Cleaning Dip Pen and Calligraphy Nibs

[Vipersdad]

I found a small box full of various dip pen school nibs and calligraphy nibs in an old family desk. Some of the nibs have quite a bit of thick hardened ink on them. What would the best soaking material for these. I tried some rubbing alcohol for a few hours and it didn't really cut through the "gunk". Suggestions ???

 

Thanks.

[Inka]

Minus an ultrasonic cleaner, I typically use a soaking bath of clear ammonia added to clear water, starting @ 10% ammonia and up to 50/50.

If the ink is really thick and hardened, the use of really hot water with a bit of ammonia added might well help break it down, wiping off in layers.

Because most of my dip nibs are carbon steel they can rust if left to soak for too long, or left un-dried after a good cleaning.

I'll usually re-wet the steel nibs with some regular food-grade olive oil since it's organic, just so they don't rust from living in an area of high humidity.

The olive oil is easy to wash off with a little warm water and Dawn dish-washing liquid seeing that Dawn is an excellent grease cutter.

 

Just a thought, it's what I do and what I use, hoping it helps you out too.

Edited March 11, 2011 by Inka

[Paddler]

I usually soak the nibs in an ammonia and water solution like inka suggested. That usually softens the old ink. Then I go over the nibs with a stainless steel brush. The brush looks like a small, flat artist's brush with stainless steel bristles. I got mine at Radio Shack. They are sold as soldering aids.

 

Unfortunately, you will probably find that the steel nib has rusted under the built-up ink layers. Even worse, the rusting seems to progress the fastest at the point, making the nib an intolerably scratchy writer.

 

Paddler

[ticoun]

you could soak them in some rapido-eze. this product is especially made to dissolve india ink form the very thin points of stylographic pens, like inkographs or rapidographs.

[professionaldilettante]

Have the nibs ever been used? there might be a layer of machining lube on them. Either way, I'd just flame it off, and it should be good as new.