Monteverde Invincia Stealth Start Up And Flow Problems

[Dodobrains]

So Recently I just bought a Monteverde Invincia Stealth (about 5 days ago)

 

And I've been having some really annoying problems with flow and skipping.

 

The pen just downright does not want to start up unless I shake or tap it, or twist the piston to push more ink through.

 

When it does get started up, after a few sentences it starts to skip. Then goes back to being completely dry, until I once again tap/twist/shake.

 

Just rinse and repeat, that's my problem.

 

I've flushed the pen several times with distilled water and once with a tiny bit of dish soap.

 

I've also tried several different inks, J-herbin, Noodlers, Monteverde, Lamy.

 

still the exact same problem, So I believe the issue lies with the pen itself.

 

I've sent in an email to Yafa to claim warranty.

 

I'm thinking is it just worth it to take it to a local fountain pen repair shop to see if they can fix the problem. or should I pay the $20 or so postage to send the pen in for warranty and wait another month for it to get back?
Is this a problem that's easily fixable (ie. Local repair shop) or should I play it safe if it is a more major problem (Send it in for Warranty).

 

Or option 3- Can I myself do anything about it? (not very keen on doing any DIY, rather leave it to the pros)

Edited February 5, 2014 by Dodobrains

[Moshe ben David]

Did you actually purchase from Yafa or from a specific retailer? I'd return it to the retailer and put the monkey on their back!

 

Whomever you actually purchased from should have checked the pen out before shipping to you.

 

I definitely don't see why you should be on the hook for shipping cost on a new purchase which you cannot use as it is.

[ZaphodBB]

It seems like you've tried all the "over-the-counter" remedies available to you and, if you're not comfortable with pen DIY (don't blame you there, but SBREBrown's Youtube channel does have great info), then having someone work on it for you is the only solution.

 

A local fountain pen repair shop is a good option (jealous by the way, I live near a major US East Coast City that doesn't have any local repair shops - I have to send my pens away) but that may cost as much as shipping it to Yafa.

 

I DO have experience with Yafa's repair / warranty system though, at least here in the US; I sent a Stipula Passaporto into their local headquarters for flow and nib problems. It was a "problem" pen from the get-go and I'd just about given up on it!

 

It came back fixed three weeks later (at no charge) and is now a very reliable writer that's always in rotation. I wouldn't hesitate to send another problem pen back to them.

 

I have an Invincia Stealth that's been a pretty wet writer out of the box so you have a problem that should be covered by warranty...good luck!

Edited February 5, 2014 by ZaphodBB

[Dodobrains]

I actually purchased it from the goulet pen company.

They're a very respected retailer so I don't think much or any of the blame is theirs.

 

In any case I think I can only claim warranty through 'yara'.

I'm not 100% though.

[ZaphodBB]

Have you emailed the Goulets about the problem? They have an excellent reputation for customer service - I'm always ordering from them and I'm sure they'd be able to help.

[Dodobrains]

Yafa had just replied saying that the front section collar is perhaps to tight and is blocking off ink flow.

 

The front section collar is the part that's attached to the nib and feed correct?

Because I was expecting to be able to take out the nib and feed, but when I tried to pull it out it just refused to come out.

Wouldn't budge at all.

 

What do you guys think?

[larsbj]

I experienced the same thing with my own Invincia Stealth about a year ago. At first I attributted the problem to the ink (J. Herbin Rouge Hematite), but after cleaning and changing til Waterman ink the problem persisted. At one point I grew tired of trying, so for now it just sits in a glass on my desk and looks pretty. Pretty stealthy, that is...

 

LBj

[leeowens337]

The nib and feed can be VERY tight in the collar. On my Stealth, I actually had to use a pair of pliers (with cushioning material of course) in order to get the nib and feed out of the collar. I'm not suggesting that you get that aggressive, but I was determined they were coming out.

 

My main problem was hard starting, I had to give the converter a twist to prime it up if I had not used it in a couple of days. For me, it has performed better after I managed to get it all apart and then put back together. Also, opening the nib tines ever so slightly with a brass flossing sheet seems to have helped a bit as well.

 

I hope you get it working, either on your own or from sending it in. It really is a cool pen and deserves to be in your rotation if you have one!

 

-Lee

[Dodobrains]

The nib and feed can be VERY tight in the collar. On my Stealth, I actually had to use a pair of pliers (with cushioning material of course) in order to get the nib and feed out of the collar. I'm not suggesting that you get that aggressive, but I was determined they were coming out.

 

I've done the same thing. I used a bit of rubber for a better grip and I managed to pry it out of there.

I gave the entire section a good clean and put it back together.

 

It kind of made a difference, instead of a few sentences; it last for about a paragraph ><

 

Either way, Yara is sending me a new Nib and Feed. Hopefully that will solve the problem.

[Dodobrains]

Just an update guys.

 

I got the parts from Yara and I replaced my feed with the one they sent me and kept the nib the same.

 

Pen works perfectly now, wrote about 5 pages with it; no skipping, no drying, no problems.

 

The problem was purely a feed issue.

 

I've inked it up with Noodlers Black and it's been bummed up in status as an Everyday writer.

 

Thanks everyone for all your helpful advise and input.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Dodobrains