Cleaning Pilot E95S

[DekeVader]

Hi all,

 

This weekend I'm looking at getting a new pen for my collection. (I'm new and on a budget somewhat) and I've been debating between the Pilot e95s (Elite 95) and the Platinum Balance. I'm leaning towards the e95s because of the good reviews I've seen and I really like the style of the pen. But my concern is that it will be harder to clean due to the non standard nib and design. I haven't been able to find anything on how to clean it and before I buy it I just wanted to know if there was an easy way to clean it since I have a habit of changing inks regularly.

 

Also if you have a suggestion for a pen with a gold nib in the 150 or lower range let me know! I lean towards smooth, soft fine nibs which allow me a little line variation but are still comfortable to write with.

 

Thanks all!

-D

[Sandy1]

 

Hi,

 

After the usual clean-up of soaking and flushing from the reservoir end of the section via the nipple, I slip a length of soft [surgical] tubing over the nib to form a gentle seal on the section, then run a slow flow siphon to back-flush the nib+feed assembly.

 

That technique has worked well with inlaid and inset nibs. (Sheaffer 330/444 & Targa, Waterman Carene, Parker 25 & 61, and similar. )

 

See also:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/218250-how-to-clean-a-clogged-inlaid-nib/?p=2304487 onward

Limit to Soaking? https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/229245-limit-to-soaking/?p=2453755

 

For soft narrow nibs, I adore the Pilot Custom 74 with a Soft Fine-Medium (SFM) nib. It appears in some of my Ink Reviews of Brown inks, so atrocious written samples may be seen. Due to the many choices of Vendor, I have no idea if that would limbo under the bar of your cost constraint.

 

No doubt that other Members will be along to make many more suggestions.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited November 7, 2016 by Sandy1

[TheRealMikeDr]

Hi all,

 

Also if you have a suggestion for a pen with a gold nib in the 150 or lower range let me know! I lean towards smooth, soft fine nibs which allow me a little line variation but are still comfortable to write with.

 

Thanks all!

-D

 

I've got a Pilot Custom 74 with a SFM gold nib that fits the bill. Smooth (for a FM nib) with a little spring to the nib. Classy understated looks if that's your thing.

 

Here's one for $79.99 plus shipping:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soft-Fine-Medium-nib-Pilot-NAMIKI-Custom-74-Fountain-Pen-Black-5-14K-SFM-/172372842371?hash=item282238d783:g:MNEAAOSwh2xX~oVG

Edited November 7, 2016 by TheRealMikeDr

[DekeVader]

Hi thanks for the warm welcome to the forums!

I also appreciate the links to cleaning the e95s! That will help alot. Given that my budget is around 150 I think I can get away with getting both the 395s AND the Custom 74 since both are around $80! I've been hoping to add to my collection and find another pen or two for daily writing. I've been using my Platinum Preppy as my daily writer and my Namiki Falcon as my journal writer. It'll be nice to have a rotation of daily writers and each with a different ink.

 

Thanks again! I'm also still open to other suggestions.

 

Also just curious, in your opinion what do you feel are the "must have" fountain pens for any collection? I've been making a list of pens I'd like to get and would love to see and compare what I have to what others have or suggest.

 

-D

[TheRealMikeDr]

Hi thanks for the warm welcome to the forums!

I also appreciate the links to cleaning the e95s! That will help alot. Given that my budget is around 150 I think I can get away with getting both the 395s AND the Custom 74 since both are around $80! I've been hoping to add to my collection and find another pen or two for daily writing. I've been using my Platinum Preppy as my daily writer and my Namiki Falcon as my journal writer. It'll be nice to have a rotation of daily writers and each with a different ink.

 

Thanks again! I'm also still open to other suggestions.

 

Also just curious, in your opinion what do you feel are the "must have" fountain pens for any collection? I've been making a list of pens I'd like to get and would love to see and compare what I have to what others have or suggest.

 

-D

 

"Must Haves" will differ based upon personal preferences - here's a list of my current 5 favourite pens which I would recommend (in no specific order)

 

1) Nakaya Portable Writer

2) Lamy 2000

3) Pelikan M800

4) Montblanc 146

5) Parker Duofold

[Mister5]

I used to have an e95s (I lost it) and I have a Balance.

 

You can get some but not a lot of line variation in an e95s; I think the line variation claims are a little overstated. It can be a little difficult to clean, but no more so than any other cartridge converter. Certainly easier to clean than an something like a Sheaffer Imperial with a Touchdown filler, which might come close to the same style. One odd thing was that usually on the day after I filled the pen, and removed the cap, some ink was covering the grip (section) part of the pen - needless to say that's a little annoying. I think a vacuum is created when the cap is put on and some ink might get sucked out when I pull it off.

 

In terms of how to clean it, I just filled a bulb syringe (like you'd use to clean boogers out of a baby's nose), fill it with cool water and plug it in the housing where you'd place the converter and squirt ink through until it runs clear. Also flush out the converter - if it has the Con-20 squeeze converter its difficult to see the ink but you might be able to fit a newer Con-40 in there which is a piston fill. You could also refill cartridges and get a lot more capacity.

 

For what its worth when I lost the e95s I did not feel the need to buy another - you might treat that as some kind of acid test. That's not to say if I found one at the right price I wouldn't jump on it. I definitely like the style.

 

The Balance I find is a solid dependable pen which has a piston-fill converter. It's on-par in terms of cleaning with any other piston filler. Its not as interesting in terms of style compared with the e95S. Again, I think the claims that you can get some line variation with the Balance are overstated. You'll get more variation with the e95s. The Balance is a good workhorse but if I lost it I wouldn't be too upset - and the price is right.

 

In terms of the actual writing experience though, I like the Balance Platinums better - the ink flow was more wet and consistent. I have a fine nib in my Balance. This might be a Pilot vs Platinum thing for me - I really like my Preppy, with the Extra Fine nib. I had some skipping in my e95s with a fine nib. Might have just been my nib. I've been veering away lately from Pilot and towards Platinum due to their nib consistency. I'm growing more and more OK with nails.

 

Although it's not a gold nib, I've found with a Pelikan M200 Fine I can get a little bit of line variation, and its a smooth and comfortable writer - I'd make the section just a touch longer. I like the M200 so much I have a M215 Extra Fine on the way!

Edited November 8, 2016 by Mister5

[DekeVader]

Thanks for all the helpful advice and suggestions!!

I've got a lot to think about on what pen or pens I should order on Friday. Since I'm only just starting my collection and I have a certain criteria I look for in a pen it is difficult to make a decision since I just want everything!

 

Once I decide I'll post back with what I got.

Please feel free to offer more suggestions! I'm always interested in new pens to add to my wishlist.

 

-D