Jump to content

Lamy Safari Clogging?


dbellisario

Recommended Posts

Hi All,

 

I'm new to fountain pens; I recently bought a fine tip Lamy Safari after having tried out a few and loved them.

 

After only a few days of ownership, it started to have trouble writing, with the ink sometimes not coming out and me having to squeeze the cartridge to make it flow again. This happens frequently. I have rinsed it twice, including once right after purchasing it (to clear out the ink I used when trying it out in the store). I have used it almost every day, so it hasn't been sitting around for long, and have not left it sitting uncapped.

 

Does anyone have an idea of what the issue could be?

 

Thanks!
Darin

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 11
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • dbellisario

    3

  • Mike 59

    2

  • graystranger

    2

  • shawndp

    1

Darin

 

While there may be a way to fix this, the Safari is an extremely relaible writing instrument and if it was me, I would get it swapped under warranty from the store you bought it at. I have over a dozen and none of them choke, even after a week or two of not being used. With any mass produced item, some bad apples will slip through quality-control, but don't make someone else's problem your own - just get one that works...All the best!

 

Shawn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There can always be bits of stuff in the feed groove, like plastic, machining trash, nib polishing compound, etc. after manufacturing. I would take Shawn's advice and get it returned or replaced. My Lamy has never given any problems at all. I have a 1.5 mm stub nib on it and the ink flow starts immediately and never chokes down at all. And a 1.5 mm nib needs a large ink flow to keep up. It writes nicely wet every time I put the nib to the paper. Return the pen.

 

Oh, also: squeezing an ink cartridge can result in the cartridge being cracked. A better method is to remove the cartridge and insert the tip on the nib into the cartridge for a while. The ink in the cartridge wicks up into the nib and feed getting it wet again. If you have a converter, you can carefully turn its piston and drive fresh ink into the nib.

 

Another way that works very well is to just hold the nib under tap water for a few seconds, wipe off with a paper towel, and start writing.

Edited by graystranger

Eschew Sesquipedalian Obfuscation

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, This could 'just' be the new pen issue, where I have found over several years and pens of many brands, that it's a good idea to flush the pen through with cool or warm water with a drop of dish detegent mixed in.

With the Safari, the twist converter is a great way of doing this, as it's then possible to draw the ink up through the nib and feed, and then force it back down again, repeating this for as many times as you can stand, 20 or so, should be enough.

I do this with my own pens, although some writers will say it's not needed as new pens most likely are very clean, BUT I don't know that !

To drain the water out, as you don't want it to dilute the next 250 words you write, is to fold up a paper towel, and lay the nib upside down on the paper for 10 minutes. Shake out any water in the area where the cartridge/converter fits, and refit the cartridge.

( If it's not urgent to use the pen, it's best to leave the nib and section to really dry out overnight, the water can weaken the strength of the ink by a large percentage.)

Edited by Mike 59
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you so much for the advice all! I'll go back to the retailer and see if they'll exchange it, in the hopes that the next pen doesn't suffer the same issue!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  On 4/3/2016 at 1:10 PM, dbellisario said:

Hi All,

 

I'm new to fountain pens; I recently bought a fine tip Lamy Safari after having tried out a few and loved them.

 

After only a few days of ownership, it started to have trouble writing, with the ink sometimes not coming out and me having to squeeze the cartridge to make it flow again. This happens frequently. I have rinsed it twice, including once right after purchasing it (to clear out the ink I used when trying it out in the store). I have used it almost every day, so it hasn't been sitting around for long, and have not left it sitting uncapped.

 

Does anyone have an idea of what the issue could be?

 

Thanks!

Darin

 

I was having a similar issue where the ink would stop flowing and I would shake the pen to get it to write again. it would start writing again but the line width would be inconsistent. In my case it was paper fibers getting stuck in the nib. So now when I write in that particular notebook, I keep the brass shims handy.

www.postable.com/pickwickink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can get brass shims for clearing nibs here: http://www.gouletpens.com/goulet-brass-sheets/p/GPC-BrassSheets

 

However, I recommend the complete nib tuning kit, which includes the brass shims and a lot more: http://www.gouletpens.com/gpc-package-tuning/p/GPC-Package-Tuning

 

Just be sure to watch the video before you do any more than clear the slit.

Eschew Sesquipedalian Obfuscation

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks guys! A bit more diagnosis.

 

I took it back as suggested and they cleaned it out with soapy water once more, and popped the black cartridge back in.

 

I'm still encountering the problem however, but I've diagnosed it a bit more: it writes fine for a while, maybe 2-3 minutes of continuous writing, and then stops entirely. When I remove and re-introduce the same cartridge, doing nothing else (no pinching or wiggling or anything), it works again right away.

