Caring for your Writing Instrument
With proper care, your new pen can last a long time and provide you much enjoyment. Here are some tips on how to care for and keep your pen in pristine condition.
Wood Pen Acrylic Pen Fountian Pen Gem-Stone Pen
Wood Pen Care
The woods we use have either been kiln-dried, air-dried for more than 6 months, or stabilized with a casting resin. This means that the woods used are stable and should not crack under normal circumstances. Your new pen is made from natural wood. As with any fine instrument made from wood, some care must be taken to maintain the beauty and the structural integrity of this Handmade Classic!
Sunlight is the #1 enemy of wood!
- DO NOT leave your pen out of direct sunlight, as the UV radiation will compromise the quality of the finish and prematurely age and oxidize the wood. As with most wood products, wooden pens are susceptible to the elements, so limiting exposure to strong sunlight and temperature and moisture extremes will ensure a long life for your pen.
Extreme Temperture is the #2 enemy of Wood!
- DO NOT leave your pen in the car. The temperature extremes experienced in a car can damage or destroy your writing instrument. Treat it as you would any fine, delicate instrument. Although it can withstand a lifetime of use, it will not tolerate abuse.
The Use of Wrong Cleaning Fliuds is the #3 enemy of wood!
- DO NOT use cleaning fluids or any abrasive substance (car wax) on any part of your new writing instrument. The fluids and/or abrasives will damage the fine finish.
Protecting Your Pen
- DO care for your writing instrument the way you would any fine wooden product. Protect it with a light coat of good furniture paste wax designed for wooden products. The frequency with which this is required will vasry depending on the type od wood, the amount used, and the condition with ehich the pen is used. After proper drying, buff with a soft micro-soft clean cloth.
- DO keep your pen from extremes of heat and cold. Both are enemies of wood. Some woods are very temperature sensitive and may split or develop cracks from extremes of heat and cold. Protect it and it will deliver years of service.
- DO use your pen. It is designed to be written with not placed in a drawer.
Fountain Pen Care
Almost all fountain pens are comprised of the same basic components: a nib, a feed, and the ink supply. Many people do not realize that there are certain care requirements for fountain pens and that if they are followed many "problems" can be resolved or never happen in the first place.
Cleaning Frequency:
- A fountain pen should be cleaned after every second filling of either ink from a bottle or cartridge. Which means, if you use the pen and you replace the cartridge, insert another and then run out, clean the fountain pen before you install the third cartridge or fill from an ink bottle
Cold Rinse Only:
- Fountain pens should only be cleaned with clean, cool water. IMPORTANT: NEVER USE HOT WATER. Hot water can easily damage the feed. If your fountain pen is excessively dirty, a teaspoon of ammonia can be added to a cup of water, then soak the nib section overnight. You can also use a window cleaner like Windex. Just be sure it has ammonia as this helps break up dry ink and dirt the best.
Flushing the Nib:
- Flush the nib section with water until it runs clear. You may use the faucet's power or you may use a ear syringe and force the water thru, this is very effective since it gives more force and cleans the nib out better. This should be done monthly. If your pen will be unused for a longer period of time (two weeks or more, clean it, let it air dry and store it empty).
Drying After Washing:
- Cover the nib section with a soft dry cloth and shake it a few times to force the water out. It is best to then leave it to dry overnight. Then put in a cartridge and you are ready to write! If your pens are piston fed only (only bottled ink can be used) you can soak your pens first in water then suck fresh water into the chamber and evacuate the water. Do this three or so times or until the water runs clear. Most pens have nibs that easily unscrew which makes cleaning the chamber with a Q-Tip easy if you wish. After filling your pen, wipe the lower portions that have been immersed in ink with a soft fabric. Using facial tissue can leave fibers on the nib that will cause smearing.
Using Inks with Your Fountain Pen:
- Non-permanent ink is the easiest on your pen. If you desire to use permanent ink, weekly washing and cleaning of your pen is absolutely necessary. Colored ink (other than blue, blue-black or black) is hard on fountain pens. They require frequent cleaning to prevent clogging your pen’s feed.
Other Valuiable Pen Tips:
- DO NOT loan your Fountain Pen to someone else, especially if they are opposite handed to you. Your pen’s nib breaks in to your specific handwriting style. Use of your pen by someone else will tweak the nib differently and the pen will not perform well for you. (This point is debated by many pen aficionados. I prefer to err on the side of caution! )
- When flying with your pen, it is highly advisable to empty it first. The change in atmospheric pressure, even in a pressurized cabin, can cause your pen to leak ink all over everything. I have not experienced this, but it is better safe than sorry!
- Occasionally, you can use a cloth dampened with a mild dish soap solution to clean skin oils and other dirt from the outside of your pen. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly, then dry it with a soft cloth. Any time you clean the nib and feed, you should allow it to air dry.
- A fountain pen should not be gripped. It should be held lightly. NO PRESSURE should be exerted on the pen while writing. The pen should be allowed to glide smoothly across the paper. A good quality, smooth finish paper (such as that your bank checks are printed on) should be used. If the paper is too soft, the nib may catch on the fibers. If it is too absorbent, the writing quality can be fuzzy and look smeared.
Repair
If you accidentally damage your pen or require work on it, please contact us before you send it to us. We will give you a ‘best guess’ cost for repair based on your description of the work required. Upon receipt of your pen, if the actual cost of the work is more than 30% higher than quoted, you will be notified prior to work commencing. At that point you may authorize the work or ask for the return of your pen. For repairs, postage both ways is the responsibility of the owner of the pen.
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