How to smooth a scratchy fountain pen nib

[@butterletto]

I know this may be a 7 years old video but I have to say thank you so much for this advice because it is really genius

[@FountainPenRevolution]

I'm glad I could help!

[@rupalkumari5389]

Got a brand new Faber Castell Classic Sterling Silver Finish in Gold Nib and was hesitant to try this on an extra fine scratchy nib given the hefty price I paid for the pen. The nib alone costs 400$++. I think it only needed sand paper treatment and I had 10000 and 7000. Tried it and wow, amazed with the result. Thanks for the tip.

[@onserfdez7958]

Thanks! That really helped. I had just purchased a Jinhao fountain pen from Amazon for $15.99...a beautiful gold colored pen with cross hashes like the old Parker from days of old, and I was very disappointed because it was Very scratchy. I was going to throw it over the neighbor's fence but then used the micro sanding pads 8000 and 12000 grit, and now it is as smooth as a Ferrari's tailpipe! I am very happy, thank you. pah

[@FountainPenRevolution]

Glad I could help!!!

[@cheerprncess]

omg I LOVE you!! I have a pen that I adore but the nib is horrible, this fixed it and now its smooth like butter. It was a little nerve racking trying this, I was so afraid of ruining it but it was a quick and easy fix.

[@snshusat161]

When I was a kid I used to be a fountain pen doctor. We had fountain pens which used to costly less than half a dollar. So I had hundreds of them and everyday I used to experiment with them. I had made some very nice pen which were smother than those pens which cost more than several hundred dollars. Now when I reverted back to fountain pen after using using ball pens for years I can enjoy such thing only on videos as cheap fountain pens are gone from market.

[@gammondog]

+Shub Try the chinese pens. Such as Jinhou. I'm not sure of the spelling. Goulet Pens is a source of cheap nibs which fit the cheap Noodler's pens. They're still around. You just have to order them online. I do miss buying them from the local stationary stores but at least they still can be had via the internet.

[@preke953]

William Albert in India we have very cheap pens . That write as smooth as the ones that cost 20x it's price.

[@daveh3997]

@@gammondog Did you realize The guy in this video sells inexpensive fountain pens?

[@Solvinden]

Check the Platinum Preppy. You can use with converter or ink cartridge. Very much worth it’s price!

[@joshuatalavera4210]

@@Solvinden you can also eye dropper the preppy and have a huge 4ml of ink capacity

[@Jivehappy]

Thanks so much for this. I'm new to fountain pens, but I am taking a class where one is required for drawing. Although I bought the instructor's recommended pen (an extra-fine Lamy Safari), I hated the scratchy, uncomfortable action of drawing with it. I tried your suggestions and the pen has improved amazingly!

[@Mikey2008uk]

You're a godsend! I drew a few 8's on 3.5k grit (with a platinum plaisir) hoping to smooth the nib and it ended up a little scratchy. Just used the finest part of a nail polisher and the nib now writes smooth again. thanks.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I just bought some inexpensive pens that were scratchy but now they write great, thanks!

[@brooksofmaine]

Thanks to your guidance, I now have a smoother nib. Life is better!

[@AirBoneBG]

Lol i didn't noticed that amazing drawing till 4:38 You just made my day there dear sir. Can't thank you enough.

[@Sa-hl4tt]

Thank you for this video! It spared my cosmetically beautiful EF pen from the trash can. It really worked well.

[@MorganScorpion]

Thanks to your tutorial I successfully smoothed my first fountain pen nib.

[@freddymoisesgarcia]

Thank you for this tutorial! I never thought I would be able to fix a pen without spending money on the materials

[@justaguy6216]

*Reaches into my moms drawer to find her nail buffer*

[@ritchelangelosaclao5692]

This video helped me restore my Sheaffer Fashion 1 to write again. All he is saying is correct. I did all that he said and made my Sheaffer work again. Thank you.

[@walterzuki59]

amazing! First time I've been able to use this pen without scratching in many years. Thank You!

