Early 90S Diplomat Classic

[The_Irreverent_RN]

Hi guys! I need all the help I can get with this one. I have around 6 hours in this so far with no luck.

 

My father in law gave me a Diplomat Classic he received in the early 90s but never used. The pen had a mont blanc disposable ink cartridge in place and was a mess of dried and gummy ink when I opened it. I ran hot water through and cleaned it as best I could. I filled the refillable cartridge it came with, with Shaeffer black ink and set about trying to write. It barely produces ink from the nib. It spills underneath and around the shoulder but I can never get a nice flow.

 

Any ideas? Does any know some history on the pen or value? It feels like a nice pen but I've been covered in ink twice and still can't get a sentence out. I appreciate any help you may have! Also there is a warranty, should I contact them?

[northstar]

You need to soak it at least for 24 hours, and never use hot water.

[The Blue Knight]

What I think you have there is the predessor to the Excellence A or B range I'm not 100% sure but I think it may be called the Lord pen. If you want to confrim that I would email Diplomat via

 

http://www.diplomat-pen.de/index.php?id=6&L=1

 

They are normally very helpful. In terms of value I think it probably was sold as a upper mid tier pen So likely cost around £100 when new. I've tried to find history on the brand however for a brand that's been around nearly 100 years there is next no information on it. I'd read this field notes blog post on the brand if you are interested.

 

 

http://www.fieldnotesblog.com.au/2012/03/diplomat-pens.html

 

Diplomat isn't a brand that many have heard of so then in terms of value you may only get around £30 on the secondary market which is unfortunate as it really is worth more then that, It's a nice pen and it's worth holding on too.

 

I've owned a few modern Diplomats (2 Excellence A's and 1 Balance) On them the feed and nib simply pull out. I'd do so and rinse the feed and nib and once dry try again that should get it writing if not I'd drop Diplomat an email as there customer service is great and will help sort out the problem.

 

Do post weather you got it working.

Edited December 28, 2015 by The Blue Knight

[The_Irreverent_RN]

Thank you both for the input. I messed with some more late last night and was able to get it writing a little but it feels horrid. I will take the nib out and soak in water until tomorrow and see if that improves things. There was no consistency to the ink flow and it was not an enjoyable writing experience.

[The_Irreverent_RN]

The best I have so far

[Kelly G]

Try "flossing" the nib. If you are not familiar with that process, here it is: Use a small square of thin, flexible material (the best IMO is brass shim stock, .002" thickness. You can buy it at most auto parts stores) to clean the nib slit by inserting a corner of the square in the breather hole and gently pulling the shim through the slit and out the nib end. Try not to pry the tines one way or another, just slide the shim through a few times. This should clean out any gunky ink.

 

Good luck with your pen.

[The Blue Knight]

Trying a different ink maybe worth while. The steel nibbed Diplomats I've owned tend to write quite dry and Sheaffer inks are known for being dry too so this may be contributing to the problem. Do you have any Waterman or Diamine inks you could try or any that are known for being wet you could try as this indeed may solve the problem?

[The_Irreverent_RN]

I soaked it, flossed it, and made a Frankenstein concoction of ink... It writes now; but I don't like it.

 

It feels nice in the hand but I just don't care for it yet. I will keep writing with it and see if it grows on me. Thank you all for the help!