the nib doesn't write!

[treehugger9]

Hi Flourish

My brother brought me as gift from Vienna a beautiful calligraphy set with seven different nibs, but I can't write with them, it's like the ink can't flow.. any ideas?
I've prepared the nib by removing the coating with saliva.

[Brad franklin]

Try toothpaste. Sometimes saliva does not always work. I bet there is still some resin on there.

[Heebs]

Brad's right, I've found saliva is more to help the ink stay on the nib before using but not for removing the coating. Try toothpaste, alcohol or a quick flame

[JanisTX]

Alice, I would use the toothpaste, as advised!  There is machine oil on the nib, to prevent rusting.  You have to get that off in order to get the nib to accept ink.  I have an old toothbrush & I put some toothpaste on it and scrub away.  THEN, you want to rinse all of the toothpaste off and dry the nib.  Be sure to not handle the end of the nib that accepts ink. - Your fingers will have oils on them that may repel ink & you'd have to repeat the process!  I use a small pair of pliers that I got in a craft store in the jewelry-making section to pick up the nib & insert it into the nib holder.  That way, I don't touch the nib after cleaning it with the toothpaste. 

Post back if this doesn't work!

[inkcatcher]

Ate Nickki, Ate Stef? (if I remembered correctly) and the rest suggested the potato trick! You should try it! It really helps most calligraphers!

[tintenfuchs]

Yes, stick it in a RAW Postauto, leave it in there for a minute, it's like magic!

[Estefa]

Yes, Sienne – I read it somewhere too of course – and usuallyI use the flame (very shortly) too. Potato is only my last resort when the flame and the spit fails .

[treehugger9]

Thank you all! I will let you know.