Pens Not Working After A Break

[william2001]

Long time no see FPN,

 

I've been very ill in the past few months and was in the hospital until yesterday. As I get back to FPN after a long break (whoa! I can actually write again!), I have a quick question.

 

Since I was not able to write for a long time, my unused pens (Parker Sonnet and Montblanc LeGrand) are not writing well. Actually, it just doesn't function at all! What happened? How do I fix my pens?

 

Thank you.

 

William S. Park

[benbot517]

If they've been left for too long, fountain pens can dry out. How long that can take depends on the pen. My metro can last a week or two before it dries out, while others can last for months. I think that a solid cleaning will fix them.

Good to see you well, and happy penning!

Edited January 22, 2016 by benbot517

[T4TEXAS]

You could try dipping the nibs in water just to see if that will get them flowing at all. Then, yes, a good cleaning.

[PabloAU]

Fill with water, and soak filled with the nib in a glass of water overnight. Give it a flush in the morning, then fill with your favourite ink and enjoy.

 

Edit to add: Glad to see you back and healthy!

Edited January 22, 2016 by PabloAU

[Bo Bo Olson]

I often have 17 pens filled and they will dry out. If you can find an old sponge postal stamp licker on US Ebay.....living in Germany were we still have lick them stamps, I have a new postal sponge licker in a plastic cup.

Wet the sponge twice a week, if the pen is dry, just dip it in and write.

A shot glass with water works too. dip and go.

[jar]

Patience will be your friend. Ink that has dried over a long period does not dissolve overnight.

[Sasha Royale]

Fill with water, and soak filled with the nib in a glass of water overnight. Give it a flush in the morning, then fill with your favourite ink and enjoy.

 

Edit to add: Glad to see you back and healthy!

 

The ink path is very fine and very intricate. Dried ink is likely the culprit. Good ink flow depends on a very clear path. I agree with this solution, with one modification. Repeat the soak/flush cycle five or six times, and dry, before re-inking.

 

Glad you are feeling better.

 

Write with joy.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Sasha Royale

[sharonspens]

Ah, you have now received the best advice on getting your pens going again (I can attest to FPs drying out - one of mine also did so, and when I finally pulled it into rotation it was dripping ink like crazy. A couple of sessions of soaking did the trick).

 

I really just wanted to say, welcome back to FPN; I hope your health is much improved.

 

Sharon in Indiana

[Buzz_130]

Welcome back. Treat your pens as of you got a nice vintage pen that needs to care. Keep flushing with water until you get some flow. For some stubborn ink, you may need to use a technical cleaner like a pen flush. With patience, they will be running again in no time.

 

Buzz

[Ink Stained Wretch]

Yes, leave it in plain water, maybe for longer than overnight. And then see how it goes. If it's still not working then soak some more, and then put some dish detergent in the water. The detergent will make the water "wetter" and it should get to places that plain tap water can't. The capillary action is enhanced by the detergent.

 

And I'm glad to hear that you are out of the hospital .