OMAS clip replace or repair?

[markh]

I have an OMAS Arlecchino with a clip that has disintegrated from corrosion. Pen body is just fine.

I understand this is a common problem with celluloid pens, particularly OMAS.

Any suggestion for repair or replace??

 

Probably very hard to find the exact match, but any reasonable OMAS clip would at least allow the pen to be used.

 

thx for help.

 

 

[FarmBoy]

Mark

 

I’m gonna need a picture to know what to look for. 
 

 

[Ron Z]

I understand this is a common problem with celluloid pens, particularly OMAS.

 

Many modern Italian celluloid seems to be vulnerable.  Vintage, not so  much.  There are lots of vintage celluloid pens that are just fine, with a few known colors that are vulnerable.

[Seney724]

16 hours ago, markh said:

I have an OMAS Arlecchino with a clip that has disintegrated from corrosion. Pen body is just fine.

I understand this is a common problem with celluloid pens, particularly OMAS.

Any suggestion for repair or replace??

 

Probably very hard to find the exact match, but any reasonable OMAS clip would at least allow the pen to be used.

 

thx for help.

 

 

The Omas 75th Anniversary (round) Arlecchino is infamous for the near 100% development of crystallization due to the excessive off-gassing of the improperly cured celluloid.

A quick search here will provide lots of documentation and photos.

 

The body of your pen may look fine but the chances are overwhelming that the cause of your problem is this awful process........ and it is not going to stop until it totally consumes your pen.

The replacement you propose is going to cost you some money.  It may buy you a little more time with the pen but the ultimate outcome is inevitable.

 

Good luck and please keep us informed.

[markh]

I wonder if storage with a drying agent (silica gel) or baking powder would slow the process??

 

 

[Seney724]

11 minutes ago, markh said:

I wonder if storage with a drying agent (silica gel) or baking powder would slow the process??

 

 

In addition to the usual recommendations of keeping the pen(s) in a cool, dry, well ventilated well away from other celluloid pens, I have followed the recommendation of David Nishimura.  It can be found here:  

https://vintagepensblog.blogspot.com/2016/06/celluloid-storage-and-acid-absorption.html

Although it may slow the process, I believe the ultimate outcome is inevitable.

[markh]

20 minutes ago, Seney724 said:

Although it may slow the process, I believe the ultimate outcome is inevitable.

 

Thanks - I will order some.

 

Alas, the ultimate outcome is inevitable for all of us.......

 

 

 

[Seney724]

6 minutes ago, markh said:

 

Thanks - I will order some.

 

Alas, the ultimate outcome is inevitable for all of us.......

 

 

 

I have yet to see anyone, anywhere post any suggestions or guidance as to the use of the paper.  Especially with regard to how often it should be changed.  Please let us know if you learn anything more about it and, along the way, your experience with it.