|
the online maintenance guide to fountain pens
So, you just bought a new fountain pen. You bring it home, show it to everyone, admire it. But what happens when it comes time to fill it? Or clean it? Well, the Penman's here to help. I've had many requests to create a laymen's version of a total experience guide. I've spent time working out every problem that any fountain pen lover might come across. So, here it is. I understand the common problems with fountain pens: leaky nibs, exploding cartridges, cleaning, refills, adjustments, repairs and so on. I've dealt with them, and they can be down right frustrating. So, if I can help one person by sharing my knowledge, the that makes this page well worth it. Plus, if you can't find the info that you need here, tell me your problem, and I'll help you however I can. --Penman
 FILLING
With piston fillers, submerge the nib totally into the ink.
Contrary to what many people believe, ink isn't drawn into
the fountain pen through the center hole, but through the
point where the nib meets the barrel of the pen. While the
the nib is submerged, twist the vacuum until the bladder is
full. Remove the nib from the ink. Holding the pen over the ink
bottle, slowly begin twisting the vacuum the opposite direction,
emptying four to eight drops of ink from the bladder to allow
free
flow. Then, tilt the pen nib up, and twist the
vacuum closed. Clean
the nib and write on a scratch sheet to
insure that it writes
properly.
Lever filler nibs should be
totally submeged into the ink
as well
and filled. To do so, lift the
lever up all of the way, this compresses the rubber sac. If the lever refuses to lift, DO NOT force it! The pen will break! This means your pen needs a new sac. They can be gotten at the Pen Sac company on my link list. Once the lever is totally lifted, close it again. Leave it submerged in the ink for about ten seconds to let the sac fill up with ink. Pull the pen out, and clean the nib. Cartridge fillers
have
many different
mechanisms, just be sure that the needle holds the
cartridge firmly.
To do this,
push the cartridge until you hear and feel
a clasp.
Then, give the cartridge a little squeeze to force the flow
through
the nib.for info on filling eyedropper, button, crescent, bulb, vacumatic, plunger, touchdown, pneumatic, blow, snorkel and PFM fillers, click here
Pen Store contact
Artline Int'l Luggage, El Paso - (800) 592.1234
Artline, Atlanta - (800) 327.pens
The Art Store, Iowa - (800)652.2225
Arthur Brown, N.York - (800)772.Pens
Appointments, Cincinnati - (513)421.7430
Bertram's Inkwell, Baltimore, White Flint Mall (800)782.7680
Bittner, Carmel - (888)Bittner
Bromfield Pen Shop, Boston - (617)482.9053
Checker Office Products, Cleveland - (216)579.1280
Collins, Chicago - (800)404.7367
Dada, San Fransisco - (888)623.dada
De Boulle, Dallas (800)454.jems
Flax,Los Angeles - (800)273.5064
Fahrney's,D.C. - (800)624.Pens
Flax, Phoenix - (602)254.0840
Fountain Pen Hopital, N.York - (800)253.Pens
Fountain Pen Hospital, Los Angeles - (800)4MY.Pens
Gadgeteer, Omaha - (402)397.0808
Graphaids, West Los Angeles - (310)820.0445
Halper's Pens, El Paso - (800) 519.Pens
Colorado Pen Stores (40 locations) - (888)849.7367
Joon, N.York - (800)782.Joon
Katy's Pens, Santa Monica - (310)394.1378
Levenger, Delray Beach - (561)274.0904
Mcwhorter's, Cupertino - (800)281.8484
Montgomery Stationers, N.York - (800)982.2906
Micheal's, Los Angeles - (213)466.5295
Oscar Braun, Oak Park - (248)968.5858
Pearl, N.York - (800)221.6845
Pen Write, Dallas - (800)672.7814
Pen Perfecto, Aspen - (800)250.5089
Pen & Paper, Nasheville - (615)629.0275
Power Pens, Hagerstown - (888)Pen.Guru
Seattle Pen, Seattle - (800)477.7367
Signature, Palo Alto - (800)557.7367
Signature, Century City - (800)558.Pens
Total Office Products, Atlanta - (888)867.7367
Thomas and Greyson, Minneapolis - (612)333.2441
Tobbaco Corner, Menphis - (901)682.3326
Vanness pen shop, Little Rock - (501) 666.0668
|
Cleaning
This is where the advantages of refill pens come in.
