Condensation in The Cap

[syngent]

This drives me nuts.. and will only get worse as the weather gets warmer. The moisture build up helps ink creep onto the nib and into the cap, and gets into the press fit sections of the pelikan cap getting ink between incredibly difficult area to clean

Nothing I can do about it but I still don't like it cause my 92 is haveing the same problem now

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

Yeah... losing battle un fortunately.

 

[Snargle]

Is that just a problem with Pelikan or have other piston-filler pens (e.g., TWSBI) had similar issues? My TWSBI 540 is, so far, condensation-free.

 

[SmoovD]

It afflicts more than Pelikans and more than piston-fillers. Really only an issue with demonstrators. If you get too distracted by it you can run a q-tip or a piece of tissue into the cap.

 

[jumper]

I think it happens more often than most of us realize. It's just that it is more noticeable on the demonstrators. If you don't post the pen then it probably just evaporates. I don't understand why it would make the ink creep more.

 

[syngent]

Same reason it writes... capalary... condesation builds into a drop drop hits nib and ink flows to meet it.

I don't post and it does go away but it gets ink into the worst spots in the caps

 

[Alacrity59]

I bet the Ahab's leak enough air that there is no condensation. On the other hand they dry out so quickly. I like what Daniel said. It is just a distraction.

 

[rickcharles606]

Yep, my TWSBI does it too. One of the reasons that I just gave it to my brother in law. He's been looking to "get into" fountain pens, lol. I always used a Q-tip to swipe it away though.

 

[whavens]

Yeah, my Pelikan Demonstrator as well. I usually wipe mine out with a wadded up napkin.

 

[syngent]

lol the inside is easy to wipe clean, its when it gets between two pieces of acrylic and nothing can get to it, My Pilot did that today and made me thing of my Pelikan I know its a demonstrator, but I still dont like seeing ink drops between the two pieces where i cant get to wiping them, and overnight soak will usually get to most of it, its just a pain,... maybe demos are winter work pens for me

But then I dont mind cleaning my pens, gives me something to do between posts

 

[whavens]

Yeah, mine has a Pelikan Turquoise racing stripe around the cap right now. I might be soaking it soon.

 

[jzuzphreek]

lol the inside is easy to wipe clean, its when it gets between two pieces of acrylic and nothing can get to it, My Pilot did that today and made me thing of my Pelikan I know its a demonstrator, but I still dont like seeing ink drops between the two pieces where i cant get to wiping them, and overnight soak will usually get to most of it, its just a pain,... maybe demos are winter work pens for me

But then I dont mind cleaning my pens, gives me something to do between posts

Sounds like you need a new pen.... Again.

 

[whavens]

I thought we all needed a new pen.

Sounds like you need a new pen.... Again.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I thought we all needed a new pen.

Oh shoot... You're right. brb.

 

[andrew98]

gives me something to do between posts

You have time between posts?

-Andy

 

[wherndon]

Does it have a vent hole in the cap? I think that's what they are for. Could be wrong, though.

 

[syngent]

Does it have a vent hole in the cap? I think that's what they are for. Could be wrong, though.

Vent holes will prevent this, but can also dry a nib out if left alone for a week or so, a lot of manufacturers actuall go to great design trouble to seal the nib in so the pen can sit for months and when finally picked back up will write right away, as well as securing any ink that may come off the nib in a shuffle from getting in someone pocket

 

[Beerhunter]

@james
very interesting topic. Is there a website that you could recommend to me on the topic of fountain pens for information so I don't have to pester you with questions?

 

[Boro62]

 

[syngent]

@james
very interesting topic. Is there a website that you could recommend to me on the topic of fountain pens for information so I don't have to pester you with questions?

but we like being pestered with questions, also we built a pretty cool wiki page, there is a link in my signature that may answer some of you stuff. and the review and reference guide at the top of the Nib forum in the stickes has lots of great stuff. you could always open a "I have a question or 10" thread and we can all help you out