Hello, sorry that my first post is a bother. For Christmas my mother gifted me with a handcarved pen. I'm unsure who makes the hardware. At first it wrote just fine, but after changing the cartridge it's been only writing off and on. To get it to write I have to squeeze the cartridge, which will make it work just fine for a while. I've tried taking it apart and cleaning it well with nothing but water, letting it dry out, but I get no relief from this problem. The only markings on the pen, are "Iridium Point Germany" which most likely won't help. I'm unsure of the brand of the ink because it came with the pen. They seem to be the standard international cartridges. I'd dearly appreciate any help, websites, recommendations. I don't have the money for a professional repair, but I somehow doubt it'll need one as the pen is brand new. Thank you in advance.

Welcome, and no bother at all.

I don't use cartridges, but as a guess, it sounds like the cartridge might not be fully seated?

Hi & welcome on FPN!
The problem seems to be the air can't return into the cartridge, and so ink can't go out. I've noticed this in some converters I used, and changing them with another cartridge I resolved.
Try to change cartridge and write with the FP without barrel, so look at the cartridge if you can see some little balls of air coming up into. If you didn't have any problems with the first cartridge try to charge it with a syringe and use it.

An interesting problem.

I'm inclined to agree with tipstricks that it MAY be an imbalance of air-pressure. If air can't get into the cartridge to balance out the pressure, then ink can't get OUT of the cartridge, down the feed, onto the nib and onto the page.

If you still have the original cartridge, buy a syringe with a thin...opening...thingo, dunno what they're called...needles, perhaps?...and use that to refill the cartridge with bottled ink and try again.

Alternatively, you can take your pen to a pen-shop and buy a converter for it and forget all about cartridges. I hated using cartridges because it was so hard to get the ink flowing. None of my current fountain pens have cartridges for that reason.

Thank you all! Shame I tossed the first cartridge. I think what I'll do is pick up a converter for it. That way I can pick my ink a little better anyway, go with a nice dark blue or the like. Again, thank you!

Steamkit - When you buy a converter, TAKE YOUR PEN WITH YOU (Although that might be an obvious thing). Any competent pen-store clerk (which appear to be a dying breed) should be able to find a converter for your pen after just two or three tries.