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How easy is it to change the nib on a Lamy Al-Star? I received one for christmas from my parents, after they saw me using my Safari. The one they gave me came with a medium nib, and I already find the Fine nib on my Safari is too wide. I've already ordered a Very Fine nib, but I'm wondering if there is anything I need to be careful with when changing it?
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Dec 26, 2014 19:18
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Soylent Yellow posted:How easy is it to change the nib on a Lamy Al-Star? I received one for christmas from my parents, after they saw me using my Safari. The one they gave me came with a medium nib, and I already find the Fine nib on my Safari is too wide. I've already ordered a Very Fine nib, but I'm wondering if there is anything I need to be careful with when changing it? Just put some scotch tape on the nib and pull. It's really, really easy.
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Dec 26, 2014 19:37
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grack posted:I don't give a right middle poo poo if the customer service is amazing, their manufacturing and quality control is absolutely, staggeringly awful. I'd rather have a pen that works properly the first time than spend 3 months waiting for replacement parts to be shipped to me and hoping against hope it doesn't vomit ink all over the place every time I pick the damned thing up. Hell, even my $5 Chinese pen collection has had substantially fewer problems. The best customer service is the customer service that you never have to contact.
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Dec 27, 2014 00:05
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Missing Donut posted:The best customer service is the customer service that you never have to contact. As someone who has built the Lamy 2000 of Theseus, the best customer service is Lamy GmbH
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Dec 27, 2014 05:37
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As a counter to grack's experience with TWSBI, my own anecdotal experience has been relatively good. The original design 540 I got had problems three times (cracked section, cracked barrel at the piston knob end, cap that developed circular scratches because it couldn't properly fit the replacement section), but the smoke 540 and the mini that I got later on have been completely problem-free. And when I did have problems and emailed them about it (always send an email to Philip at twsbiinc@gmail.com first!), they were very quick to respond and send free replacement parts. I suppose it's possible that their pens still regularly have problems and I got lucky, but as somebody who values good customer service, even after my experience with my first pen, I would recommend TWSBI without hesitation.
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Dec 27, 2014 05:54
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I love my TWSBIs, there's no way you're going to get a good piston or vacumatic in the 50ish price range. The only times I've ever had cracking issues was when I kept my pens in my pocket, other than that I use a 540 and a 700 every day, and I just added a 580AL to the mix. In other news, my wife bought me a vintage Schaeffer Touchdown Imperial in black with a 14k gold nib for Christmas. She's awesome!
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Dec 27, 2014 06:30
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Yeah, see, that's where we differ. TWSBI is a company that claims that it's been making pens as an OEM for 40 years, they should know how to manufacture and test the things before they head out to market. Despite this, a good chunk of their catalogue was released with serious problems - the Classic was first released in late 2013 and it had a very well-known issue with a leaking section. For the price I'm paying ($55 may not be much in the world of fountain pens but it's hardly pocket change) and from a company with that much experience, I expect that when a product is made available for sale these types of problems are dealt with long before they ever reach the hands of a customer. TWSBI hasn't proven that they can do it thus far. They fix the problems eventually, sure, but I'm paying to use them, not test them.
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Dec 27, 2014 06:31
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Solkanar512 posted:I love my TWSBIs, there's no way you're going to get a good piston or vacumatic in the 50ish price range. The only times I've ever had cracking issues was when I kept my pens in my pocket, other than that I use a 540 and a 700 every day, and I just added a 580AL to the mix. The only time I've had a "broken" pen is when some guy pulled on my twsbi cap until it broke because he somehow didn't realize it was twist-off. He bought me twsbi mini to replace it even though I said I could get a replacement cap for free 
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Dec 27, 2014 07:59
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For the price point, TWSBI really shouldn't be having the QA problems it does. However, they are willing to replace anything with no cost to the customer. Yeah, you shouldn't need to replace anything except under rare cases, but them owing up to it and replacing poo poo for free is at least something. They still have an attractive line of pens that perform well, with the misfortune of having the Metro be a statistical outlier and making any pen over $20 really have to fight for itself. All that said, I have a Diamond 540 that's been banging around in my bag since I got it two years ago and it doesn't have a single ding or scratch on it. I feel secure with the screw cap on and the M nib has never been too dry to just use right away (thanks in no small part to the iroshizuku ink, no doubt). They are good pens but with a higher-than-normal chance of something going wrong.
