Vintage Conway Stewart Care

[WhiteStarPens]

I have recently received a Conway Stewart 85L and have heard that some CS (if not all since hard rubber) are made from caesin.

I now know, thanks to the kind people who replied to my last question, what types of ink are appropriate for my pen, however I am a little worried that when I come to cleaning them out I may damage the material.

I know caesin is badly affected by water, so if that is what my pen is made from how can I clean it without damaging it?

 

Would a CS 85L be made of caesin?

Are there any specific things I need to know, should it be more delicate than I think ?

Are most CS pens caesin?

 

If anyone can help me out I would be most grateful.

[Renfield]

I have a few vintage CS pens. I have an 85,75, 106 and a few others, and have not noticed any issues.

 

But that said, I don't put any IG, or specialised inks in them (Noodlers, Private Reserve, Sparkly). I stick away from IG as I cant take them apart to clean them.

 

Stick to safer brands, like Diamine, MB, Sheaffer and Pelikan and you should be grand.

 

The other brands should be fine too, just personal preference for me

[sidthecat]

Casein paints used to be popular, and I seem to recall that they were a milk-based polymer. If that's the case I'd imagine they'd be vulnerable to water.

[johnmc2]

I have tested some barrel scrapings from my 85 and they dissolve readily in acetone but are unaffected by water, whereas my 15, which Is made from casein, shows the opposite results.

I wouldn't go so far as saying your pen is definitely celluloid, but it most likely is. I believe that some models were produced in both materials, depending on colour.

In any event, a quick wipe with a damp cloth every so often isn't going to hurt your pen no matter what it is made from. It's only soaking in water that has catastrophic effects on casein, its deterioration under normal use is much slower.

As far as cleaning out ink, this doesn't involve getting the cap or barrel wet so that won't be a problem.