I never knew you had to clean them like this. I have a Lamy Safari that has been a workhorse for 5 years. I've changed colours countless timea and haven't cleaned it once, so it's testament to the reliability of the Safari that it's never had a problem. Ever. That said, I think I'll clean it.
Nice that's great to know. I also have a Lamy Safari and never cleaned it. I actually remember as a kid cleaning a fountain pen, because it was stained with ink, but I was never able to use it again. because for some reason the ink wouldn't come out and thought fountain pens were not supposed to be cleaned T_T
Agreed. The Lamy Safari is a really durable and reliable work horse. Got mine when I joined secondary school (nearly 20 years ago) and it is still working as a brand new one. To be honest though I weren‘t using it all the time, but on a regular basis. Even after 3 years in the drawer (uncleaned and empty) it works without cleaning. Cartridge in and good to go.
i had a waterman as a kid at school, used it for 2 years without cleaning and switching inks without problem too , then we switched to bics ball points pen . it was how we was learning writing. good pens can be really impressive.
I have to agree here. I still have my Safari from school, which is around 16 years old now. Probably has had a litre of ink through it over the years and I only rinsed it once or twice after letting it dry out on accident.
found two parker 45's from the mid 60's in the basement. both engraved with my grandmums phone number and name. (she was the district nurse) cleaned them out and stuck an old cartridge in the medium tipped one. works a charm. even tough it hasn't been used since she died in 1978. one red and one green with silver cap and "gold details" and even a converter!
Happy for your very cool find. Got a Sheaffer Tanga (at least I think it's a Tanga) from my mom. She hadn't used it in over 15 years! Suffice to say she's not a pen person and . I came here for a reason.
Dear Brian and everyone else at Goulet. I have only recently gotten into Fountain pens, while I have always been interested in them. You guys have made this infinitely easier for me to become educated with them, as well as @sbrebrown who I see posted earlier. And Drew is the absolute best person you could have working for you in customer service. He's pleasant to work with, and is helping me out so much. So hats off to Goulet! Amazing company and group of people! Logan
Really like the idea of using two cups rather than a sink, as someone who lives with other people with a noisy communal sink and as an ex uni student I can totally see myself storing two glass jars of water in my room for when pen cleaning is needed then emptying and refilling them for next time, so I always have pen cleaning water on hand even in the middle of the night. (Plus I personally am more likely to clean my stuff if I have supplies on hand at my desk rather then having to drag my stuff to the communal bathroom and take it over for awhile.)
To clean pens 1st dissemble 2nd throw in water ( maybe with some dish soap if the pen is dirty) 3rd optional : clean with hands, cotton buds ect. *do not use sponge or anything you'll get scratches 4th take out pen and leave it to dry 5th done? Take ink, take pen and now you can write
Quick question, if the pen has a feed which is non-removable, how long should I let it sit after it has been flushed with water, to allow the water to evaporate?
Or you can even grab some (unused) toilet paper and put it to the nib. I know it may sound bad, because the nib could grab some paper, but I have found that this is not a real issue. This will move out a lot of the water quick and will also show if it has any color left inside
I know that this is 5 years later and you probably don't need a reply by now but I have to answer anyway. You don't need to leave your pen out to dry, you can get out most of the water if you repeatedly flick it down really fast and use some paper towel on the nib. This can be used to clean out as much water as you need to in under 10 minutes and still have a little wet coating on the channels so that it re-inks nicely but doesn't water down the ink.
I find your channel refreshing. I'm so old I can remember a time well before ball point pens, where folks used special nibs for taking short hand, journal entries, accounting, architecture, signatures, drawing, and there was a plathoria of inks, ink types, replacement nibs, cleaners, and etc. I often wonder what happened to those drawers full of fountain pens. I certainly enjoy my collection, and use all of them regularly. Thank you!
I don't have any experience with Rotrings, those I know that use them say they're a bit finicky at times. I would make sure you've cleaned it really well, that might help the clogging. You can also try diluting the ink a bit (especially if it's a really saturated one like Gruene Cactus), maybe 10% or so with distilled water in a small test batch to see if that helps the clogging/drying out issue.
How do you store your pen when you are done with it for the day? Nib up? Nib down? Horizontal? Got a Noodler's Ahab Lapis Inferno for Christmas and it is great. Your videos have helped to take away some fountain pen insecurity for me.
I've never written with a Laban, but I've seen/held many of them. They have SOOOOO many different pen models, I don't think they ever discontinue anything. They're mostly big pens, too. I've considered carrying them, but no one really asks me about them (except you!).
Thank you so much for this and other videos. I may never buy a $2,800 pen. Mine two are are the least expensive Waterman pens ever made. Yet I truly enjoy them.
As a novice FP user the two things I’ve been using to clean my pens is cool water and an eye dropper. It’s worked like a charm so far. I just keep repeating the process until the water is clear. I stay away from paper towels as much as possible, too. They’re loaded with tiny bits of paper that can jam up the works. I’ve been using napkins instead. The smoother surface doesn’t have as much tiny fibers.