One of the only downsides of of owning a fountain
pen is when it comes time to clean it out.
You should clean and flush out your fountain pen
about once every three months to ensure maximum writing
ability. To do this, totally empty out the
bladder in your pen. Fill a bowl full of luke warm
water and fully submerge the nib in the water as you
would with ink. Empty into a sink and repeat the
process until the water runs clear. Lever fillers
should be cleaned the same way, filling and releasing
until the bladder is totally ink free. Cartridge pens
should be cleaned with a convertor. All cartridge
fillers should come with one, if not, contact a pen
store and explain your problem. Clasp the convertor
on as you would with a refill, and empty and release
to clean out the nib. When the water runs clear, insert
a new refill.
Penman's tips
Water does not affect fountain pen nibs. Splish, splash, they won't mind. However, never use any cleaning solutions such as ammonia or alcohol. |
Company Contact
SECURING
Making sure your pen is in good hands is only
precautionary, although it may be the most
important part of fountain pen ownership.
There are a few things that anyone who owns a
fountain pen should know to make sure that your
pen is taken the best care of for your enjoyment
in the years to come. First of all, try not to let
anyone use your pen or borrow it. After you've used
a fountain pen for a while, it begins to take on a
personal shape that conforms to your handwriting.
Letting someone borrow your pen can sabotage the way
that the pen writes, and confuse the mechanical
workings of the pen. If you must let someone use your
pen, keep the cap. This in turn reduces the chances
of your pen getting stolen. After all, who wants a
capless pen? However, when you are writing with the
pen, try to keep the cap on, therefore if the pen is
dropped, it won't land on the nib.
Make sure and invest in a good leather sheath for
your pen. It keeps the pen remarkably tame inside a
briefcase, or luggage. Montblanc, Dupont and Cross
are the most reliable, after all, they are made by
pen companies. Most pen companies give lifetime warranties
with thier pens. Fill yours out and keep it somewhere safe.
Plus, if you keep your pen clipped to your pocket, when
opened, hold it off of paper, nib down for about fifteen
seconds before writing.
Penman's tips
Keep your pens in a locking pen cabinet when you're at home. You can buy oak cabinets with glass displays at Levengers or at many wood crafters around the world. |
PEN FAQ'sWhat nib width is best for me?Well, if you write small and precise characters, you should buy fine tipped nibs. The broader the nib, the faster the ink flow. For bold letters with plenty of personality.
How often should I clean my pen?
I believe that different types and qualities of pens require different periods between cleanings, but the recommended period is every three months.
Will water hurt my pen?
No. Whenever your pen gets dirty or gummy, feel free to rinse it out with water. After all, that is what ink is mostly made up of.
What ink color should I choose for my pen? Blue is a good color for personal signatures. It always seperates photocopies from originals. Otherwise, unless you have a certain reason for a colored ink, black is traditional for fountain pens.
ShowsChicago - AprilWashington D.C. - August Los Angeles - February London - October Philidelphia - January Atlanta - Feb/March Boston - March Little Rock - April Minneapolis - October Kansas City - June
Houston - June Miami - July
Michigan - September San Francisco - September
New Jersey - October/November Columbus - November
Forums
"Pens" - by Tom Zoss. Pen CHat list
"Alt.collecting.pens-pencils" - pen newsgroup. Much like Tom's site.
PenLovers - website with discussion groups.
Pen collecting board on AOL - AOL chat and to collecting. Click "other collectables." On Wednesday night from 9:00 select "Pens."
Bill Riepl's "Stylophiles" magazine. |
Clubs and OrganizationsPCA: Non profit group that publishes the "PENnant" three times a per year. Access gained to photocopies of old catalogs, repair manuals and pen library.
Writing Equipment Society - London group that focuses on pens and pencil collecting.
Pen Fancier's Club: Group based in Dunedin, Florida. A buisiness that publishes a regular catalog, the "Pen Trading Post." Back issues remain a great reference
Email: prestonthepenman@hotmail.com
|
