Lovely tips. And useful, as always. Down here, in India, I'm having a tough time getting brass sheets. So I end up using razor blades - the kind you use in old-style safety razors or snap in half to use with cut-throats. Of course, I am careful to use just the edge of the blade. The width of the edge is good enough. Not as flexible as brass sheets, either, but gets the job done. A bonus is that I can use the blade to cut the feed if I want a wetter pen as well.
Thanks. What I do after dissembling and re assembling is to fill up and keep writing on newspaper for about an hour. This helps smoothen the nib and improve flow
I just found you and have to say I am learning so much! I don't know if I have the courage needed to do this, but at least I understand the mechanics more! Thank you.
So my little cousin had "stabbed" a table with my pen, and the nib went down the body of it, i didnt know i could pull the tip out to fix things, i did it and it works perfectly again. Thank you so much
Thank you, this video helped me rescue my Pelikan M205 nib that dropped nib first into the wood floor. It's not exactly the same as it was, but once again writes with good flow (nice and wet), smoothly and without skipping.
This is really excellent. Thank you. It's one thing to hear this topic discussed in theory and with sketches. It's something else to see *and hear* the process in the real world with a real pen, real ink, real water and real progress. Great work.
Very well made and informative video, thank you. Just a bit of trivia. When I was growing up in England we always used fountain pens. Last week I found the Parker pen I received as a 21st birthday present from my wife in 1971. In the box there were 3 Quink cartridges. I laughingly installed one and the pen wrote beautifully !! 46 year old cartridges still worked. Amazing. The pen was Made in England. So now I want to buy a pen for my granddaughter and was wondering if you had a favorite make or any words of wisdom. Of course Parker pens are no longer made in England, and I have heard mixed reviews of their quality. I am still impressed however that a 46 year old pen works so well today. Anyway, thanks again for your video. I think that it is probably about time for me to give my old pen a tune up!
rdvideoclips Parker does make pretty reliable pens, even now. The Kaweco Sport is a nice pen too, quite affordable, and the TWSBI pens from Taiwan are very popular too. For something a bit pricier, Pelikan makes very nice writers too.
Thanks, Doc - I just applied all the techniques from this tutorial on my Esterbrook 1554. The result was as advertised! Including the end result was still a little scratchy - could be fact that the nub was already used and abused previously, and the extent of 'repair' by this newbie could only improve it by so much.
thank you for this video! got a new pen today but the nib was super pinched together. I'm so much happier with it now but damn I really had to force it for a while.. scary but it totally worked!
Fine nib does make sounds while writing also they are not as smooth as medium nibs, but it enables one to write without bleeding through on cheap papers.
Also stephen get a polishing block as the micro mesh is still abrasive leaving texture on the tip. With a polishing block you can smooth those imperfections out getting some more smoothy goodness
Fascinating video, I always thought the tines were meant to touch. I've really learnt a lot from this video, thank you, and I love the look of that blue pen!
Jessica Hothersall It's a matter of two schools of thought: according to others, the tines should touch. I think if you like a wetter nib, a gap is better
Excellent video - am having difficulties with a parker slimfold nib #5 - appears one tine is just slightly sticking out further than the other tine - very flexible nib but difficult to seat correctly with feed - any thoughts?
Thanks for this video. I just recently started to acquire old fountain pens and would love to learn more about how to fix and maintain such pens from experts like you. All the places to buy the materials and parts cheaply would be absolutely a big help as I am about to retire and love to learn more things including farming. Generally I am a sucker for helping community and anything that is provided or given free is my ethos. I heard you mentioned shem, micromesh.... perhaps I mispelled them but any pointer would help tremendously.
I have several Fountain pens including 6 lamy safari fountain pen and 1 Twsbi eco. Lamy nibs are not good. but Twsbi eco and Jinhao and Moonman FP s write smoothly. but I finally found myself comfortable with a Reynold Jotter ball pen which is just INR 25rs which is equal to 0.25$.! and for wet writing Best pen is Pilot V5 or V7 Roller ball pens which are available at 60 Inr which is equal to 1$. but i just buy FPs for their design and colors.
Hey Stephen, what brand and magnification is your loupe? I'm looking at 10X, 12X, and 15X trying to decide which would be best for me. Thanks! Your videos are extremely helpful!
