So I too was inspired by the OP and rushed out to spend some disposable income trying these pens out. Though I could've amazon primed a 5 dollar pilot, I ended up settling on a 5 dollar Schaefer pen from a local hobby store and have found that it is nothing but trouble. Every time, literally every time I uncap it it takes forever to start. Often I have to manually place a drop to several drops of water on the nib to start the flow. The writing action is very uneven and words flow will often go in and out mid word. I always immediately cap the pen after use to ward against drying.
I'm obviously new to fountain pens and probably could use practice writing with it, but I'm convinced my experience isn't solely due to my newbishness. Would you guys suggest I clean the head of my pen perhaps? Also, I've read several basic introductions on how to write with a pen, but are there any good video demonstrations you all would suggest? And finally, is there any way to salvage the two cartridges of ink that came with the pen if I decide to get a Lamy safari?
I really do like the feel of the pen (when it works) and love the end product. It's definitely more rewarding when journaling and dungeon-mastering (sending a player a note from an NPC with elegant script is so much more effective), but this pen is making me tear my eyeballs out.
On May 08 2013 01:35 Kronen wrote: So I too was inspired by the OP and rushed out to spend some disposable income trying these pens out. Though I could've amazon primed a 5 dollar pilot, I ended up settling on a 5 dollar Schaefer pen from a local hobby store and have found that it is nothing but trouble. Every time, literally every time I uncap it it takes forever to start. Often I have to manually place a drop to several drops of water on the nib to start the flow. The writing action is very uneven and words flow will often go in and out mid word. I always immediately cap the pen after use to ward against drying.
I'm obviously new to fountain pens and probably could use practice writing with it, but I'm convinced my experience isn't solely due to my newbishness. Would you guys suggest I clean the head of my pen perhaps? Also, I've read several basic introductions on how to write with a pen, but are there any good video demonstrations you all would suggest? And finally, is there any way to salvage the two cartridges of ink that came with the pen if I decide to get a Lamy safari?
I really do like the feel of the pen (when it works) and love the end product. It's definitely more rewarding when journaling and dungeon-mastering (sending a player a note from an NPC with elegant script is so much more effective), but this pen is making me tear my eyeballs out.
What model is the pen? It sounds like something is wrong with the pen, which unfortunately can happen sometimes.
Some possible culprits: Tines are out of alignment/bent Channel too narrow on the feed The pen doesn't care for the ink you're using. (Though it sounds like you're using cartridges that came with the pen, so unlikely this) Residue left on the channel, etc from manufacturing
I would recommend first to thoroughly flush the pen with water. Hold it under a faucet, or let it soak. Some people like to use a bulb syringe to flush their pens as it takes less time. Make sure there is no ink left in the pen - water coming out of it should be totally clear/clean. Pop a cartridge back in and a) let it sit nib down for a few minutes so the feed gets saturated with ink, or b) very gently squeeze the cartridge until you see ink coming out of the feed (do not over do it, you can spray ink everywhere and break the cartridge if you are too forceful) and try writing.
Some videos
Startup issues
Extensive cleaning
If this doesn't yield any results, then you can look for some videos on adjusting the nib wetness, or perhaps try a different pen/ink. You can also return to the hobby store and let them know that something is up with the pen. They might give you a new one since it's cheaper, and while you are at the store ask if you can try writing with it to make sure everything's OK.
In one of my calligraphy books it said to place the nib in boiling water and then rub it clean due to some oils or whatnot that the manufacturers put on them. I've never done this though...... so can't vouch for how accurate it is.
The pen I purchased is the most basic entry level Schaeffer calligraphy pen.. I didn't realize that the calligraphy nib was the reason the down stroke and cross stroke look different. I actually very much enjoy this difference and the italic look it gives.
At any rate, I flushed the nib fully and reseated the cartridge/back section. Initially I noted no difference. Using the tips in the first video you linked (thank you!! ) to get the ink flowing and I can get the ink flowing but with the same instances of inconsistency. In a moment of clarity, I noted that the angle of the nib actually greatly affects the flow. The resources I used to judge how to write (1, 2) said to hold the pen at a near 45 deg angle. This pen writes much more consistently when I hold it near vertical to the paper beneath. Is this characteristic of calligraphy style pens?
EDIT: After playing with it for some more time, the flow is still inconsistent after extended periods of time, but still flows better at sharper angles (80-90deg). 45 degrees doesn't write well at all.
