Co-worker uses my FP (Falcon) . . .

[Centurion]

We were in a rush and I had a co-worker sit at my desk to look something up on the computer. She probably didn't want to go into my draw to get a pen so she used my FP, a Namiki Falcon. When I walked in I could see she was heavy handed, later she used it upside down (feed sunnyside up) which caused ink to splander out a bit. I was a bit shocked to say anything, also didn't want to cause social tension. She's in her early 20s, and not an artist so probably her first time seeing a FP. Any damage do you think? How can I tell?

 

The good thing is that it's not my best FP, nice and enjoyable, but not my most precious. I also reconciled myself that something like this would happen. Another co-worker asked me what if it got stolen? Well, I rather have it stolen than damaged. If stolen, I hope the person is using it and enjoying it. Not the way I would want to get someone into FPs (by stealing mine), but I'll accept it. :-)

[wimg]

Hi centurion,

 

If it still writes ok, the nib isn't bent or anything, or scratchy, it should be fine.

 

Maybe it is time to do a show-and-tell at work. It might help, a little...

 

Warm regards, Wim

[Roger]

I understand that the Namiki Falcon has a pretty flexible nib. If so, it would seem as though it would withstand "heavyhanded" use better than a stiffer nib.

 

Put on your diplomat hat and demeanor and show her how to hold it and use it. Proper approach shouldn't cause too much loss of self esteem; something that many 20 somethings have too much of to begin with. They don't get told many things that they should be told, thus don't know and worse, don't know that they don't know.

 

Bottom line...if it doesn't have obvious distortion of the tines and appears to write as well as it did before, you're golden.

[Leslie J.]

I think you should make it a habit to always have a couple of Bics handy on top of your desk.

[KCat]

I understand that the Namiki Falcon has a pretty flexible nib. If so, it would seem as though it would withstand "heavyhanded" use better than a stiffer nib.

in general I think the opposite is true. The design and material of flexible nibs makes them prone to being "sprung" when pushed too hard. A sprung nib is a pretty frightening sight. The Falcon probably wouldn't be damaged as readily as a "true" flex nib however. It's a pretty sturdy nib.

 

A good nail - such as a rOtring or similarly stiff nib can take quite a bit of abuse without tine misalignment or getting sprung.

 

Something like a Pelikan might be at greater risk since they are usually fairly soft nibs.

 

as you said - the write is how you know if it's been damaged in a subtle way.

 

If not Bics - then perhaps a couple of other cheap FPs so that people get a chance to get the FP experience but don't run the risk of damaging something expensive. Plus, a good nail-nib will be pretty safe in the worst hands (short of dropping it or using it as a dart.)

[Centurion]

If the tines are misaligned, can I just bend it back. Or doesn't need the help of a specialist? The pen is that expensive relatively speaking so I don't want to spend $50 to fix it. Anyway, I guess I will know on Monday.

[Roger]

l stand corrected. If flex nibs do tend to take a 'set' quicker than the nails out there, that's it.

 

Just applying everyday physics to the situation, it seemed to me that flexible metals would spring back over a greater applied force scenario than more rigid metals. Also understand that there must be zillions of variables in play and maybe the particular springy metals used in nibs do take a 'set' earlier than the nails. You know, this stuff can get pretty complex. :bonk:

[Sidney]

I hope your Falcon is alright.

 

Explaining to your co-worker the proper way to use a fountain pen is a good chance to introduce them to the joy of fountain pen use. If you go that route then I would also recommend a gift pen. Usual disclaimer about no affiliation. I just bought two of them to introduce my kids to fountain pens. Cheapest good quality pens that I could find.

[KCat]

l stand corrected. If flex nibs do tend to take a 'set' quicker than the nails out there, that's it.

 

Just applying everyday physics to the situation, it seemed to me that flexible metals would spring back over a greater applied force scenario than more rigid metals. Also understand that there must be zillions of variables in play and maybe the particular springy metals used in nibs do take a 'set' earlier than the nails. You know, this stuff can get pretty complex. :bonk:

I think I understand what you're saying. That if you push a flex nibs tines - let's say 1/16"* apart, it will spring back. But push a nail's tines that far apart and it won't stand the strain. However, the force required to push a flex nibs tines that far is quite small compared to that required to push the nail's tines that far. Many folks use their nail nibs to write through multiple copies and such. Something you wouldn't want to try with a truly flexible nib.

