Scratchy

[jor412]

The pen: a new Pilot 78G w/ a double broad nib with Parker Quink Permanent Blue. It's scratchy and hard to write with using my usual manner of writing. I flushed it with water and let it dry. It still lays a light colored line and it still doesn't glide. I'm wondering about this because I also just got a used Sheaffer No Nonsense with an italic medium nib. I stuck a Waterman green cartridge in it and it wrote smoothly w/ no effort to change my writing.

 

What should I do w/ or to the Pilot to make it write better? Given the way it feels right now, the pen doesn't seem like something I'd like to use on a regular basis.

[jbb]

Make sure the nibs aren't slightly out of alignment by looking at them with some magnification that can cause scratchiness.

[Robert Alan]

The pen: a new Pilot 78G w/ a double broad nib with Parker Quink Permanent Blue. It's scratchy and hard to write with using my usual manner of writing. I flushed it with water and let it dry. It still lays a light colored line and it still doesn't glide. I'm wondering about this because I also just got a used Sheaffer No Nonsense with an italic medium nib. I stuck a Waterman green cartridge in it and it wrote smoothly w/ no effort to change my writing.

 

What should I do w/ or to the Pilot to make it write better? Given the way it feels right now, the pen doesn't seem like something I'd like to use on a regular basis.

 

Hello! I own two Pilot 78G fountain pens. Both have fine nibs and they are smooth-writing pens. In my opinion, the 78G is the best under $20 fountain pen on the market. One, that is now filled with Noodler's black, smoothly lays down a very dark line. It is odd that a double broad nib is scratchy unless it's being held at an angle. As another member suggests, the tines may be out of alignment. Could you be pressing down much when you write? My 78G nib glides across the page with very little effort--the way a fountain pen should write.

 

For me, Aurora blue ink (a nice, deep blue) is the standard for a smooth flowing blue ink, and it can be used to check nib and feed performance. If the pen continues to lay down a pale-toned line, something may be wrong with the nib and feed. By the way, the nib and feed on the 78G are very similar to what is on the Pilot Prera, Pilot Penmanship, and Pilot Plumix fountain pens. I think the nibs, although plain, unplated steel on the other pens, can be compared with the performance of the nib and feed on the 78G.

 

Good luck!

/Robert

[jor412]

Hi. I bought the 78G because of the positive reviews it has received here and elsewhere so I was surprised when I dip-tested it and it felt scratchy compared to the Sheaffer--actually, compared to my entire tiny (less than 10) collection. I thought that it might do better with ink in the converter so I filled it up. Still, the same thing.

 

This morning, I checked using a jeweler's loupe under sunlight so I could see better. The tines look fine. I tested the pen again. The ink flow is somewhat better so the scratchiness has lessened. I'll keep using it for the next couple of days and see if things get better. Maybe it needs breaking in?

 

I don't think I have access to Aurora ink in my vicinity. But if I get a chance to order a bottle, I'll try it.

[JefferyS]

Hi. I bought the 78G because of the positive reviews it has received here and elsewhere so I was surprised when I dip-tested it and it felt scratchy compared to the Sheaffer--actually, compared to my entire tiny (less than 10) collection. I thought that it might do better with ink in the converter so I filled it up. Still, the same thing.

 

This morning, I checked using a jeweler's loupe under sunlight so I could see better. The tines look fine. I tested the pen again. The ink flow is somewhat better so the scratchiness has lessened. I'll keep using it for the next couple of days and see if things get better. Maybe it needs breaking in?

 

I don't think I have access to Aurora ink in my vicinity. But if I get a chance to order a bottle, I'll try it.

What paper are you using, and what is the nib size? Broad nibs can drag a bit more.

[jor412]

I'm using a local paper that works well w/ my wet Waterman Laureat medium firm but not so well w/ the Sheaffer italic medium. I didn't know broad nibs drag more and the Pilot 78G is a double broad!

[FlyFast]

I got a dud 78g once too. After inspecting the nib, changing the ink several times, and cleaning it repeatedly, it finally became the only fountain pen I ever pitched in the trash.

[Nonsensical]

My Pilot 78G F...was very dry, and very scratchy when I first got it. I put it through a cleaning regime, pulled the whole thing apart, flossed the tines, made sure the feed channel was deep enough, pulled the tines slightly apart, and filled it up with Noodler's HoD.

 

Not sure which of the above, or if it was the combination that fixed it, but it's VERY smooth now. Love it!

[jor412]

I got a dud 78g once too. After inspecting the nib, changing the ink several times, and cleaning it repeatedly, it finally became the only fountain pen I ever pitched in the trash.

 

Since my collection is rather small, if nothing I attempt works, I'll probably keep it to experiment with.

 

My Pilot 78G F...was very dry, and very scratchy when I first got it. I put it through a cleaning regime, pulled the whole thing apart, flossed the tines, made sure the feed channel was deep enough, pulled the tines slightly apart, and filled it up with Noodler's HoD.Not sure which of the above, or if it was the combination that fixed it, but it's VERY smooth now. Love it!

 

Apart from using Noodler's, I think I can manage to do these things. Thanks!

[vanessayumi]

I got a dud 78g once too. After inspecting the nib, changing the ink several times, and cleaning it repeatedly, it finally became the only fountain pen I ever pitched in the trash.

 

Since my collection is rather small, if nothing I attempt works, I'll probably keep it to experiment with.

 

My Pilot 78G F...was very dry, and very scratchy when I first got it. I put it through a cleaning regime, pulled the whole thing apart, flossed the tines, made sure the feed channel was deep enough, pulled the tines slightly apart, and filled it up with Noodler's HoD.Not sure which of the above, or if it was the combination that fixed it, but it's VERY smooth now. Love it!