Well Mark I've used loupes over 35 years.I have several loupes.They are sold by the focal distance the commonest used by most jewellers is a 3 inch focal distance and it is stamped on the side.This makes hallmarks etcetra visible.When I work on a watch I use a 2 1/2 inch focal distance.I find these two give me what I need.However these loupes are not available in high focuses and the small lenses of an open/close lens is neccessary.These magnifying glasses are expressed in magnification,for looking at diamonds and their inclusions and the best of these is 20X. Colin Fry.......
is this the MX or the MM micromesh you use? I want to get it here in europe but anderson pens doesn't specifiy which one it is. the MM is softer and used for polishing plastics and lacquer while the mx is harder and used for metal. since the nib is made of metal i would think the mx but on the website of anderson pens the micromesh is used for polishing the plastic parts of the pen so maybe that is the MM type. Was there some kind of instructions in the package and could you advice as to which type i should get? the grits are the same on both types
So, I write quite a bit. (In college now, so I write multiple pages per day) How often should I clean my fountain pen? I have a Cross Bailey Medalist as my first fountain, which I'm quite happy with for now. Also, once I do get ready to upgrade, what pens would you recommend I take a look at?
I have a video on how to select a second pen that you might find useful. It's really a matter of taste and finding out what specific criteria you have.
When you do this I assume there is not really any pressure on the nib or do you use normal writing pressure? I used a 12,000 grit buff stick like you use in another video and basically let the weight of the pen do the work and actually tore holes in the pad. Luckily the pen is ok and does write better. Perhaps this is an issue with fine/ef nibs on this type of surface?
sbrebrown hey I need help I just bought a nib set I think it's called a Manuscript leonardt dip pen it's not working the way it should it has a attachment on the bottom I think it's for the ink but it's not working smooth like it should any tips or help on what I should do to make it work. ....Please help
sbrebrown only on knives but it polishes to higher level of smoothnes because leather removes those misroscopic burrs, maybe that will make ur nib no scratchy anymore after mesh use.
I don't think its acceptable that you should have to do this. Regardless of cost. I have used Lamy pens for many years and never had an issue. In fact the Al-Star I use mainly, I have never taken it apart or cleaned it for 20 years. It just works. I have a Jinhau X750 on order so it will be interesting to see how it is.
Clearly smoothing the nib is harder than it looks. I have an old Parker 45, the nib was a little scratchy so I used some micro mesh 8000, 6000 and 12000 to try and improve it. I’ve made worse! It digs into the paper and will hardly write now… oh dear!
You like Vatopaidiou? When I turned on this video my volume was loud and I was wondering what did I open except this... I had to restart the video to believe my ears xD. Anyways I don't think I'll be able to fix my fountain pens.. the one I use the most is typing very thick, in the past was kinda average but I screw something up and it started to write thicker... Ty for the videos I'll watch them since I want to learn to write byzantine neums with a fountain pen... So.. I'm in a must to learn how to fix 'em. †
Hey Stephen I know u know what u are doing but how about you not use the barrel you will have someone who will actually use the barrel on a pen they like and have the possibility of messing it up. Use another object.
Lovely tips. And useful, as always. Down here, in India, I'm having a tough time getting brass sheets. So I end up using razor blades - the kind you use in old-style safety razors or snap in half to use with cut-throats. Of course, I am careful to use just the edge of the blade. The width of the edge is good enough. Not as flexible as brass sheets, either, but gets the job done. A bonus is that I can use the blade to cut the feed if I want a wetter pen as well.
Thanks. What I do after dissembling and re assembling is to fill up and keep writing on newspaper for about an hour. This helps smoothen the nib and improve flow
forreal?
I just found you and have to say I am learning so much! I don't know if I have the courage needed to do this, but at least I understand the mechanics more! Thank you.
So my little cousin had "stabbed" a table with my pen, and the nib went down the body of it, i didnt know i could pull the tip out to fix things, i did it and it works perfectly again. Thank you so much
Thank you, this video helped me rescue my Pelikan M205 nib that dropped nib first into the wood floor. It's not exactly the same as it was, but once again writes with good flow (nice and wet), smoothly and without skipping.
I'm glad this was useful!
