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2 For 2 - Scratchy Out Of The Box


MG66

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Hello All,

 

I just received my Lamy Al-Star Graphite today with medium nib. I like the look, feel, weight, etc... but the nib is quite scratchy when writing. I also have a Safari which was also scratchy "out of the box." I tried the Safari again today after using the Al-Star and it definitely wasn't as scratchy as the new pen.

 

I only have about a half dozen pens, but none have been scratchy except the Lamys. Is this a "trait" of the pen? Does it get better over time, and that's why my slightly older Safari is less noticeably scratchy than my brand new Al-Star?

 

Thanks!

 

edit: the scratchiness is on the upstroke and the right to left stroke

Edited by MG66

Oh, I know this of myself

I assume as much for other people

We’ve listened more to life’s end gong

Than the sound of life’s sweet bells

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Hi MG66,

 

By any chance, do you have a '66 MG?

 

 

Unfortunately, it does seem like QC @ Lamy has been slipping a bit lately... as I too have experienced more scratchy nibs lately. :(

 

At any rate, it sounds like the tines are out of alignment. You can fix this yourself if you have a loupe and are not arthritic.

 

Here are a couple of videos on how to fix the problem, (the first one being the simplest, but not always effective method). The third video shows you the proper way to use a loupe. Depending on your budget, you can opt for the Goulet loupe and probably be okay, or get a top grade one from Belarus, (I'll check the brand name later and get back to you - I'm typing this in bed). :)

 

Stick with a 10-15x power loupe; less will not be strong enough; more than that will be too distorted.

 

 

http://youtu.be/8cuKrDmvrHQ

 

 

http://youtu.be/1YRnN99412o

 

 

 

Or, go with option B and send them back for an exchange/refund.

 

Btw, :W2FPN:

 

Be well and enjoy life. :)

 

 

- Anthony

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If I might add in, I have a BelOMO loupe from Belarus (probably the same company as mentioned by ParkerDuofold)- a phenomenal little thing, very useful and well worth the investment.

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If I might add in, I have a BelOMO loupe from Belarus (probably the same company as mentioned by ParkerDuofold)- a phenomenal little thing, very useful and well worth the investment.

That's the one! Thanks.

 

- A.C. (P.D.)

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Hi MG66,

 

By any chance, do you have a '66 MG?

 

 

Unfortunately, it does seem like QC @ Lamy has been slipping a bit lately... as I too have experienced more scratchy nibs lately. :(

 

At any rate, it sounds like the tines are out of alignment. You can fix this yourself if you have a loupe and are not arthritic.

 

Here are a couple of videos on how to fix the problem, (the first one being the simplest, but not always effective method). The third video shows you the proper way to use a loupe. Depending on your budget, you can opt for the Goulet loupe and probably be okay, or get a top grade one from Belarus, (I'll check the brand name later and get back to you - I'm typing this in bed). :)

 

Stick with a 10-15x power loupe; less will not be strong enough; more than that will be too distorted.

 

 

http://youtu.be/8cuKrDmvrHQ

 

 

http://youtu.be/1YRnN99412o

 

 

 

Or, go with option B and send them back for an exchange/refund.

 

Btw, :W2FPN:

 

Be well and enjoy life. :)

 

 

- Anthony

 

Thank you, Anthony! This helped a lot. I performed the technique in the first video and saw (felt) a definite improvement.

 

No, I don't own an MG. In the very early days of the World Wide Web, I wrote a column on cigars for a gourmet cooking website. For reasons I'm completely unconscious of, I choose a penname whose initials are "MG". And '66 is the year of my birth. :)

 

Thanks again!

Edited by MG66

Oh, I know this of myself

I assume as much for other people

We’ve listened more to life’s end gong

Than the sound of life’s sweet bells

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Thank you, Anthony! This helped a lot. I performed the technique in the first video and saw (felt) a definite improvement.

 

Thats great news, MG; I'm glad it worked for you. :thumbup: Sometimes it does; sometimes you have to resort to Video #2... it all depends on how severe the misalignment is.

 

 

 

No, I don't own an MG. In the very early days of the World Wide Web, I wrote a column on cigars for a gourmet cooking website. For reasons I'm completely unconscious of, I choose a penname whose initials are "MG". And '66 is the year of my birth. :)

 

Ah, that sounds cool. I don't smoke anymore... but I used to enjoy the occasional good cigar.

 

Don't sweat it... I've made some of my best decisions for reasons I was completely oblivious to. ;) :D

 

 

Thanks again!

 

You bet. I'm just glad I was able to help. :)

 

 

- Anthony

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Don't sweat it... I've made some of my best decisions for reasons I was completely oblivious to. ;) :D

 

 

 

Really? I've made some of my worst in that state! :rolleyes:

Oh, I know this of myself

I assume as much for other people

We’ve listened more to life’s end gong

Than the sound of life’s sweet bells

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Really? I've made some of my worst in that state! :rolleyes:

:lol:

 

Well,... it usually goes one way or the other. :D

 

 

- A.C.

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