Brand New Lamy Al-Star Blue W/broad Nib: Starting Problems - Looking For Advice

[RejectH0]

Hello, Pen Friends!

 

I'm new to the community, having just bought my first Lamy Safari just two weeks ago. The hobby has bit me hard because I received my Lamy Al-Star Blue w/Broad nib today. I'm still waiting for the converter to arrive, so I inked it up with the cartridge that came with it.

 

Do any of you have experience with the Lamy Al-Star and the factory cartridge? I'm having many issues with getting the ink to flow on starts. When I lift up the nib and put it back down on the paper for a subsequent stroke, the ink doesn't always flow. This is my first broad nib pen, so it is possible I'm doing something wrong.

 

Any suggestions, feedback, or "try this" appreciated.

 

Regards,

RejectH0

[T4TEXAS]

Have you flushed out the section/feed/nib with an ear flushing bulb? You can use luke-warm water in a cup with just a drop of dishwashing (not dishwasher) soap. Flush about 3 times then flysh again 3 times with plain water or distilled water. Let the section dry for an hour or 2 on a paper towel.

[RejectH0]

I'll be honest: As soon as I got it, I pushed the brand new cartridge into it and started using it right away. I didn't realize that I should've cleaned it first. I know that Lamy pens are all inked up at the factory with blue ink, so I didn't think to clean it because I'd just be using the blue cartridge that came with it until my converter arrives late this week. (C'mon, Amazon! Deliver faster!)

 

I'm going to go clean it right now and see if that helps anything. Thanks for the suggestion, T4TEXAS! I appreciate your tutelage!

[tamiya]

A good clean never hurts.

 

Did the pen come with a barcode sticker on it? Check the code line after the model/colour, it'll tell you what nib the factory supplied your pen with... if it's not a Broad then your retailer has swapped in the nib before shipping.

 

If this was done after it left the factory, it'll mean that nib+feed combo very likely never been tested with ink - so good performance cannot be guaranteed, you may need to fiddle a bit to get it sweet.

 

Check nib alignment, check gap between nib and feed (the arch of the nib can't be too high or too low off the feed, ink won't stay at tip of nib)

[TheRealMikeDr]

Also - make sure the cartridge is seated firmly.