 

Apart from using Noodler's, I think I can manage to do these things. Thanks!

 

Yeah, I'm having same problem here with a Medium nib. I'll give everything a shot! (why not? )

Thanks for the advice, I was desperate !!

Almost throwing it away.....

Edited May 31, 2011 by vanessayumi

[Bo Bo Olson]

Usual manor of writing.

 

Could be you are still holding a fountain pen like you are plowing the south 40 with your ball point plow.

 

You need to learn to hold a fountain pen like a fountain pen so it flows on the little puddle of ink.

Edited May 31, 2011 by Bo Bo Olson

[vanessayumi]

Usual manor of writing.

 

Could be you are still holding a fountain pen like you are plowing the south 40 with your ball point plow.

 

You need to learn to hold a fountain pen like a fountain pen so it flows on the little puddle of ink.

 

I'm pretty sure it's the pen, I have no problems writing with my Lamy Al-Star, and I definitely do not put any pressure on it. The pen simply doesn't "work".

[Nonsensical]

It is probably the pen...I haven't even had issues with the really cheap chinese fountain pens that I bought...No problems with my Lamy Vista either. Still not sure what "fixed" my Pilot 78G, and hesitant to buy another one, and have to go through all of the above...again.

 

To give you an idea...here are before and after scans:

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/1263/pa1.png

Written using Parker Black Quink ink, beforehand. The weird lines are where I became frustrated with the poor ink flow, and tried to press down harder on the nib...I was VERY frustrated, needless to say.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7888/poak.png

Noodler's Black, afterwards.

Edited May 31, 2011 by Nonsensical

[vanessayumi]

I was just trying to smooth this pen, and as I kept doing "eight" movements, it really got smoother. Now that it's smoother, I can see the problem is my ink flow. Sometimes the pen writes a word smoothly with great ink flow, and then it skips. And it needs GREAT pressing down to the ink flow again. Much more pressure than I would do using a cheap rollerball. It's critical :blink: . Does this pen has a breather tube to take off?!?! :hmm1:

 

As for your picture, with the weird lines, I can see the poor ink flow. But mine is worse, I'll post pictures later. I'm really worried my pen can't be fixed

Edited May 31, 2011 by vanessayumi

[Nonsensical]

Well...at the risk of being screamed at, since I should be studying for upcoming exams , I'm going to go and take apart my Pilot 78G, then take photos. Should give a fairly good idea of what you can do to it. With that in mind, BRB.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, had to use my mobile phone camera.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3142/67589615.th.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7828/79169565.th.jpg

I usually place my thumb on top of the flat part of the feed.

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6031/46875618.th.jpg

I use a rubber glove, or something that helps me get a grip on the feed, then pull the nib and feed out, together.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3131/72401061.th.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/1179/59113034.th.jpg

The arrow points to the feed channel, which you can either deepen, or just run a some thin blade along, to make sure nothing is stuck in it. Try to stop just before the feed channel reaches the end.

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/7820/19469314.th.jpg

The arrows point to where you can pull in order to increase ink flow.

Edited May 31, 2011 by Nonsensical

[Bo Bo Olson]

It's where the pen sits in your hand, before the first knuckle like a ball point, behind the big knuckle or in the web of your thumb, gives you a different angle of where the nib rests...how much a puddle of ink you get.

 

Learning how to grasp a fountain pen properly makes using one a joy.

Big difference between the Death Pinch and grasping a fountain pen, properly, which will automatically give you a lighter hand.

 

See my signature.

[Nonsensical]

It's where the pen sits in your hand, before the first knuckle like a ball point, behind the big knuckle or in the web of your thumb, gives you a different angle of where the nib rests...how much a puddle of ink you get.

 

Learning how to grasp a fountain pen properly makes using one a joy.

Big difference between the Death Pinch and grasping a fountain pen, properly, which will automatically give you a lighter hand.

 

See my signature.

Although that could be the problem, I have had the same issue with the same pen...and I hold my pen at a 45 degree angle, with a conventional tripod grip. Never had a problem with any other pens, apart from ones I found slightly dry, and adjusted accordingly (only 1 other sailor pen).

[Bo Bo Olson]

Give it a try in the depth of the web of your thumb...perhaps the angle of the grind will be on then.

 

It should be able to be behind the knuckle to the depth of the web usable.

 

Some though some say they have a problem with a nib at one or either of those angles.

I'm lucky and have not had any problems, but have mostly 'vintage' pens, that are more made to be held behind the knuckle and 'lower'.

Edited May 31, 2011 by Bo Bo Olson

[jor412]

I've cleaned the pen thoroughly and switched to Waterman ink. And someone smoothed out the nib for me. I still had problems w/ flow and had to run a blade through the feed as demonstrated in this video.

The pen still isn't as smooth as others, but at least it's a bit better now. I think I have to do some more of the brown paper bag to get it to write more comfortably.

[vanessayumi]

Well...at the risk of being screamed at, since I should be studying for upcoming exams , I'm going to go and take apart my Pilot 78G, then take photos. Should give a fairly good idea of what you can do to it. With that in mind, BRB.

Sorry for the poor picture quality, had to use my mobile phone camera.

 

Thanks very much for doing this tutorial, even though you have no time !

 

It's much clearer for me now.

 

As for my pictures, there they are:

 

http://www.vanessayumi.com/site/FPN/pilot78g-vanessayumi(1).jpg

http://www.vanessayumi.com/site/FPN/pilot78g-vanessayumi(2).jpg

http://www.vanessayumi.com/site/FPN/pilot78g-vanessayumi(3).jpg

http://www.vanessayumi.com/site/FPN/pilot78g-vanessayumi(4).jpg