I apologize in advance for my ignorance and inability to capture a decent picture to show what I'm about to describe. I have a Esterbrook nib where the feed is not aligned with the nib. When looking from the feed side, the tip of the feed is to the right of the slit in the nib. Holding the pen as I normally do the nib is very scratchy an writes poorly. if I rotate the positon of the nib to the right it writes smoothly as I would expect. Is this common? I tried to twist the nib back into position on the feed but it would not move.
misaligned nib?
- Thread starter Ruston
- Start date
That is a problem since the nib rests on the feed, having it twisted can change the alignment of the nib tines. Soaking the nib unit may help you re-position the nib over the feed.
This isn't too common on Esterbrooks, the collar usually holds the nib and feed very tightly.
This isn't too common on Esterbrooks, the collar usually holds the nib and feed very tightly.
A pic would really help. But you either have an off center nib, or a bent tine. If the nib is just shifted slightly you should be able to shift it back. Using a napkin, folded paper towel, or just your fingers if you don't mind getting them inky, grab the tip of the nib as far down the metal as possible just metal, do not grab the feed, and gently shift it back. Nemo is right, soaking will help if you have a dried nib and section, and if it is already in use and you are getting flow, soaking will Help remove ink in the feed.
AGAIN, DO NOT try to twist the nib AND feed together the feed will break, you really want to just slide the nib back into position to align with the center of the feed. DO NOT TWIST. Oh, and do this at your own risk, I hold no responsibility if you break the nib, feed, section, pen, etc..... Like I said a pic would help lots.
if you have a bent tine, well that is another story.
good luck.
AGAIN, DO NOT try to twist the nib AND feed together the feed will break, you really want to just slide the nib back into position to align with the center of the feed. DO NOT TWIST. Oh, and do this at your own risk, I hold no responsibility if you break the nib, feed, section, pen, etc..... Like I said a pic would help lots.
if you have a bent tine, well that is another story.
good luck.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #4
I tried a hot water soak followed by an attempt to recenter the nib on the feed. No luck, it won't budget and I dare not try any more pressure than I can exert with my bare fingers at the base of the nib. Using my handy dandy magnifying glass i did notice a slight tine misalignment. I corrected that and it writes well now despite the off center nib.
The nib and the feed are parallel (the off centeredness is consistent from the back of the nib to the front), which makes me think it is simply a manufacturing defect. Regardless, with the tines now aligned, the pen writes well so I'm going to leave it alone.
The nib and the feed are parallel (the off centeredness is consistent from the back of the nib to the front), which makes me think it is simply a manufacturing defect. Regardless, with the tines now aligned, the pen writes well so I'm going to leave it alone.
Yea, I wouldn't fiddle with it anymore unless you need more parts in your parts bin!
Sounds like your back on track anyway, good job.
Sounds like your back on track anyway, good job.
