Opus 88 Koloro ink flow problem

[scottrseaman]

I have an Opus 88 Koloro that I have tried to use for a couple of years and found it to have some sort of major issue with the ink flow.  No matter what I try, I can get it to write a few lines before the flow stops completely.  I've cleaned/flushed it, changed nibs and feeds, tried to open the valve to different degrees, etc. -- nothing works.  I have an Opus demonstrator that has the same basic mechanism (valve, etc.) and works fine, so I don't think it a matter of me not knowing how to use this type of pen.  I've seen references on the Internet to people having the same problem, but I've never seen a definitive answer such as "The Koloro model is often plagued with XX defect, which hinders ink flow" or something like that.  Could it just be a dud pen for some reason?  If so, I might just throw it out and lower my blood pressure.  Thank you!

[amberleadavis]

Hmmm..... that seems strange. The pen is an eyedropper so it should flow, but it sounds like it is creating a vacuum inside.  So, look at the plunger in the back. Is the pen not getting any airflow?

[A Smug Dill]

42 minutes ago, scottrseaman said:

I've cleaned/flushed it, changed nibs and feeds, tried to open the valve to different degrees, etc. -- nothing works.  I have an Opus demonstrator that has the same basic mechanism (valve, etc.) and works fine,

 

Did you try using the same ink in both?

 

43 minutes ago, scottrseaman said:

I've never seen a definitive answer such as "The Koloro model is often plagued with XX defect, which hinders ink flow" or something like that.

 

Definitive?

 

My Opus 88 Koloro doesn't have the problem you described. Neither do any of my wife's and my four Opus 88 Picnic pens. My several Wing Sung 699 do, but they're not related by either the brand or filling mechanism with the Opus 88 eyedropper-filled models.

[scottrseaman]

59 minutes ago, amberleadavis said:

Hmmm..... that seems strange. The pen is an eyedropper so it should flow, but it sounds like it is creating a vacuum inside.  So, look at the plunger in the back. Is the pen not getting any airflow?

 

Thank you!  If I fully open the valve and then leave it nib down for a bit, the ink flows but then stops again.  Very puzzling.

 

29 minutes ago, A Smug Dill said:

Did you try using the same ink in both?

 

 

Thank you!  I'm using Pelikan blue ink in both the Koloro and the demonstrator.  The demonstrator works fine, but the Koloro does not.  

[amberleadavis]

Okay, let's try keeping the valve open on the back like you would a vacuum. Did this work?

[Karmachanic]

Try this.

The feed nipple serves no purpose in an eyedropper, and somewhat occludes the ink channel, particularly in smaller #5 housings.  Cut it off.  Additionally, if required, widen the channel at the very top of the feed. Ebonite eyedropper feeds often have a notch at the top of the feed.  This is also the case for some MB feeds.

[scottrseaman]

Thank you, all.  Just so I'm clear, is the "feed nipple" the little thin, pin-like part that protrudes from the back of the feed and is inserted into the little hole in the back of the section (and so it is in contact with the ink in the barrel)?  I apologize as I am not familiar with pen parts, so want to avoid cutting off the wrong part!  I have spare feeds that I can use if I screw up one, however.  Thank you.

[Karmachanic]

45 minutes ago, scottrseaman said:

is the "feed nipple" the little thin, pin-like part that protrudes from the back of the feed

 

Yes 😀 It goes inside the converter.  Superfluous in your case.

[scottrseaman]

Thank you very much!  I'll remove that part and see what happens and report back.

[amberleadavis]

OH, and take pictures - before and after - of writing samples AND of your work. That way we an all learn.

[The Elevator]

On 8/8/2022 at 10:41 AM, scottrseaman said:

Thank you very much!  I'll remove that part and see what happens and report back.

Hey there, I have a friend who's looking to buy an Opus 88, and we're wondering if the stub nibs are plagued by the same ink flow problems that TWSBIs have (related to the feed nipple). So, Did this work for you?