That's an Aston Leather Case 20, I actually have several of these that I use to store all of my pens. I sell them, so full disclosure there, but I bought this particular one about 3 years ago and it's been holding strong since. I love these cases.
Yeah, the Platinum converters are usually a little bit tight. You can take them apart and throw a little silicone grease on them though and that helps a lot. The gold part just unscrews right off the back.
I am new to pens. I got a new pen from a vendor at the VA hospital. Then got some ink from Goulet. I saw a walnut/carbon fiber pen on the Goulet web page and had to have it. Now I know how to maintain both pens. Now I am the envy of the pen snobs at the office. That makes me a little happier.
I know this is late but ideally, you should use distilled. However, using tap water isn't a cardinal sin or anything. It's not going to affect it that much, especially with cheaper pens.
The last one I used ;) Haha, no really, the one I keep coming back to time and again is my blue Pilot Custom 74 with a medium nib. I just love the way it writes.
You can certainly do that if you're comfortable, and the pen will allow you. It's not always necessary, though. Some inks are harder to clean than others, and you may want to completely take them apart, but it's not required with 'regular' maintenance.
Brush pen inks clogs up really easily also because they contain a lot of gel like protein so when it dries up it is going to form solid that is really hard to clean. The traditional brush pen ink actually comes in the form of a solid cube and you use a stone tool and rub a layer off on a stone tool with water to make ink.
Ah! I can't believe I forgot to mention iron gall inks! The best way to learn about them is to actually look up the iron gall ink post on Wikipedia, it's really comprehensive. Long story short, iron gall is a form of permanent ink that dates back a LONG time. It's quite corrosive in original form, but modern iron gall inks are much less harmful. There are only a handful of iron gall inks out there today, Rohrer and Klingner Salix and Scabiosa, Diamine Registrar's, and MB Blue-Black are iron gall
Thanks for the vid! I think it'd be a good idea to include the bulb syringe video link in the description. It has been one of the most helpful videos in pen cleaning I have seen! A lot of people have adapted that method too ;) Thanks Mr. Goulet!
awesome video, I've always wonder if it was a good idea to leave ink inside my pen during summer break (i use my pens for school), now i know i shouldn't. thank you for the video!
I've always loved writing implements and paper and, now, having retired, am immersing myself into these and all things related. Your videos have been really useful. I wonder if you could help with a problem...I have had a Lamy Joy for some time and now that I've revisited it, I find that the nib is needing considerable pressure and is failing almost totally on downstrokes. I think, though I'm not sure, that I might, at one point, have used acrylic ink in it. Is there any hope?
Logan, this is so great to hear, thank you! Stephen's great, he's thousands of miles (and an ocean) away but we both obviously are infected with fountain pen obsession :) Drew's awesome, really everyone is over here! I'm glad you're happy with us, I will pass the word around :)
I've found that, even flushing thoroughly with a bulb, there will still be residual ink on the nib and feed. The only way to truly get a pen clean is to disassemble the nib/feed/grip assembly, and soak them in warm water with a drop of dish soap, then rinse with clear water. I then lay the parts out on a paper towel to dry, and once everything is dry, I reassemble the pen. You'll often find that your cap also has ink in it, and possibly even the barrel. I always flush those with a bulb, soak and rinse them with the rest of the parts. All this might not be necessary when simply changing ink, but I always do this before storing a pen. You'll want to use a jeweler's loupe when reassembling the nib/feed/grip, to make sure the nib is properly seated and aligned.
Thank you!! I didn't know the bit about Sailor Pigment Inks (and the need for a more frequent cleaning). I wonder if continual use of said inks (so the pen never dries out) makes a difference - so you don't have to clean as often.
Nah, dilute to your heart's content. In fact, Nathan often promotes it as a way to get more bang for your buck...he's very into the economy of pen ink.
Same concept...cartridges or converters...it doesn't really matter in terms of how you maintain the pen. If you're using the same color cartridge then just clean the pen once a month or so to keep it running well. If you're changing cartridge colors, then clean it in between the change.
I just got my Pilot Metropolitan and am new. I exchanged my cartridge for the first time for ink using the converter that came with the pen. After adding it and letting the nib get saturated pointed down for an hour. I am now having an issue where it'll write for maybe 5 to 30 minutes but if I put it down and pick it up again it no longer has ink flowing and I need to let it sit top down for another 30 minutes and may only get another 5 minutes or so. I also tried cleaning.
Really appreciate all the beginner videos you have made. Ordered your cleaning and tuning kit along with some nibs for my Xmas gift, Lamy Studio. Hopefully this will give me a range of experiences.
Thanks! We have a pretty decent selection of pens over here, but most of them come from Germany or Japan! I'd think you would have access to a lot of good pens...Waterman, Parker, Pelikan, Lamy, Kaweco....they're all made not far from you! I can see how they'd be expensive though...
On a note about the "Calligraphy Inks". Some specifically say that they will work in fountain pens. I have a couple pots of of Windsor & Newton that I got for my glass dip pen that advertises that it'll work in fountain pens.
Fabulous video, Brian, After the cleansing, whatr about drying the nib, feed and converter? Or do you just replace the converter, replace the cap and put the pen away? And if so, what about the piston inside the converter - open (as if filled with ink, but in this case air) or closed? Thanks.
