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Thread: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

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    Default Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    So I got my long-awaited Pelikan M205 Moonstone pen. I have a simple black Pelikan M205 that is probably my favorite pen. It writes smooth as silk. My go to. I thought this pen would be just like that. But it's very scratchy... it doesn't feel like a true M nib, but it says M on it. If this was an F or EF, I'd believe it and be a lot more forgiving. But it doesn't write the way I like, or expected. It skips slightly, and I've tried two different inks: Earl Grey Diamine (could hardly write with it) and now I have my trusted Sailor Black in it. When I write next to my other Pelikan, it looks nothing alike. It looks far closer to my Jinhao F nib.

    I just don't find myself reaching for it. This was my Christmas present so I'm extra bummed.

    What are the first things I should do/check for?

    Thank you

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Scratchy: misaligned tines. Skippy: same, but also give it a good clean to ensure there are no residues impeding ink flow. While you have the loupe out, check for baby's bottom.
    Vintage. Cursive italic. Iron gall.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment


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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Great, thank you both!

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Scratchy does indicate misaligned tines, but skippy and writing finer than it should sounds like the tines are "closed" (i.e. too close together).

    If you try to fix it yourself, and things go wrong; Rolf Thiel has replacement steel nib units for around $30. You can find his store on ebay if you look for missing-pen. I've bought a lot of nibs from him over the years, and if I have a nice 200 series pen I'll usually put a gold 400 series nib in it.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Nib needs tuned. There may be somebody nearby who can do it for you.

    It's a learnable skill, well worth the time. The tools are inexpensive.

    Worst case you pay around $40 plus shipping to have a pro tune it for you.

    No reason that pen shouldn't write exactly the way you want it to.

    Sometimes it's just a little harder than it should be.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by dneal View Post
    Scratchy does indicate misaligned tines, but skippy and writing finer than it should sounds like the tines are "closed" (i.e. too close together).

    If you try to fix it yourself, and things go wrong; Rolf Thiel has replacement steel nib units for around $30. You can find his store on ebay if you look for missing-pen. I've bought a lot of nibs from him over the years, and if I have a nice 200 series pen I'll usually put a gold 400 series nib in it.
    Ok thank you

    Quote Originally Posted by manoeuver View Post
    Nib needs tuned. There may be somebody nearby who can do it for you.

    It's a learnable skill, well worth the time. The tools are inexpensive.

    Worst case you pay around $40 plus shipping to have a pro tune it for you.

    No reason that pen shouldn't write exactly the way you want it to.

    Sometimes it's just a little harder than it should be.
    Thanks for the advice, and well said!

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Is this a new pen? Return it. Don't fiddle with it or waste money having it tuned.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by eachan View Post
    Is this a new pen? Return it. Don't fiddle with it or waste money having it tuned.
    This has crossed my mind. Would much rather it worked straight out of the box! Fiddling with an old pen would be one thing, but this is modern/new.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by CrayonAngelss View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by eachan View Post
    Is this a new pen? Return it. Don't fiddle with it or waste money having it tuned.
    This has crossed my mind. Would much rather it worked straight out of the box! Fiddling with an old pen would be one thing, but this is modern/new.
    Takes the joy out of the gift, but the gesture remains. Pretty pen.

    It fascinates me that so many new pens need tweeking, such that some vendors put up videos to show people how to do it. I wouldn't buy a new pen from a seller who suggests that I need to work on it. As soon as you work on it, you own the result. Maybe someone should make a Youtube video showing folks how to re-box and send back a defective product.

    Bob

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Both suggestions offered to you, whether to return the pen or to learn nib tuning are good ones.

    Which way you go depends on how much time/effort you are willing to spend getting to know your pens.

    If you return the pen, what about next time you receive another pen in other occasion and it's the same story?
    Are you going to keep returning pens until you find one that is to your liking out of the box? Going this route, you may end up missing on pens that you could truly love with a little nib-tuning.

    I am not excusing pen companies for being sloppy, but for some things, we as the owner of an *instrument*, would stand to benefit from a little tuning experience, so instead of being dismayed next time this happens again, we just tune the pen and in a way, we get to know it more.

    Just an extra perspective for you to consider.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    I tend to agree with dneal above that the tines might be too tight. You can test by cradling the pen in your hand and seeing whether it will write with no pressure applied. It should. If not, the pen isn’t getting enough ink to the writing surface.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    As a counter-point to Will's view, if we don't send back the defective pens, the pen companies are never going to have any incentive to stop being sloppy.

