Pelikan 400Nn Writing Problems

[Oshi]

Hi all,

i bought a Pelikan 400nn from ebay but it writes lousy.

The ink flow seems to be bad and it runs dry. But as soon as i give more pessure its too much ink.

I ultrasonic cleaned it, and i do not see any problem at the feed with my loupe. (but im new to fountain pens, what do i know...)

Of course writing tecnique is important especially with the OB nib, but i dont think thats the problem here.

Im posting alot of pics in the hope you find something helpfull, thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2018 by Oshi

[Oshi]

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 20, 2018 by Oshi

[Dr.Grace]

Looks like a nice pen. The tines are out of alignment. That is the first thing I would attend to.

Edited April 20, 2018 by Dr.Grace

[OMASsimo]

The slight misalingment shouldn't affect ink flow much. But the pictures indicate that the slit is unusually wide. I don't recall seeing a Pelikan 400 nib like this with such a wide slit. But I don't see any indication that the tip was bent either. This might be a case for a real expert to examine the pen in person.

[Oshi]

Thanks, yes the slit looks wide and even a littlebit scratched? One of the the two tines is always on top,

because of the pressure they have on each other. Depending on how i align the tines, they will stay in that position.

I tried to open up the slit a littlebit (lifting up the shoulders), but didnt want to go to far (fear of killing it ).

This sould release some pressure on the tines, and increase the inkflow right?

Unfortunately this does not explane, why the pen is running dry when writing just a littlebit faster (seen on the images).

Edited April 21, 2018 by Oshi

[friedrichwild]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWCGAfBeWM4&t=2s

this should work. you just need a brash sheet. i have experienced the same problem with a pen and this method got it fixed.

Edited April 21, 2018 by friedrichwild

[Gasquolet]

Good photos. I would agree, the alignment is difficult to get right if the tipping is touching/ pressing heavily together. I have had much the same problem with a 400 and several similar pens. One trick that seems counter intuitive is to reset the feed so it presses slightly more on the underside of the nib, opening the gap at the tipping or at lease relieving the pressure between the tipping halves. Dipping the installed nib and feed (only!) in a cup of water well off the boil and some very light pressure as the feed re-cools may help . These Pelikan feeds are monsters for ink flow with a bit of nib pressure so it's just a question of finding the right balance. I'd avoid manipulating the nib too much to open the gap as getting these back can be difficult with the double curvature of the nib.

[mitto]

Separate the tines a little only at the tipping ends and then align them. And you are done.

Edited April 21, 2018 by mitto

[Oshi]

thanks, i will let you know how it went!

 

photos are made with a smartphone and an cheap plastic loupe (10x) mounted with a rubberband

[Oshi]

Thanks, it was like you said, the pressure of the tines held back the ink.

I opened up the tines with a littlebit more pressure than before, stil looks the same but works well.

Here is a writing sample, now i can sell it without bad conscience .

So thanks for your help, this will be very usefull for my next pens too!

 

Edited April 24, 2018 by Oshi

[mitto]

Good that the problem with your pen stands resolved.

[siamackz]

I see this problem with many of my soft/flex vintage MB nibs. The nib slit it wide and the suddenly at the tip gets super tight. The way is resolve is opening up the tines a little bit more

[Oshi]

yeah, i want to understand the whole thing more and more, because i see no other way to find the "perfect pen".

Small adjustments can make the whole difference.

I even started to grind my own stub nibs now, that way i learn what i like.

 

if interested here is the ebay link

https://www.ebay.at/itm/Pelikan-Kolbenfuller-400-400nn-Grun-14C-585-OBB-flex-Feder/152995611557

 

cheers

[slippery when wet]

It's a shame you don't accept PayPal, you would most likely get a higher price due to more people bidding

[Oshi]

Hmm yes, but the fees