After I clean a pen, I just touch a paper towel to the nib to draw extra ink out of the feed. I don't do anything particularly special with the converter, just get as much of the water out of it as I can. If you're going to be storing the pen for a while, it's not a bad idea to leave it out to let it dry, but if you're going to be filling the pen back up you don't have to get too crazy about it.
I’m new here ‘Hiii everyone, I’m looking forward when I’m going to do Calligraphy as one my hobbies and using a foundation pen and also I’ve never used a foundation pen but I heard of it when my Spanish teacher asked do anyone have a foundation pen and that’s when I started searching for one and I’ve seen one in the shops but a different and is my first time watching and learning about foundation pens.’
i didn't notice how many times you run the pen flush through. is it once, twice, dozen? very nice video. i've purchased too many things from you all lately. lol. i used to use a fountain pen in the 60s-90s, but always had issues with the pens, even my 70s parker. the twsbi-s and preppy-s i've gotton from you all have been the best pens i've every owned.
Not unless you're going to use it! ;) I mean, you could be okay, I have pens where I leave the ink in them for a long time, but most of the time the ink either partially dries out or just doesn't flow as well (mainly when the water in the ink starts to evaporate, it leaves the concentrated dye behind).
Yeah, I haven't heard great things about Higgins ink in fountain pens. Maybe it depends on the pen, but pretty much most India-type inks don't look that great in a fountain pen :P If I'm not mistaken though, most Higgins is shellac-based drawing ink, and that definitely should stay out of fountain pens!
Hello, i was wondering, would you still need to do a full cleaning when using different colored ink from the same proprietary company? I am referring to the pilot metropolitan
Yeah I would. Even within the same brand, the properties in the ink can cause some reactions if mixed. Especially with a brand like Noodler's. It's best to flush it out every time you're looking to refill your pen. - Colin
Thanks for the video! What are the 3rd and 4th black and gold pens from the bottom at 3:00? I'm trying to identify an heirloom that has a similar look.
Great video. Thank you. I recently bought a Visconti Rembrandt, my first expensive pen and I love it. I am using Visconti blue ink and probably won`t use any other ink in it. I use the pen every day to write my journal and short stories. So, according to your recommendation I should flush it every to weeks just with water. I am a little nervous about pulling the nib and feed apart to do any deeper cleaning. Can the Rembrandt nib even be separated from the feed?
Oh gosh, that's a very subjective question! It really depends what quality matter most to you...ink capacity, design, weight, size, etc. TWSBI's are good, I'm a big fan of the Lamy 2000 and Pilot Custom 74, Sheaffer makes some pretty good pens, I'm a fan of Edisons too.
if by feather pen you mean a quill, then yes, that's different. I don't know how well that would work, maybe Noodler's X-feather would be good because that's a pretty thick ink. You might have better luck with a calligraphy/dip pen ink, maybe check out India or China inks, they're thicker and made for dipping like with a traditional quill.
Yeah, MB doesn't exactly encourage user-servicing! Hopefully cleaning it out will work out better for you. Another thing you could try is using a lubricated ink like the Monteverde ones or any of the Noodler's Eel or Polar series...these will lubricate your piston to operate smoother.
How about cleaning a fountain pen with replaceable cartridges like the lamy safari? I've never used the converter but I am looking into getting one and want to clean out my ink that I've used already.
I personally run water through the pen directly from the tap or dunk it in a cup of warm water and keep it there for like 30mins or something. It's been 7 years, hopefully you got an answer somewhere else
The Goulet Pen Company Hey, a quick question if you don't mind: How do I clean a fountain pen if I don't have the converter to pull the water up? Should I only rinse the nib and feed and whatnot? I want to change from a blue cartridge (I already depleted the ink) to a black cartridge. Thanks for the advice.
I don't know of any fountain pen ink today that is made with solvents, they're all water-based. Your line of thinking is somewhat on track...ink dyes are dissolved in water, and when the water evaporates on the page, the dyes are left behind. There isn't anything to 'harden' though, as the dyes are purely liquid. The only exception would be the handful of pigmented pen inks, they're still water based but they have small pigments that dry on the page when the water dries.
