Fountain Pen Storage - Vertical Or Horizontal

[DrJohn]

As you can see from my avatar, I store my pens vertically.

 

A couple of my pens dry up after a few days of non use. They are not my favorite pens. So, I'm debating whether to get a pen chest and store my pens horizontally, which will take up substantially more desk space or forget those that dry up.

 

John

 

 

I just purchased this:

Brown Lacquer 22-Slot Wood Pen Box

https://www.fahrneys.../Item--i-221158

John

Edited November 2, 2017 by DrJohn

[linearM]

Those pens that are currently in rotation are stored in a container much like the ones that you are using, nib up. My container has a hinged lid. Those pens which aren't in rotation are flushed out with water allowed to dry by resting the nib on a pad of tissue overnight and stored horizontally in a machinists tool chest. There is another thread on pen storage: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/328847-storage-for-fountain-supplies/.

 

Those that are in rotation sometimes don't start immediately while others start right away. It really depends on the pen. Those that need a little encouragement usually start by pulling the lever out a little or turning the knob of the converter, just until you see a bit of ink starting into the fins of the feed.

[Tas]

I keep the "in game" ones flat on the desk and the "in play" ones in pots like you too, mostly nib up.

Those in the pots that hard start, are stored nib down for a while to discourage that. Any that persist go into the "Diva tin".

 

Harsh but fair.

 

[DrJohn]

I just purchased this:

 

Brown Lacquer 22-Slot Wood Pen Box

 

https://www.fahrneyspens.com/Item--i-221158

 

John

[ac12]

Depends on the specific pen and ink.

I have a couple pen/ink combinations that I have to store the pen flat.

If I store the pen nib up, the pen behaves as if the ink drained back out of the feed and into the cartridge/converter.

[linearM]

Another source of pen storage containers is:https://www.pennstateind.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SEARCH&q=Pen+cases. I have one of the bamboo pen cases with the glass top and single drawer (24 pens) and found it to be well made and good looking.

Edited November 2, 2017 by linearM

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have a 45 slot black cherry glass topped case for clean pens.

A cup too full of them needing cleaning.

I store ink pens horizontally. But often have 17 inked, so have a German postal sponge in a rubber cup to dip the nib into if dry. A 1/4 full shot glass will do too.

 

If you don't have many pens in use vertical is nice if you have either Herbin bottles with the ledge or inkwell sets.

I really don't have the space shown... .my desk is full of notes from the western I'm writing. But...

Art Nouveau...1900-1910.

 

 

French Art Decco @ 1925 birds eye maple veneer.

 

 

Bauhaus....1920-30's.

 

[Chrissy]

I keep most of my pens horizontally in pen cases, but I keep a few Lamy's in pots.

[TSherbs]

horizontal, except when in my shirt pocket for work

[inkstainedruth]

DrJohn, are you talking about storing the pens inked or un-lnked? Un-inked, it doesn't make a difference. Inked, most (new) pens will say in the paperwork whether or not they should be stored nib up -- Parker certainly did when I bought an Urban a few years ago.

I do have some pens which are a bit of hard starters when they're first inked up (mostly eyedroppers). Those get kept horizontal until it appears that there's some flow to the feed and nib. But most of mine get stored, nib up, if they're inked up.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Driften]

I do both, some pens work better stored horizontally and others don't care at all.

It's good you find a place for your new pen box.

[PAKMAN]

My inked pens are stored almost horizontal. I have some pen trays that have a slight slant to them so the nibs are slightly above the back of the pens.

[bluebellrose]

so either nib up or horizontal. Got it

[praxim]

so either nib up or horizontal. Got it

The answer is unequivocal.

[Astronymus]

I store filled pens vertically. This also provides less surface for the liquid to evaporate.

 

[siamackz]

 

Any that persist go into the "Diva tin".

 

Harsh but fair.

 

Haha!

[sidthecat]

Ringtops rather limit one’s options. I store them in repurposed test-tube racks.

[Chrissy]

I store filled pens vertically. This also provides less surface for the liquid to evaporate.

 

 

I like this storage block, as well as the rather nice looking Lamy LX

[Astronymus]

 

I like this storage block, as well as the rather nice looking Lamy LX

I call it "Der Klotz". I had it made by holzwuerfel.com as I have no own workshop. They sell blocks with the right measurement for schools and education. As they also do special orders I ordered two 8x8x8cm block with 9 drillings in it. One for me and one for a colleague. They made it for a reasonable price and much, much cheaper than local carpenters would have done.

I thought the cube would add to Bauhaus design of the Safari/AL-Star/Lx. I dimensioned the holes so the ink window would be visible. There is also a thin rubber foam pad inside each hole. It was only a few days after that I found out Dudek makes wooden penstands quite similar to this one. And even the name translates the same. Convergent evolution.

I hope to complete the LX series soon. Three to go.

 

 

Funfact: To my surprise I discovered that the dimensions result in the golden ratio when you compare the length of an AL-Star cap with the visible barrel + block. Must be old traits from my time as a graphic designer.

[minddance]

I store filled pens vertically. This also provides less surface for the liquid to evaporate.

 

I like this wooden storage block!