I wrecked this pen but it still writes!!

[PenLovingE]

I purchased a pen/pencil set on eBay for what I now know is was an incredible price. I got too hasty with my heat gun and wrecked the end of the pen. I've been able to recover, thanks to this forum, and have done the "rubber donut/MEK washer" repair and it worked perfectly. I can screw the end cap down but it doesn't leak and I carry it daily (in a pen case just in case).

[Chris1]

The Sheaffer Valiant is a tough pen.

Mine (slightly different shaft/plunger) went through the automatic machine wash in the pocket of my jeans and survived unscathed! 

[Chris1]

By the way, I wouldn't recommend this as a way to clean out your pens 😄

[PenLovingE]

3 hours ago, Chris1 said:

By the way, I wouldn't recommend this as a way to clean out your pens 😄

Hahaha I'll keep that in mind. With the exception of the flammability of celluloid, these pens are incredible. 

[jchch1950]

Forgetfulness has made the washing machine a frequent way to spill ink inside the pens, but makes them very clean on the outside.

[inkstainedruth]

And here I thought that not checking pockets for spare change and such before tossing stuff into the washing machine was bad enough.... 

(Of course, my best friend growing up and her sister got to go through pockets for spare change in lieu of getting a weekly allowance....)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Chris1]

Thankfully, my wife spotted the pen before ironing the jeans.

"Did you mean to leave this in the pocket?"

"Oh, so that's where it was. I was looking for that!"

 

Funny thing is I don't remember putting the pen in my jeans anyway. I'd only ever put pens in my jacket pocket when wearing a suit or blazer, never the trouser pockets.

 

[es9]

They are indeed incredible pens… one of my favorites. 
 

Is it the kind with the removable cartridge? If so, replacing the threaded end piece is surprisingly easy. 

[Targa]

On 4/22/2025 at 9:59 AM, Chris1 said:

Thankfully, my wife spotted the pen before ironing the jeans.

"Did you mean to leave this in the pocket?"

"Oh, so that's where it was. I was looking for that!"

 

Funny thing is I don't remember putting the pen in my jeans anyway. I'd only ever put pens in my jacket pocket when wearing a suit or blazer, never the trouser pockets.

 

"RICKSHAW BAGWORKS" make padded pen sleeves in a variety of sizes.  Many are paired to Retro 51, but by no means all of them.  I find them a great way to carry a pen in a pocket when not wearing a shirt with a pocket in it.  My favourites are the ones prominently labelled "No! You cannot borrow my pen."

[Chris1]

I have to agree with that sentiment!