Kenpen Rotarypen

[yawningreyhound]

Hi everyone. I have two old KenPen RotaryPens. I came across some refills and decided to see if I could get the pen working as I recalled how much I really liked them.

 

The ink cartridges' ink were too thick, when the ball was displaced by mounting, it just stuck in the ink. So then I did some research and found a note that Platinum Cartridges (carbon) could be used.

 

But, alas, those aren't working either.

 

After much fruitless research and asking for help from JetPens, I've removed the tip which is attached to a wick that apparently isn't wicking any longer. They said to try cleaning the wick/tip but had reservations on what to use, so I'm just soaking the apparatus in water. Lots of ink is coming out. But upon drying and re-inserting, the wick is failing to pull ink to the tip. The wick is drawing in; a drop of water placed next to it is immediately absorbed. But the ink is not making it to the tip. I don't know if this is because there's a plug in the junction of the wick and the tip, stopping ink flow; or if the wick is just fubar. I did get a 1/2" line of ink once from the tip on one pen, but that is all. I've let the pens sit several days hoping gravity would assist in getting that ink to the tip. Nope.

 

According to my insert, there's replacement wicks/tips, but the company as far as I can tell is no longer.

 

The junction of the tip/wick is also apparently not able to be separated, at least not easily and I'm not quite ready to force it.

 

My questions are: Should I try to separate the wick from the tip and clean it?

If so, is water my best cleaning solution?

Does anyone know if there's any Old New Stock replacement sources for such things?

 

Thanks everyone for reading.

 

Marcia in Colorado

 

 

 

 

[yeshiva613]

I also own a Kenpen. I loved using it and bought a bunch of refills. Unfortunately, it kept leaking. Today I inserted a new wick-point assembly, which I had, and inserted a new refill. I am waiting to see if the ink will flow through the wick-point assembly and write. Anything on your side? Thank you for your experience.