 

Does that sound like an issue of the ink going from the cartridge to the 'loader' region? Such that I keep emptying the loader and then removing and re-adding the cartridge causes the ink to re-fill it?

 

Or does that sound like the paper fiber issue mentioned above? I haven't tried shaking it.

 

Thanks!

Darin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  On 4/19/2016 at 4:32 PM, dbellisario said:

Thanks guys! A bit more diagnosis.

 

I took it back as suggested and they cleaned it out with soapy water once more, and popped the black cartridge back in.

 

I'm still encountering the problem however, but I've diagnosed it a bit more: it writes fine for a while, maybe 2-3 minutes of continuous writing, and then stops entirely. When I remove and re-introduce the same cartridge, doing nothing else (no pinching or wiggling or anything), it works again right away.

 

Does that sound like an issue of the ink going from the cartridge to the 'loader' region? Such that I keep emptying the loader and then removing and re-adding the cartridge causes the ink to re-fill it?

 

Or does that sound like the paper fiber issue mentioned above? I haven't tried shaking it.

 

Thanks!

Darin

I write on all kinds of paper, from Tomoe River to 'paper towel' grade, and the Safari does not balk. What you describe should not happen. Of the dozen or so Safaris/Al-Stars I've had (yeah, I went LE-crazy for a while), only one was a lemon that was dry and scratchy and did not want to write.

 

At this point, exchanging the pen sounds best. Good luck!

My latest ebook.   And not just for Halloween!
 

My other pen is a Montblanc.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To me it sounds more like an ink issue, and the combination of all new pen, feed and cartirdge.

If you have any other fountain pen inks it would be very worth trying them in your Safari, a reliable brand I've used for years is Waterman.

Your problem could just be the fact that everything in your pen is new, and it's an on-going issue that the ink in some cartridges just doesn't want to flow well until the pen has been used and cleaned out repeatedly, then they start to work as designed.

To refill ink cartridges you need to use a blunt needle syringe, the type that is used to refill inkjet printer cartridges.

 

With new cartridges I will use them up, if possible, then fill and empty them a dozen times over with warm water with dish detergent mixed in. The idea is to reduce the 'oilyness' of the plastic (probably polythene) to the point where ink will flow out of the cartridge.

If that seems too fussy, one easy trick that I have found works, is to take the cartridge out of the pen, find a wooden cocktail stick or match if you have any, then into a small bottle cap add one drop of dish detergent, and add to that tap water.

Dip the cocktail stick into the mixture and drop it into the ink cartridge. One drop should do, maybe two.

Refit the cartridge and test. I have used this idea and it worked for me. Hope that helps.

( You can still return the pen if you still don't get the results you expect, no harm is done to it.

I have six Safaris, all most reliable writers, but they do get better with use and cleaning through.)

Edited by Mike 59
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It could be the cartridge is not making a proper seal into the feed unit. I would try another cartridge, or if you got the converter, put ink into the converter and see if it still does the same.

 

I've had similar issues with other pens and needed to use a tooth brush on the feed to get machining gunk out of it.

 

After those items above, if it still does not write correctly, I would exchange it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It could just be the ink itself. I've found Lamy blue, for example, to be one of the worst flowing inks I've ever tried. It's made more than one of my pens skip. Try using a converter and a bottled ink of a different brand.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Hamlet, 1.5.167-168

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Most Contributions

    1. amberleadavis
      amberleadavis
      43972
    2. PAKMAN
      PAKMAN
      34588
    3. inkstainedruth
      inkstainedruth
      28867
    4. Ghost Plane
      Ghost Plane
      28220
    5. Bo Bo Olson
      Bo Bo Olson
      27148
  • Upcoming Events

