Removing Lamy Safari Nib with the Cap?

[AceNinja]

The most common way of removing a Safari's nib, I believe it's the tape method.  Take a piece of cellophane tape, paste it on the nib as a larger grip area for one to pull, pull the nib off.

I understand there's another method which involve using the safari's cap, somehow press it on the nib somewhere, and push it off?  I've only manage to read a few text description, but always can't imagine how is it done actually.  Press it on which part of the nib?  which part of the cap? what's the orientation?

 

Would appreciate if someone can show me some pictures for definitive answer.  It has been bugging me for a while.

[jchch1950]

I don't know the cap system to remove a Safari nib, but the tape way is simple and without any risks to do damage to the cap or nib

[Mercian]

I have used a Safari’s cap to remove the nib.

 

Caveat lector:

If the nib is ‘stuck’ to the pen’s feed by old ink, there is a risk that using this method could damage the tipping of the pen’s nib - or even completely remove it!

Anyone who decides to try the following method does so at their own risk!

 

Method:

1- clean out the pen, making sure to remove all old ink from the nib and feed - soak the nib and feed if necessary;

 

2- uncap the pen;

 

3- place the pen on the edge of a table or kitchen counter-top. The goal is to create a greater friction-force between nib-&-table than between nib-&-feed, so wooden surfaces are far better for this task than are extremely-smooth surfaces such as formica or granite.
The pen should be held so that its barrel is pointing out from the edge of the table into free space, its nib is pointing in towards the table, and the flat top-side of the nib is lying flat against the table, with the underside of the feed facing upwards;

 

4- press the cap on to the underside of the nib, so the rim of the cap is next to (but not resting on) the tipping of the nib;

 

5- pull the pen away from the edge of the table. I urge that one uses a slow, firm ‘pulling’ action when performing this step, and I definitely warn against a swift ‘jerk’ of the pen away from the table.

A slow ‘pull’ is likely to ensure that, when one pulls the pen away from the table, its nib is held in place on the table by friction, and so the nib gets ‘removed’ as the pen’s feed pulls out of the nib.

 

A swift ‘jerk’ is likely to make the nib move relative to the table, and then the nib’s tipping to move rapidly relative to the cap, making that tipping impact against the cap’s rim with no little force.
That motion is equivalent to rapidly scraping the cap’s rim along the nib so that it hits the tipping; an action that might damage the tipping, or even knock it off the end of the nib.

 

I urge anyone who wishes to attempt this method to make sure to perform step 1 of the process; and re-iterate that they need to exercise great care to perform step 5 slowly!

 

And I remind anyone who wishes to attempt this method that they do so at their own risk.

 

Slàinte,

M.

Edited March 3, 2023 by Mercian
Edited to disambiguate instructions.

[Mercian]

7 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

...the tape way is simple and without any risks to do damage to the cap or nib

This is very important!
 

It must inform one’s decision of whether or not one feels that attempting the method of removing the pen’s nib with its cap is a risk that is ‘worth taking’!

[Karmachanic]

Been a while since I had a Safari.  When I did I used the cap on the tipping method without fear, or deleterious effect.  In those days the pen cost around £14 and the nib £6.  Now we're up to £20 and $8.  In my view one would have to be a ham-fisted barbarian to inflict damage to either the pen or the cap.

 

On the other hand I would definitely not use this method with a £4000 1936 MB 139.

[Ron Z]

A piece of tape on the top of the nib will pull it off.  It's  ridiculously simple.   Stick the tape on, pull on tape.  It's safe, it's effective. 

 

Pushing the nib off with the cap, not so much.  Not on my radar as an option.

[Karmachanic]

2 hours ago, Ron Z said:

Pushing the nib off with the cap,

 

My technique was stationary nib and pull the pen.  Keep both horizontal and no worries.  But yes, the official tape method, is, I'm sure, the preferred method.

[Mercian]

3 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

In my view one would have to be a ham-fisted barbarian to inflict damage to either the pen or the cap.

Hello there 🙋‍♂️

 

(Full disclosure: I have not actually managed to damage a nib or cap while doing this yet…
 

…but I certainly fit the criteria that you mention )

[Astronymus]

Rubber gloves or rubber tips (?) also help.

[Ron Z]

16 hours ago, Mercian said:

In my view one would have to be a ham-fisted barbarian to inflict damage to either the pen or the cap.

 

Believe me, there are a lot of them out there.... a lot of them.

[Black Spot]

I just pull with my fingers, If the nib is inky I might use a old rag over the nib. Pliers also work if you are careful I always use a rag with the pliers. 

[Mercian]

36 minutes ago, Black Spot said:

Pliers also work

Pliers? 😮

 

Asking me to handle a pen with pliers would, without question, result in a deformed-beyond-repair nib.
One that is also irretrievably crushed in to the snapped-off front end of the feed 😔

[Karmachanic]

25 minutes ago, Mercian said:

Pliers?

 

S'pose you don't use a ball-pein hammer either?

[Mercian]

4 minutes ago, Karmachanic said:

 

S'pose you don't use a ball-pein hammer either?

Only when preparing my socks for their annual trip in the washing machine 😉

[Black Spot]

51 minutes ago, Mercian said:

Pliers? 😮

 

Asking me to handle a pen with pliers would, without question, result in a deformed-beyond-repair nib.
One that is also irretrievably crushed in to the snapped-off front end of the feed 😔

 

I am not using a pipe wrench or any thing like that. just a pair of line man plyers or a pair of gold smithing pliers with some cloth to prevent scratches. carefully pull do not bare down and don't twist. 

[Mercian]

Just now, Black Spot said:

 

I am not using a pipe wrench or any thing like that. just a pair of line man plyers or a pair of gold smithing pliers with some cloth to prevent scratches. carefully pull do not bare don and don't twist. 

I was more bemoaning my own cack-handed ineptitude than I was trying to put anyone off from your method.

I’m sure it is perfectly safe if one takes care while doing it.

[Black Spot]

4 minutes ago, Mercian said:

I was more bemoaning my own cack-handed ineptitude than I was trying to put anyone off from your method.

I’m sure it is perfectly safe if one takes care while doing it.

 

It's just practice, But I do work with tools so that might help. 

[AceNinja]

On 3/4/2023 at 1:16 AM, Mercian said:

3- place the pen on the edge of a table or kitchen counter-top. The goal is to create a greater friction-force between nib-&-table than between nib-&-feed, so wooden surfaces are far better for this task than are extremely-smooth surfaces such as formica or granite.
The pen should be held so that its barrel is pointing out from the edge of the table into free space, its nib is pointing in towards the table, and the flat top-side of the nib is lying flat against the table, with the underside of the feed facing upwards;

 

4- press the cap on to the underside of the nib, so the rim of the cap is next to (but not resting on) the tipping of the nib;

Wait I'm lost at Step 3 and Step 4, can't quite picture what you mean.

 

On 3/4/2023 at 3:28 AM, Ron Z said:

A piece of tape on the top of the nib will pull it off.  It's  ridiculously simple.   Stick the tape on, pull on tape.  It's safe, it's effective. 

 

Pushing the nib off with the cap, not so much.  Not on my radar as an option.

Yeah tape method is simple.  but it sometimes leave sticky residue on the nib which is quite difficult to clean off with just water.  Its not a complaint, just that, when I heard of another method to remove the nib without tape, which is rarely talked about (maybe for good reason?) I'm just curious and want to know more.

[Estycollector]

I used surgical gloves because I had some at the time.  What I remember was that it was and easy nib exchange. 

[ErrantSmudge]

Here's a video showing the cap method.