Only a few people nowadays prefer fountain pens to regular ballpoint pens. It provides fountain pen enthusiasts a sense of uniqueness and creativity in their surroundings.
Although the pen is an idealistic representation of writing on paper, you must personally experience its superiority over other pens.
If you really like fountain pens, you ought to know how to properly take care of them and keep them resistant to the flow of time. Find out more in the text below!
Should We Clean Our Fountain Pens?
Quick answer: Yes! Even the best and the most expensive pens require cleaning.
The most common cause of a damaged nib is that the pen was not cleaned properly or at all. Ink flow that is inconsistent, coarse texture while writing, and skipping are just a few of the signs of a damaged nib that needs to be cleaned.
Cleaning may sound boring, but when you remember that it can make your pen last forever, then it doesn’t sound so bad. In fact, it can be very interesting to deal with the small parts of your pen and see how complex and detailed it really is.
Many people don’t know how to clean their pens correctly or are scared of damaging them, but you can easily do the job yourself with a few simple steps.
- Pull out the cartridge or converter from your pen.
- Using cold water, clean the nib and gripping section of the pen.
- Blow air through the nib and then use a paper towel to dry all the liquid out.
- If you notice that the nib isn’t clean yet, repeat the process or consider leaving it in the water during the night.
- Once done, you may refill your pen and enjoy the feeling of smoothness while writing, again.
Even if you are satisfied with your pen and don’t see any problems, it is still recommended to
clean it every 4 to 8 weeks in order to prevent any inconveniences in the future.
Fresh and Quality Ink
Old ink can be harmful and cause your pen to become unusable. It is very important that you use quality inks. If you are using bottled ink, be sure that before you refill your pen, you stir the ink so it can flow smoothly out of the pen and not leave lumps. Do not leave the ink exposed to direct sunlight, as it will fade and lose its intensity and shine.
Storing Is Important
The tip of the fountain pen should be kept upright until it is used to allow ink to flow back into the converter. The pen will not dry out or clog as a result of this. Storing the pen in the case is an excellent way to keep your pen tip nice and smooth.
Keep Your Pen In a Safe Place
The easiest method to look after your pen is to keep track of where it is at all times. Keeping your fountain pen in a secure location reduces the risk of it being damaged.
It’s advisable to determine a permanent place where you will store your pen so you don’t forget where you put it. If you need to take a break while writing, the pen cup is a good place to be used to postpone it momentarily. By lowering your pen on the table, you risk it from rolling, dropping, and breaking.
Hold Your Pen Properly
Your pen should only be used by you since the nib has flexible qualities that conform to your writing style with repeated usage. To avoid damage, it’s also a good idea to apply equal pressure to either half of the nib when writing.
Pen Should Be Used Often
The more often you use your pen, the more it will get used to your hand and your writing style. You should change inks frequently as needed. If you plan to put it away and not use it for a while, then it is recommended that you remove the ink to avoid clogging. This should ensure that your pen will run smoothly whether you use it daily, monthly, or yearly.
You Are All Set Up
Maintaining a fountain pen does not have to be a time-consuming procedure. When you know how to handle it correctly, you may even save a lot of money on nib replacements, which can cost hundreds of dollars.
Now that you know all the ways you can preserve your pen and make it eternal, it no longer seems impossible. Moreover, it is very simple.