  • Blog Comments

  • Chatbox

    You don't have permission to chat.
    • Penguincollector 30 Mar 15:07
      Oh yes, pictures are on the “ I got this pen today” thread.
    • lectraplayer 29 Mar 9:19
      Is it here yet?
    • Penguincollector 26 Mar 5:00
      I just got the tracking information for my Starwalker💃🏻
    • T.D. Rabbit 3 Mar 12:46
      @lamarax I am horrified... And slightly intrigued. But mostly just scared.
    • lamarax 2 Mar 20:38
      Oh well. In case of failure you can always wring the paper to have a nice -albeit somewhat stale- cup of coffee back.
    • T.D. Rabbit 2 Mar 10:20
      @Astronymus I could use cornstarch... Or i could distill it and make it very concentrated.
    • T.D. Rabbit 2 Mar 10:20
      @lamarax That's what I used! (In reply to black coffee).. But the milk might not be good at all for paper.
    • Grayfeather 2 Mar 0:08
      Good day, all.
    • Gertrude F 20 Feb 17:58
      Sorry think I posted this in the wrong place. Used to be a user, just re-upped. Be kind. 😑
    • Gertrude F 20 Feb 17:56
      Looking to sell huge lot of pretty much every Man 200 made - FP, BP, MP, one or two RBs. Does anyone have a suggestion for a bulk purhase house? Thanks - and hope this doesn't violate any rules.
    • lamarax 17 Feb 18:05
      Cappuccino should work. Frothy milk also helps to lubricate the nib. But it has to be made by a barista.
    • Astronymus 17 Feb 16:19
      YOu might need to thicken the coffee with something. I admit I have no idea with what. But I'm pretty sure it would work.
    • asnailmailer 3 Feb 17:35
      it is incowrimo time and only very few people are tempting me
    • lamarax 31 Jan 21:34
      Try black coffee. No sugar.
    • T.D. Rabbit 31 Jan 8:11
      Coffee is too light to write with though I've tried.
    • Astronymus 29 Jan 21:46
      You can use coffee and all other kinds of fluid with a glas pen. 😉
    • Roger Zhao 29 Jan 14:37
      chocolate is yummy
    • Bucefalo 17 Jan 9:59
      anyone sells vacumatic push button shafts
    • stxrling 13 Jan 1:25
      Are there any threads or posts up yet about the California Pen Show in February, does anyone know?
    • lamarax 10 Jan 20:27
      Putting coffee in a fountain pen is far more dangerous
    • asnailmailer 9 Jan 0:09
      Don't drink the ink
    • zug zug 8 Jan 16:48
      Coffee inks or coffee, the drink? Both are yummy though.
    • LandyVlad 8 Jan 5:37
      I hear the price of coffee is going up. WHich is bad because I like coffee.
    • asnailmailer 6 Jan 14:43
      time for a nice cup of tea
    • Just J 25 Dec 1:57
      @liauyat re editing profile: At forum page top, find the Search panel. Just above that you should see your user name with a tiny down arrow [🔽] alongside. Click that & scroll down to CONTENT, & under that, Profile. Click that, & edit 'til thy heart's content!
    • liapuyat 12 Dec 12:20
      I can't seem to edit my profile, which is years out of date, because I've only returned to FPN again recently. How do you fix it?
    • mattaw 5 Dec 14:25
      @lantanagal did you do anything to fix that? I get that page every time I try to go to edit my profile...
    • Penguincollector 30 Nov 19:14
      Super excited to go check out the PDX Pen Bazaar today. I volunteered to help set up tables. It should be super fun, followed by Xmas tree shopping. 😁
    • niuben 30 Nov 10:41
      @Nurse Ratchet
    • Nurse Ratchet 30 Nov 2:49
      Newbie here!!! Helloall
    • Emes 25 Nov 23:31
      jew
    • Misfit 9 Nov 2:38
      lantanagal, I’ve only seen that happen when you put someone on the ignore list. I doubt a friend would do that.
    • lantanagal 7 Nov 19:01
      UPDATE - FIXED NOW Exact message is: Requested page not available! Dear Visitor of the Fountain Pen Nuthouse The page you are requesting to visit is not available to you. You are not authorised to access the requested page. Regards, The FPN Admin Team November 7, 2024
    • lantanagal 7 Nov 18:59
      UPDATE - FIXED NOW Trying to send a pen friend a reply to a message, keep getting an error message to say I don't have access. Anyone any ideas? (tried logging our and back in to no avail)
    • Dr.R 2 Nov 16:58
      Raina’s
    • fireant 2 Nov 1:36
      Fine-have you had a nibmeister look at it?
    • carlos.q 29 Oct 15:19
      @FineFinerFinest: have you seen this thread? https://www.fountainpennetwor...nging-pelikan-nibs/#comments
    • FineFinerFinest 24 Oct 8:52
      No replies required to my complaints about the Pelikan. A friend came to the rescue with some very magnification equipment - with the images thrown to a latge high res screen. Technology is a wonderful thing. Thanks to Mercian for the reply. I had been using the same paper & ink for sometime when the "singing" started. I have a theory but no proof that nibs get damaged when capping the pen. 👍
