Sometimes fountain pens can be tricky. They can have a mind of their own and not want to work properly. Here are some tips and tricks to help you over come writing issues with fountain pens.
Tips for dry starting pens:
We all have that one pen that just never wants to get going after it has been resting for a little bit. The first step should always be to check your ink level (if your pen allows it) and refill if necessary. If that doesn't work here are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the pen writing right when you need it. First, with the cap off of the pen, give the pen a couple firm shakes (nib facing down) as if you are trying to throw ink from the pen directly to the paper. Another trick you could try is to repeatedly tap the pen on a scrap piece of paper. Eventually, a dot will start to appear. If this method doesn't work, try drawing a straight line down in a similar manner. If these methods do not work, try expelling a drop or two of ink. If it is possible with the pen, you can expel ink until it gets to the end of the feed. Then draw the ink back in and try writing again.
If a pen is constantly exhibiting behaviors of drying out, there may be something wrong with the pen itself. In this case, you should return the pen to the manufacturer if it is still covered by warranty. Otherwise, you could try and fix the problem yourself, but this action would void most warranties in most cases.
Fixing a clogged channel in a nib:
Sometimes it will be necessary to remove blockage such as lint from the ink channel in the nib. In order to do this you will need brass sheets, paper towels, and possibly water.
First, remove the nib unit from the rest of the pen. Carefully remove the nib from the unit if possible. Next, take a brass sheet and carefully floss between the tines of the nib. This will remove the particulate from the ink channel. It may be necessary to rinse the nib in water after this process. Carefully dry the nib and place it back in the nib unit. Re-assemble the pen and it should be ready to go.
Re-lubricate the piston:
Sometimes a piston in a barrel will stick in the barrel when you operate the piston. Ideally, the piston should move as smooth as possible. A smooth piston ensures a bigger and more controlled fill. To fix a stuck piston you will need clear silicon grease (found online), cotton swabs, and paper towels.
First, empty the pen of any fluids (ink or water). If it is possible to remove the piston from the pen, remove the piston. Use a cotton swab to apply lubricant to the sides of the piston that contact the barrel. Put the piston back in the barrel of the pen and move the piston up and down until it is smooth. Dry off the excess silicon grease from the pen.
In the situation that the piston is not removable from the pen, bring the piston to the back of the pen. Remove the nib unit on the pen to allow access to the barrel. Use cotton swabs to apply clear silicon grease to the inside of the barrel of the pen. Once the barrel has enough silicon grease, move the piston in the grease and throughout the barrel until the piston is smooth. Re-assemble the pen and dry off any excess silicon grease from the pen.
This next section will talk about the act of writing with fountain pens. At first, most people do not realize that fountain pens work differently than ball point and roller ball pens. With ball point pens, a user will typically hold it upright and push down hard in order to make marks on the page. Roller balls are a bit more relaxed, but some pressure is still required to write on a paper.
On another point of the writing spectrum lies fountain pens. Fountain pens are designed to write without the user applying pressure to the pen on the page. This is because of the way the fountain pen uses capillaries to draw ink from the reservoir to the page. This capillary system has one complication: the nib must be lined up with the paper in such a way that contact with the paper will draw ink from the reservoir.
Keeping the nib in line with the paper means that the nib must rest in the same relative spot on the page no matter what motion you make. This means you cannot turn or bend your fingers like one would be used to for a ball point pen or a roller ball pen. With ball points and roller balls, you write with the wrist, with fountain pens you write with the arm. This helps keep the nib in the same spot because you can keep your hand still on the page while your arm makes the motions for your strokes.
It may take a page of writing to get used to, but this can help eliminate numerous of other problems that arise from in proper use of a fountain pen. Simple changes in the use of the pen can eliminate skipping, scratchy feelings from the nib, and other ink flow issues.
Hopefully these hints, tips, and tricks can help you resolve any fountain pen issues you are having now or may have in the future. If you have any more tips for the community or suggestions of any thing I have left out and want me to go over, feel free to comment below. This is a sharing community that will only grow if we all contribute. If you have more questions feel free to comment below or Contact Me and leave a question and I will get back to you.