This is really excellent. Thank you. It's one thing to hear this topic discussed in theory and with sketches. It's something else to see *and hear* the process in the real world with a real pen, real ink, real water and real progress. Great work.
Very well made and informative video, thank you.
Just a bit of trivia. When I was growing up in England we always used fountain pens. Last week I found the Parker pen I received as a 21st birthday present from my wife in 1971. In the box there were 3 Quink cartridges. I laughingly installed one and the pen wrote beautifully !! 46 year old cartridges still worked. Amazing. The pen was Made in England. So now I want to buy a pen for my granddaughter and was wondering if you had a favorite make or any words of wisdom. Of course Parker pens are no longer made in England, and I have heard mixed reviews of their quality. I am still impressed however that a 46 year old pen works so well today. Anyway, thanks again for your video. I think that it is probably about time for me to give my old pen a tune up!
rdvideoclips Parker does make pretty reliable pens, even now. The Kaweco Sport is a nice pen too, quite affordable, and the TWSBI pens from Taiwan are very popular too. For something a bit pricier, Pelikan makes very nice writers too.
Thank you very much !..
"The tines, they are a'chainging!" :)
Excellent video!
Thanks, Doc - I just applied all the techniques from this tutorial on my Esterbrook 1554. The result was as advertised! Including the end result was still a little scratchy - could be fact that the nub was already used and abused previously, and the extent of 'repair' by this newbie could only improve it by so much.
Instructions by a top-notch expert.
I've learned that if I grind using the figure 8 pattern it creates an architect nib, so I prefer circles and asterisks.
thank you for this video! got a new pen today but the nib was super pinched together. I'm so much happier with it now but damn I really had to force it for a while.. scary but it totally worked!
Thanks, gave me the courage to set a bit more effort to re-alignments!
Great Thanks! Can you teach us how to regrind a medium into a fine or even into a XF or XXF ?
Fine nib does make sounds while writing also they are not as smooth as medium nibs, but it enables one to write without bleeding through on cheap papers.
Also stephen get a polishing block as the micro mesh is still abrasive leaving texture on the tip. With a polishing block you can smooth those imperfections out getting some more smoothy goodness
Fascinating video, I always thought the tines were meant to touch. I've really learnt a lot from this video, thank you, and I love the look of that blue pen!
Jessica Hothersall It's a matter of two schools of thought: according to others, the tines should touch. I think if you like a wetter nib, a gap is better
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i fixed many of my problem pens and can use them now!
I'm glad this was useful!
Excellent video - am having difficulties with a parker slimfold nib #5 - appears one tine is just slightly sticking out further than the other tine - very flexible nib but difficult to seat correctly with feed - any thoughts?
Would car feeler gauges be a good sub for shims plz
The Gordon Ramsey of pens ! Thank you
Thanks for this video. I just recently started to acquire old fountain pens and would love to learn more about how to fix and maintain such pens from experts like you. All the places to buy the materials and parts cheaply would be absolutely a big help as I am about to retire and love to learn more things including farming. Generally I am a sucker for helping community and anything that is provided or given free is my ethos. I heard you mentioned shem, micromesh.... perhaps I mispelled them but any pointer would help tremendously.
Andersonpens.com sells a lot of this.
+sbrebrown cheers
Smoother writing with thinner line without feel scratchy possible ?
M nib generally write smooth but I feel lines are thicker.
I have several Fountain pens including 6 lamy safari fountain pen and 1 Twsbi eco. Lamy nibs are not good. but Twsbi eco and Jinhao and Moonman FP s write smoothly. but I finally found myself comfortable with a Reynold Jotter ball pen which is just INR 25rs which is equal to 0.25$.! and for wet writing Best pen is Pilot V5 or V7 Roller ball pens which are available at 60 Inr which is equal to 1$. but i just buy FPs for their design and colors.
That looks like a Serwex pen that I ran into in another video!
Do ALL nibs and feeds come out of pens or are there some that are not removable?
Some are fused together and/or not removable.
Thank you!
+Lori Fuller There is no easy way; you have to look up disassembly instructions online.
Hey Stephen, what brand and magnification is your loupe? I'm looking at 10X, 12X, and 15X trying to decide which would be best for me. Thanks! Your videos are extremely helpful!