[@amlecciones]

Okay so this is a great video :) i was smirking a little at 1:06. :) hehehe

[@advisord7637]

+Aaron Lecciones That's a penis!

[@mikisHaft]

@@advisord7637 No no that is a CREATOR's tool ;)

[@hamana2011]

glad I am not the only one :-)

[@shaunpearson7905]

@@advisord7637 That's what she said

[@AndyNorrisForReals]

Polish what needs polished!

[@alainemedio3823]

I was VERY worried as I had a brand new pen, I am new to FP's and it was scratching like crazy. Got out my 7 way nail buffer and while watching this did a few minor loops and upstrokes and the pen writes wonderfully. Thank you!

[@FountainPenRevolution]

I am happy I could help!

[@golddragon51296]

Got it on the first part, that bit about the nail file is pretty genius, definitely bookmarking for later

[@MsPurplification]

Hi Kevin, thanks for this video. Today I dropped my uncapped fountain pen and it became scratchy. I followed your tips with the nail file, it worked!! I am so surprised and happy that my favourite fountain pen is now fixed.

[@khalidrashid2092]

Thank you Sir. this was very very helpful. I could smoothen the scratchy nib of my Pelican Fountain Pen

[@lolosee1]

Great tips. I was about to go to the supplies store and buy some micro mesh, then you mentioned Nail Buffer! Genius!

[@andreagooglification]

Such wonderful advice!!! Can’t wait to work on my nibs!!! Thank you! Love the art and the scratchy sound is just a bit much!!! Stay well!!!

[@paperwormscat9760]

Thank you so much! I got a fountain pen last christmas, but it was so scratchy, I couldn't use it. This worked. I can finally enjoy it! :D

[@feedmyneko]

the nail buffer trick, it works. 🙏🏻 thanks

[@anikettrivedi4031]

after watching this whole tutorial, I realized my ink ran out.

[@subhrajitroy1477]

lol

[@hornedowl_]

lol

[@Skyhunter-sq2rc]

Lmfaoo 😂

[@oldschoolfunkster1]

Mine turned into a rollerball pen.😁

[@gameschanel2407]

.

[@chimichim2551]

I am a fan of inexpensive fountain pens and this video was informative!!

[@DavidAJ0]

Thanks, my Kaweco AL Sport is now writing beautifully again thanks to the tips in this video.

[@LLL-dv7yj]

OMG THANK YOU! I realize this is an old video but you saved my sanity!

[@FirstNameLastName-eh5yy]

Thanks! This really helped me buff out my Lamy Safari :)

[@shivakumargn]

The hint about mis-alignment was very helpful !

[@rathinavelsivan]

Sir it works well for all pen thank you. Especially to write tamizh and for hardworking academicians ,such smoothness is essential

[@stickmanade2433]

Thank youuu so much this fountain pen was gifted by someone special to me and i thought i had spoilt it tyyyy

[@aishwaryauppala7759]

i tried it and it worked. Thanks for this video ☺☺☺☺☺☺

[@FountainPenRevolution]

You are quite welcome!

[@arkanabar]

If the pen is much more scratchy either writing left-to-right or right-to-left, you can be sure that the trailing tine is the one that's bent just a little bit downwards.

[@oldschoolfunkster1]

I finally mastered this technique...and bought myself the 10 pk dollartree rollerball pens.

[@Gunzee]

For anyone who lives in the UK, if you go to poundland they have three rectangle nail buffing pads.

[@gasken2182]

How much are they?

[@vincent-of-the-bog]

Is that a joke? It's Poundland. Everything's a pound. I know, a great shock.

[@mirageinthedesert5448]

Georgia S. not really I've seen things costing much more in *POUND* land

[@johnhopcroft186]

Thanks you too much I didn't no what was wrong with my waterman and why it was so scratchy but this fixed it right up

[@angelofthenorth3133]

Are you the guy who sells Dilli flex pens (which are SO cool)? Loved the vid, you are clear and to the point, no waffle, very unlike most of the self-adverting pen gurus. More please, any tips you have for tuning and adjusting pens.