Any ideas on the best ink for the Curidas? I was told that Noodlers Eel is a good choice and for lubrication. Is the converter a better choice than the cartridge for that pen
found two fountain pen my grandpa owned in the 60s that had been forgotten in the barn, both half full when they were left, and let me tell you cleaning them was hard thing, one has a piston filler that couldn't even be moved (i managed to twist it after a while and thought that was it) and the other is still giving out black water after three or four times cleaning it and letting the water sit for a while u.u
Indeed Gruene Cactus seems less fluid than the other ones, and diluting it helps. I was assuming the viscosity chosen by Noodler's was not to be fiddled with too much. A problem with cleaning is that the nib/feed assembly seems to be definitive. I've pulled hard enough on the nib to fear damaging it, and it does not budge. Most FPs look either too fancy or too toyish -I'm difficult, I know :D- I love the technical/bauhaus design of the Rotring 600s. Too bad they have these practical flaws…
Hi, I was just wondering what is the best way to clean a Pilot Custom 845(with the pump) fountain pen? Could you please do a video showing the best, or recommended, way to do it? Thank you very much. Cheers,
Thanks for your youtube videos ... I have a question, perhaps you have answered elsewhere in the 101 series ... I could not find it. I'm new to fountain pens - (about 2 weeks now - first time user, although I have read just about everything I could, watched videos, joined FPN etc etc etc etc ).... my Metropolitan (Silver with Python) seems to not be as "wet" as it once. I cleaned it as per your video with two cups of distilled water .... and carefully re-inked it as well ... but it still writes not-as-wet as it used to. Is there something accumulating perhaps on the nib? Is there some additional nib tip cleaning I need to perform? Is so - what do I do? It's a FINE, and I do NOT use a lot of pressure on the nib at all normally. I'm not writing on special paper. The "wet new feel" was from the default black cartridge that came with it when it was new. I now have Kon Peki in it now ... am I simply noticing an ink difference ?
+Richard Walters When I bought my Metropolitan, I also bought a bunch of the same ink that came with the pen and I have not noticed any difference in my writing. I'm guessing it's the ink that just happens to be different. I hope this helps!
DBLRedRibbon ... It is just the ink. I swapped out the ink in the wet pen and the dry pens. The "wetness" followed the ink - so it's not a characteristic of the pen. Looks like Noodler's Apache Sunrise is one of my driest inks for a Japanese fine (about an extra fine in American sizes) ... Follower by iroshizuku Ina-Ho (rice bag brown). I still us the rice brown anyway - it's one of my favorite colors. The sunrise - I now use in thicker nibs.
A couple drops of water isn't going to impact the ink at all. But a trick Brian showed me was to use a paper towel and spin a corner of it until its thin enough to fit in the converter, then just move the piston down to push all the water to the absorbent paper towel. Hope that works! - Colin
Just want to give you the benefit of my advice on cleaning a fountain pen. You need three things. 1. A pair of the strongest reading glasses you can find (say +3). You can get these for £1 ($1) here in the UK. Very useful for getting a really good view of anything that you are working on. 2. A (set of) jewelers loupe(s). Again a pound (dollar) or two for a set. Get at least a 10X and even a 20X if you can. Essential for checking the real details. 3. A set of feeler gauges. The first two you are going to use for lots of interesting things. The feeler gauges not so much. Dis-assemble all the parts of the pen. Remove the nib. Soak everything in water overnight. (Always put the plug in the sink before rinsing - or you will loose parts down the drain). Check everything, especially the nib with the lens. You will almost certainly find that the slot in the nib is blocked with dried ink. This is where the feeler gauges come in. Use the 0.05 mm 0.002 in (two thou) blade. (That is half the thickness of a sheet of A4 paper.) Wipe the blade clean first. Slide the slot in the nib onto the blade in the direction of the downward face of the nib. Do not try to go up as it will lock. Inspect the nib again with the loupe to see if the slot is clear. Wipe and repeat if necessary. Also check the small slot in the plastic section that the ink flows down to get to the nib and clean carefully if necessary. Dry and reassemble everything. Hope this works for you.
Just bought a sailor bent nib for watercolor pen and ink. Off hand does the baby syringe work for cleaning? I bought the Calli non clogging, waterproof calligraphy ink. Is that going to be a problem? It works well with the watercolor. Lots to learn about inks. Thank you. Arlene
Not sure about that particular ink, but usually Calligraphy ink or India ink is a big no-no. It'll ruin the pen so I might double-check that. Make sure you get an ink labelled for fountain pens. The syringe method should work, just unscrew the barrel of the pen and plug it right in! - Colin
+Rebecca Nelson I'm pretty certain it's a Rhodia notebook (www.gouletpens.com/notebooks/c/10/?sortBy=productName%2Basc&facetValueFilter=Tenant~Binding_Orientation%3Atop%2CTenant~Paper_Color%3Aoff_white_ivory) but we have a bunch of off-white or ivory notebook offerings! - Colin
Yeah, probably. Technically, distilled water is devoid of all minerals, but bottled water will be just fine. Honestly, tap water is usually fine unless you know you have hard water.
I have hard, mineral filled water where I live which I use for all my fountain pen cleaning so that I don't have to spend too much money or time buying or generating distilled water and I have never had a problem, I shake/flick out the water after cleaning so that there is much less water to dry and I often fill my pens after I have got the pen as dry as possible by flicking and blotting but not evapourating.
Definitely no rubbing alcohol though right? I didn't try yet until I asked you, but I let it dry up cause I'm a noob lol. And thank you for the information. Much appreciated.
I'm gonna try a pigment ink (Platinum Carbon) for the first time, and I see people saying to clean the pen using it every few days like you said. What if I don't run out of ink for a lot longer than that? Do I throw the unused ink out every 3 days to clean it?? Do I put it back into the bottle and risk contaminating that? Or should I buy some kind of vial like the one you use for samples and pour the unused ink in that and refill from it after the cleaning?
