How to Fix a Scratchy Fountain Pen Nib

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hi Drew: Thanks for the very clear and effective presentation! I really like the giant nib! Gives a clear visual impression of what's going on when things aren't aligned properly.

[@Gouletpens]

Thank you! - Drew

[@evanbasnaw]

I had a Pineider shipped out and it just wouldn't write out of the box. Goulet took it back and worked their magic. If it's not working from the start, definitely check with the seller. Goulet has excellent customer service. Now, if you have an old Safari that's lost its cap retention because it's been in your pocket continuously for 3 years and happens to bend a tine because it's uncapped itself in your pants, these techniques work well for getting it back working again. Or if you've dropped your Jinhao on the tile church floor while taking sermon notes, and now need to fix it, you might just end up with something that writes better than it did when you got it. :)

[@LaurenceWillis]

Great use of the props to show the tipping!

[@archivist17]

I think that's the nib of a Mag 1000 😄

[@randy-9842]

Great explanation and visual aids. I've "studied" Brian's videos on misalignment (etc) and yours (and SBRE Brown's and Matt Armstrong's ... ) almost since the beginning. Sketches and hand "models" help, but this new prop is wonderful. Also, I hadn't thought about the possible mismatching of curvatures of the nib and the feed contributing. Well done!

[@eleanor.shadow]

My husband's pen was scratchy all of a sudden and he had no idea why. I looked through the magnifying lenses and there was bits of paper trapped in it! After a wash it was perfect again. It'll happen again (he's an artist and draws on watercolour paper a lot) but now we know what to do when it does :)

[@mustafacavli9958]

Everyone in Turkey is sullen. It's nice to see a smiling face. Also, the topic is very important.

[@kaivynweissinger]

I love the creative intros, very funny, lots of personality! And I've been having trouble looking in the right place to find a nib technician to help me with some would-be-awesome-if-they-actually-wrote pens, so I really appreciate the links to those on top on the info about scratchy nibs!!

[@Volkmannx]

Very helpful, thank you! Nice scrollwork on the demo nib.

[@Gouletpens]

Haha I appreciate that! It was fun! - Drew

[@sharlenezuhlke1561]

Great job Drew. The props are well done and helpful.😊

[@EdoDoe613]

A very informative video, Drew! (The visual aids were really helpful.)

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks a bunch! - Drew

[@WhereWhoMe]

As always, thank you for the informative video, and the backing. One of the many reasons why you are my go-to shop for pens. I had a little giggle when I saw the giant pen nib, but at the same time wasn't surprised that you have such a well made prop to illustrate the possible cause of a scratchy nib. Hopefully I won't need to use the information in this video, but it is a good resource to have, just in case.

[@ExiledExia]

This is such a great video! Thank you for using props. It makes understanding it so much easier

[@LucyLu_meztli]

Oh my gosh, I loooove the huge nib to explain tines alignment!

[@traceybartlam7737]

Interesting video. I think what I thought was scratchy is just lots of feedback. It’s not as smooth as another brand of pen so will avoid in future however without being able to try a nib first it’s difficult to say if a different model of that brand brand would be good! I need to find a physical store !!

[@ssoohoo5638]

Love the giant nib used for demonstration, lol

[@abcreatewithme5660]

Yes reach out with issues the goulet team is amazing ! Ethan recently helped me figure out and fix an issue ! Great communication upbeat calm attitude and follow up email! Great job with customer care ❤

[@Gouletpens]

That's awesome to hear! Thank you! - Drew

[@mellow-jello]

Thanks for bringing up nib issues. All the more reason to acquire pens that can interchange nibs. All else fails, put in the pristine replacement, and you have a new pen for a fraction of the price.

[@Hydraarill]

Thanks, that helped. Had a scratchy new pen. The feed was misaligned. It's working much better now.

