Parker Sonnet with Italic nib

[Ipsilon]

Hi to All FPN members,

 

I recently bought a Parker Sonnet with a fine italic nib. I really like the pen and the nib, but for one thing: being an "above the line lefty", and having to "push" on the nib more often than I "pull" on the nib, I find myself with a very uneven calligraphy. When I pull on the nib, the ink delivery is fine, and the line is dark and solid. On the other hand, when I push on the nib, the ink delivery is not very generous, and I have a somewhat clearer line.

See an example here below:

 

 

Any easy trick to improve the situation? I really like writing with italic nibs, and like the Parker Sonnet... but does not find the writing experience completely satisfactory with this pen.

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

Y

[Aysedasi]

Unfortunately as a leftie underwriter, I have the same problems. I'm selling my second Sonnet right now and will never buy another......

[Ondina]

Sorry to hear about the flow issues. If the pen is under warranty, Parker will take care/replace the nib. If not, I would suggest a very good soak in soapy water followed by repeated flushing with clean water. Once clean try with Waterman Florida Blue, for example. Italics can be very finicky and lefties that use them have, under my point of view, great merit. I hope you can solve it and enjoy the Sonnet, a very nice pen!

[Ipsilon]

Thanks Ondina! I will certainly try this.

Do you think the ink can have anything to do with the problem? Nib problem, or ink problem? Or both.....

 

Y

[gcopy]

sorry to hear of your problem,I am interested to hear that you have a fine italic nib for the Sonnet. May I ask if this is a factory nib or custom made?

[Ipsilon]

I bought the pen here on FPN from Carmen Rivera.

The nib is a Parker 18K gold duotone. Here is a picture:

 

 

I am not sure if it is a modified Parker nib, not being an expert in the matter... :embarrassed_smile:

 

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

Y

[Ondina]

Thanks Ondina! I will certainly try this.

Do you think the ink can have anything to do with the problem? Nib problem, or ink problem? Or both.....

 

Y

 

Probably both. Pelikan Black can make the flow very stingy. Waterman inks are free flowing and work in any pen. Aurora Black would be very good as well, but soaking the nib first to make sure it is fine seems the first step. As you know the Sonnet nibs unscrew counterclockwise, allowing a thorough cleaning and an easy exchange. Video here http://www.penbox.co.uk/parker.pen.nibs.htm

 

Gcopy, the Sonnet line has the most varied nib offer AFAIK; regular round points, obliques and italics. They can be purchased from a number of places or you can have one custom ground.

[CRB]

I'm a lefty, too. For me, writing with fountain pens, my above-the-line, hooked hand position produced a dry, faint line. I switched to my other lefty position, an under-the-line position, and I get a full rich line. I don't know the physics of it, but more ink is deposited when I draw the pen past the written line, rather than push it ahead of the written line.

 

I'm writing now with a Sonnet Medium italic nib that was dry starting if I paused even for a minute. I thought it was the nib or the feed, until I read on FPN that the ink I was using was fast-drying. I switched to Iroshizuku ku jaku, an ink I have found to be very lubricating, and the nib now works perfectly: it starts each time without hesitation and flows beautifully.

 

I hope you get the pen to write like you want it to.

 

Cheers,

Joe

[Ipsilon]

Thanks Joe!

Will try that too...

 

Y