Well, if the ink is still good, then just leave it in there! Remember, this is just a generalized recommendation, you will learn your pens and what length of time you can go without having to clean them. The 2-4 weeks is more if you're using them regularly as the use of the pen will constitute the need for cleaning. When it comes to storing your pens, if it's well sealed and you aren't worried about it drying out, you can let it sit in there as long as you want, really.
Is it ok to just take the cartridge or converter off of the nib section, hold it under a running faucet until the water coming out is clear? Is it necessary to pump or force the water through the pen? Thanks for all of the helpful videos!
Is it safe to take the converter out of the grip and run water through the grip? The manufacturer of my pen says to take the pen totally apart and soak the individual parts for 4 hours. That seems a little excessive to me.
hello! i have a pilot kakuno which i haven't used in a long time. i've cleaned it up before storing it, but when i try using it again a few days ago, the ink wont flow well. i need to add pressure to the tip of the nib to write, and i'm worried it might damage the nib. is there anything i can do to revive the pen? thankyou in advance.
I don't use my Pilot MR fountain pen on a regular basis. 1) Is it safe to store it filled with a fountain pen ink like Pelikan 4001 for months or years? 2) How about the pilot parallel mixable color ink cartridges? Can I store it for months with a ready-to-use cartridge like that? If not, how could I clean it while the cartridge is still filled with ink?
That was a Platinum 3776 Century, but unfortunately the gold trim is no longer available. The Oshino or Nice are still options for the demonstrator look. - Colin
well i ask because im researching forensic analysis of pen inks so im mostly wondering about more common pens like ballpoint pens i have heard they are made with solvents.
You may want to skip to 7:43 if you are on a pinch
David González omg I was just looking for a comment like this! thx
David González thank you
David González the real MVP
I didn't see this until after I watched the entire thing. :/
David González thank you!
I never knew you had to clean them like this. I have a Lamy Safari that has been a workhorse for 5 years. I've changed colours countless timea and haven't cleaned it once, so it's testament to the reliability of the Safari that it's never had a problem. Ever. That said, I think I'll clean it.
Nice that's great to know. I also have a Lamy Safari and never cleaned it. I actually remember as a kid cleaning a fountain pen, because it was stained with ink, but I was never able to use it again. because for some reason the ink wouldn't come out and thought fountain pens were not supposed to be cleaned T_T
Agreed. The Lamy Safari is a really durable and reliable work horse. Got mine when I joined secondary school (nearly 20 years ago) and it is still working as a brand new one. To be honest though I weren‘t using it all the time, but on a regular basis. Even after 3 years in the drawer (uncleaned and empty) it works without cleaning. Cartridge in and good to go.
i had a waterman as a kid at school, used it for 2 years without cleaning and switching inks without problem too , then we switched to bics ball points pen . it was how we was learning writing. good pens can be really impressive.
I agree really but when using carbon inks then it has to be cleaned. But still I love my Lamys
I have to agree here. I still have my Safari from school, which is around 16 years old now. Probably has had a litre of ink through it over the years and I only rinsed it once or twice after letting it dry out on accident.
found two parker 45's from the mid 60's in the basement.
both engraved with my grandmums phone number and name. (she was the district nurse)
cleaned them out and stuck an old cartridge in the medium tipped one.
works a charm. even tough it hasn't been used since she died in 1978.
one red and one green with silver cap and "gold details" and even a converter!
Wow, that's good to hear they still worked. A little TLC goes a long way. - Colin
Hey, I found an old 51 and it got working after some washing, it’s amazing how long these pens last
Well done! I just got old Parker 45 up and running again. It was from when I was at school from 84-89. Not sure I’ve used it since.
Happy for your very cool find. Got a Sheaffer Tanga (at least I think it's a Tanga) from my mom. She hadn't used it in over 15 years! Suffice to say she's not a pen person and . I came here for a reason.
R.I.P.
Truly the best FP channel out there. As a fountain pen n00b, your videos greatly inpsire me. Great work man.
Dear Brian and everyone else at Goulet. I have only recently gotten into Fountain pens, while I have always been interested in them. You guys have made this infinitely easier for me to become educated with them, as well as @sbrebrown who I see posted earlier. And Drew is the absolute best person you could have working for you in customer service. He's pleasant to work with, and is helping me out so much. So hats off to Goulet! Amazing company and group of people!
Logan
Really like the idea of using two cups rather than a sink, as someone who lives with other people with a noisy communal sink and as an ex uni student I can totally see myself storing two glass jars of water in my room for when pen cleaning is needed then emptying and refilling them for next time, so I always have pen cleaning water on hand even in the middle of the night. (Plus I personally am more likely to clean my stuff if I have supplies on hand at my desk rather then having to drag my stuff to the communal bathroom and take it over for awhile.)
To clean pens
1st dissemble
2nd throw in water ( maybe with some dish soap if the pen is dirty)
3rd optional : clean with hands, cotton buds ect.
*do not use sponge or anything you'll get scratches
4th take out pen and leave it to dry
5th done? Take ink, take pen and now you can write
Quick question, if the pen has a feed which is non-removable, how long should I let it sit after it has been flushed with water, to allow the water to evaporate?
lol
Siggi galam overnight
Or you can even grab some (unused) toilet paper and put it to the nib. I know it may sound bad, because the nib could grab some paper, but I have found that this is not a real issue. This will move out a lot of the water quick and will also show if it has any color left inside
I know that this is 5 years later and you probably don't need a reply by now but I have to answer anyway.
