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Thread: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

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    Default Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    It needs a flush so any advice on how this can be achieved would be appreciated as I'm not sure about the ammonia soak with these pens. Secondly the nib appears to be bent towards the surface is that how it's supposed to be? Lastly is there any way to polish the scratch marks out of the barrel please ?

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Hi David,

    Is the ink filling system working properly? Otherwise I'll bring you some notes next time we meet.

    As to your question on cleaning the pen I do not soak my pens. A few minutes rinse with water a couple of drops of dishwash liquid is fine for me.

    As to the nib a picture will be better for us to see what it looks like. If you ask her nicely Annie should be able to help you on that next time we meet.

    On the polishing side, upon advice of one of our members, I have used Novus #1 plastic polish to polish the pens and Novus #2 to remove light scratches as necessary. Annie uses Simichrome which she has given me a little bit for me to try. Be careful not to polish any metalic pen parts that have been plated as these might remove the plating.
    Last edited by RuiFromUK; April 25th, 2014 at 05:50 AM.

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Yes, nibs typically turn upwards.

    Roger W.

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    DavidDecorator (April 27th, 2014)

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Since you have to flush the pen, I would suggest trying filling and expelling water before you try with ink. If the seals have not been replaces and might be leaking, or the sac needs replacement, it will be a lot less messy if you test all that out with plain water.

    +1 on the Novus products. I don't know about Amazon UK, but I can get a 3-pack of the No. 1, 2, and 3 in small bottles for a nominal cost and they last through a lot of pen refurbishings.

    Most of these conical nibs have a slight bend upwards, as shown below...

    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    DavidDecorator (April 27th, 2014), Jeph (April 26th, 2014)

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Hi David,

    Yeah, many Sheaffer nibs have a slight curve of that sort. Seems to enhance nice writing. Nothing about which to worry.

    If, as a new Snork collector, you'd like to learn more, I offer my Snorkel Guide, noting a few pics need to be added, and the long profile still needs to be trimmed.

    Sheaffer Snorkel Guide

    regards

    David
    David R. Isaacson, MD

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    DavidDecorator (April 27th, 2014), earthdawn (April 26th, 2014), Jeph (April 26th, 2014), Jon Szanto (April 25th, 2014)

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Well I can see why the nib would turn up to let out the proboscis. Unfortunately despite a thorough flushing this one will not fill with enough ink to complete a sentence.
    So I need to send it to someone who can return it to its former glory. But whom.....?
    A working class hero is something to be. (John Lennon)

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    Senior Member david i's Avatar
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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Hi,

    The upturned nib is a common finding going back to 1930's in Sheaffers, and often the open nibs in Snorkels don't hve that feature. It's not a Snork-specific thing

    Most restorers of old pens work on Snorkel.

    A few names (not to suggest exclusion of others) include

    Ron Zorn
    Martin Ferguson
    Mike Kennedy
    Ron Meloche
    Danny Fudge
    Sherrell Tyree

    regards

    david
    David R. Isaacson, MD

    http://www.vacumania.com : Sales site for guaranteed, restored collectible pens.

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    31000 members and growing. World's heftiest daily vintage pen eye candy

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidDecorator View Post
    So I need to send it to someone who can return it to its former glory. But whom.....?
    A very well known pen repair person in UK is Eric Wilson who has a website here http://eckiethump.webs.com/.

    Otherwise why don't you bring the pen with you at the next Geek's monthly meeting?

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    Default Re: Just bought my first Shaeffer Snorkel.

    Hmm yes I could do that and thanks for the information on all the repairers.
    A working class hero is something to be. (John Lennon)

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