On May 08 2013 09:43 Kronen wrote: Thanks so much for the help guys!~
The pen I purchased is the most basic entry level Schaeffer calligraphy pen.. I didn't realize that the calligraphy nib was the reason the down stroke and cross stroke look different. I actually very much enjoy this difference and the italic look it gives.
At any rate, I flushed the nib fully and reseated the cartridge/back section. Initially I noted no difference. Using the tips in the first video you linked (thank you!! ) to get the ink flowing and I can get the ink flowing but with the same instances of inconsistency. In a moment of clarity, I noted that the angle of the nib actually greatly affects the flow. The resources I used to judge how to write (1, 2) said to hold the pen at a near 45 deg angle. This pen writes much more consistently when I hold it near vertical to the paper beneath. Is this characteristic of calligraphy style pens?
EDIT: After playing with it for some more time, the flow is still inconsistent after extended periods of time, but still flows better at sharper angles (80-90deg). 45 degrees doesn't write well at all.
The angle does not refer to the space between the paper and shaft of the pen. It's the angle of the pen to the paper from a top-down view. For an italic nib, you want the flat tip to meet the page at roughly a 45 degree angle. Hopefully my bad drawing will help illustrate this. This is what's meant by holding it at 45 degrees: + Show Spoiler +
Italic nibs (sometimes called calligraphy nibs) have a flat tip instead of a round one as I drew in the photo. This is what creates the line variation and gives wider down strokes. You need to make sure that the entire flat edge of the nib is touching the paper when you write. If you rotate the pen so that this is no longer the case, it will stop working.
This is what I meant by holding it vertical (though I usually have to hold it at least this high): + Show Spoiler +
The following angles (that I find more comfortable) lend themselves to limited or no flow at all. + Show Spoiler +
Sorry if I was unclear. Is this normal for all fountain pens?
EDIT: it's funny that my chinese wife detailed for my the style of chinese calligraphy that holds the pen vertical and it does write some more consistency though being incredibly inefficient.
On May 08 2013 11:07 Kronen wrote: This is what I meant by holding it vertical (though I usually have to hold it at least this high): + Show Spoiler +
The following angles (that I find more comfortable) lend themselves to limited or no flow at all. + Show Spoiler +
Sorry if I was unclear. Is this normal for all fountain pens?
in that type of angle mine is more shallow, about 20-30 degrees when I write with a calligraphic nib. With normal nibs you can write at any angle up to 90 degrees since the tip is completely rounded.
Do you have problems with ink flow only when you push or is it when you drag it too?
You should not have flow problems at the more comfortable angles for you. On my italic (Pilot Plumix) I get consistent flow from the most shallow angle possible, to past 90 degrees where I'm writing with the "wrong side" of the nib.
It sounds to me that 1, you aren't holding the flat edge of the nib flush to the paper, or 2, something is wrong with the pen.
On May 08 2013 11:11 salle wrote: in that type of angle mine is more shallow, about 20-30 degrees when I write with a calligraphic nib. With normal nibs you can write at any angle up to 90 degrees since the tip is completely rounded.
Do you have problems with ink flow only when you push or is it when you drag it too?
Honestly, the more I write on it and benchmark the problems, the more examples of inconsistency I experience. (Waiting to hear your response to my PM re: push and drag) I'm having flow issues sporadically at all angles. I'm thinking of doing the full cleaning detailed in the video before throwing in the towel. On the plus side, this extended experimentation/hemming and hawing has my wife ready to buy me a Safari.
On May 08 2013 11:20 Marimokkori wrote: It sounds to me that 1, you aren't holding the flat edge of the nib flush to the paper, or 2, something is wrong with the pen.
Yea, I'm thinking that something is just wrong. I attempted to gauge the consistency of the pen at the different angles and it's just inconsistent across the board. The flat edge is flush to the paper most definitely. I'll get back to you if anything changes after the full cleaning, but I don't anticipate a big change.
Well after reading this thread I was inspired to try a fountain pen so I ordered the Lamy Safari F. I had no clue about the width of the nib, but i read that F on the Lamy was fairly wide. I'll update with my noob opinion once it arrives!
Hey guys! Thanks for he help previously! After the cleaning the shitty sheaffer pen still had inconsistencies, but my Lamy vista arrived and writes like a charm. Very very happy with that purchase.
On May 08 2013 11:07 Kronen wrote: This is what I meant by holding it vertical (though I usually have to hold it at least this high): + Show Spoiler +
The following angles (that I find more comfortable) lend themselves to limited or no flow at all. + Show Spoiler +
Sorry if I was unclear. Is this normal for all fountain pens?