    • Mercian 22 Oct 22:28
      @FineFinerFinest: sometimes nib-'singing' can be lessened - or even cured - by changing the ink that one is putting through the pen, or the paper that one is using. N.b. *sometimes*. Good luck
    • Bluetaco 22 Oct 22:04
      howdy
    • FineFinerFinest 21 Oct 5:23
      I'm not expecting any replies to my question about the singing Pelikan nib. It seems, from reading the background, that I am not alone. It's a nice pen. It's such a pity Pelikan can't make decent nibs. I have occasionally met users who tell me how wonderful their Pelikan nib is. I've spent enough money to know that not everyone has this experience. I've worked on nibs occasionally over forty years with great success. This one has me beaten. I won't be buying any more Pelikan pens. 👎
    • FineFinerFinest 21 Oct 4:27
      I've had a Pelikan M805 for a couple of years now and cannot get the nib to write without singing. I've worked on dozens of nibs with great success. Ny suggestion about what's going wrong? 😑
    • Bhakt 12 Oct 5:45
      Any feedback in 100th anniversary Mont Blanc green pens?
    • Glens pens 8 Oct 15:08
      @jordierocks94 i happen to have platinum preppy that has wrote like (bleep) since i bought it my second pen....is that something you would wish to practice on?
    • jordierocks94 4 Oct 6:26
      Hello all - New here. My Art studies have spilled me into the ft pen world where I am happily submerged and floating! I'm looking to repair some cheap pens that are starving for ink yet filled, and eventually get new nibs; and development of repair skills (an even longer learning curve than my art studies - lol). Every hobby needs a hobby, eh ...
    • The_Beginner 18 Sept 23:35
      horse notebooks if you search the title should still appear though it wont show you in your proflie
    • Jayme Brener 16 Sept 22:21
      Hi, guys. I wonder if somebody knows who manufactured the Coro fountain pens.
    • TheHorseNotebooks 16 Sept 13:11
      Hello, it's been ages for me since I was here last time. I had a post (http://www.fountainpennetwork...-notebooks/?view=getnewpost) but I see that it is no longer accessible. Is there anyway to retrieve that one?
    • Refujio Rodriguez 16 Sept 5:39
      I have a match stick simplomatic with a weidlich nib. Does anyone know anything about this pen?
    • The_Beginner 15 Sept 16:11
      dusty yes, glen welcome
    • Glens pens 11 Sept 1:22
      Hello, Im new to FPN I'm so happy to find other foutain penattics. collecting almost one year ,thought I would say hello to everyone.
    • DustyBin 8 Sept 14:34
      I haven't been here for ages... do I take it that private sales are no longer allowed? Also used to be a great place to sell and buy some great pens
    • Sailor Kenshin 1 Sept 12:37
      Lol…
    • JungleJim 1 Sept 1:55
      Perhaps it's like saying Beetlejuice 3 times to get that person to appear, though with @Sailor Kenshin you only have to say it twice?
    • Sailor Kenshin 31 Aug 21:06
      ?
    • Duffy 29 Aug 19:31
      @Sailor Kenshin @Sailor Kenshin
    • Seney724 26 Aug 22:07
    • Diablo 26 Aug 22:05
      Thank you so much, Seney724. I really appreciate your help!
    • Seney724 26 Aug 21:43
      I have no ties or relationship. Just a very happy customer. He is a very experienced Montblanc expert.
    • Seney724 26 Aug 21:42
      I strongly recommend Kirk Speer at https://www.penrealm.com/
    • Diablo 26 Aug 21:35
      @Seney724. The pen was recently disassembled and cleaned, but the nib and feed were not properly inserted into the holder. I'm in Maryland.
    • Diablo 26 Aug 21:32
      @Seney724. The nib section needs to be adjusted properly.
    • Seney724 26 Aug 18:16
      @Diablo. Where are you? What does it need?
    • Diablo 26 Aug 16:58
      Seeking EXPERIENCED, REPUTABLE service/repair for my 149. PLEASE help!!!
    • Penguincollector 19 Aug 19:42
      @Marta Val, reach out to @terim, who runs Peyton Street Pens and is very knowledgeable about Sheaffer pens
    • Marta Val 19 Aug 14:35
      Hello, could someone recommend a reliable venue: on line or brick and mortar in Fairfax, VA or Long Island, NY to purchase the soft parts and a converter to restore my dad's Sheaffer Legacy? please. Thanks a mill.
    • The_Beginner 18 Aug 2:49
      is there a guy who we can message to find a part for us with a given timelimit if so please let me know his name!
    • virtuoso 16 Aug 15:15
      what happene to the new Shaeffer inks?
    • Scribs 14 Aug 17:09
      fatehbajwa, in Writing Instruments, "Fountain Pens + Dip Pens First Stop" ?