Tips for dry starting pens:
We all have that one pen that just never wants to get going after it has been resting for a little bit. The first step should always be to check your ink level (if your pen allows it) and refill if necessary. If that doesn't work here are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the pen writing right when you need it. First, with the cap off of the pen, give the pen a couple firm shakes (nib facing down) as if you are trying to throw ink from the pen directly to the paper. Another trick you could try is to repeatedly tap the pen on a scrap piece of paper. Eventually, a dot will start to appear. If this method doesn't work, try drawing a straight line down in a similar manner. If these methods do not work, try expelling a drop or two of ink. If it is possible with the pen, you can expel ink until it gets to the end of the feed. Then draw the ink back in and try writing again.
If a pen is constantly exhibiting behaviors of drying out, there may be something wrong with the pen itself. In this case, you should return the pen to the manufacturer if it is still covered by warranty. Otherwise, you could try and fix the problem yourself, but this action would void most warranties in most cases.
Fixing a clogged channel in a nib:
Sometimes it will be necessary to remove blockage such as lint from the ink channel in the nib. In order to do this you will need brass sheets, paper towels, and possibly water.
First, remove the nib unit from the rest of the pen. Carefully remove the nib from the unit if possible. Next, take a brass sheet and carefully floss between the tines of the nib. This will remove the particulate from the ink channel. It may be necessary to rinse the nib in water after this process. Carefully dry the nib and place it back in the nib unit. Re-assemble the pen and it should be ready to go.
Re-lubricate the piston:
Sometimes a piston in a barrel will stick in the barrel when you operate the piston. Ideally, the piston should move as smooth as possible. A smooth piston ensures a bigger and more controlled fill. To fix a stuck piston you will need clear silicon grease (found online), cotton swabs, and paper towels.
First, empty the pen of any fluids (ink or water). If it is possible to remove the piston from the pen, remove the piston. Use a cotton swab to apply lubricant to the sides of the piston that contact the barrel. Put the piston back in the barrel of the pen and move the piston up and down until it is smooth. Dry off the excess silicon grease from the pen.
In the situation that the piston is not removable from the pen, bring the piston to the back of the pen. Remove the nib unit on the pen to allow access to the barrel. Use cotton swabs to apply clear silicon grease to the inside of the barrel of the pen. Once the barrel has enough silicon grease, move the piston in the grease and throughout the barrel until the piston is smooth. Re-assemble the pen and dry off any excess silicon grease from the pen.
This next section will talk about the act of writing with fountain pens. At first, most people do not realize that fountain pens work differently than ball point and roller ball pens. With ball point pens, a user will typically hold it upright and push down hard in order to make marks on the page. Roller balls are a bit more relaxed, but some pressure is still required to write on a paper.
On another point of the writing spectrum lies fountain pens. Fountain pens are designed to write without the user applying pressure to the pen on the page. This is because of the way the fountain pen uses capillaries to draw ink from the reservoir to the page. This capillary system has one complication: the nib must be lined up with the paper in such a way that contact with the paper will draw ink from the reservoir.
Keeping the nib in line with the paper means that the nib must rest in the same relative spot on the page no matter what motion you make. This means you cannot turn or bend your fingers like one would be used to for a ball point pen or a roller ball pen. With ball points and roller balls, you write with the wrist, with fountain pens you write with the arm. This helps keep the nib in the same spot because you can keep your hand still on the page while your arm makes the motions for your strokes.
It may take a page of writing to get used to, but this can help eliminate numerous of other problems that arise from in proper use of a fountain pen. Simple changes in the use of the pen can eliminate skipping, scratchy feelings from the nib, and other ink flow issues.
Hopefully these hints, tips, and tricks can help you resolve any fountain pen issues you are having now or may have in the future. If you have any more tips for the community or suggestions of any thing I have left out and want me to go over, feel free to comment below. This is a sharing community that will only grow if we all contribute. If you have more questions feel free to comment below or Contact Me and leave a question and I will get back to you.
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