Disinfecting fountain pens

[HeartDoc2000]

Hey folks,

 

I know I should not be using alcohol on fountain pens. Also should avoid ammonia, but many pen flushes have ammonia in them? Anyway, I have a problem that I can't seem to find a good solution. I work in a hospital, so constantly exposed to lots of germs and body fluids. Therefore, I would ideally disinfect the pens I use on a daily basis. Best disinfectant being alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Cleaning pens with soap and water everyday is just not practical. So far I have limited my use of my fountain pens in the hospital because there doesn't seem to be a safe way to disinfect them daily. However, I would like to start using some of my fountain pens in the hospital, specifically the Lamy 2000 and Pilot Vanishing Point. The Lamy 2000 is made of Makrolon. At least according to the chemical resistance sheet for makronlon, it should be safe with alcohol. Anyone with experience with this? Pilot VP on the other hand has some plastic component on the outside (I just need to disinfect the outside of the pen daily. The inside can be cleaned when I flush out the ink like every 2-3 weeks). Would hydrogen peroxide work on the Pilot VP? I have considered getting the Lamy 2000 in steel, which should be ok with alcohol. However, I just like the black makrolon version more.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

Best,

HeartDoc2000

[A Smug Dill]

3 hours ago, HeartDoc2000 said:

However, I would like to start using some of my fountain pens in the hospital, specifically the Lamy 2000 and Pilot Vanishing Point.

 

My suggestion would actually be to use something like a Jinhao model 80 fountain pen at the hospital. You can probably wipe it down conveniently with benzalkonium chloride, which seems to be the most common active ingredient in disinfecting wet wipes available in supermarkets (here in Australia), and it's unlikely to do any damage; but, just in case it does, it's a <US$5 pen that you can afford to replace as often as needed without blinking an eye. It has a snap-cap, not unlike a Lamy 2000, so there is no compromise in swiftness of deployment.

 

As for the Pilot Capless (Vanishing Point), just get a Majohn A1 for ~US$25, and you can relax and use whichever disinfecting chemical you dare on it. (I'd still be using disinfecting wipes, myself.)

 

[HeartDoc2000]

2 hours ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

My suggestion would actually be to use something like a Jinhao model 80 fountain pen at the hospital. You can probably wipe it down conveniently with benzalkonium chloride, which seems to be the most common active ingredient in disinfecting wet wipes available in supermarkets (here in Australia), and it's unlikely to do any damage; but, just in case it does, it's a <US$5 pen that you can afford to replace as often as needed without blinking an eye. It has a snap-cap, not unlike a Lamy 2000, so there is no compromise in swiftness of deployment.

 

As for the Pilot Capless (Vanishing Point), just get a Majohn A1 for ~US$25, and you can relax and use whichever disinfecting chemical you dare on it. (I'd still be using disinfecting wipes, myself.)

 

 

Thanks for your response. I'm currently using the Majohn A1 at the hospital... It's just not very good, and I was hoping to use my better pens like the Pilot VP and Lamy 2000 at the hospital. Seems like that might not be possible.

[A Smug Dill]

Well, I can't say what benzalkonium chloride would do to Makrolon. You could always try using it — or alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, if you really prefer — on a much cheaper Kaco Edge for a few weeks. Some say the Kaco Edge uses the same (or sufficiently similar) body material, although that isn't a claim the manufacturer has made.

 

As for the Majohn A1, what specifically do you find is inferior about it compared to the Pilot Capless? I think the Majohn A1 is 85% there, with the nib before where it is no match for the genuine Pilot; but then you could always put a genuine Pilot Capless nib assembly in the Majohn A1's body, and it'll work just fine. I've actually bought four Majohn A1 (some with clips, some clip-less) to house my handful of spare Pilot Capless nib assemblies.

 

[HeartDoc2000]

37 minutes ago, A Smug Dill said:

Well, I can't say what benzalkonium chloride would do to Makrolon. You could always try using it — or alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, if you really prefer — on a much cheaper Kaco Edge for a few weeks. Some say the Kaco Edge uses the same (or sufficiently similar) body material, although that isn't a claim the manufacturer has made.