[@FountainPenRevolution]

Yep, I'm the Dilli guy. I'm glad you found the video helpful!

[@FountainPenRevolution]

The Dilli is one of our fountain pens. You can check all of them out at fprevolutionusa.com/

[@1DaTJo]

Awesome! Thank you for this. With a $250 Sailor pen, I'm so pleased that I can fix its suddenly scratchy nib.

[@muskndusk]

Thanks for reminding me I need to order more micromesh. Great vid.

[@ELIXIR.GT.]

Omg this video clarity is so good from 9 years ago

[@vannigio6234]

i m italian, i like your way to talk! it s very clear anda easy to understand. uah

[@NathanKennedy]

Excellent tip with the fingernail board, I might have to raid my wife's makeup bag!

[@le9803]

Thank you for the video. Now my pens write smoothly 🙂

[@ready4anarchy144]

1:08 you got a lot of laughs in high school didn't you

[@pauljsmith2113]

Simple and effective. Nice. Thanks.

[@jennjarboe]

Thanks very much for this video... fixed both of my scratchy pens!

[@dg383]

Very helpful video. Did not know i could use my nail buffer!

[@adityakamath4029]

Thanks a lot Fountain Pen Revolution.It helped revive my Pilot Metropolitan fine nib

[@mariapaulavasquezsepulveda2123]

I ruined a fine nib with micro-mesh (Cries silently). Hahaha but thanks for the video.

[@sinaatlan]

Thank you very much for the clear and clean expression. Thanks to you, my problem is solved.

[@empirestudio4397]

It’s clear...idk about clean though...Lol hehe

[@binchi2875]

THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!! you saved my ass(i mean my pen;-)

[@indiancruise12]

Hehhe great video. Nd the willy drawing

[@analorenapulido8834]

love that trick with the nail file

[@billfish8843]

Re: Magnification. A lot of phones now (most?) have cameras with a macro function and you can easily zoom in on the nib to see how it looks.

[@paulchristian5375]

Zoom lens finally have a use for me

[@nolascoguevarra1932]

Very helpful tips. May I know whether the nail file approach could be applicable to stub and italic flat nibs? I wish to follow your technique to smooth some stub/italic nibs. I'm afraid though to damage or break it. TIA

[@kevinthiemann3784]

First make sure the tines are perfectly aligned. The more common issue with stub/italic nibs are misaligned tines. But if they are aligned feel free to use some very high grit (8000+) nail file micro mesh to finish smoothing it out. Just do it gradually and you should be fine.

[@drdevil83]

I have a suggestion for viewers.Try making circles in clockwise and anticlock wise direction as shown in video.This has smoothen my pen nib.Otherwise when i tried writing lines, alphabets or strokes on sandpaper it didn't work.So making circular motion in both directions is key in my experience.Happy Writing...

[@sharonkatz4451]

Thanks so much for posting this! I've been trying to figure out how to fix my scratchy nib for ages. I have some mylar sheets - can I use that instead of a 4000 grit nail file?

[@forjazznjava]

It worked! Smooth writing now. Thanks!

[@FountainPenRevolution]

Glad I could help CJ!

[@Winzrful]

I love fountain pens and I loved the video......but who thought the nib diagram to be something else🤪

[@EduardoBach01]

You should do a disclaimer for this video. Many people will think that a 4000 grid is fine in their countries but the reality is that this grid is pretty rough and can destroy the nib. I believe that in the U.S a 4000 grid is equivalent to a 12000 in the rest of the world.

[@wnose]

Just ordered a flex jaipur from your website - looking forward to receiving it!

[@raresfyt3r]

You saved my mont blanc with this video

[@FountainPenRevolution]

Glad I could help!

[@shengloongtan229]

1:20 is that what I think it is?? xD

[@MrSkateboardbassplay]

+Sheng Loong Tan LOL was thinking the same thing

[@yomama7084]

Yup a tine of a penis

[@steventrosiek2623]

It is, indeed, a dick.

