Parker 51 Aerometric (gold B nib) + R&K Salix

[rsilvapt]

Hi all,

 

Hoping someone here has run this combination and can help me figure out what's going on.

 

I have a Parker 51 Aerometric with a gold B nib, which I use regularly and enjoy a lot. I've been filling it with Rohrer & Klingner Salix, an iron-gall ink I really like and that works perfectly in every other pen I've tried it in. They have immediate start, consistent line, no issues.

 

In the 51, though, it's a different story. The pen seems to dry out quickly. When I pick it up again I get false starts (the nib touches the paper but lays little or no ink) and fairly often it just stops writing altogether. If I leave it and come back a few hours later, or the next day, it does start writing again, but with difficulty and with the same pattern.

 

However, when it does write, though, it writes beautifully; a very smooth, pleasant line during several minutes of continuous writing.

 

For what it's worth, the pen itself works perfectly with Quink, so I don't think it's a pen issue.

 

I've also read in a few places that Salix is generally considered safe in Parker 51s, so I'm wondering whether the issue might have more to do with the B nib specifically.

 

I'd love to hear from people with more experience:

 

Has anyone here used Salix (or another iron-gall) in a Parker 51 with a gold B nib over time? Did it work, and if so, how did you set it up?

 

Any thoughts very welcome.

 

Thanks!