Nib Tines Look Slightly Different Lengths; What Can I Do About It?

[Tylerjordan]

Hello,

 

I've recently picked up a Sheaffer Statesman and am in the process of repairing it. I have noted the nib was scratchy so I used a loupe and found one tine ever so slightly lower than the other. After aligning them I still found it scratchy so I very lightly smoothed it out, which, without ink on the nib seemed to do wonders. It didn't catch on the page as it used to. I dipped the nib in some ink and tried it out and, to my disappointment, the nib was no better then it was to begin with (scratchy with normal writing pressure, iffy flow); it only gave good ink flow with a good amount of pressure.

 

So, I did the only thing I could think of: used a loupe paired with my camera to get an even closer look. It looks like the tines are different lengths, with the tipping material not lining up. I'm beginning to think this is the problem but I have no clue if it is. If this is the problem is it possible for me to fix it?

I do not believe the nib has been ground to an oblique angle but I could be wrong.

 

Album of photos (you can zoom in a decent amount without loosing too much detail):

http://imgur.com/a/KULPY#0

Edited May 31, 2014 by Tylerjordan

[FarmBoy]

I'm convinced your nib can be made to behave in a manner you desire.

 

 

 

What did you use for smoothing?

[PAKMAN]

Did you smooth with ink in the nib? Best to smooth nibs wet.

[Algester]

it could be a badly ground oblique... which would mean Baby bottoms?

[FarmBoy]

it could be a badly ground oblique... which would mean Baby bottoms?

I think other issues are in play.

[ShallowJam]

looks like both tines are bent laterally, making one longer than the other. I imagine this would have to be remedied

[Gloucesterman]

Hello,

 

I've recently picked up a Sheaffer Statesman and am in the process of repairing it. I have noted the nib was scratchy so I used a loupe and found one tine ever so slightly lower than the other. After aligning them I still found it scratchy so I very lightly smoothed it out, which, without ink on the nib seemed to do wonders. It didn't catch on the page as it used to. I dipped the nib in some ink and tried it out and, to my disappointment, the nib was no better then it was to begin with (scratchy with normal writing pressure, iffy flow); it only gave good ink flow with a good amount of pressure.

 

So, I did the only thing I could think of: used a loupe paired with my camera to get an even closer look. It looks like the tines are different lengths, with the tipping material not lining up. I'm beginning to think this is the problem but I have no clue if it is. If this is the problem is it possible for me to fix it?

I do not believe the nib has been ground to an oblique angle but I could be wrong.

 

Album of photos (you can zoom in a decent amount without loosing too much detail):

http://imgur.com/a/KULPY#0

 

Excellent images. Nice work using the loupe in that way. very creative problem solving/

[Tylerjordan]

looks like both tines are bent laterally, making one longer than the other. I imagine this would have to be remedied

Thank you that really cleared up an odd problem I couldn't seem to solve; never occurred to me they could have been bent!

 

 

 

 

Did you smooth with ink in the nib? Best to smooth nibs wet.

I smoothed the nib with some water on it.

 

 

I'm convinced your nib can be made to behave in a manner you desire.

 

 

 

What did you use for smoothing?

I used 12000x micro mesh

 

 

 

Excellent images. Nice work using the loupe in that way. very creative problem solving/

Thank you!

Edited June 1, 2014 by Tylerjordan

[Tylerjordan]

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww302/tjjonhunter/IMG_0113.jpg

Unfortunately, I cannot say that my camera works equally as well.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Tylerjordan

[ShallowJam]

woohoo! congratulations, thats a tricky fix.

 

ps: is that lierre sauvage?

[Tylerjordan]

woohoo! congratulations, thats a tricky fix.

 

ps: is that lierre sauvage?

It is! Good eye considering my camera flash altered the brightness.

[PAKMAN]

Congrats on getting it writing to your liking!