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The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge

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spam Offline comis

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #120 on: July 03, 2022, 09:50:16 AM
Comis, yes you can swap nibs on Pelikans very easily - I got the shop to fit an EF instead of the standard M (well at that price, they were more than happy to oblige without charging the EF premium!), and I love the nib, and as you can see, it writes fine on newsprint, not an easy task! I don’t put pressure on my nibs (except for flex nibs, of course!) and I find the EF is super smooth and lays down a line more like an F - which is what I was after. I have an F on an M805 demonstrator but it’s a bit broader than I would ideally like…. nice nib nonetheless!

Thanks for the recommendation - I’ll have to see if I can find that one, but Pelikan Edelstein Topaz is pretty close!  :tu:
That's good to know!  I have been learning about it, figure I may want to get one someday.


Am I a day late, how did that happen?

Anyway...

Fuzzy Hair Bits Day 1... and 2

As you all know I'm a keen amateur Barber. So for this challenge, I've decided to use my skills as an artist to document the many varied and absurd hairstyles adopted by the wonderful members of this community. I don't think this has been done before.

For ease and in the interests of science, I have attempted to identify and catalogue them using an alphanumeric system... Many of these MTo-ers are participating in this very challenge...

Day 1:

(Image removed from quote.)


Day 2:

(Image removed from quote.)



:rofl: Almost spill my coffee with this one.


spam Offline comis

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #121 on: July 03, 2022, 10:00:09 AM
Day 02/30

Taking some notes. Aquarium maintenance day.

I let my son enjoy the pleasures of a fountain pen for the fist time. He enjoyed the Vector, but not the inked fingers...
(Side note: Best way to learn how to grip a fountain pen. My grandpa would aprove) (Image removed from quote.)

Enviado de meu Moto Z2 Play usando o Tapatalk


Talking about learning to write, I used to place whatever I am writing right in front of myself, square and center.  Turns out the more efficient way is to move and tilt the notepad side way towards my right hand, so it is easier to write without obstructing the view(which will affect your sitting position).  Why I didn't think of that after decades of writing?  :facepalm:


(Image removed from quote.)
Though I have no idea how this chart works, but I fathom this is reserved only for hardcore fans.  :D




Day 02
The Parker almost works.  It writes a few lines if I wet the nib first, but that's it.  I got nothing from either of the Mont Blancs.  Tomorrow I may try dipping them all in some boiling water.
I don't know how these pens are constructed, but if the nib were press fitted in, won't the boiling water ruin the feed/the fit/piston?   :pok:

I found this video online about making pen flush, maybe this would help before the boiling water?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgCuFicdUS4&ab_channel=sbrebrown

Also, from Fountain Pen Network, some discussion about 'tepid' water vs hot water for cleaning:
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/336105-why-lukewarm-water/


spam Offline comis

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #122 on: July 03, 2022, 10:02:04 AM
Enjoying the purple.

02/30
 
That's a nice shade of purple, and same wish for the right path.  :D


spam Offline comis

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #123 on: July 03, 2022, 10:25:09 AM
Day 3



Why does the quick brown fox always jump over the lazy dog?

Today I'm writing with a PenBBS 355 improved, which has a dual-tone F nib with a 'mini-fude' grind.  Catering for Chinese characters, I found PenBBS pens tend to write slightly dry, but it's perfect for F or EF nib fans.

The 355 improved host a pretty unique bulk filling system, which I believed was invented by Conid.  It's quite an engineering feat, a kind of a hybrid between vacuum filler and piston filler.  It's a bit hard to conceptualize. but this yt video has a demo pen that did a good job explaining it:


gb Offline Rizio Il Ghiro

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #124 on: July 03, 2022, 10:40:42 AM
Day 3
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

Why does the quick brown fox always jump over the lazy dog?


Because it uses every letter in the alphabet when testing a pen or practicing handwriting….. Cool looking pens by the way, Comis! :like: :like:

Day 02
The Parker almost works.  It writes a few lines if I wet the nib first, but that's it.  I got nothing from either of the Mont Blancs.  Tomorrow I may try dipping them all in some boiling water.

