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Q&A: After Buying a Fountain Pen

Are you new to using a fountain pen and have some questions? Here are some answers to common questions that might help you.

Q: Why can't I write after filling my fountain pen with water?

A: Usually, after filling a fountain pen with water, you need to wait around 10 minutes before writing. This is especially true for new pens with cartridge ink; you might need to wait longer.

Alternatively, you can dip the nib and feed into ink and start writing immediately on paper. This can help to prime the feed with ink. If you still can't write after dipping the nib into ink, then there might be an issue with the nib.

Q: Why does my writing easily smudge?

A: There are three important factors of using a fountain pen: the pen, the ink, and the paper.

Paper used for photocopying is not ideal for fountain pens. You might want to try premium paper from Japan, such as Maruman or Kokuyo. If you write a lot every day, you could also consider using paper from Taiwan's iPaper. As for ink, you'll need to try out different options.

Q: Can I mix different brands of ink together?

A: No, you cannot mix different brands of ink together, even if they are the same color.

You should also not mix ink from the same brand and color family, as ink that has been opened for a year or two might not be fresh anymore and could have an unpleasant smell.

Q: Is there such a thing as waterproof ink?

A: Yes, there is. Platinum Carbon Ink (4 types) and Sailor Storia Ink (2 types) are waterproof.

Q: Won't quick-drying waterproof ink clog up my fountain pen?

A: Of course, you need to clean your pen frequently, especially the fine nib.

Q: Do you keep your fountain pens in a pencil case?

A: Keeping your fountain pens in a pencil case might cause them to bump into each other and get damaged. You can use a pen case or pen pouch that has separate compartments to prevent bumping. These come in single, double, six, or ten pen capacities made of materials such as leather, wood, or plastic.

Q: I have a Parker fountain pen that was my father's, but it doesn't have a converter. Why can't the Sailor converter fit in?

A: The parts of different fountain pens are not interchangeable. It's like the batteries of Panasonic and Sony cameras, which are not interchangeable.

Q: What should I do if the ink in my fountain pen dries and now the pen won't write?

A: You can bring it to a pen repair shop to have it cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner. Alternatively, you can purchase Platinum Pen's special cleaning solution, which works well, but be careful if you have children at home.

If you run out of ink while you're out, you can suck up some water from a faucet to prevent it from drying out until you get home to clean and refill your pen.

Q: What should I do if I accidentally drop my fountain pen and the nib tines separate?

A: If your nib is damaged, don't try to fix it yourself, as you might cause further damage. The first step is to empty the ink, wash the pen, and then send it for repair to prevent the ink from drying out or causing repair difficulties.

If your pen has a piston filling mechanism (such as the Montblanc 149), and the piston won't turn, don't force it (as it could snap). Send it for repair as soon as possible.

Q: How do I maintain the appearance of my fountain pen and what should I clean it with?

A: Use a soft cloth (such as a microfiber cloth) to wipe the pen barrel clean (without leaving fingerprints). No need to apply wax or use any brass polishes on metal parts.

If your silver pen or pen with a chrome or gold finish becomes matte, you can use a silver polishing cloth to clean it.

If your pen has a piston filling mechanism, don't soak the pen barrel in water, as it may cause internal rusting. If there's a lot of old ink residue inside the cap, you can rinse it with water, but remember to shake off the excess water and not let metal parts rust.

Q: How do I remove ink stains on the front of the nib?

A: Fountain pen nibs are polished, so frequently wiping them might cause scratches. There's not much you can do to remove stains, but if you can't stand it, you can use a cotton pad to wipe it gently (don't use tissues as they might cause scratches).

Q: Can I put a drying agent next to my fountain pen?

A: The environment you keep your pen in shouldn't be too humid or too dry. If the celluloid pen barrel is too dry, it might deform.

Remember the old saying among pen lovers: don't disassemble your pen unless necessary.