Well Mark I've used loupes over 35 years.I have several loupes.They are sold by the focal distance the commonest used by most jewellers is a 3 inch focal distance and it is stamped on the side.This makes hallmarks etcetra visible.When I work on a watch I use a 2 1/2 inch focal distance.I find these two give me what I need.However these loupes are not available in high focuses and the small lenses of an open/close lens is neccessary.These magnifying glasses are expressed in magnification,for looking at diamonds and their inclusions and the best of these is 20X. Colin Fry.......
is this the MX or the MM micromesh you use? I want to get it here in europe but anderson pens doesn't specifiy which one it is. the MM is softer and used for polishing plastics and lacquer while the mx is harder and used for metal. since the nib is made of metal i would think the mx but on the website of anderson pens the micromesh is used for polishing the plastic parts of the pen so maybe that is the MM type. Was there some kind of instructions in the package and could you advice as to which type i should get? the grits are the same on both types
I'm sorry, I have no idea.
So, I write quite a bit. (In college now, so I write multiple pages per day) How often should I clean my fountain pen? I have a Cross Bailey Medalist as my first fountain, which I'm quite happy with for now. Also, once I do get ready to upgrade, what pens would you recommend I take a look at?
Thanks for all the info by the way!
I have a video on how to select a second pen that you might find useful. It's really a matter of taste and finding out what specific criteria you have.
Thank You
Ay tips on how you would adjust an Italic or Oblique as far as smoothing it out?
I think the same technique should work, but you rotate the nib to align it to the micro-mesh
Or use an up and down motion. The circular will eventually create a round nib.
When you do this I assume there is not really any pressure on the nib or do you use normal writing pressure? I used a 12,000 grit buff stick like you use in another video and basically let the weight of the pen do the work and actually tore holes in the pad. Luckily the pen is ok and does write better. Perhaps this is an issue with fine/ef nibs on this type of surface?
Indeed, very little pressure is necessary.
sbrebrown hey I need help I just bought a nib set I think it's called a Manuscript leonardt dip pen it's not working the way it should it has a attachment on the bottom I think it's for the ink but it's not working smooth like it should any tips or help on what I should do to make it work. ....Please help
Roberto Torres Some dip nibs have an ink reservoir attached to them that fills with ink as you dip them.
I know this is an older video, but do you happen to recall what the specific green ink was?
No, sorry, I don't remember.
Have u tried polishing the nib on leather after micromesh use?
I have not tried that. Have you?
sbrebrown only on knives but it polishes to higher level of smoothnes because leather removes those misroscopic burrs, maybe that will make ur nib no scratchy anymore after mesh use.
porosaur I'll give it a try.
So you use whetstone's for tuning your nibs?
I like your intro music
Excellent
I don't think its acceptable that you should have to do this. Regardless of cost. I have used Lamy pens for many years and never had an issue. In fact the Al-Star I use mainly, I have never taken it apart or cleaned it for 20 years. It just works. I have a Jinhau X750 on order so it will be interesting to see how it is.
What kind of pen is that?
It's a pen given away by a Dutch bank.
Clearly smoothing the nib is harder than it looks. I have an old Parker 45, the nib was a little scratchy so I used some micro mesh 8000, 6000 and 12000 to try and improve it. I’ve made worse! It digs into the paper and will hardly write now… oh dear!
Oh BTW would be great to connect on Facebook
You like Vatopaidiou? When I turned on this video my volume was loud and I was wondering what did I open except this... I had to restart the video to believe my ears xD. Anyways I don't think I'll be able to fix my fountain pens.. the one I use the most is typing very thick, in the past was kinda average but I screw something up and it started to write thicker... Ty for the videos I'll watch them since I want to learn to write byzantine neums with a fountain pen... So.. I'm in a must to learn how to fix 'em. †
Thank you.
Aren't you afraid of scratching the pen's barrel with bending the nib on it? Especially when the nib itself is scratchy ;)
are you Dutch? ?
yes
Tweezers! :D
Hey Stephen I know u know what u are doing but how about you not use the barrel you will have someone who will actually use the barrel on a pen they like and have the possibility of messing it up. Use another object.
That’s a Jinhao
you kinda sound like Martin Freeman :P
PS- Great video :)
So you don't know what kind
Great video. Very helpful! Where do you get the tuning supplies?
Mainly Anderson Pens.