I've owned this Optima since new for 11 years. Earlier this year it went to Torino for a section crack repair, and I don't know if just the section was replaced or the entire barrel.
I've been unhappy with ink flow. Twice I did a thorough flush with solution and the nib/feed inserted into a bulb syringe, but flow was still an issue, even with Aurora ink! So for the first time, I decided to have a look myself. I never disassembled an Optima before. I pulled out my Montblanc tools which are compatible, removed the upper mechanism, the piston and the shaft. Crud fell off the mechanism and barrel threads, reminiscent of cured Montblanc pink thread sealant. The red and white bits have a rubbery consistency. But what of the two colors? Is the white stuff plumber's tape?
I smeared a bit of silicon on the piston and reassembled. Alas, I have no more thread sealant, and without it the entire mechanism rotates out of the barrel when I turn the piston knob. Therefore, I have to get some sealant just for this pen; I'll likely have to throw it out again after a few years on the shelf.
IMG_1690.JPG
Bookmarks