    But I can't talk, because sadly my Moonstone arrived with a scratchy and misaligned nib too, but I didn't send it back. I guess I got the EF one and you got the Medium. I wonder who the lucky winners of the lousy Fine and Broad were and should we form an exclusive society?
    In the words of Paul Simon, you can call me Al.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by Seattleite View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by CrayonAngelss View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by eachan View Post
    Is this a new pen? Return it. Don't fiddle with it or waste money having it tuned.
    This has crossed my mind. Would much rather it worked straight out of the box! Fiddling with an old pen would be one thing, but this is modern/new.
    Takes the joy out of the gift, but the gesture remains. Pretty pen.

    It fascinates me that so many new pens need tweeking, such that some vendors put up videos to show people how to do it. I wouldn't buy a new pen from a seller who suggests that I need to work on it. As soon as you work on it, you own the result. Maybe someone should make a Youtube video showing folks how to re-box and send back a defective product.

    Bob
    I should add that it wasn't "from" anyone; when my husband and I exchange, we just pick some stuff out online. I don't wish to sound ungrateful He totally supports me returning it.

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Both suggestions offered to you, whether to return the pen or to learn nib tuning are good ones.

    Which way you go depends on how much time/effort you are willing to spend getting to know your pens.

    If you return the pen, what about next time you receive another pen in other occasion and it's the same story?
    Are you going to keep returning pens until you find one that is to your liking out of the box? Going this route, you may end up missing on pens that you could truly love with a little nib-tuning.

    I am not excusing pen companies for being sloppy, but for some things, we as the owner of an *instrument*, would stand to benefit from a little tuning experience, so instead of being dismayed next time this happens again, we just tune the pen and in a way, we get to know it more.

    Just an extra perspective for you to consider.
    Yes, great perspective!



    Thank you everyone!

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    Senior Member CrayonAngelss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by grainweevil View Post
    As a counter-point to Will's view, if we don't send back the defective pens, the pen companies are never going to have any incentive to stop being sloppy.

    But I can't talk, because sadly my Moonstone arrived with a scratchy and misaligned nib too, but I didn't send it back. I guess I got the EF one and you got the Medium. I wonder who the lucky winners of the lousy Fine and Broad were and should we form an exclusive society?
    Ohhh lucky us hahah!

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    And a counter-counter point. Buy from known pen specialist/retailers who add another quality-control check before shipping a pen to the final customer. Look on websites for assurance that your pen will be examined and its nib will be tuned before shipment.

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by grainweevil View Post
    As a counter-point to Will's view, if we don't send back the defective pens, the pen companies are never going to have any incentive to stop being sloppy.

    But I can't talk, because sadly my Moonstone arrived with a scratchy and misaligned nib too, but I didn't send it back. I guess I got the EF one and you got the Medium. I wonder who the lucky winners of the lousy Fine and Broad were and should we form an exclusive society?
    That's a good counter to my point.

    Although, I suspect that the number of returns has to be really significant for that "incentive" to kick in.

    And I also suspect there are more buyers who don't return VS the ones who do. So if we want to send a message to pen companies to shape up, we may need to figure out another way.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Alright, so my final decision is to send the nib off to someone who knows what they are doing. For now I swapped it out for a trusty Pelikan nib and I'm enjoying it greatly.

    Thanks everyone!

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    Quote Originally Posted by Seattleite View Post

    It fascinates me that so many new pens need tweeking, such that some vendors put up videos to show people how to do it. I wouldn't buy a new pen from a seller who suggests that I need to work on it. As soon as you work on it, you own the result. Maybe someone should make a Youtube video showing folks how to re-box and send back a defective product.

    Bob
    I like tuning nibs to my preference, but I have to admit that one can't really argue with your point. Even the brick and mortar "old school" pen shops who have an internet presence don't inspect or tune.

    Perhaps enough returns would prompt them to invest in someone with the skill, or maybe the margins are too thin.

    Either way, your last sentence made me chuckle. I'm surprised there isn't one already!

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    Default Re: Pelikan Moonstone Pen Disappointment

    We seem determined to let purveyors of over-priced pens get away with their "couldn't care less, it's only the customer attitude".

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