Inks to Avoid

It is a growing trend that fountain pen inks are becoming more sheening/ shimmering/ shading/ saturated (the 4S inks) to catch the attention of new and younger fountain pen enthusiasts.

However, to manufacture such inks with 4S characteristics, some strong polar organic solvents I believe are being used.

The problem with such solvents is that they also cause rubber swelling and can potentially "melt" feeds and rubber sacs. I am starting to see o-rings expand and deteriorate within a week, and also silicone grease dissolved away within days when it should have lasted for months. If left to dry out, these inks tend to stain the pen and feed permanently as water alone is not able to wash them away.

For the health of your pens, I strongly recommend avoiding inks that uses such polar organic solvents. The way to identify them usually is by their benzene, gasoline, or nail-polish remover scent. A video demonstrating rubber expansion is here. In short, if the ink stinks, throw it into the sink.

Pen Hygiene

For regular cleaning, put one drop of dishwashing liquid into a small cup of warm water (~50°C). Dip the nib into the solution and use the converter to flush the nib. Unless absolutely necessary, do not fully dismantle the pen for cleaning. Pens are very often damaged by excessive cleaning and dismantling.

For deep cleaning, place one drop of dishwashing liquid on the nib and feed, and let it sit for a minute. Then flush the nib clean with regular tap water. This method leaves the nib and feed hydrophilic which helps in the flow of ink.

Many inexperienced users claim that the feed is unable to keep up with the ink flow demands, when in fact, it is due to user’s poor pen hygiene. If the pen wrote well, but deteriorated over time, it is likely due to dried ink in the pen.

With shimmering, saturated and sheening inks being all the rage among fountain pen enthusiasts, the importance of pen hygiene needs to be underscored.

Flex Writing

The swell stroke (where you press down for a fat line) should only be the down stroke. Deviations like a diagonal-downward stroke can damage the nib, and can cause railroading. The nib also needs to be parallel to the plane of the paper, in other words, no pen rotation. Inward rotation of the pen is common among right-handed users. This can cause railroading and potentially causes nib damage where one tine is above the other.

Remedy for Sprung Nib

If you are getting a lot of hardstarts (as opposed to railroading), chances are the tines are splayed. What to do to remedy the situation?

To check the nib, hold the clean nib against the light. You should see a small slit of light passing through between the tines, and it tapers to the tip where it touches lightly. It may seem minor, but even a small air-gap at the tips will cause bad hardstarts.

To correct it, you can do this.

1) With the feed facing you, lift the right tine about 1mm above the left tine. Push the right tine firmly over to the left, and the left tine firmly under to the right, criss-crossing them. Hold for 2 sec and release.

2) Vice-versa, do the same for the left tine this time, lifting and crossing over the right tine, and pushing the right tine under to the left.

3) Lightly dab the tip of the nib on a hard surface. Then hold it against a light. Do you see a thin slit of light between the tines that tapers till the nib tip, and the nib tips are touching? If so, it is repaired. Otherwise, repeat the process again.

4) If you are comfortable, it is much easier to do the criss-crossing with the nib pulled out. However, do exercise care on reinstalling the nib and avoid the feed pressing on the nib and “splaying” the tines of a perfectly good nib.

Hope it helps. NEVER ever try to explore the limits of the flex.