You don't need to leave your pen out to dry, you can get out most of the water if you repeatedly flick it down really fast and use some paper towel on the nib. This can be used to clean out as much water as you need to in under 10 minutes and still have a little wet coating on the channels so that it re-inks nicely but doesn't water down the ink.
Thank you, that is helpful
Ten years ago... my dude, I watched this when it came out. Amazing how far the GPC has come.
I find your channel refreshing. I'm so old I can remember a time well before ball point pens, where folks used special nibs for taking short hand, journal entries, accounting, architecture, signatures, drawing, and there was a plathoria of inks, ink types, replacement nibs, cleaners, and etc. I often wonder what happened to those drawers full of fountain pens. I certainly enjoy my collection, and use all of them regularly. Thank you!
We're glad you found us! - Drew
I also wonder... For real I asked my mom about the Stationary stuff from my grandma and she said she didn't ever use Fountainpens...
I don't have any experience with Rotrings, those I know that use them say they're a bit finicky at times. I would make sure you've cleaned it really well, that might help the clogging. You can also try diluting the ink a bit (especially if it's a really saturated one like Gruene Cactus), maybe 10% or so with distilled water in a small test batch to see if that helps the clogging/drying out issue.
How do you store your pen when you are done with it for the day? Nib up? Nib down? Horizontal? Got a Noodler's Ahab Lapis Inferno for Christmas and it is great. Your videos have helped to take away some fountain pen insecurity for me.
nib up always, sideways isn't awful though
AnnPeek i have it nib up, horizontal is probably okay too but nib down will make your pen leak,
I bought some stuff from your shop man....it's so good....very professional and efficient, Ty very much.
I've never written with a Laban, but I've seen/held many of them. They have SOOOOO many different pen models, I don't think they ever discontinue anything. They're mostly big pens, too. I've considered carrying them, but no one really asks me about them (except you!).
Thank you so much for this and other videos. I may never buy a $2,800 pen. Mine two are are the least expensive Waterman pens ever made. Yet I truly enjoy them.
As a novice FP user the two things I’ve been using to clean my pens is cool water and an eye dropper. It’s worked like a charm so far. I just keep repeating the process until the water is clear. I stay away from paper towels as much as possible, too. They’re loaded with tiny bits of paper that can jam up the works. I’ve been using napkins instead. The smoother surface doesn’t have as much tiny fibers.
That's an Aston Leather Case 20, I actually have several of these that I use to store all of my pens. I sell them, so full disclosure there, but I bought this particular one about 3 years ago and it's been holding strong since. I love these cases.
Yeah, the Platinum converters are usually a little bit tight. You can take them apart and throw a little silicone grease on them though and that helps a lot. The gold part just unscrews right off the back.
I am new to pens. I got a new pen from a vendor at the VA hospital. Then got some ink from Goulet. I saw a walnut/carbon fiber pen on the Goulet web page and had to have it. Now I know how to maintain both pens. Now I am the envy of the pen snobs at the office. That makes me a little happier.
brian is there anything wrong cleaning the pen under running water from the tap as long as it is not hot and not too heavy a stream?
+michael ellliot He does say you should use distilled water and lukewarm water.
I know this is late but ideally, you should use distilled. However, using tap water isn't a cardinal sin or anything. It's not going to affect it that much, especially with cheaper pens.
michael ellliot use distilled, because tap water is hard water, don’t want calcium building up in your writing utensils :]
If I have a water softener will that make distilled water? Lol
Where would I get distilled water???
Brian```I've been watching your shows now for a while and I've learned so much. Thanks and continue doing the good job on these informative videos.
This video is still realavent today after 11 years.
And Thankyou Brain because of you i had an amazing hobby.🖋️.🎉
The last one I used ;) Haha, no really, the one I keep coming back to time and again is my blue Pilot Custom 74 with a medium nib. I just love the way it writes.
I really like this old school style !
just came to say ya. I'm using fountain pens for years.
You can certainly do that if you're comfortable, and the pen will allow you. It's not always necessary, though. Some inks are harder to clean than others, and you may want to completely take them apart, but it's not required with 'regular' maintenance.
Brush pen inks clogs up really easily also because they contain a lot of gel like protein so when it dries up it is going to form solid that is really hard to clean. The traditional brush pen ink actually comes in the form of a solid cube and you use a stone tool and rub a layer off on a stone tool with water to make ink.
Ah! I can't believe I forgot to mention iron gall inks! The best way to learn about them is to actually look up the iron gall ink post on Wikipedia, it's really comprehensive. Long story short, iron gall is a form of permanent ink that dates back a LONG time. It's quite corrosive in original form, but modern iron gall inks are much less harmful. There are only a handful of iron gall inks out there today, Rohrer and Klingner Salix and Scabiosa, Diamine Registrar's, and MB Blue-Black are iron gall
Pin your COMMENT
Thanks for the vid! I think it'd be a good idea to include the bulb syringe video link in the description. It has been one of the most helpful videos in pen cleaning I have seen! A lot of people have adapted that method too ;) Thanks Mr. Goulet!
