Conklin "fine" Nib: Usually Dry As A Bone, Or . . . ?

[markofp]

I bought a Conklin Sleeve-Filler from Massdrop and I SO want to love this pen, the weight, design and overall look are really nice, and I was hoping it would become a true every-day carry. But the fine point nib is just terrible, it is as dry as a bone and skips badly. So I bought a replacement nib from Anderson's and . . . the same thing.

 

So now my question, as this is my first Conklin, is there something about their fine point nibs in general? Would you describe them as out-of-the-box dry and skippy in general (the fine seems like it would be an almost XF if it wrote better, which also surprises me)? I have a notion to send this to a nib tuner, but I am not crazy about waiting 14 - 20 weeks to get it back.

 

Do you think that if I bought a medium nib it would write better? Would you describe Conklin nibs as being on the finer side of traditional nib sizes?

 

Thank you as always for your advice.

[Uncial]

I presume this is a modern Conklin? If so, it shouldn't be a dry writer. It may be a feed issue rather than a nib problem.

[akrohn2010]

I have a Conklin that is one of my favorite pens - Duragraph 1.1 stub. Have not had a single issue with it.

 

Have you visually inspected the feed and/or nib(s) for any problems? I'd also try a quick rinse with soap and water. If you already have, maybe a replacement nib that's not a Conklin? If yours has a #6 nib like the Duragraph you'll have plenty of options...

 

Edit: FWIW, I've read online* that Conklin nib quality control may be poor, and their fine nibs are in fact somewhat finer than you'd expect.

 

*Matt Armstrong at the Pen Habit, for example.

Edited September 21, 2017 by AK-47

[sidthecat]

That’s a pity. Some of my best writers are old Toledo Conklins. You have to kiss a lot of toads but a good one is worth seeking out.