I'm having some trouble with a newly bought fountain pen that others seem to be over joyed with. First, I'm using a cartridge as I've never "inked" a pen yet and am waiting on some bottles of ink from the land down under. I couldn't wait for them so used a cartridge that came with the pen. When I begin to write with it, no ink comes and takes several strokes to get the ink to flow. Then when I place the pen down for several minutes and attempt at writing again, no flow for a few strokes again. What am I doing wrong and what can I do about it?

A simple step to try is flushing the nib and feed section with a dilute solution of dish detergent and water, and then rinse thoroughly with water. Blow the nib dry and drain the remainder out of the nib by touching the tip to a paper towel. If there are residual oils or other hydrophobic materials in the nib and feed (left over from manufacture?) this should remove them and allow the nib and feed to function properly. After experiencing feed problems with several new pens, I now do this routinely to every new pen and converter, with no problems with any pen that has been through this treatment.

I always ink from a bottle, so I've never had any problem getting the nib and feed primed with ink. If using a cartridge, I wonder if you need to leave the pen nib down for a little bit, or give the cartridge a little squeeze to get things started.

If this doesn't resolve things you may have to investigate further.

Cheers.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give the nib a good rinsing when I get home from work. My bottles of inks from "down under" have arrived, so will attempt my first 'inking'.