Which is the better method for increasing flow?

[Bill_D]

I have seen people recommend two ways to increase the flow of a pen. One is to use a brass shim between the times and the other is to dip the nib and feed in boiling water for 15 seconds and then press the nib and feed together. These seem like two different fixes that will adjust the nib differently. Is one method better than the other, or does it depend on the particular nib you are trying to fix?

 

Thank you.

[Paul-in-SF]

Dipping the nib and feed in hot water only works with ebonite feeds, which hot water will soften and make, briefly, conformable. The process helps them to conform more closely to the shape of the nib, so that capillary action will work better to get ink through the feed to the tips of the nib. I think this is mostly for skips and uncertain flow, not necessarily for a dry pen with a steady flow.

 

Flossing the nib tines with a shim can increase flow, either by removing any gunk that might have been between the tines, and/or (more commonly) by widening the space between the tines slightly, allowing more ink to flow more quickly. You want to be quite cautious doing this, if you go too far it is difficult to reverse, and depending on the nib the tines may be too delicate for this approach. 

[A Smug Dill]

Heat (re)setting a feed to conform more closely to the geometry of the nib primarily (or only) applies to ebonite feeds.

[tartuffo]

I've not ever used either of the methods you mention but this one has worked for

me :

 

Increase the ink flow: Holding the pen on a large open desk with the nib pointed upright, and looking at the underside of the nib (the feed), catch each shoulder of the nib with your thumbnails. Pull gently apart while pressing down gently on the top of the nib. It is best to have light coming through from the back so that one can see the slit gap open. Proceed with caution, testing the pen after each effort. Because the nib will need to be tested after each try, you will want to have paper towels at the ready and not be headed for a dinner engagement, as you will most likely get ink on your fingers.

 

from: https://www.nibs.com/blog/nibster-writes/smoothing-scratchy-nibs

 

[OMASsimo]

So many reasons can cause poor ink flow and as many measures can fix it. You first have to analyse the reason before you decide what’s the right fix. There can’t be a general answer to your question.

[Karmachanic]

 

[FarmBoy]

Flossing a nib is like flossing your teeth.  You are trying to remove debris not create a spitting gap.

 

Use dry heat to set a hard rubber feed. Some people swear by using hot water on plastic feeds because they can char in a heat gun if you are not paying attention.

Try lifting the nib shoulders while pressing on the breather hole to open the slit a bit.

[Bill_D]

Thank you for all the replies. I have a Cross Beverly that locks up after a page or so so I tried the hot water method. It increased the flow, but it merely wrote a wetter line before locking up again. Oh well, I guess I will have to send it back to Cross.