Skipping When Starting To Write.

[DRWWE]

When I write with my Pelikan 800, medium nib, I usually have difficulty when I begin the first letter of a sentence (it skips) but after that the pen writes smoothly. Very frustrating if I just pick up a pen for a signature and the first half of the first letter skips. In the photo below, #1 is the problem--the beginning of the "W" is incomplete but the next letter works smoothly. This is not consistent among other pens, just the Pelikan (#2 is a Delta Fusion, #3 Namiki Bamboo, #4 Lamy Persona and these all write smoothly from the start). Am I doing something wrong here, is the nib just dry, not writing with enough pressure, or should it be adjusted and if so how? The problem also returns if I stop writing for several seconds. Thanks in advance.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w161/drwwe/82F3D0D5-4DD3-4C96-BB4F-59A4A1CFDF91-3481-0000125DEA3DA597.jpg

[rwilsonedn]

There could be any of several problems. You might take a look at the pinned thread Five Bad Things That Happen to New Pens for some ideas.

ron

[FoszFay]

Hi,

 

I also own a Pelikan M800 with a medium nib.

 

It also had the same problem. I'm pretty sure it is because Pelikan smoothen their nibs soooooo close to becoming a 'baby bottom', for optimal writing experience, that this is the outcome.

 

A very smooth pen, but a bit of skippng. What paper are you writing on?

 

Also, as I said mine also HAD the same problem. but after little use, about 1 month on and off, it is very rare that it does this anymore, unless I write on shiny paper, which make it feel live I am writing on water. I guess it kind of roughed up the nib abit and it has better contact now.

 

If you absolutely can't wait and want to try and do a DIY, you can write on some roughish, cardoardish paper(bags) and this should solve the problem.

 

One thing with picking it up for quick notes, just push a little harder, not much, and it should start the capillary action and should be right.

 

Regards,

Tom.

[DRWWE]

Thanks. I will try what you suggested. The paper in the photo is from Levenger.

[FoszFay]

I also forgot to mention the obvious, but just play around with how you are holding the nib to the paper. Twisting it in relation the the paper will also affect the writing and flow.

 

Levenger is not the smoothest, but nor roughest either. Does this happen less on cheaper copy paper?

 

Tom.

[DRWWE]

Levenger is not the smoothest, but nor roughest either. Does this happen less on cheaper copy paper?

 

Tom.

Not sure but I'll try it. I don't use my FPs on cheaper paper but it can't hurt to try.

[mrcharlie]

I have had a number of pens that randomly skip on the upstroke, but only one with the same problem you describe: skips when you start writing but then once it starts flowing will be reliable until you stop writing for some significant period of time (somewhere in the 20 seconds to a minute time frame; less than that it would keep writing).

 

IMHO, a "baby bottom" is not super likely on a brand new nib, and also will give random skipping more so than just at the beginning of a writing session.

 

I "fixed" my pen that had this problem by sending it to a pro and paying about $20 plus a few dollars shipping each way. The problem my pen had is that the nib tines were pinched tightly together; it was an F nib that skipped like you described, and when it wrote it was more like an XF line and very dry. If you un-ink your pen and hold it up to a light, and can see no light between the tines at the tipping, then I think this is the most likely problem.

 

Now, adjusted to the proper gap, it is my favorite pen with good flow and the right line quality. The pro I sent it to no longer does this type of work, but there are others out there. There are also guides to properly setting the gap on your own in these forums, if you are more adventurous than I was a year ago.

Edited April 18, 2013 by mrcharlie

[Stompie]

Skipping when starting to write - :roflmho: and I thought I was strange because I sometimes just smile when I start to write, but hey, if you want to skip for joy, why not! :ltcapd:

[Bo Bo Olson]

Do you hold the pen high before the first knuckle of your index finger like a ball point or behind like a fountain pen?

 

That can cause skipping too.

Sounds like baby bottom, which can come from a new nib...

[DRWWE]

Well the problem seems to be solved. So far. I started off by giving the pen a good cleaning. I flushed it with water until it ran clear. Then I rubbed the nib gently several times over a piece of cardboard (the stuff on the back of my paper pad). I filled it with new ink and there has been no skipping at all. It writes as smoothly as I would expect from such a nice pen.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am obviously new to this forum and I am really enjoying it here.