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Dec 27, 2014 17:47
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Bad pics of my pens. Hero 360 thing Kind of a ripoff of the Sailor Trident nib. This one is simpler, instead of 3 prongs, this one is actually two. Closer to a Pilot Parallel than anything else. I bought a bunch of them with the purpose of keeping one, and giving away 9 to friends and family in christmas/birthdays. So far I've given away 3 and kept this one for myself. The one I kept for myself seems to have been the dud of the bunch  The nib was horribly scratchy and only wrote in certain angles (the two on the sides, not covered with the black plastic), but after a bunch of grinding it down with a... Sharpening stone? Thing, it is honestly very satisfying. Writes on nearly all angles, but there are still annoying scratchy points. I like it a lot anyways. Pretty much a drat good combination of Ballpoint and fountain, but definitely was a fixer upper (the others I've given away worked perfectly from the getgo) I like using Waterman Harmonious Green in it.  Oliver Matrix indian acrylic. Really pretty. The nib was scratchy but with a minor adjustment, it works wonderfully.  It used to be scratchy, but a minor adjustment fixed that up. The only issue I have with it is that it smells bad. Oh, and since the feed does not buffer all that well, it also burps when low on ink. It used to ALL smell bad. But now it is just the section.  Gama Airborne Ebonite. Feed, body, all but nib. It smells like a tire when you rub it. It is also an eyedropper, and it is fantastic. It doesn't burp.  The issues I have with it is that it has a VERY low ink capacity. And it takes like 4 turns to uncap. 
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Dec 30, 2014 05:45
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Did everyone send out their New Years cards yet? I still have to mail out 3 to pen pals but otherwise I'm good to go. This is one of those rare moments where I can practice my declining calligraphy skill and use cheery inks.
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Dec 30, 2014 18:27
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First World Problem: the Pilot Plumix barrel loving suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. It's been inked for less than a week, but it already has some ink stuck in it which no amount of soaking in water or q-tipping will get out. Gonna try with some pen flush, but still 
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Dec 30, 2014 18:56
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Mikl posted:First World Problem: the Pilot Plumix barrel loving suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks. If it's annoying you that much you can pull the nib and feed out through the front. Just grip the sides of the nib with a piece of shelf liner or paper towel. I've been tempted by the pictures of those Oliver acrylic pens. Do they not come with Schmidt nibs?
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Dec 30, 2014 19:30
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grack posted:If it's annoying you that much you can pull the nib and feed out through the front. Just grip the sides of the nib with a piece of shelf liner or paper towel. Oh, I know, that's the problem: the ink won't come out even with the nib and feed off. Some Goulet Pen Flush solved the problem, but I shouldn't have to use anything but water to remove week-old ink from a pen (that's been regularly used over that week)
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Dec 30, 2014 19:38
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Uh.. maybe Pilot wants you to interact with the pen? I dunno. Never had a Plumix, personally.
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Dec 30, 2014 20:40
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I wrote with the one I got like twice and pulled the nib and tossed the body in the trash. It sucks, put your nib in a Metro.
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Dec 30, 2014 21:21
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Everything Burrito posted:I wrote with the one I got like twice and pulled the nib and tossed the body in the trash. It sucks, put your nib in a Metro. I put it into a Prera, that's when I noticed the ink problem. Also the Plumix feels really awkward to grip, it forces you into a specific grip rather than letting you hold it how you want.
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Dec 30, 2014 21:49
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Mikl posted:I put it into a Prera, that's when I noticed the ink problem. Prera always wrote dry for me until I switched nibs w/another one. I own a PLumix and it's slightly easier than the triangular grip of a Lamy Safari as it's more rounded. Think of it as teaching proper writing grip 
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Dec 30, 2014 22:24
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It's awkward because I spent literally years teaching myself a proper grip (because my elementary school teacher apparently couldn't be bothered to correct me, thanks teach!), and the position the Plumix forces on me is ever so slightly off. Not by a lot, but juuuuust enough to be noticeable and annoying.
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Dec 30, 2014 23:07
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I feel like my grip is totally fine and in no need of adjustment, but it just bugs me to use anything that forces me to hold the pen a specific way.
Everything Burrito fucked around with this message at 23:25 on Dec 30, 2014 |
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Dec 30, 2014 23:21
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So, I wanted to write with all my pens as a health check, make sure everything was working well and so on, but wanted to do something different... so I ended up doing this: It was fun, writing something other than pen name, ink name, and I plan to continue it. As pens run out of ink, I will flush them -- 29 pens inked is just a bit mad, I think. We'll see what I can whittle it down to. (One ran out today mid-sentence, but there's no chance I'm going to retire the Parker 51 from rotation!) In other madness news, I pre-ordered a Pelikan M805 Stresemann while I was at the pen store a couple of days ago. I'd been considering buying a nice Pelikan sometime next year -- I guess "sometime" is "February". Tried a Pelikan Twist, a new(ish) school pen. It has a triangular section, which usually doesn't bother me -- it's how I hold pens anyhow -- but this one sharply cut into my knuckle. Couldn't write with it for more than a few lines. Ah, well; I think the glory of the M75 Go will never be repeated.
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Dec 30, 2014 23:27
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The issue with the plumix is there's a small part in the section that has an area that's almost impossible to clean. And the section is clear. If they did a solid colored section it would have been better, as the area where the ink collects doesn't impact ink already flowing. I have a twist and I hate it. It is really geared towards kids I think instead of grownup penhavers.
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Dec 30, 2014 23:44
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Both my brother's 540, and my Micarta seem to have developed blotting problems. (Also lightly tapping them results in ink falling out of them.) Should I try a fix that pushes the feed closer to the nib? I saw a boiling water one online... I finally got a replacement cap for my Vac 700 ... wrong colour (clear vs. smoke body), but at least the pen is usable again. It's the only high-capacity working pen I have. My replacement Lamy2000 also leaks/blots. Thinking of taking it to the local dealer and offering to pay him to look at it. I bought it online (new) for less than half the local retail price.
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Dec 30, 2014 23:52
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I'm fairly sure that TWSBI uses plastic feeds. Do not try to heat set them or you'll destroy them. Check for cracks or leaks in the body and ensure that the nib and feed are fitted securely in the nib collar.
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Dec 31, 2014 00:55
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atholbrose posted:So, I wanted to write with all my pens as a health check, make sure everything was working well and so on, but wanted to do something different... so I ended up doing this: That M805 is amazing looking!
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Dec 31, 2014 01:26
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grack posted:
It says that they have Schmidt nibs, yeah. http://asapens.in/eshop/fountain-pen/oliver-chennai-online/oliver-f27-acrylic-fountain-pen-schmidt-nib But then again the Oliver I got was apparently a freebie with the ebonite pen. Speaking of, I placed an order for another ebonite thing, hopefully it arrives before February, haha.
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Jan 1, 2015 03:28
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AFAIK Schmidt doesn't manufacture nibs anyway. I recall one of the FPN nibmeisters saying they bought from Bock and Jowo and then just assembled.
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Jan 1, 2015 09:04
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I know, but it still means you're going to get a pretty good nib.
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Jan 1, 2015 18:36
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New year's a great time to get a new journal diary started with your pens. Here's a good guide to get started that got published today from the Art of Manliness!
