I just got a Pelilkan Chicago from a fellow FPNer. It's a beautiful pen! I love the marbled/speckled barrel and cap. And being a Pel, it's a great writer.

But now, I'm starting to get paranoid. How much should I worry about ink staining the semi-translucent portions of the barrel. Does this happen over a years or so? Or over a few years? Are there colors, and ink brands that are worse than others?

Doh! I never had these sorts of worries with my Waterman Phileas...

TMann

Heres's a photo of a Chicago from John Mottishaw's Nibs.com:

Okay. After doing a search on "staining", I came across a few threads that talked about various inks staining the barrels of pens. (Most of the comments were about Pelikans and other piston fillers.) People have recommended staying away from reds or other colors with red dyes in them, (purple, etc.)

So would a black ink, such as Waterman Black be a good choice? Anyone?

TMann

Hi,

Pelikans don't stain as easily as most other pens, so you shouldn't worry.

Dillon

I have a Pelikan "Berlin," on top of several other Pelikans from the M-400 to the M-1000, and other piston fillers. I have been concerned about staining the ink view windows or the celluloid for many years. I resolved to use inks in those pens that were not saturated like the Private Reserve or even the Noodler's inks. I love Noodler's inks, but I don't use them in my piston fillers. Instead, I stick with Herbin, Montblanc and Pelikan inks. When I remove a piston filler from my monthly rotation, I flush it well with plain water. Some of my Pelikan pens are over 20-years old, and I have not had any noticeable staining.

I hope my comments are of some help.

I think I'm the odd man out here. :ph34r:

If you like using a pen, and you want to write in a particular color or with a particular ink you should just do it. It's your pen and if the window stains, that is just a sign of love and use. Unless, of course, you are planning on reselling it in which case you probably shouldn't ink it in the first place and just put it away in a drawer and hope it increases in value.

I like FP's because I like to write with them. That they are also beautiful to look at and a marvel of physics are nice benefits but of secondary consideration.

To each his own, of course. Enjoy your pens in the manner that creates the most happiness.

Andy

Hi Ted,

In addition to all the good advice you already got here, I would like to add that as long as you remember to flush and rinse the pen with plain tap water every now and then, and prevent it from drying out, you should be allright.

Just watch red and violet inks, as you mentioned yourself, and maybe flush and rinse a little more often.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

I have nothing constructive to add here, except to say that the Chicago M620 is one cool looking pen; certainly near the top of my "must have" list!