[@Gouletpens]

Yay! Glad to hear it! - Drew

[@Glychd]

Thanks! Helped me diagnose and fix an italic nib PFM II :D

[@Gouletpens]

Yay! Glad to hear it! - Drew

[@berolinastrassmann]

OMG that giant nib! Props for the prop 😉 and the tips 😉😉 to keep the nibs smooth!

[@P3696]

Love the visual aid

[@IAimTo-Misbehave]

I agree. Fantastic visual aid!

[@lead-dog]

Excellent video Drew. Thanks.

[@MananFM]

thanks mate

[@mellow-jello]

Worse nib scenario that I encountered, I left the cap off a vintage FP from the store, and brought it home with a scratchy nib. Had it tuned by a nib meister in the end, now it writes smooth.

[@X1GenKaneShiroX]

My Pilot 823 has some serious problems. The barrel on the 823 near the grip section is cracked, which leads to ink leaking out excessively, therefore getting into my hand. Recently, the nib on my Pilot 823 has been scratchy, along with skipping way too much.

[@oldladywithacamera]

Like your props.Thanks, Drew.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks a bunch! - Drew

[@drbecktex]

I like the scratchy sound 😂

[@dansanders340]

Perfect, first issue is my issue, although i may have messed it up more by fiddling with it, lol. Anyways, I could catch my nail in the middle of the nib so ill try slight progresive pressure on the low side until my nail doesnt catch. Btw ive only got a platinum preppy so using such primative methods of fixing it wont feel like a nail on a chalkboard, lmao

[@mihugong3153]

Thank you Drew! Could you weigh in on the opposite: How to give a overly smooth nib more feedback?

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, just use some rougher abrasive - a quick scoot across the roughest part of a nail buff stick can do the trick! - Drew

[@adnansalim2187]

I use a very low grade sandpaper. Write a few lines and the nib is smooth as Airwolf cruising at low altitude over a desert. MB, Sheaffers, Watermans, Parkers. The only ones I haven’t put to the sandpaper are my Pilots. Naturally smooth.

[@KendallW]

Hashtag #GiantNIB !! That is really cool. Maybe ya'll could do a video with that to show "baby's bottom" with a visual like that.

[@Gouletpens]

Already done! You'll see that in the next in this series! - Drew

[@KendallW]

@@Gouletpens Awesome!

[@MitchellJBridges]

0:06 - 0:09 perfectly describes the cherry MX platform. I hate all keyboards with it. I know that this is off topic, but drew did a good skit which reminded me of the dreadful MX based switches.

[@Elayea]

I just got a new pilot e95s that writes fine on the downstroke but can hardly write at all on the upstroke. Can this be because the tines are too tight/too close? It also feels really scratchy, especially on the upstroke where I’m not getting consistent ink output

[@ornitorrinkko]

Hi. I have a question. What makes a nib sound like a nail on a chalkboard even if it writes smoothly? Is this a "singing nib"?

[@monkpato]

Something I've had help occasionally if the misaligned nib has an ebonite feed is heat setting it.

[@Gouletpens]

Yes, that can definitely help! - Drew

[@alanpareis734]

Wow, that giant tipped wet noodle needs to be used in all future videos concerned with nib adjustments!

[@randy-9842]

It might not be vintage, but, as a modern nib, I'll bet it qualifies as super flexible!

[@alanmcnamara9155]

What size nib is that?

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

Prop Comedian 😊

[@paulmchugh1430]

Where is the link for a nib gushing ink?

[@Gouletpens]

Check back in two week! This is the first in a 3-video series. - Drew

[@drnimish333]

Good tips. This was my question and it was picked up in pencast episode and a few good solutions were given. Keep up the good work 👍🤡🤠

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks so very much! - Drew

[@RubensMateusPadovezeArquimago]

[@stephenchung]

My pen is scratchy when writing from left to right

[@Gouletpens]

It's probably misaligned! - Drew

[@monkpato]

Cleaning your pen is like turning your computer off and on again.

[@Gouletpens]

I couldn't agree more! - Drew

[@deedeedarji28]

Which Brand Fountain pen is best according to you ? 🤔