    • fatehbajwa 14 Aug 12:17
      Back to FPN after 14 years. First thing I noticed is that I could not see a FS forum. What has changed? 🤔
    • Kika 5 Aug 10:22
      Are there any fountain pen collectors in Qatar?
    • T.D. Rabbit 31 July 18:58
      Ahh okay, thanks!
    • Scribs 29 July 18:51
      @ TDRabbit, even better would be in Creative Expressions area, subform The Write Stuff
    • T.D. Rabbit 29 July 11:40
      Okay, thanks!
    • JungleJim 29 July 0:46
      @T.D. Rabbit Try posting it in the "Chatter Forum". You have to be logged in to see it.
    • T.D. Rabbit 28 July 17:54
      Hello! Is there a thread anywhere 'round here where one can post self-composed poetry? If not, would it be alright if I made one? I searched on google, but to no avail...
    • OldFatDog 26 July 19:41
      I have several Parker Roller Ball & Fiber Tip refills in the original packaging. Where and how do I sell them? The couple that I've opened the ink still flowed when put to paper. Also if a pen would take the foller ball refill then it should take the fiber tip as well? Anyway it's been awhile and I'm want to take my message collection beyond the few pieces that I have... Meaning I don't have a Parker these refills will fit in 🙄
    • RegDiggins 23 July 12:40
      Recently was lucky enough to buy a pristine example of the CF crocodile ball with the gold plating. Then of course I faced the same problem we all have over the years ,of trying to find e refill. Fortunately I discovered one here in the U.K. I wonder if there are other sources which exist in other countries, by the way they were not cheap pen
    • The_Beginner 20 July 20:35
      Hows it going guys i have a code from pen chalet that i wont use for 10% off and it ends aug 31st RC10AUG its 10% off have at it fellas
    • T.D. Rabbit 19 July 9:33
      Somewhat confusing and off-putting ones, as said to me by my very honest friends. I don't have an X account though :<
    • piano 19 July 8:41
      @The Devil Rabbit what kind of? Let’s go to X (twitter) with #inkdoodle #inkdoodleFP
    • Mort639 17 July 1:03
      I have a Conway Stewart Trafalgar set. It was previously owned by actor Russell Crowe and includes a letter from him. Can anyone help me with assessing its value?
    • Sailor Kenshin 15 July 17:41
      There must be a couple of places here to share artworks.
    • T.D. Rabbit 15 July 12:45
      Hullo! I really like making ink doodles, and I'd like to share a few. Anywhere on the site I can do so? Thanks in advance!
    • Sailor Kenshin 6 July 17:58
      Pay It Forward.
    • AndWhoDisguisedAs 6 July 16:59
      where would I post wanting to trade bottle of ink straight up?
    • JungleJim 3 July 16:14
      @Bill Wood-- just look at the message below you that was posted by @PAKMAN. He is a moderator here on the forums.
    • Bill Wood 2 July 14:24
      Just checking on a classified section and where we are with that. Many thanks. Bill
    • PAKMAN 29 June 1:57
      @inky1 The software for the classified stopped working with the forum. So no we don't have a sales section anymore at FPN
    • inky1 28 June 16:49
      I am not sure which is the classifieds section
    • inky1 28 June 16:46
      IIs there a Fountain Pen Sales board anywhere on here?
    • dave c 25 June 19:01
      Hi. Anybody ever heard about a Royal Puck Pen. Very small but good looking.
    • Eppie_Matts 23 June 19:25
      Thanks! I've just ordered some #6's to experiment with.
    • Al-fresco 21 June 12:11
      @Eppie_Matts Shouldn't be a problem - I've just put a Bock #6 Titanium into a La Grande Bellezza section. Went straight in without any problem.
    • Curiousone11 21 June 4:35
      Any recommendations on anyone who specializes in original pen patents?
    • Eppie_Matts 20 June 1:32
      Hi all - I'm new to experimenting with pens and nibs. Can I put a bock 6 on a Pineider? Thanks!
    • penned in 16 June 17:33
      Hi, I'm new to this forum and was wondering where is the best place to sell a Montblanc ballpoint pen? Are ballpoints allowed here? It's a beautiful pen that deserves a great listing. Thanks.
    • ChrisUrbane 9 June 3:16
      I havent logged in here for a while. I have moved and when I try to change my location on my profile, when I go to save it, it sais 'page not found' and that I do not have authority to change that.
    • Dlj 6 June 20:19
      I am looking for someone who can repair a Waterman Preface ballpoint that won’t stay together
    • Penguincollector 30 May 14:59
      I just noticed that the oppsing team of the game I watched last night had a player named Biro in their lineup. He must be part of Marsell the oily magician’s cadre
    Load More
  • Files






×
×
  • Create New...