The Home Of India's Fountain Pens

[mhguda]

My Marala arrived a few days ago, and I cleaned it before filling in the usual way. I'm a little surprised: I have very little flow, it is always dry to start (I have to dip it in water to get started) and I'm seeing skipping and railroading even after a soak in penflush containing ammonia and dish detergent (diluted of course). I've had the nib out, but I cannot get the feed out. I've written to Kevin at FPR but no response yet - I hope he knows what to do. I think there must be some crud stuck in the feed channel UNDER the section lip, where I cannot get at it now. I've seen some of that in the past. If that could be solved this would be a terrific pen!

[hari317]

My Marala arrived a few days ago, and I cleaned it before filling in the usual way. I'm a little surprised: I have very little flow, it is always dry to start (I have to dip it in water to get started) and I'm seeing skipping and railroading even after a soak in penflush containing ammonia and dish detergent (diluted of course). I've had the nib out, but I cannot get the feed out. I've written to Kevin at FPR but no response yet - I hope he knows what to do. I think there must be some crud stuck in the feed channel UNDER the section lip, where I cannot get at it now. I've seen some of that in the past. If that could be solved this would be a terrific pen!

You should be able to knock the feed out if you have a knock out block. you can even make your self a nib knockout block at home.

[mhguda]

I managed to get it out using my soft garden glove with rubber dots to get a good grip, it finally wiggled out. (problem is not solved yet). Just one quick question: how does one make a nib knockout block at home? I'd want to get the feed out easier in future...

[tomgartin]

I managed to get it out using my soft garden glove with rubber dots to get a good grip, it finally wiggled out. (problem is not solved yet). Just one quick question: how does one make a nib knockout block at home? I'd want to get the feed out easier in future...

 

Just get a piece of wood and drill a hole that is just wide enough to fit the nib/feed while supporting the section. It doesn't have to be terribly fancy, but here's an example: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/70494-nib-knockout-block/page__view__findpost__p__682103

[mhguda]

The example is terribly fancy, but it did give me an idea... My brother plays with such things, I'll ask him to make me one of a nice piece of wood...

I will now bow out and give back the thread...

[hari317]

Just one quick question: how does one make a nib knockout block at home? I'd want to get the feed out easier in future...

http://mainstreetpens.com/articles/cheaptools_1.htm

[soum]

My Marala arrived a few days ago, and I cleaned it before filling in the usual way. I'm a little surprised: I have very little flow, it is always dry to start (I have to dip it in water to get started) and I'm seeing skipping and railroading even after a soak in penflush containing ammonia and dish detergent (diluted of course). I've had the nib out, but I cannot get the feed out. I've written to Kevin at FPR but no response yet - I hope he knows what to do. I think there must be some crud stuck in the feed channel UNDER the section lip, where I cannot get at it now. I've seen some of that in the past. If that could be solved this would be a terrific pen!

 

Yes, even I think something might be clogging the feed channel. Mine has no such trouble. Were you able to resolve it?

[soum]

I was in Hyderabad for some work and I managed to run to the Deccan Pen Store and pick up three of their pens. I'll post the photos of those beauties soon. Meanwhile, I have a question - one of them has a fair amount of gap between the tines and writes very wet and takes long to dry. Can I safely reduce the gap at home without bending/damaging the tines? What is the best way to do it?

[mhguda]

soum,

Thanks for asking. I managed to get the feed out, with much wriggling, and noticed it is asymmetrical, with some grooves too short. I wrote to Kevin at Fountainpenrevolution, where I bought it. He is going to send me some alternative feeds to try and see if I have better success. I expect it to be resolved then, since it's a problem I'd never seen before and must be a fluke. Too bad it happened with one of these...

 

On your own problem, yes I think you can resolve the excess feed yourself. Check the post on this forum, Five bad things that happen to new pens, to see explained what you can do. I myself have narrowed the slit on some nibs several times, with no adverse consequences but with the desired result.

Good luck!

[soum]

soum,

Thanks for asking. I managed to get the feed out, with much wriggling, and noticed it is asymmetrical, with some grooves too short. I wrote to Kevin at Fountainpenrevolution, where I bought it. He is going to send me some alternative feeds to try and see if I have better success. I expect it to be resolved then, since it's a problem I'd never seen before and must be a fluke. Too bad it happened with one of these...

 

On your own problem, yes I think you can resolve the excess feed yourself. Check the post on this forum, Five bad things that happen to new pens, to see explained what you can do. I myself have narrowed the slit on some nibs several times, with no adverse consequences but with the desired result.

Good luck!

 

I'm sure it's a one-off problem and I hope it's resolved real soon. I bet you can't wait to write with it trouble-free.

 

I did read that post. However, I was worried because that post said about narrowing - "Professional help is preferable". You've answered that when you said that you tried that out yourself without a trouble, so I'll go right ahead and do it too. I hope it works out.

Edited January 10, 2013 by soum

[Trouble]

Wow those are really nice! I love to see work shops. Can you tell us what you ended up paying for any of those? That 2nd from the right and that blue one is really something !

 

AND where we can buy them from!!! On the net of course!!

[mhguda]

Some can be bought from Fountainpenrevolution (no affiliation, etc) or from Mesu, a member of FPN who can regularly be found in the Classifieds.

I've bought a number of her Guiders and am a very satisfied customer!

[Trouble]

Thanks Mhguda I will check em out. I see there is a drastic amount of monetary difference between the sellers on the same pens. Is there a reason why?

[mhguda]

Now there is a question for the sellers! We, as buyers, just need to see the differences and draw our conclusions...

I can only say, I've used both, and have had excellent service and follow up from both.

[Trouble]

Very well put Mhguda....very well put indeed. "..."draw our own conclusions.."

 

You are soooo right!!

[Anne-Sophie]

Thank you for the wonderful post Sum!

 

I especially enjoyed the picture of "Ganesh with a Guider."

 

 

The blue pen is stunning, do you know if it has a name?

 

It is very reminiscent of the Waterman Phileas, which has been discontinued but attract followers in the second hand market.

 

I think the attractive price "Rs 400 (about $8)" of the Blue Sky with black end cap might bring Phileas enthusiasts to Guider.