580 with EF nib on Oxford Optik paper

[Roebuck]

Hello everyone. I've just joined in order to pose a question to all the wise folk here.

 

I have the 580ALR with an EF nib. I went for EF because I write small, and also have a Waterman Hemisphere in EF.

 

My favourite paper is Oxford Optik, which is available in many formats including the Oxford Campus refill pads and the Black n Red notebooks.

 

The Hemisphere writes very well on this paper, but the 580 really isn't happy. It hard starts a lot, and gets dry very quickly. If I push the piston down it improves for a few lines and then the same again. Quite frustrating.

 

My standard test is the back of a fairly stiff white envelope, and it is perfect when I try this, no problems at all, no skips or hard starts, good line of ink, so I have concluded that it must be a combination of the 580 EF nib and the OO paper, which is really very smooth. I have read a few times where it has been compared to Clairefontaine Triomphe in this regard.

 

I really do love the OO paper, and I was wondering if the solution might be to try a Fine or Medium nib in place of the EF, in order to get the pen and paper to play nicely. I don't see there being any other options really. The 580 is a lovely pen, and I'd like it to be my everyday writer.

 

On all papers the TWSBI EF is quite a bit finer than the Waterman EF, which seems odd, as they are both 0.3mm in EF I believe.

 

The Hemisphere has Waterman Mysterious blue ink, and the 580 has Waterman Serenity blue. The latter really is a lovely colour.

 

Any thoughts on the F or M nib idea would be appreciated from anyone who has experienced similar.

 

Thanks,

 

Richie

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Roebuck

[Jamerelbe]

Before going out and buying another nib, it might be worth trying another ink - Waterman Serenity Blue *should* work fine on just about any paper, but sometimes pens can be a bit finicky (especially when new).  You *might* want to also try a bit of judicious 'tweaking' of the nib, to open up the channel between the tines a little - but that can go horribly wrong if you don't know what you're doing, so I wouldn't advise it as a first plan of action!

 

TWSBI pens are great, I've got a few, and the EF nibs are pretty good too (I have 3 of them) - but they're quite find and *can* tend to write a bit dry at first.  Wish you all the best with getting this sorted out!