I have an old steel nibbed Italian button filler. Sometimes when I've been writing the ink flow stops and wont start until I've tappped the nib on the paper a couple of times. I assume this is not normal?

Should I flush it out and, if so, HOW do I flush out the pen?

Thanks

Fill with water and then empty a few times.

Likely the feed is partially clogged with old dried ink, this is typical behavior for older feeds when they get crudded up.

Some ammonia in the water will help as well, as it dissolves old inks better than plain water.

If that doesn't fix it, it needs to be repaired.

Peter