Alan, don’t use boiling water, it could distort the plastics and melt glues! Warm water with a drop of washing up liquid will do the job fine (some use a drop of bleach, but I save that or cleaning extremely crusty nibs) - as a fellow Parker 75 fan you’ll find that the nib rotates in the section (it was a feature of the pen), if it doesn’t, don’t force it, leave it to soak until it can move - the nib can be pulled out of the section entirely (it’s friction fitted into the section) to let the section soak more effectively and clean out the ink. It will take many changes of water and plenty of time! I’ve revived 75s this way successfully, patience is your friend! The Montblancs are much harder to disassemble, beyond my experience though YouTube has many videos - however soaking in warm water will doubtless help remove the ink from them too! I look forward to seeing the results! :tu:


gb Offline Appleandrew

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #125 on: July 03, 2022, 11:01:41 AM
Day 3

Contents insurance renewal.  Some changes to be made. 


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #126 on: July 03, 2022, 01:04:38 PM
Fuzzy Hair Bits Day 3



us Offline Nix

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #127 on: July 03, 2022, 01:48:56 PM
Day 02
The Parker almost works.  It writes a few lines if I wet the nib first, but that's it.  I got nothing from either of the Mont Blancs.  Tomorrow I may try dipping them all in some boiling water.

Alan, I would also start by just soaking the pens in warm (not hot water) for an hour or so. I've also used a little rubbing alcohol, dripped into the nib holder to help flush and dry out a nib. I've done this many times.... :facepalm:

I'm confident you can bring 'em back to life!  :tu:


us Offline Nix

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #128 on: July 03, 2022, 01:52:22 PM
Day 3

Contents insurance renewal.  Some changes to be made.

That abalone is mesmerizing!  :like:


us Offline Nix

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #129 on: July 03, 2022, 01:56:54 PM
Fuzzy, .......uh.....you do know that Leatherman's are not standard barbering tools, yeah?

Not in the USA, anyway......


gb Offline Rizio Il Ghiro

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #130 on: July 03, 2022, 02:18:03 PM
Nice drawings Fuzz - I’ve not used a dip pen for decades! How will the delusional cartoon strip work out?!?!?  :rofl:

Day 3

Yet more crosswording - did this whilst prepping a pasta sauce. Used one of my Parker 75 sterling silver ciselés, this one is large 60s with a No 65 (fine) nib - this took days to soak clean! It has Caran d’Ache Idyllic Blue which turns out to be a considerably more expensive version of Parker Washable Blue…. :facepalm: Ah well, better use the ink now I’ve got it!


gb Offline Rizio Il Ghiro

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #131 on: July 03, 2022, 02:19:15 PM
Large 60s? I of course meant late 60s….. fat fingers syndrome strikes again!  :facepalm:


us Offline Aloha

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #132 on: July 03, 2022, 03:12:55 PM
I am really loving the pens y'all.  Such wonderful colors. 
Esse Quam Videri


pr Offline Juan el Boricua

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #133 on: July 03, 2022, 03:28:09 PM
Day 3/30

Groceries ...  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #134 on: July 03, 2022, 04:00:14 PM
Fuzzy, .......uh.....you do know that Leatherman's are not standard barbering tools, yeah?

Not in the USA, anyway......

It's a metaphor for this forum you dope!  :twak:


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #135 on: July 03, 2022, 04:03:33 PM
Nice drawings Fuzz - I’ve not used a dip pen for decades! How will the delusional cartoon strip work out?!?!?  :rofl:
...

With some people taking offence.  :tu:


us Offline Aloha

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #136 on: July 03, 2022, 04:48:29 PM
The start of a grocery list. 

03/30 Sticking with the purple for now.  I need to tune up the other pens as they are not flowing as they should. 
Esse Quam Videri


gb Offline Rizio Il Ghiro

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #137 on: July 03, 2022, 08:35:38 PM
With some people taking offence.  :tu:

Here’s hoping!!  :drink:


us Offline Alan K.

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #138 on: July 03, 2022, 09:39:53 PM
Day 03
Soaking the first Mont Blanc nib in tepid, not hot, water.  I bent a small paperclip to hold the nibs upright.  Is there a paperclip user's badge?  If this works and I can use this pen I'll try it on the Parker and the other Mont Blanc next.


gb Offline Rizio Il Ghiro

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #139 on: July 03, 2022, 10:29:35 PM
Nicely done, Alan, but why not immerse the whole nib and section to remove all the ink inside? It will clean it all out much faster, just keep changing the water on a regular basis and you should have your pens working once more. :tu:


de Offline tinker gnome

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #140 on: July 03, 2022, 10:36:35 PM
Glad you didn't resort to the boiling water method, Alan!  :ahhh

Fwiw I once wanted to re-use my Parker fountain pen ten years after last use in school ... Put the pen under running tap water (cold). After ten minutes, the water turned slightly blue, after five minutes more it was cleaned. Inserting a cartridge, after five minutes watery scribbling on household paper (soaks better) the Parker came back to life then. No solvents needed. Hth.  ;)
Best regards and stay safe,

Wolfgang


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #141 on: July 03, 2022, 11:55:20 PM
Contents insurance renewal.
That is a very good-looking writing utensil!

