressure. My few c/c pens drove me nuts in spring when our pressure was shifting up and down five points in a 6-8 hour period (and sometimes less).

 

I've gotten fairly good at "priming" the nib holding the pen upright and usually find myself doing it at 1/3 and 2/3 intervals.

Very interesting. Hearing that you've noticed a similar pheonomenon is most helpful. I live in Florida and changes in barometric pressure are certainly a daily fact of life here.

 

Is the "priming" you mention similar to the process I described (twisting the plunger down until a drop of ink is expelled) or is it something different?

 

I do have one pen (an inexpensive Pelikan) in which I use a converter and I have not had a similar problem. I'm wondering if all twist converters are created equal or if some are just made better than others - or if there are some pens in which they are more functional?

 

JKJ

[stevlight]

I have had this problem with ALL of my C/C pens --I only have a few now and hardly ever use them--got rid of most. It is a shame --I do not buy ANY C/C pens now because of this--helps my pen budget though.

[jjaberg]

I have had this problem with ALL of my C/C pens --I only have a few now and hardly ever use them--got rid of most. It is a shame --I do not buy ANY C/C pens now because of this--helps my pen budget though.

Wow! This is significant information. As a novice to fountain pen use and collecting I have developed a distinct preference for filling a pen from an ink bottle - but I have also been under the (apparently erroneous)understanding that when I bought a c/c pen and added the converter it was essentially equivalent to having a piston filler pen. This changes the diretions I had been considering in terms of adding to what will always be a modest collection and I am going to need to totally rethink my strategy. Thanks for sharing your experience with me.

[WendyNC]

Is the "priming" you mention similar to the process I described (twisting the plunger down until a drop of ink is expelled) or is it something different?

 

Yes, it's quite similar, the only difference being that no ink leaves the pen. There's nothing magic about doing it my way (and if too much ink is pushed, it's quite messy) but it does save wasting that drop once you get the hang of it.

[teej47]

I have had this problem with ALL of my C/C pens --I only have a few now and hardly ever use them--got rid of most. It is a shame --I do not buy ANY C/C pens now because of this--helps my pen budget though.

 

Same here. I think it's such a shame that the pen manufacturing world worked so hard to put the humble rubber pen sac behind them. Nothing else works quite so well... and so cheaply. I only have two C/C pens, and they were both gifts. Of course, being modern pens the nibs are boring as can be anyway, so the irritating behavior of the converters ensures that they see no use. Give me a lever filler any day, thank you.

 

Tim

(carrying a Tip Dip today... okay, so it's not a lever filler, but it does have a sac in it...)