Dropped Pen

[csaywhat]

Hi,

 

I'm new, and have been browsing this forum for a while. I have a couple pens (Lamy Safari and Joy), and I'm having some problems with the Safari. I haven't used it in about a week, and when I refilled the ink (using Noodler's Bulletproof Black) and tried it out again, it was really scratchy and kept skipping. Granted I did drop the pen uncapped on the tiled floor, but I don't think it fell straight on the nib, and, as far as my naked eye can tell, the nib looks like it's in decent shape. I washed the pen out thoroughly, soaked it overnight, and flushed it out again, but the problem is still there. My question is this: is the problem here likely due to the nib or the feed? My guess is that the nib is slightly misaligned, but it looks straight to me. What is the chance that the problem is really in the feed and not the nib?

 

 

Thanks!

[kkshadow]

Hi, and welcome to being more than an observer on FPN.

 

The symptoms you describe point to the nib and not the feed. And a fall to a tile floor does explain the issues. Scratchy is usually caused by the two tines of the nib not being aligned and skipping could be because the nib is not making correct contact with the paper.

 

You will need a 10x magnifier to really see the nib alignment and searching this forum will give you a wealth of information on how to do some amount of adjustment.

 

I will also put out there that one of the great things about the Safari is that the nibs are easily replaceable, inexpensive and readily available. I see your California flag. If you're near San Francisco, Flax on Market St sells them for $11.

Edited November 30, 2011 by kkshadow

[PAKMAN]

Welcome to active posting! I agree the nib tine alignment is probably the problem. I need at least a 10x magnifier to see and adjust them.

[csaywhat]

thanks! since that's the case, do you think it's worth it to try and fix the nib or should I just buy a new one?

[WendyNC]

If you'll be staying with FPs, you'll be needing that loupe along the way.

 

As for the nib question, you may want to do both--buy a new nib and see what you can do with the old one. A Safari nib is a good one for beginning practice as the loss is comparatively small if you really mess it up.

[watch_art]

fix it fix it!

[OcalaFlGuy]

Put a couple pieces of good paper towel in your pocket. Also bring a pocket folio or paper to write on.

 

Go to a nearby jewelry store or pawnshop with your pen and ask them to borrow (at their counter) one of their loupes. Use your fingernail to align the tine that is out. Yes, I have done that and they'll be glad to let you use one. They may even be interested in what you are doing. Use your paper towels to wipe your fingers and test write/realign if it's not smooth. Then come home and order yourself a good loupe. Even doing it your first time should take you less than 5 minutes in and out.

 

Do a search in Writing Instruments on "align" and you'll see a recent post with a link to a page showing a nibmeister aligning a tine. As you'll see on a search, there's LOTS of info posted here on aligning tines.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl