Pelikan FP Question

[TattooedGQ]

Hello all,

I just picked up a new Pelikan M215 as a daily beater to replace an even cheaper Cross Aventura (happens to write very well)that I kept on my desk. I'm not too familiar with stainless nibs, other than the Cross so here's my statement and question.....

This freakin thing won't start up on the first stroke, I'll get halfway through signing a J and it'll pick up. Should i just leave it be and assume it'll break itself in, or should I go with the razor blade trick to increase the ink flow?? It's a regular Medium nib, so nothing fancy. I'm not really trying to return it since after that it works pretty well.

Thanks,
Justin

[Sweramic]

First of all, congrats on your new fountain pen Justin. I have never used a Pelikan pen, but I could imagine that it would need a couple of words before it flows well. If it still is a bit dry after some use, do the trick!

Can we see some pics?

[daveathall]

What's the razor blade trick please?

[TattooedGQ]

Sure...don't mind the lousy pics...cell phone at work and all. I'll try to take some of the nib when I get home, not that it's anything special though.

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by daveathall

What's the razor blade trick please?

you insert a razor blade GENTLY into the slit of the pen to SLIGHTLY widen it and give more ink flow.

[Sweramic]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

Sure...don't mind the lousy pics...cell phone at work and all. I'll try to take some of the nib when I get home, not that it's anything special though.

That is a really nice pen! Great choice

There are some more experienced PIS's on here and I am sure they will be able to help you out more

[sunburst]

Justin, nice looking Pelikan.
Did you prepare the nib for ink by rinsing thoroughly with a combination of dish soap and water ?

[TattooedGQ]

Thanks Joji....and no I didn't prep the nib....I just went to town filling it up. Should I empty it out and start from scratch??

[sunburst]

Justin, it's an easy possible solution to the problem and lot less drastic than razor blade trick.
If it does not work you can always return to the place of purchase.
I assume you bought it from FPH? (FPH is great with customer service)

[TattooedGQ]

OK I'll give it a shot. Thanks again. I got it from Joon, they seem to be a decent local outfit in NYC. I'm going to be in the city this weekend, so worse comes to worse I'll bring it in and see what they say.

[TattooedGQ]

Bravo Joji!! Worked like a charm. even after letting it sit for a little while.

Thanks much for the help!

[sunburst]

Justin, great to hear that.

[RebreatherDiver]

this is a great learning thread for me, what ratio of soap to water did you use?

[sunburst]

I have been using 1 tsp of soap per quart of water as per recommended by
fellow TRF member "Bisquitlips".

[TattooedGQ]

I just filled up the sink, put a squirt of liquid soap in there, put a very little bit on the nib since i had already inked it once then filled and flushed a few times...worked out well....although it did take some time to get all the soap out of the nib. Next time I'll just use the soap in the water before the first inking.

[Sweramic]

Joji is a great resource here on TRF, especially here on the Pen Section.

He helped me identify a pen I got for Christmas

Thanks again Joji

[sunburst]

Originally Posted by Dreambaby

Joji is a great resource here on TRF, especially here on the Pen Section.

He helped me identify a pen I got for Christmas

Thanks again Joji

I'm a pen newbie.
I'm learning from experts here on TRF pen forum.

[Sweramic]

Originally Posted by sunburst

I'm a pen newbie.
I'm learning from experts here on TRF pen forum.

Well, you seem to know quite a bit already

[RebreatherDiver]

how about a Pelikan on a plane? I got my M805 the other week and have used it everyday since.

I heard that you have to be careful while flying, any advice?

[Sweramic]

Originally Posted by RebreatherDiver

how about a Pelikan on a plane? I got my M805 the other week and have used it everyday since.

I heard that you have to be careful while flying, any advice?

I really do not understand this problem. FP's are likely to leak due to cabin pressure etc. If you want to bring it on a flight, either fill it up to maximum or empty it to minimum. Personally, I would not risk getting ink all over the place just to write with it on board. If you want or need to write "up there", bring a ballpoint or a rollerball

Just my $.02

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by RebreatherDiver

how about a Pelikan on a plane? I got my M805 the other week and have used it everyday since.

I heard that you have to be careful while flying, any advice?

I've heard the same. I usually empty all my converters when i fly, or temporarily switch to cartridges when i travel. I know mine won't use carts, so I'd bring a different pen...not sure about the 800's though.

[sunburst]

I fly often and have been told that standard rule is ink completely empty or fill to the max (and keep it upright) but
have not had a courage to try yet.

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/fo...howtopic=10420

[RebreatherDiver]

Originally Posted by sunburst

I fly often and have been told that standard rule is ink completely empty or fill to the max (and keep it upright) but
have not had a courage to try yet.

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/fo...howtopic=10420

I heard the same..........but likewise I am not that brave with a week of meetings the last thing I need is to walk off the plane with a tie-dyed BOSS shirt

I don't think mine can take cartridges either, it is a piston with a see through green reservoir.

[sunburst]

Originally Posted by RebreatherDiver

I heard the same..........but likewise I am not that brave with a week of meetings the last thing I need is to walk off the plane with a tie-dyed BOSS shirt

X2

[Sweramic]

Originally Posted by RebreatherDiver

I heard the same..........but likewise I am not that brave with a week of meetings the last thing I need is to walk off the plane with a tie-dyed BOSS shirt

You mean like this man?

[dmc]

I use noodlers in my Pelikan M205 M nib, And I was having some skipping issues on start up. I put one drop of dawn in the ink bottle, and later discoverd that the clip that screws into the pen cap was kind of loose. After tightening this up the skip is gone. I also think that Pelikan fountain pens, seem to dislike a steep angle of attack, when puting the pen to paper.

I had a parker that wouldn't quit skipping and I put some candle wax in the cap, in an effort to make it more air tight, skipping resolved. I have a Laban that starts almost immediately even whe stored for more than a week with ink in it. It has an air tight cap by the way.

Just some suggestions, not necessarily the gospel, just my observations.

[TattooedGQ]

Good suggestions, I might try that dawn trick in my ink if it starts to skip again. The 205 and the 215 are pretty much the same pen with a different finish I believe, so if it works for yours it should work for mine.

[Lion]

I never knew that you should empty a fountain pen before flying or keep it full and not in use. Why does the cabin pressure affect FPs and not other types of pens???

[TattooedGQ]

I'm assuming due to the viscosity of the ink and how pressure would react in the converter.

[Lion]

Justin, Thanx for the info.....