Possible Remedy For Skipping Pilot Fa Nib

[max dog]

For me there seems to be 3 issues going on with the FA nib.

1..Normal writing (non flexing) occasional skips/hard starts even with perfectly aligned tines. Ink flow consistency and reliability under normal writing has improved by reducing the ink flow slightly as suggested by Bluey (cross the tines over a couple of times to make the pen a little less wet). By making the nib a little less wet it enables the feed to keep up the ink flow to the nib by allowing air back into the chamber quickly enough to prevent a vacuum from forming in the chamber. I know, a little counter-intuitive at first but makes sense if you think about it. My nib would write good when the feed is saturated, but after a page or so skips and hard starts would happen more frequently before, but now it writes consistently without that problem.

 

2..Railroading when nib is flexed. Understanding the FA nib was not designed for flexing like vintage flex pens, but rather short deliberate strokes characteristic of asian characters, the FA is the closest thing to a semi flex nib in a modern pen, so the natural tendency to push the nib for sweeping flex effects is tempting. Finding the right ink combo can help reduce the railroading if you can't help but push the nib for that magic line variation. For me, Montblanc Permanent Blue seems to be the magic ink. It seems to have just the right surface tension to keep the ink flow going as the tines spread. I can push the nib to 3X to 3.5X line width flex consistently without railroading (edit: to minimize railroading) YMMV. Will try some Pilot Iroshizuku inks suggested by others.

*note* another benefit with the MB Permanent Blue is it will not bleed through cheap absorbent paper (like Moleskine papers), so you can exercise your flex on anything. Don't have to tie yourself down to those expensive Rhodia, Clairfontaine, or Tomato River papers.

 

3..I find the Con 70 is not as reliable as the Con 50 and 40 with agitator in breaking up the air pockets and ensuring reliable/consistent ink flow to the nib. Trade off of course is smaller ink capacity. Lately though I have been using the Con 70 in my 912 FA, and it is OK, but if you experience ink flow issues after addressing items 1 and 2 above, try the Con 50 or 40 with agitator. I will note that my Custom 74 always worked fine with the Con 70, so perhaps the FA nib is a little more sensitive.

Edited October 7, 2017 by max dog