Site updated 30/7/04

Pen Musings page now contains information on Ink, buying pens and paper

Addition of  history pages on Mabie Todd and Swan, Onoto and Mont Blanc fountain pens

New Fountain pen collection pages reorganised and added to

Do not press hard when writing, as this will this will damage the nib. A good fountain pen should glide effortlessly across paper.

Use fresh ink. Do not use bottled ink that is more than a year or two old. If you do use old ink, you should first examine it for any mould that may be growing on the surface. Then stir the old ink to make sure that there are no lumps or sediment on the bottom. Thinner inks, like Waterman, Sheaffer or Pelikan, are less likely to solidify than thicker inks. Lastly, if the ink has not been used for several weeks, shake the bottle before filling the pen, as the ink particles may have settled a bit.

Store your ink bottles away from direct sunlight to avoid fading.

Wash your pen every few weeks or whenever changing ink colours.

Use only cool water when washing the pen. Distilled water will work best, tap water sometimes contains particles which may clog the feed. Never use hot water or alcohol as this will damage the feed or other parts of the pen.

Wash the pen by filling and emptying it with water. Repeat this until the water is clear. If the pens uses a cartridge/converter, soak the nib section in water overnight. If the pen is very dirty, add a small amount of Formula 409 to the water. The ratio of water to 409 should be about 5:1.

If you do not plan on using your pen for a prolonged period of time, wash and empty it out before storing it away.

Avoid using chemically treated paper, which usually has a slick feel, because it does not absorb ink well. Ink will collect in the nib and, ultimately, clog the feed. If your pen skips after using treated paper, wipe the nib with a lint-free cloth. If this does not work, wash the pen out with water.

If travelling by plane, either fill the pen completely or leave it empty in order to avoid leakage.

Do not loan your pen to anyone, as the nib adjusts only to your writing style, e.g., pressure, angle.

If your pen has a pull-off cap, do not use both hands when removing the cap. Instead, hold the pen in one hand, grip the cap between your index finger and thumb, then push the cap up.

When not using the pen, keep it stored vertically, e.g., in a cup, with the nib pointing up to prevent ink from settling in and clogging the feed.

If the piston mechanism is tight or squeaky, do NOT use petroleum based products e.g., vaseline or WD40 to lubricate it. The safest and most effective lubricant is Superlube, also known as liquid teflon.

If your pen doesn't 'start' right away, for example after not being used for a couple of weeks, ink has probably dried and clogged the nib and/or the feed. To start the ink flowing again, resist the urge to press down hard on the pen. Instead, wet the point of the nib with water or ink of the same colour. If that doesn't work, wash the pen out.