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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Lamy Pen hack...more tweaking!

Several people have mentioned that the Lamy pens hurt their hands, as they do mine after a time (what were they THINKING with those sharp edges right where your finger and thumb rest??), so I thought I'd share my solution...


Here's one of the edges that cause a problem...if you could turn the calligraphy nib (this one's a Lamy Joy, their calligraphy pen I like sketching with) that might help, but I couldn't seem to do that. 

So I just took my two-sided nail file and filed that softly rounded...rough side first, then the smoother one.

It looks a little rough here, but I polished it with a rough cloth and it's fine now...AND a lot more comfortable when I'm sketching or writing for a while! (And yes, that IS Pepi fur in the background--he keeps me company!)
This was an easy fix, so I did it to another of my Lamys...before you give up on something that's otherwise satisfactory, see if you can't make it work better for you.

14 comments:

  1. Thanks, girl! I think it's especially important with the calligraphy nib, because it needs to be slightly angled to make a smooth mark.

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  2. What a clever fix! I love my Lamys but haven't installed the calligraphy nibs I bought yet, this may be a fix I need to do then.

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    1. I really love sketching with a calligraphy nib...very different effect! I still use my ancient, cheap Shaeffers!

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  3. Or what about slipping on a foam pencil cover?

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  4. My fingers might be unique -- I LIKE how the regular Lamy fits my hand. Might try this with the calligraphy Lamy though.

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    1. Most people DO like 'em. (J. says I'm 'holding my pen wrong.' ) And of course it's more of an issue with a calligraphy nib that wants to be at a slight angle.

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  5. Cathy, due to your posts about Noodler's pens (I think that was you), I got myself one. Like it a lot. However, being new to the world of pen and ink, I was wondering if you could tell me whether or not you are supposed to get ink on your fingers if you hold it on the non-metallic ridged black part of the pen. I think it's normal, but I don't know.
    Thanks,
    Kelly

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    Replies
    1. I don't think so, Kelly! I'm usually pretty messy, but I only get covered with ink when I fill my pens...

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    2. I'm getting that inky finger when sketching with my Hero pen. Maybe I'm holding it too close to the ink feed and don't realize it?

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  6. Love your customization! I do like my Lamy bright daffodil yellow pen. A lot. It's just that the ink in fountain pens seems to never be waterproof? Did you find a waterproof ink fountain pen?

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    Replies
    1. I usually use Noodler's Lexington Gray or Polar Black, both of those work well and are very nearly waterproof...

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  7. Isn't is interesting how individual we all are and how we use out tools. I always learnso much from others. I had not even thought about this problem as it does not happen to me.

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    Replies
    1. Alissa, I think it's more likely to happen with the Lamy Joy calligraphy pen, since it really wants to be held at a specific angle to work correctly. This was a good fix for me!

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