Scratchy Pen: Rough Nib Or Too Much Pressure?

[NewPenMan]

I often write with the top of the nib on my Ahab, and it often feels scratchy. ..

 

Thoughts on the cause?

[ac12]

When you say "the top of the nib," I am presuming that you are holding the pen upside down.

 

Do you have a 10x loupe?

You need to look at the tip to determine possible problem.

It may be out of alignment or need to be deburred or ...

[jar]

Yup, using the pen upside down is likely the cause.

[NewPenMan]

oh, I thought it was OK to write on the back side of the nib. the scratchy feeling seems to vary with angle and pressure.....

 

I don't have a loupe, I don't believe, but will try with the highest mag I can find...

[lynxcat]

it SHOULD be alright to write with the nib upside down, but Ahabs are teach-you-pen-tinkering pen kits. if it ISN'T alright to write with it upside down, then the pen is offering you a practical course in nib manipulation 203: getting the upside-down bit good to write with. and, a loupe isn't usually needed for a fountain pen owner --- strongly recommended, but not really needed --- however, you've got an Ahab. i recommend a 20x or stronger.

Edited February 2, 2015 by lynxcat

[watch_art]

It is okay - but the top/back of the nib isn't usually tuned for smooth writing.

[NewPenMan]

it SHOULD be alright to write with the nib upside down, but Ahabs are teach-you-pen-tinkering pen kits. if it ISN'T alright to write with it upside down, then the pen is offering you a practical course in nib manipulation 203: getting the upside-down bit good to write with. and, a loupe isn't usually needed for a fountain pen owner --- strongly recommended, but not really needed --- however, you've got an Ahab. i recommend a 20x or stronger.

so, what do I need? some super-fine abrasive paper, or will time and use wear down whatever's the problem?

 

Thank you!

Edited February 2, 2015 by NewPenMan

[lynxcat]

depending on just how scratchy it is, either micromesh or mylar paper. i got both from gouletpens, but both items are commodities available from plenty of outlets. regular use will not do it in any reasonable time, however.

[jar]

The first thing you will need is knowledge.

 

Get a loupe.

 

If you are going to try to use both sides of a nib then the first step is to make sure the two tines are the same thickness and aligned perfectly top and bottom.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Are you holding the pen like a fountain pen, behind the big index knuckle at 45 degrees just after the knuckle, 40 degrees at the start of the web of the thumb, or at 35 degrees in the pit of the web of your thumb? Let the pen's weight decide where it rests.

A fountain pen floats on a small puddle of ink. Holding the pen too 'high' prevents the small puddle from being large enough to float a nib.

 

Or are you holding it still like a ball point, before your index finger's big knuckle?

Makes a world of difference with scratchy.

 

Holding it like a ball point requires too much pressure...so the nib is dragged or pushed instead of floating.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Bo Bo Olson

[Wolverine1]

What you need is to meet with someone who is experienced. He could show you how to smooth your nibs.YouTube videos are sort of all right, but nothing beats meeting an experienced friend showing you how to smoothen you nibs

[NewPenMan]

Are you holding the pen like a fountain pen, behind the big index knuckle at 45 degrees just after the knuckle, 40 degrees at the start of the web of the thumb, or at 35 degrees in the pit of the web of your thumb? Let the pen's weight decide where it rests.

A fountain pen floats on a small puddle of ink. Holding the pen too 'high' prevents the small puddle from being large enough to float a nib.

 

Or are you holding it still like a ball point, before your index finger's big knuckle?

Makes a world of difference with scratchy.

 

Holding it like a ball point requires too much pressure...so the nib is dragged or pushed instead of floating.

I think I hold the FP same as I hold any type of pen, but I do get what you mean by, and have felt, the effect of the nib floating on its ink as it (hopefully) glides over the sheet.

 

Is that floating on ink feeling something one should cultivate at all times while writing with a fountain pen?

 

as we watch movies, I'll do some hatching trying to improve accuracy/consistency and vary and learn about the feel of the pen with various pressures and angles...

[Bo Bo Olson]

""""

I think I hold the FP same as I hold any type of pen,

 

You are holding it like a ball point, not a fountain pen.

 

 

but I do get what you mean by, and have felt, the effect of the nib floating on its ink as it (hopefully) glides over the sheet.