 

We have some folks here who have done deeper studies into this that will hopefully clarify the physics. somewhere on the forum is a rather in-depth study of the stresses on a flexible nib.

 

re: alignment. Yes, you can usually, carefully realign tines fairly easily. I'll look through previous posts and see if I can find a good description as I seem to be having trouble making sense tonight. it isn't difficult but is best done with magnification to make sure you can see the actual alignment of the tines. I seriously doubt your pen took a hit though, C. The falcon tines are pretty forgiving. I think Roger and I are kinda having an apples-to-oranges discussion because we're talking about tine misalignment due to too much pressure vs. a sprung nib. Two somewhat different scenarios. Your co-worker would have had to apply a lot of pressure to spring a Falcon, IMO. And it would probably have been very noticeable - as in tines bending in opposite directions.

 

*arbitrary distance for the sake of discussion.

 

the following may be helpful. they aren't the article I was hoping to find where stress forces on a nib were detailed. Maybe I'm imagining it existed. But these might give some more flex insight.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...opic=1761

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...owtopic=660&hl=

 

a PT article

http://www.pentrace.com/article013101051.html

Edited June 5, 2005 by KCat

[Leslie J.]

KCat, I see the post by Antonios under "Parameterizing Flex Nibs", the one with the diagrams. However, (cough, hack), I don't know how to link it back here. I need a primer on that.

 

Edit: Nevermind. I guess it's not the one you were thinking about. The diagram is within the first link you noted.

Edited June 5, 2005 by Leslie J.

[KCat]

KCat, I see the post by Antonios under "Parameterizing Flex Nibs", the one with the diagrams. However, (cough, hack), I don't know how to link it back here. I need a primer on that.

i got it.

 

I haven't found an easy way, yet, Leslie. I usually go grab the URL and past it into Notepad or something if I plan on doing several searches for several URLs. That's what I did tonight. I'd be delighted if someone knew an easier way.

[Gerry]

For some reason, an almost identical question arose in another thread. I would think my answer there is relevant to this thread... [although others may not agree 100% with my answer...]

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...indpost&p=24150

 

Gerry

[KCat]

For some reason, an almost identical question arose in another thread. I would think my answer there is relevant to this thread... [although others may not agree 100% with my answer...]

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...indpost&p=24150

 

Gerry

it was interesting to go back and read that (and would be good for new folks to do so if they haven't already.)

 

I think it's a common theme and one we can quickly become animated about because we've all had experiences with someone appropriating our pens and damaging or nearly damaging them and we've all wanted to grow new FP addicts at the same time. I've never had a pen badly damaged, just had to realign tines on a vector about 25 years ago after telling a classmate (Senior in HS) "you don't have to press hard" and seconds later, she pressed hard.

 

some of it is about the inability for people to respect others' property and requests and that seems to be more and more of a problem these days.

[Stylo]

It almost happened to me today. But I know better. I quickly handed over a ball point

[Guest Denis Richard]

I had a similar incident two weeks ago. I was in a meeting wrapping up a proposal with two colleagues, and we reached the signature stage... The colleague whose office we were in had only pencils or red BPs... and I was the only one with a pen in my pocket of course... my Sérénité. Next thing I heard was "Denis, do you have a pen..." :blink:

 

Hard to say "no" when everyone's eyes are on the Samurai sword in your hand :bonk:

 

I safely uncap it before handing it to the now mortal enemy in front of me, who left me the only choices of abandoning my baby in his suspected unfit hands or look like a complete jerk if I refuse to let him use it.

 

He takes it and say... drum roll... "Oh... I don't know if I'll know how to use that..." <insert heavy internal weeping here, socially camouflaged under a stoic face>

 

Turned out he used it as if he used FPs all his life...

Edited June 6, 2005 by Denis Richard

[Stylo]

He takes it and say... drum roll... "Oh... I don't know if I'll know how to use that..."

 

Turned out he used it as if he used FPs all his life...

Maybe he just took you for a ride