Caring for Your Fountain Pen

Caring for Your Fountain Pen

 

Cleaning the Nib

Your fountain pen’s nib should be regularly cleaned to ensure it’s free from dried ink; once a month is recommended, and certainly at least once every two months, but obviously if you have any problems or issues writing with your fountain pen then it may be that it needs to be cleaned sooner, and in a more intense manner.

This guide is for a general nib clean, for maintenance purposes, or for when you are changing your ink and need to flush all remains of the old color or brand out.

• Take your fountain pen apart and keep hold of the grip section which features the nib. Next, remove the cartridge or converter if there is one. You can preserve the ink inside either of these by covering the open end with a piece of cling film, then replace them in the pen when you have finished the cleaning process.
• Hold the grip section, nib down, directly under cold running water for 10 seconds. Or you can use a syringe for this step, for a more direct flow. You may use room temperature water from a jug if you prefer but never use hot water as this risks damage to your nib.
• Fill a beaker with clean water (either tap or distilled) and place the nib in it. Use a glass if you don’t own a beaker. Make sure the water level covers the nib entirely. As the water becomes saturated with ink, empty the water and refill the beaker with fresh water. Repeat until the water stays clear for 60 minutes. Note: ink ingredients vary, and so this process can vary in time dramatically. If your nib is particularly inky, leave it to soak overnight.
• Remove the nib from the water and gently prop it up inside a clean, dry beaker which has something soft and absorbent on its base; be that some kitchen paper, cloth, or similar. Leave it there to dry fully, for 2 full days. Replace the kitchen paper (or similar) during the process if it gets saturated.
• Once dry, your pen is ready to be reassembled. Don’t forget to insert a cartridge or converter, if required, but don’t do this if you won’t be using your pen in the near future. Then, store your pen in a nib-upward position, ready for use.

 

Cartridge vs converter: Which is better? 

There’s no single answer to this question, as the best choice depends on how and where you use your fountain pen.

Cartridges

Cartridges are the ideal choice if you:

• Are new to fountain pens
• Want the quickest and cleanest refill
• Regularly write away from home
• Prefer a simple and low-maintenance option

They’re particularly useful for students, commuters, and anyone who wants to replace their ink in seconds.

Converters

 A converter may be the better choice if you:

• Write frequently
• Enjoy experimenting with ink colors
• Want to reduce single-use plastic waste
• Prefer better value over the long term

Although buying bottled ink and a converter involves a slightly higher upfront cost, it often works out to be more cost-effective over time, especially if you write regularly.

In short, cartridges are best for convenience and portability, while converters are better suited to writers who value flexibility and a wider choice of inks. 

How to fill a fountain pen converter 

Filling a converter takes a little more effort than replacing a cartridge, but it quickly becomes second nature. Simply follow these steps and you’ll be writing in no time:

1. Attach the converter securely to your fountain pen if it isn’t already fitted
2. Twist the piston until it’s fully lowered
3. Submerge the nib completely into your bottle of fountain pen ink, making sure the breather hole is below the surface
4. Slowly twist the piston in the opposite direction to draw ink into the converter
5. If necessary, expel a small amount of ink and refill again to remove any trapped air bubbles
6. Lift the pen from the bottle and carefully wipe away excess ink using a soft cloth or paper towel
7. Reassemble your pen and you’re ready to write.

Common mistakes when filling a fountain pen using a converter

Even experienced fountain pen users occasionally make mistakes. Fortunately, they’re usually easy to avoid. Familiarize yourself with these common mistakes to keep your pen performing smoothly.

Not submerging the nib fully

When filling from bottled ink, the nib and breather hole should be below the surface of the ink. If they aren’t, the converter may draw in air instead of ink, creating bubbles that can disrupt the ink flow while writing.

Changing ink colors without cleaning the pen

Switching from one ink color to another without cleaning your fountain pen can produce unexpected color changes and may affect ink flow.

Flushing the nib and converter with clean water between colors helps keep your pen performing at its best.

Overfilling the converter

To avoid overfilling your pen, leave a small air pocket in the converter. If the converter is too full, excess ink may pool in the grip section, causing a messy writing experience.

IMPORTANT - Using the wrong type of ink

Only use inks specifically formulated for fountain pens. India ink, acrylic ink, calligraphy ink, and other specialist varieties can clog the feed and damage your pen. The bottle should say “For Fountain Pens” or “Fountain Pen Safe”. If it doesn’t, don’t use it.