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Jan 1, 2015 19:22
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atholbrose posted:So, I wanted to write with all my pens as a health check, make sure everything was working well and so on, but wanted to do something different... so I ended up doing this: Hey does the Stresemann only come in the m800 size? Am tempted to get one but my m800 is too back heavy for me.
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Jan 2, 2015 11:37
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Thelonious Monk posted:Hey does the Stresemann only come in the m800 size? Am tempted to get one but my m800 is too back heavy for me. Yes, only M800s, for now. Right now I have an M75 and an M200, so everything I tried seemed heavy to me. The only one that seemed unusable was the M1000 -- I think that's too much pen for me.
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Jan 2, 2015 21:15
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Thelonious Monk posted:Hey does the Stresemann only come in the m800 size? Am tempted to get one but my m800 is too back heavy for me.  buy a TWSBI, and switch out the pistons.
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Jan 3, 2015 09:58
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I CANNOT EJACULATE WITHOUT SEEING NATIVE AMERICANS BRUTALISED!
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blowfish posted:
 That's pretty clever! edit: crappy phone pic inbound Thelonious Monk fucked around with this message at 10:45 on Jan 3, 2015 |
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Jan 3, 2015 10:42
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Thelonious Monk posted:
Hmm is the Pelikan supposed to be disassembled?  I never had much use for the TWSBI wrench as 99.99% of my FPs don't come apart at all.
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Jan 3, 2015 14:24
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Alder posted:Hmm is the Pelikan supposed to be disassembled? "Supposed to"? Not sure what you mean by that (maybe warranty concerns?), but the pistons on the m800 and m1000 models have notches on the brass of the piston itself that fit the twsbi wrench perfectly and the entire piston unit screws out of the barrel. This combined with the screw-in nibs makes me think that it's a design choice, but I'm not sure regarding any warranty issues. I actually use the twsbi wrench much more than the pen it came with. You can take out the pistons of the Pilot Custom 92, the plunger of the Pilot custom 823, other twsbi pens, and probably others that I don't know about.
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Jan 4, 2015 00:26
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Thelonious Monk posted:
I even replaced the back cap with the original Pelikan one for daily use. Alder posted:Hmm is the Pelikan supposed to be disassembled? If you break it you pay for the repair, but it's not too hard to do so you probably won't break it. It's pretty convenient that TWSBI uses knockoff M800 guts.
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Jan 4, 2015 18:14
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It's been a long time since we talked about capless pen. Any return? I'm tempted by either the lamy or the vanishing point from pilot (not the decimo). And about the vanishing point from pilot, is there any differences between the one sold in japan and those sold in europe or the us? Because the japanese version can be found form (some time) half the price of the european one.
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Jan 6, 2015 10:51
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Zadus Rejan posted:It's been a long time since we talked about capless pen. There is a steel-nibbled ("special alloy") version that is sold in Japan. If you see a VP for under $90, it's probably that one. That being said, there's nothing wrong with steel-nibbed one; it's just cheaper. Here's a FPN thread with a little more information: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/218264-pilot-vanishing-point-nib-question/ ------------ Edit: Todd Nussbaum put a ton of NOS/Used pens up for sale a few days ago. They're pretty picked over already, but you still have a chance to get that blue TWSBI 540 you've always wanted. Also: Chinese pens by the fistfull. Rudeboy Detective fucked around with this message at 12:21 on Jan 6, 2015 |
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Jan 6, 2015 12:15
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Zadus Rejan posted:And about the vanishing point from pilot, is there any differences between the one sold in japan and those sold in europe or the us? Because the japanese version can be found form (some time) half the price of the european one. I've seen the Lamy in person; mechanically it's quite interesting, but the size may get to you and the finish is more vulnerable to marks and scuffs. I also managed to crack my Vanishing Point where the clip joins the barrel, but only after ~3 years of continuous use. You can also buy extra nib units for the Pilot for ~$60. Get a VP.
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Jan 6, 2015 12:18
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I own a Dialog 3. It's ehh at best and you should get the VP instead.
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Jan 6, 2015 14:03
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