Excellent work by awl! :tu:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


pr Offline Juan el Boricua

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #142 on: July 04, 2022, 12:02:19 AM
Alan, you can use an ear syringe/bulb to force water through the feed. You can try to fit it over the "pin" to which the cartridge connects as is, or cut the tip little by little 'til it fits. It was amazing how much ink can be left inside the feed after it had dried.

If pictures needed, let me know.

BTW, some very nice-looking pens today... :drool:


br Offline Hevy (CT-782)

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #143 on: July 04, 2022, 01:25:25 AM
Day 03/30

Shop list.



Enviado de meu Moto Z2 Play usando o Tapatalk



us Offline Nix

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #144 on: July 04, 2022, 01:47:21 AM
It's a metaphor for this forum you dope!  :twak:

Looked like a Leatherman to me. Who makes the metaphor?  :think:


us Offline Nix

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #145 on: July 04, 2022, 01:52:24 AM
Day 3:

Made a quick sketch for a "bait bag" to hold training treats on a belt. This pen is writing better than I remember. Me...not so much....




gb Offline Rizio Il Ghiro

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #146 on: July 04, 2022, 12:12:05 PM
Nice pens and uses!

Day 4

Doing some repayment calculations for a client, Montblanc Corn poppy red ink a Parker 75 Premier sterling silver ciselé - uses a very similar section to the regular 75 (just a different gold plated ring on it, in this case with lines to help you get the nib rotated to your preferred position), the nibs are interchangeable but are made from 18k gold rather than 14k (can’t say I notice the difference!) and in this case I have a NOS X which actually writes more like an F that an EF which suits me nicely. When I bought this pen on the usual suspect it was very dirty and the original B nib took quite some cleaning - it had clearly spent 20+ years in a drawer letting its ink dry out to concrete! The cap and section are different dimensions to the regular 75 with different finials, but they do screw onto a standard 75 section. The top and bottom finials are also set with black onyx stones to further distinguish the Premier from the standard 75 - a short lived top-of-the-range Parker eclipsed by the revival of the Duofold name and the Sonnet. When I wanted to buy one new in the early 90s they were impossible to find, so it was nice to get one cheap a couple of years ago!


us Offline Nix

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #147 on: July 04, 2022, 03:00:13 PM
... When I wanted to buy one new in the early 90s they were impossible to find, so it was nice to get one cheap a couple of years ago!

And great rehab story!   :tu:

Looks like a lovely pen. I recall seeing those around, but never took the plunge (or was probably to skint). Very nice!


spam Offline comis

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #148 on: July 04, 2022, 03:29:29 PM
The start of a grocery list. 

03/30 Sticking with the purple for now.  I need to tune up the other pens as they are not flowing as they should. 
Hope they will shape up soon!  There are quite a few great advices on the last two page, soaking in warm water overnight, flushing with tap water, pen flush or bulb syringe are all good ways to help bring life back to the pen.




spam Offline comis

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Re: The Dribbly Nib, a 30-day pen challenge
Reply #149 on: July 04, 2022, 03:32:09 PM
Glad you didn't resort to the boiling water method, Alan!  :ahhh

Fwiw I once wanted to re-use my Parker fountain pen ten years after last use in school ... Put the pen under running tap water (cold). After ten minutes, the water turned slightly blue, after five minutes more it was cleaned. Inserting a cartridge, after five minutes watery scribbling on household paper (soaks better) the Parker came back to life then. No solvents needed. Hth.  ;)
Thanks for chiming in!  Great tip, and probably safe for most pen, even vintage!


Alan, you can use an ear syringe/bulb to force water through the feed. You can try to fit it over the "pin" to which the cartridge connects as is, or cut the tip little by little 'til it fits. It was amazing how much ink can be left inside the feed after it had dried.

If pictures needed, let me know.

BTW, some very nice-looking pens today... :drool:
Love the bulb syringe method, I sometimes get a little OCD with demo/transparent barrel pen, and the bulb syringe is surely a great way to completely flush out the pen and restore it to near new condition.


 

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