If you remember fountain pens, does the point become progressively less fine with us?

[raccoon]

I still have some cartridge fountain pens (which I guard with my life, because you can't get them any more)
and two of them have very un-fine (coarse?) points.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. didn't I read somewhere that the nibs can be sharpened by a jeweler

perhaps :shrug:

[kentauros]

2. The only inkpens similar to a fountain pen that I've used

were Koh-I-Noor refillable drafting pens. The tips would wear out, but they were designed in such a way that you could replace just the tip (unscrewing it like a valve core) and save having to replace the whole pen :)

[zanana1]

3. I do know that you need to use a "light" touch.

When you're using a fountain pen (I've tried them and gave up), you have to have a very light touch or you grind the points down easily. You also have to get the ink flowing just right or you'll have big splotches everywhere. Good luck!

[grasswire]

4. we have a fountain pen expert over in the forum for antiques and collectibles

You might want to cross post over there. He has a collection of fountain pens.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. good idea.

found this:

Occasionally a new nib will have a burr or be a bit scratchy and need a little sharpening. A wipe with a crocus cloth is usually all that's needed. Crocus cloth is an iron oxide (jewelers rouge, carborundum) coated cloth, (it looks like fine black sandpaper) 1200 grit extremely fine abrasive that is used for polishing metal surfaces. I use a fine sharpening stone very sparingly. Put a drop of water on the stone, the nib should be placed bottom side down at a slight angle and run gently in a circular motion with little or no pressure. Luce Zolna suggests "I have been using a acrylic nail emery board style buffer. It has 4 different pads from a rough surface all the way to a polishing pad. They are glued to a foam subsurface which is gives it stability. It is handy to keep in your toolbox and it works well. You will find it in a drug store or a beauty supply house." Mine is called a Mini 4 Way Buffer, I gave it a try and it really does work.

http://artid.com/members/calligraphy/blog/post/2136-breaking-in-a-new-nib

[raccoon]

6. thanks....I'll try that. nt