Should you store a fountain pen nib up or down?
Fountain Pen Storage Basics: Nib Up or Down A fountain pen should never be stored vertically with the nib facing downwards. Gravity will pull the ink towards the feeder and nib, causing it to pool in the feeder, clog the nib, and leak through the nib into the cap.
Do fountain pen nibs need to be broken in?
Some fountain pens do need to be broken-in, but due to the many designs and types out there, not all of them require it. The break-in period usually lasts for a few weeks and is generally where you yourself are getting accustomed to the pen, while the nib becomes softer and smoother.
Why is my fountain pen nib scratchy?
If a nib that previously wrote smoothly has suddenly turned scratchy, it has probably suffered some sort of trauma. The most common being misalignment. If bumped or dropped one of the tines can move in relation with the other. This is the first thing to look for.
Do fountain pens need to be stored upright?
Easy fix: It’s best to store your fountain pen upright (nib up) to keep the chamber from getting clogged. When your pen has been laying in its side for some time, ink may have pooled in the nib, the tip, or even leaked out around the rim of the steel nib.
How do I make my fountain pen write smoothly?
How To Make Any Fountain Pen Write Smoothly Every Time
- Clean the nib and feed by rinsing with lukewarm tap water.
- Dip the nib in vinegar or something acidic.
- Clean the feed and reservoir by soaking in tap water overnight.
- Flush the feed and reservoir with pen flush.
How long does it take for a fountain pen to break in?
Some of them take a day or two to settle down; others take a week or two; a few come cookin’ right out of the box.
How do you make a fountain pen smooth?
How to Smoothen Your Fountain Pen Nib
- Smooth the nib using micromesh or a smoothing stick.
- Smooth the nib using a ceramic cup.
- Smooth the nib using a whetstone.
- Make sure to keep the pen inked up, or dip it in water before every pass.
- Clean thoroughly before and after smoothing.
What should I do if my fountain pen is bent?
With a fingertip placed on the top side of the nib, press the tip of nib down gently but firmly against a hard surface, like a sheet of paper on a table. Rock the nib from side to side for 5–10 seconds. Check the nib to see if the tines are still misaligned. Doing this may have caused the tips to become bent up slightly.
What do you need to know about fountain pen nibs?
Like a car and its tires, a fountain pen will only write as well as the nib it is paired with. The nib is responsible for determining how a fountain pen will write, making it the first thing that should be considered when choosing a fountain pen.
What should the feeler gauge be on a fountain pen?
If you use a feeler gauge, 0.003 of an inch is about right. Fountain pens operate on the basis of a controlled leak. Key to this is the right amount of contact or clearance between the nib and the feeder. You should be able to pull a piece of copy paper between the nib and the feeder while feeling a fair amount of drag on the paper.
Why is the ink coming out of my fountain pen?
Excessive ink flow can indicate an air leak somewhere in the pen. Leaks most often occur when the opening of an ink cartridge or converter does not form an airtight seal with the nib section. If possible, try installing a different cartridge or converter in the pen and see if it resolves the issue.