EDIT: it's funny that my chinese wife detailed for my the style of chinese calligraphy that holds the pen vertical and it does write some more consistency though being incredibly inefficient.
Isn't Chinese Calligraphy done using horsetail brushes?
On May 08 2013 09:43 Kronen wrote: Thanks so much for the help guys!~
The pen I purchased is the most basic entry level Schaeffer calligraphy pen.. I didn't realize that the calligraphy nib was the reason the down stroke and cross stroke look different. I actually very much enjoy this difference and the italic look it gives.
I think a significant issue with fountain pens is that they are very sensitive to manufacturing tolerances and material quality. A $5 pen may never perform exceptionally well. The ~$28 Lamy Safari is one of the more commonly recommended inexpensive fountain pens, and the Lamy 2000 is probably near the high end of performance (at a price of about $135.) Above that you are pretty much just paying for style and/or gold/platinum content.
Me, I wound up getting a Cross C-series gel pen (also about $135), which feels fantastic, writes perfectly, requires no maintenance, and won't leak on airplanes. But, I'm not a purist.
On May 08 2013 09:43 Kronen wrote: Thanks so much for the help guys!~
The pen I purchased is the most basic entry level Schaeffer calligraphy pen.. I didn't realize that the calligraphy nib was the reason the down stroke and cross stroke look different. I actually very much enjoy this difference and the italic look it gives.
I think a significant issue with fountain pens is that they are very sensitive to manufacturing tolerances and material quality. A $5 pen may never perform exceptionally well. The ~$28 Lamy Safari is one of the more commonly recommended inexpensive fountain pens, and the Lamy 2000 is probably near the high end of performance (at a price of about $135.) Above that you are pretty much just paying for style and/or gold/platinum content.
Me, I wound up getting a Cross C-series gel pen (also about $135), which feels fantastic, writes perfectly, requires no maintenance, and won't leak on airplanes. But, I'm not a purist.
The only pen I'm thinking about getting in that range is the Namiki Falcon.
No way I'd ever spend that much on a gel pen It is a nice looking pen though! The most expensive gel I have is a Zebra Airfit that I use for work because the spring clips on them are awesome when you have to constantly remove/replace the pen in a shirt pocket. Dr. Grips are probably the most popular gel pens that I know of. Are they like the Lamy Safari of gel pens?
On May 10 2013 12:13 Kronen wrote: Hey guys! Thanks for he help previously! After the cleaning the shitty sheaffer pen still had inconsistencies, but my Lamy vista arrived and writes like a charm. Very very happy with that purchase.
Glad you got something you like! What kind of nib did you get?
I too am a shameless consumer and bought my first fountain pen after reading this thread. A Lamy Safari to be precise. I just recieved it today and already love it. It writes smoothly and is quite fun to use. It came with some standard black ink, and I bought some sky blue colour ink too and ended up using that first. The blue ink looks quite nice and is unusual for me to use because it's a light playful colour and I usually stick to darker shades but it's a nice change.
I went with a medium nib, and although it's fine for my normal writing size I just ordered a fine because of the fact that I write a little bit slower with it so more ink is laid down on the page. I think the fine will be better for note writing as I write quite a lot of them for school. Overall I'm very pleased and have taken to the pen very quickly. My next order of business is to get a converter then some crazy ass coloured inks from Noodlers and I'll be set .
I've tried using these a few times, and have run across one problem, I'm left handed. Being a lefty seems to not translate well writing English with a fountain pen. If anyone has experience or tips on how to make my writing flow better writing with one of these as a lefty, I'd love to hear your advice! (I'm a complete noob @ these, so it could just be ignorance leading me astray).
EPT
) to get the ink flowing and I can get the ink flowing but with the same instances of inconsistency. In a moment of clarity, I noted that the angle of the nib actually greatly affects the flow. The resources I used to judge how to write (![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/VJmvrML.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.richardspens.com/images/info/nibneeds/angle_high.gif)
![[image loading]](http://www.richardspens.com/images/info/nibneeds/angle_low.gif)
![[image loading]](http://www.richardspens.com/images/info/nibneeds/angle_normal.gif)
It is a nice looking pen though! The most expensive gel I have is a Zebra Airfit that I use for work because the spring clips on them are awesome when you have to constantly remove/replace the pen in a shirt pocket. Dr. Grips are probably the most popular gel pens that I know of. Are they like the Lamy Safari of gel pens?
