A scratchy fountain pen nib is one of the most frustrating experiences for a pen enthusiast, but in most cases it is fixable. Before you give up on a pen, work through this guide to diagnose and resolve the issue.
First: Diagnose the Problem
Scratchiness can have several causes, and the fix depends on identifying the right one. The most common causes are:
- Misaligned tines - the two halves of the nib tip are not perfectly level with each other
- Rough tipping material - the iridium or tipping material has a burr or rough edge
- Ink flow issues - too little ink reaching the nib causes a dry, scratchy feel
- Wrong ink for the pen - some inks are too dry or too thick for certain pens
- Writing angle or pressure - sometimes the issue is technique, not the pen
Step 1: Check Your Writing Angle and Pressure
Before touching the nib, try adjusting your technique. Fountain pens write best at a low angle (around 40 to 55 degrees to the paper) with very light pressure. Pressing too hard or holding the pen too upright can cause scratchiness even on a perfectly tuned nib. Try writing more lightly and at a shallower angle and see if the issue improves.
Step 2: Check the Ink Flow
A dry-writing pen often feels scratchy. Try a wetter ink. Diamine and Private Reserve inks are known for their good flow. If the pen writes better with a wetter ink, the issue is flow rather than the nib itself. You may be able to adjust the flow by gently spreading the tines very slightly, but this is best left to an experienced pen tuner.
Step 3: Check Tine Alignment
Look at the nib tip under a loupe or magnifying glass (a 10x loupe is ideal). The two tines should be perfectly level. If one is higher than the other, the raised tine will catch on the paper and cause scratchiness.
To check alignment without a loupe, write a figure-8 slowly. If the pen writes smoothly in one direction but scratches in the other, misaligned tines are likely the cause.
Fixing misaligned tines: This requires very gentle pressure with your fingernail or a smooth brass sheet to nudge the higher tine back into alignment. Work slowly and test frequently. If you are not confident doing this yourself, it is worth sending the pen to a professional nibmeister.
Step 4: Smooth the Tipping Material
If the tines are aligned but the nib is still scratchy, the tipping material may have a rough edge or burr. This can be smoothed using micromesh, a very fine abrasive sheet available in grades from 1500 to 12000 grit.
The technique is called lapping:
- Place a sheet of 8000 to 12000 grit micromesh on a flat surface.
- Hold the pen at your normal writing angle and make small figure-8 motions on the micromesh with very light pressure.
- Test on paper after every few strokes.
- Stop as soon as the scratchiness is gone. Over-smoothing will round the tipping and reduce feedback.
We stock micromesh and pen tuning accessories at Pure Pens.
When to Seek Professional Help
Some nib issues are beyond DIY repair, particularly sprung tines, damaged tipping, or issues with vintage pens. If you have worked through the steps above without success, or if you are not comfortable working on a valuable pen, it is worth consulting a professional nibmeister.
If you have bought a pen from us that is not writing as it should, get in touch. We are always happy to help troubleshoot or advise on next steps.
Prevention
- Use good quality inks with adequate flow
- Write with light pressure at a low angle
- Clean your pen regularly to prevent dried ink affecting flow
- Store pens capped when not in use