[@forjazznjava]

Sheng Loong Tan nope lol

[@hamana2011]

:-) yup

[@kennethmcgeechan604]

Brilliantly simple but informative video. and yes I found airmail nibs to be scratchy :)

[@maryriley6163]

Dandy video on smoothing scratchy nibs. Thank you..

[@AnotherNerdHere]

fingernail file is a great tip. I really need to get lope.

[@shafeeqix4096]

How to repai a scratchy parker pen pls do a video on it..ur work thats great!

[@vwood2]

Extremely helpful - thank you!

[@jochenkulow4282]

This helped a lot. Thank you so much.

[@FountainPenRevolution]

You are quite welcome! Glad I could help.

[@MarthaSpizziri]

Do you have to wet the nail file or mesh first?

[@kevinthiemann3784]

I don't.

[@Stefan54]

That worked! Thank you very much! 😁

[@durgag3202]

Thank you sir. It's really working

[@umutberk4588]

Can I use a 12000 grit sandpaper instead of micromesh pads? Just to smoothing it up a bit.

[@FountainPenRevolution]

Sure. 12,000 is pretty high though so it would likely only work for final polishing.

[@carolbrozman1415]

Does smoothing the nib alter the line width of the line? In other words if you polish a fine nib by your technique will it make it more an extra fine or a medium please?

[@kevinthiemann3784]

As long as you are careful to not smooth only one part of the nib (so that it becomes flat) this should not noticeably alter the line width. You want to make sure the ball tipping stays rounded instead of grinding down a flat spot.

[@zodiacmister8861]

Hello Kevin, Just want to confirm that, If I use 10,000 Grit Sandpaper, would it do the job but it will take a longer time to smooth a nib - is that alright ? Thank you

[@FountainPenRevolution]

10,000 grit should work. I usually use 8,000 grit.

[@mohammedmaaliki4660]

it was very helpful

[@advdevkumarghosh6663]

umm , the diagram mimicked male genetalia. ..

[@prasoonkumar9391]

Dev Kumar Ghosh no it is a PEN IS

[@mesri3]

i scrolled down just to see if someone pointed out this similarity.

[@delaadland3219]

Dev see a Dr. because that isn’t a normal shape 😆🤣😂

[@bvmkarthik]

Did anyone notice the drawing and chuckle at 1:06. That was funny :D

[@santafejboy2]

Awesome! Thanks for the tip :)

[@brettthorndike1079]

It was helpful.....Thank you

[@ManishArora81]

For those who think that Pen is a Sword, they have to watch this video

[@anthonytibbings4047]

Thank you

[@zuneid375]

great video

[@aladdinkayqubad1645]

Thank you Sir!

[@williamhumes3005]

you can finish polishing by writing on cardboard.

[@VRFunbox]

What diagram was that man.... Lol.... But great video

[@FelipeMedLev]

I did this and my fine nib now writes like a broad :( Useful tip, dont use rough lime! (It is actually really smooth now)

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Nice one :) Thank you

[@null5697]

scratchy pen nib c:

[@vannigio6234]

ps. your draw of the nib is funny! 😆😉😃😉😆

[@adanahmedsaleh6026]

God bless ya man.

[@thanusreem5284]

This tips Use only Fountain pen??

[@shehrazad]

Thank you!! It works ! By the way how can we make a nib finer.

[@kevinthiemann3784]

That is a bit trickier. You would need to polish the sides of the tipping so as to narrow the surface that touches the paper without making it scratchy.

[@akshata892]

Nice vdo thank you sir

[@asmashaikh5324]

Vey effective technique! Thanks a lot!😊

[@alvinscott1331]

Can this be done using a whetstones? I have 5000 and 8000 grit whetstones.

[@kevinthiemann3784]

I have not tried that. If you do make sure to go slowly and just smooth a little at a time!

[@DarkAngel-dz6xm]

I want to smooth my hero pen 336 with iridium nibbed

[@DarkAngel-dz6xm]

Can you can do it simply

[@shanegarland5869]

Who is this handsome man ;-) Fantastic

[@Zephoro]

Gayyyyyyyyy