Just watching this video makes me feel a bit classy .
awesome video, I've always wonder if it was a good idea to leave ink inside my pen during summer break (i use my pens for school), now i know i shouldn't. thank you for the video!
I've always loved writing implements and paper and, now, having retired, am immersing myself into these and all things related. Your videos have been really useful. I wonder if you could help with a problem...I have had a Lamy Joy for some time and now that I've revisited it, I find that the nib is needing considerable pressure and is failing almost totally on downstrokes. I think, though I'm not sure, that I might, at one point, have used acrylic ink in it. Is there any hope?
Logan, this is so great to hear, thank you! Stephen's great, he's thousands of miles (and an ocean) away but we both obviously are infected with fountain pen obsession :) Drew's awesome, really everyone is over here! I'm glad you're happy with us, I will pass the word around :)
I've found that, even flushing thoroughly with a bulb, there will still be residual ink on the nib and feed. The only way to truly get a pen clean is to disassemble the nib/feed/grip assembly, and soak them in warm water with a drop of dish soap, then rinse with clear water. I then lay the parts out on a paper towel to dry, and once everything is dry, I reassemble the pen. You'll often find that your cap also has ink in it, and possibly even the barrel. I always flush those with a bulb, soak and rinse them with the rest of the parts. All this might not be necessary when simply changing ink, but I always do this before storing a pen. You'll want to use a jeweler's loupe when reassembling the nib/feed/grip, to make sure the nib is properly seated and aligned.
Perhaps...I'm not all that familiar with Aurora, but there are few pens that don't have removable feeds. What pen is it?
That is my Sailor 1911L, clear with gold trim in a music nib. It's a good pen, but doesn't write as well as I wished it did.
Thank you!! I didn't know the bit about Sailor Pigment Inks (and the need for a more frequent cleaning). I wonder if continual use of said inks (so the pen never dries out) makes a difference - so you don't have to clean as often.
Nah, dilute to your heart's content. In fact, Nathan often promotes it as a way to get more bang for your buck...he's very into the economy of pen ink.
1 pen 2 cups
Lol
Christiån Kirkenes 2 cups 1 pen
Came looking for this comment. Was not disappointed.
One cup of white rice 2 cups water
Christiån Kirkenes so that clean water doesn't get contaminated doesn't get contaminated so that clean water is being flushed through the pen
Same concept...cartridges or converters...it doesn't really matter in terms of how you maintain the pen. If you're using the same color cartridge then just clean the pen once a month or so to keep it running well. If you're changing cartridge colors, then clean it in between the change.
I really like the look of the pen in the upper right of the case with the black matte finish at the 3:00 min. mark. Which pen is that?
I just got my Pilot Metropolitan and am new. I exchanged my cartridge for the first time for ink using the converter that came with the pen. After adding it and letting the nib get saturated pointed down for an hour. I am now having an issue where it'll write for maybe 5 to 30 minutes but if I put it down and pick it up again it no longer has ink flowing and I need to let it sit top down for another 30 minutes and may only get another 5 minutes or so. I also tried cleaning.
Really appreciate all the beginner videos you have made. Ordered your cleaning and tuning kit along with some nibs for my Xmas gift, Lamy Studio. Hopefully this will give me a range of experiences.
Thanks! We have a pretty decent selection of pens over here, but most of them come from Germany or Japan! I'd think you would have access to a lot of good pens...Waterman, Parker, Pelikan, Lamy, Kaweco....they're all made not far from you! I can see how they'd be expensive though...
On a note about the "Calligraphy Inks".
Some specifically say that they will work in fountain pens.
I have a couple pots of of Windsor & Newton that I got for my glass dip pen that advertises that it'll work in fountain pens.
Fabulous video, Brian, After the cleansing, whatr about drying the nib, feed and converter? Or do you just replace the converter, replace the cap and put the pen away? And if so, what about the piston inside the converter - open (as if filled with ink, but in this case air) or closed?
Thanks.
You're welcome! Let me know how it goes.
what is the clear and gold pen next to the red one??? It's lovely
Got my Lamy Imporium running again thanks to your tips! Thank you so much!!
After I clean a pen, I just touch a paper towel to the nib to draw extra ink out of the feed. I don't do anything particularly special with the converter, just get as much of the water out of it as I can. If you're going to be storing the pen for a while, it's not a bad idea to leave it out to let it dry, but if you're going to be filling the pen back up you don't have to get too crazy about it.
I’m new here ‘Hiii everyone, I’m looking forward when I’m going to do Calligraphy as one my hobbies and using a foundation pen and also I’ve never used a foundation pen but I heard of it when my Spanish teacher asked do anyone have a foundation pen and that’s when I started searching for one and I’ve seen one in the shops but a different and is my first time watching and learning about foundation pens.’
i didn't notice how many times you run the pen flush through. is it once, twice, dozen? very nice video. i've purchased too many things from you all lately. lol. i used to use a fountain pen in the 60s-90s, but always had issues with the pens, even my 70s parker. the twsbi-s and preppy-s i've gotton from you all have been the best pens i've every owned.