 

Is that floating on ink feeling something one should cultivate at all times while writing with a fountain pen?

 

Yes....the weight of the pen alone is enough to float the nib in the small puddle of ink.

Hold the pen lightly, as if you were holding a baby featherless bird.

 

Do not make baby bird paste.

 

Many to most of us, came to fountain pens ...ham fisted, and must learn to hold the pen lightly. Those who never tried a fountain pen, of course hold it wrong.....holding it like a ball point; what most know....

 

Well, I'd used a fountain pen as a youth.....but had 'death grip' (for 50 years).....that = more pressure than needed. Many of us start out ham fisted....pressing much too hard. Eventually most of us learn to hold a fountain pen lightly, or much lighter than we started.

So don't worry as a 'noobie' you have things to learn....I didn't know I held my fountain pen in a 'death grip', until the folks here told me more about it.

That's why I'm against making baby bird paste.

 

You can look up 'death grip' in the advanced search.

 

All of us want you to enjoy fountain pens, and have the same fun we all have.

Edited February 3, 2015 by Bo Bo Olson

[NewPenMan]

are there photos showing the correct way to hold the pen?

 

angry bird paste is a visual I will remember...wow...

 

[lynxcat]

there are several, and no one, "correct" ways to hold a pen. if your way works for you, great, that's all that matters. however, as a general rule, pens should be held as lightly as possible to prevent cramping and tiredness; balancing the pen on your hand so as to get the right angle of nib to paper is a bit more important with FP's than ballpoints, too.

 

as for examples, you can google for "pen hold" images... but i like to use M.C. Escher's famous lithograph "Drawing Hands" as a reference. the topmost hand, where you can see the most details of how it holds its pen? that's pretty close to ideal, i think. and the bottom hand, which covers its pen so you can't really see what the hold is except that it's clearly a different one? that's not the ideal hold, but whatever works.

[Sasha Royale]

You can rub the pads of your fingers on a surface and enjoy the smooth glide of

your soft hands. It is also acceptable to use your fingernail instead of the finger

pads, but the finger nails are sharper and will scratch. Such is it also with your pen.

[NinthSphere]

Do not make baby bird paste

.

 

You know, every time I see you say this, it just makes me hungry for eggs.

 

 

 

ham fisted

 

That's what I'm talking about. Ham & eggs.

Edited February 4, 2015 by NinthSphere

[Bo Bo Olson]

You should go into search and look for 'classic tripod'. I no longer use that, but use 'forefinger up', method of grasping a fountain pen. Classic tripod has thumb, forefinger and middle finger all scrunched up on the section in a tripod.

 

Forefinger up.

Similar to that "hand drawing" but a tad flatter.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm300/BoBoOlson/SAM_0418.jpg

 

The thumb could be a tad flatter. The thumb is a dam which the pen rests. There is no pressure needed. It is at @ 09-9:30 on the barrel. I find holding it higher...ie like the classic tripod's 10-10:30 puts pressure on the pen.

 

This posted medium-long Geha 725 a '60s-72 pen likes to be held at 40 degrees, at the start of the web of the thumb. Depending if you post or not, let the pen find it's own angle. Don't force it. This pen would sit at 45 degrees not posted. A heavier pen can rest in the pit of the thumb.

 

 

The forefinger rests at 12-12:30 or even 13:00 on the section.....I think 12:30 is a good place to rest the finger. All you need in pressure is enough to keep the pen from doing somersaults in your hand.

 

This picture is closer to that 'hand' drawing. Some day perhaps I'll redo this picture in I find the bend of the forefinger a bit high....but that's me. This one I'm holding at 12:00.

This standard sized pen sits in the pit of the thumb, because it has brass piston fittings so is a bit more tail heavy. It is a '52-54 MB 234 1/2 Deluxe.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm300/BoBoOlson/SAM_0419.jpg

[NewPenMan]

THese both look pretty much like my Pen grip.(edit) except that I often hold a FP much closer to perpendicular than down in either of your photos.

 

Also, I'm a leftie; I assume that matters. .

 

FYI, switched from Ahab to jinhao 159; the latter is a much smoother writer, on *either* side of its nib.

Edited February 4, 2015 by NewPenMan

[Bo Bo Olson]

Ah, lefty.....well I'll have to let the left handers help you then.

There are more ways to write left handed than right handed.