I’m a little annoyed at the pen industry

[Formulansx]

It seems like 95% of the pens I get need work! It’s pretty ridiculous actually. Doesn’t matter the cost from numbered Omas to Amazon Monteverde. I’ve had to work on all of them! Not minor tweaking mind you, but “hey this new $$$ Montegrappa doesn’t even write!” Or this $$ Omas doesn’t even write. Or this other $$ Omas doesn’t even write. You’re not going to like this but I’ve been batting 1000 with cheap Jinhao’s. Not like 5 but 15 or so. The nibs have been exceptional. It kind of pisses me off honestly. What’s going on out there!? I’ve seriously had thoughts of becoming a nib meister. There has to be an endless amount of work out there! You’d never run out of dry, misaligned, scratchy nibs.

[jar]

I feel for you but have had the direct opposite experience. Out of the pens I've acquired over the decades maybe a handful have need any work at all.

[Formulansx]

Originally Posted by jar

I feel for you but have had the direct opposite experience. Out of the pens I've acquired over the decades maybe a handful have need any work at all.

Tell me your secret I've had a bad luck streak.

[artschool]

dont get me started on montblancs precious resin (black plastic)

[jar]

Originally Posted by Formulansx

Tell me your secret I've had a bad luck streak.

No secret just something over a half century of luck I guess.

[rahible]

I've bought 2 Platinum Century off amazon this year F and EF. Both were scratchy. I was able to smooth the fine myself. The EF is at a nib miester now...for 6 months...originally had a 3 month wait. They said they are way overwhelmed from pen show work. So I can somewhat feel your pain.

[Pavlos]

It is a problem across all brands.

[Fredrik]

I bought a Montegrappa a few months ago from Montegrappa UK and it is excellent, however I noticed it had been just slightly used when I got it. Then I ordered a second Montegrappa from a different retailer and it was straight from the factory and definitely unused. It skips if I write too fast...

I believe some places actually try out and fix pens before sending them out. It could be worth finding those before buying, a pen is close to useless otherwise. This is probably why the first Montegrappa seemed slightly used(just a hint of ink residue).

[Bisquitlips]

You have to be careful and read the descriptions.

New pens.... send them back.

Vintage, pay attention and know a good nibmeister!

Enjoy!!!

[jar]

Yes, the dealers I like will in fact not just test a pen but even tune it to fit your personal writing characteristics. I will admit I truly enjoy Nakaya fountain pens. When you order a Nakaya they have a form that you fill out during the process of choosing body and clip or stopper and color and finish that tells the person (there are only two gentlemen tuning nibs) what you like and how you write.

Note there are also areas where you can select "Other" and explain in greater detail how it is you hold your pen and what you will be doing with your pen. I always add that I like my pens moderately wet writers.

[TRM]

Originally Posted by artschool

dont get me started on montblancs precious resin (black plastic)

I have several Mont Blancs and have often wondered just how prescious resin can be. Seems to me not very.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by TRM

I have several Mont Blancs and have often wondered just how prescious resin can be. Seems to me not very.

It looks and feels like plastic, so it's probably plastic
Now I do like the extra weight, makes it stand out from a blue resin Bic pen

[jimbones43]

I buy from a retailer who tunes them prior to shipping