Taking care of your fountain pen can be a matter of debate. Depending on the pen’s age and when you use it, the type of care varies, but is just as important.

Maintenance advice

SHORT PERIODS WITHOUT USE

For short periods of days or weeks, fountain pen experts traditionally recommend storing pens upright with the nib pointing up. If you keep it level, the ink will be in constant contact with the feed, which can saturate the feed and damage the cap.

Fountain pens should be emptied and completely dried if they are to remain unused for months or years. That way, you don’t have to worry about further damage such as drying out the next time you use it. This is the best way to keep it like new. So, when you change ink colour, you can wash it with normal water.

The cap is normally sealed, which helps keep the ink flowing even with daily use of the pen. However, it can become harmful if not used for a long period. Water vapour can corrode the internal metal parts and the nib tips.

For this reason, we recommend leaving the pen upside down and uncovered for at least two weeks to allow the water to evaporate completely. For thorough drying, press the tip of the nib against an absorbent surface such as a paper towel to speed up the removal of moisture.
Once the pen is empty and dry, it can be stored horizontally in its protective case.

Additional tips

PERIODIC CLEANING OF THE FOUNTAIN PEN

It is recommended to clean your fountain pen regularly, once every 2-3 months. It is also recommended to clean it when you replace the ink. For more advice on maintaining your fountain pen, see our blog. A simple task that takes only a few minutes to keep your fountain pen in good condition.

USE A CASE

Fountain pens are delicate, so it is important to carry them in a case to prevent them from falling or being damaged.

Silver is a common material for pens and easily tarnishes from silver to black or purple. Fortunately, this oxidation can be removed with silver cleaners readily available in supermarkets.