 

As for the Majohn A1, what specifically do you find is inferior about it compared to the Pilot Capless? I think the Majohn A1 is 85% there, with the nib before where it is no match for the genuine Pilot; but then you could always put a genuine Pilot Capless nib assembly in the Majohn A1's body, and it'll work just fine. I've actually bought four Majohn A1 (some with clips, some clip-less) to house my handful of spare Pilot Capless nib assemblies.

 

 

Thanks for the info on the Kaco Edge. Will test that out.

 

I didn't like the Majohn A1 nib, scratchy and leaked a little. I tried putting a Pilot VP nib assembly in. It works, but I noticed the bottom of the nib rubs again the trap door every time I push it open. Overtime, I suspect this will damage the nib.

[txomsy]

Some ideas:

 

Try to get a copper FP. It should disinfect itself automagically.

 

Can you have it pass through X-rays or other radiation? I suppose not on a daily basis and you might not like to use the pen afterwards just in case.

 

Would it be sensible to leave the pens exposed to UV light? I suppose one would not want to leave them unattended very long. But maybe one may get a portable UV sterilizer. It may damage some plastics, like ebonite, though. One would have to check.

 

Can you try Ethylene-Oxide?

 

The idea is, if it works for plastic and surgical material, it should for a pen. Unless the nib is low quality steel.

Low temperature freezing may also work but the stress may end affecting the pen, breaking parts or making them loose.

 

Autoclaving may also work, but it's too burdensome and not for ink filled pens, plus some plastics may deform.

 

Microwaving might work, but if the pen is not empty, ink will boil inside. And some plastics may deform.

 

I suppose chlorhexidine might do the trick as well but its basic nature means one might have to be careful not to mix it with acidic inks and it is a strong oxidant, so may be good for the body but maybe not the nib. and should not be used where bleach has been applied to avoid brown stains.

 

Povidone iodine is also an oxydizing agent, and would require care with the nib. It is acidic, so should not be mixed with basic inks and may leave colored stains.

 

A saturated salt solution may also work, but it should not be left in the inside as it may leave precipitates that can clog the ink channels.

 

A pen that has cheaply, easily replaceable nibs or nib units will give you more tranquility.

 

Thing is, if one is careful with the nib and not to allow the disinfectant to enter inside the ink channels, there may be several options, some of them depending on material.

 

Still, ...

 

A raw copper pen would likely be the simplest option.

 

Next best might be a portable UV sterilizer (one needs to make sure one gets one that does indeed work, though). Not for ebonite or UV-sensible materials though.

 

Then, almost any plastic disinfection compound may be good, as long as you avoid touching the nib and care it does not enter the ink channel.

 

Other options:

 

Have a set of pens for hospital work and a set for home. Oh, wait, you already have and that's what you want to avoid. Dash it off.

 

Do you disinfect everything you bring into the Hospital before going home? And how do you use them? Do you use them with dirty gloves to take notes? Use them to check Babinski's reflex? Do you like to bite them? Maybe you do not need to be so concerned if you are simply careful and give them a "clerically normal" use (but for the biting).

 

With "clean" use, I would worry more about breathing ambient germs than they falling on a pen. And then I would likely just use a glass wipe (which usually have a small amount of isopropyl alcohol) to clean the pen if concerned.

 

I have indeed been to e.g. Respiratory sections in 3rd World countries with patients having UR and MR tuberculosis taking notes with my trusty MB Slimline and didn't even think of cleaning the pen afterwards. So far, I haven't had reason to suspect I'm infected (fingers crossed).

 

But I have said many times, and repeat again, I am rather lousy and careless. Not a good example. That's why, knowing it, I'm now in love with my copper Liliputs.

 

[Karmachanic]

https://www.gravitaspens.com/shop/p/gravitas-entry-fountain-pen-teal-99l5h

[Ron Z]

I though that brass was the metal to use.  In which case you could buy a brass Kaweco Sport, or a brass Kaweco Supra.  Pocket clips are available for both.  The caps post well so you get a decent length pen.  The Supra can be a full size pen, or a pocket pen.  The Kaweco slide converter will fit both pens.  A standard size international converter will fit in the Supra when assembled full length.

[bunnspecial]

I'd go with a silver pen personally. Parker 75 is probably the most common/least expensive, and also has the convenience of a slip cap.

[VillersCotterets]

My first instinct would be to use a copper pen. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3067274/

 

As an alternative, I consider a stainless steel pen, ideally with a mirror finish.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11194050/

I wouldn't be surprised that a "Flighter", like the Wing Sung 601, would do the trick.

 

[Horseflesh]

I love the idea of a copper or brass pen, but even with the metal's inherent antimicrobial properties, the pen is going to need cleaning at times anyway... If something gets on it, like a greasy lunch fingerprint, then that area isn't going to be sanitary until cleaned. Solid metal would handle any healthcare product you wanted to use, though. 

 

Makrolon is apparently polycarbonate? Who knew. And Dr. Google confirms it has "excellent" resistance to isopropyl alcohol. If it were my Lamy 2000 I'd take it to work in the hospital tomorrow, but I'm also more accepting of items like pens getting torn up through normal use. 

 

It might be worth noting that the Lamy 2000 has a matte surface which looks like it has a fair bit of texture... While it may tolerate alcohol fine, the microscopic roughness of the surface may make it hard to disinfect 100%, as finger oils and other schmutz gets packed into the texture. 

[MidSouthern-Dad]

I like silver pens myself, or I use Indian fountain pens which aren't too expensive (e.g. FPR).  For cleaning, I stick to soap and water.  Usually only the exterior of the pen, and the section needs cleaning.

[InkyColors]

I’m not sure how safe this is for fountain pens, but you could look into it. I can’t tolerate the fragrance of most disinfectants but this doesn’t bother me and I use it on many surfaces in my home and it’s never damaged anything. It is worth researching as it IS a very good disinfectant. https://www.amazon.com/Force-Nature-All-Purpose-Deodorizer-Multi-Surface/dp/B07VN867J6

[HeartDoc2000]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful tips! Will try out several of these.

 

[Ink Stained Wretch]

On 11/23/2022 at 9:06 AM, txomsy said:

Would it be sensible to leave the pens exposed to UV light? I suppose one would not want to leave them unattended very long. But maybe one may get a portable UV sterilizer. It may damage some plastics, like ebonite, though. One would have to check.

 

UV is destructive to all plastics, as far as I know. Part of what it does is destroy the Plasticizers that are used to make plastics less brittle, more flexible and more useful in other ways. I wouldn't be surprised to find that UV is less harmful to the microbes than it is to the plastics🤢.

[mtcn77]

I use microfiber cloth soaked with diluted dish soap. I use it for everything from glasses to wristwatch. If you don't keep up, finger grease can build up quite significantly and in order not to scratch it, I find this works best.

[TrueBlue719]

As a nursing student myself, I use a matte grey Lamy Safari in the hospital.  I have no trouble wiping that down with alcohol prep pads on a regular basis (I keep about 20 of them in my pocket whenever I'm on the floor).  I was using my Lamy 2000, until I almost lost it on a WOW not too long ago (thankfully I checked my pockets and noticed something missing, and found it right where I had left it).  I haven't run into any problems with the Safari as of yet.  I'd like to use my recently acquired Montblanc 149 more while on rotation, but disinfection, misplacement, damage, and other things deter me on a regular basis from doing that.  

[thx1138]

Just wipe the pens down with clinell wipes (benzalkonium Chloride and other stuff). The advantage over alcohol is that it kills gastro bugs which alcohol doesn't.

 

We wipe down our phones, pens, mon/defib, ipads, interior of vehicle, pulse oximiter, hands, and anything else we carry with clinell wipes.

 

I've yet to see it damage a surface.

[TrueBlue719]

14 hours ago, thx1138 said:

Just wipe the pens down with clinell wipes (benzalkonium Chloride and other stuff). The advantage over alcohol is that it kills gastro bugs which alcohol doesn't.

 

We wipe down our phones, pens, mon/defib, ipads, interior of vehicle, pulse oximiter, hands, and anything else we carry with clinell wipes.

 

I've yet to see it damage a surface.

Duly noted. I will definitely start using those! (Note for everyone reading, here in the states, those are the purple wipes commonly seen in hospitals usually containing chlorhexadine)

[amberleadavis]

@Frank C uses fountain pens and might have a thought or two.