Not unless you're going to use it! ;) I mean, you could be okay, I have pens where I leave the ink in them for a long time, but most of the time the ink either partially dries out or just doesn't flow as well (mainly when the water in the ink starts to evaporate, it leaves the concentrated dye behind).
Yeah, I haven't heard great things about Higgins ink in fountain pens. Maybe it depends on the pen, but pretty much most India-type inks don't look that great in a fountain pen :P If I'm not mistaken though, most Higgins is shellac-based drawing ink, and that definitely should stay out of fountain pens!
Hello, i was wondering, would you still need to do a full cleaning when using different colored ink from the same proprietary company? I am referring to the pilot metropolitan
Yeah I would. Even within the same brand, the properties in the ink can cause some reactions if mixed. Especially with a brand like Noodler's. It's best to flush it out every time you're looking to refill your pen. - Colin
That might be part of it, too, but it's the static charge that builds up from metal rubbing on paper that really attracts the dust.
Thanks for the video! What are the 3rd and 4th black and gold pens from the bottom at 3:00? I'm trying to identify an heirloom that has a similar look.
That's hard to tell, but I think they're Pilot Falcon and Platinum 3776. - Colin
Great video. Thank you. I recently bought a Visconti Rembrandt, my first expensive pen and I love it. I am using Visconti blue ink and probably won`t use any other ink in it. I use the pen every day to write my journal and short stories. So, according to your recommendation I should flush it every to weeks just with water. I am a little nervous about pulling the nib and feed apart to do any deeper cleaning. Can the Rembrandt nib even be separated from the feed?
Good to know that I have been doing it right all this time.
Oh gosh, that's a very subjective question! It really depends what quality matter most to you...ink capacity, design, weight, size, etc. TWSBI's are good, I'm a big fan of the Lamy 2000 and Pilot Custom 74, Sheaffer makes some pretty good pens, I'm a fan of Edisons too.
if by feather pen you mean a quill, then yes, that's different. I don't know how well that would work, maybe Noodler's X-feather would be good because that's a pretty thick ink. You might have better luck with a calligraphy/dip pen ink, maybe check out India or China inks, they're thicker and made for dipping like with a traditional quill.
Yeah, MB doesn't exactly encourage user-servicing! Hopefully cleaning it out will work out better for you. Another thing you could try is using a lubricated ink like the Monteverde ones or any of the Noodler's Eel or Polar series...these will lubricate your piston to operate smoother.
Helpful? You're a savior...
How about cleaning a fountain pen with replaceable cartridges like the lamy safari? I've never used the converter but I am looking into getting one and want to clean out my ink that I've used already.
I personally run water through the pen directly from the tap or dunk it in a cup of warm water and keep it there for like 30mins or something.
It's been 7 years, hopefully you got an answer somewhere else
Thanks Brian. I appreciate your thorough and helpful videos.
Definitely! Glad to help. I wish I'd had something like this when I first started out in the hobby ;) -Brian Goulet
The Goulet Pen Company Hey, a quick question if you don't mind: How do I clean a fountain pen if I don't have the converter to pull the water up? Should I only rinse the nib and feed and whatnot? I want to change from a blue cartridge (I already depleted the ink) to a black cartridge. Thanks for the advice.
I don't know of any fountain pen ink today that is made with solvents, they're all water-based. Your line of thinking is somewhat on track...ink dyes are dissolved in water, and when the water evaporates on the page, the dyes are left behind. There isn't anything to 'harden' though, as the dyes are purely liquid. The only exception would be the handful of pigmented pen inks, they're still water based but they have small pigments that dry on the page when the water dries.
What pen are you using at the start of the video?
It's a Sailor 1911 Standard Clear
Then my jinhao 992 is ripping that off
If you have a jinhao, it is inevitable that it is ripping off something.
Themistocles yes and no, but most are, and some are improved designs on originals.
Any ideas on the best ink for the Curidas? I was told that Noodlers Eel is a good choice and for lubrication. Is the converter a better choice than the cartridge for that pen
Have a look at the Lamy line, specifically the Lamy Studio - great pen!
This channel is a fountain of knowledge on Pens
Super helpful! Well articulated, good information! Thank you!
found two fountain pen my grandpa owned in the 60s that had been forgotten in the barn, both half full when they were left, and let me tell you cleaning them was hard thing, one has a piston filler that couldn't even be moved (i managed to twist it after a while and thought that was it) and the other is still giving out black water after three or four times cleaning it and letting the water sit for a while u.u
Indeed Gruene Cactus seems less fluid than the other ones, and diluting it helps. I was assuming the viscosity chosen by Noodler's was not to be fiddled with too much. A problem with cleaning is that the nib/feed assembly seems to be definitive. I've pulled hard enough on the nib to fear damaging it, and it does not budge.
Most FPs look either too fancy or too toyish -I'm difficult, I know :D- I love the technical/bauhaus design of the Rotring 600s. Too bad they have these practical flaws…
Thanks Brian! BTW what is that gorgeous demonstrator pen with the gold highlights at the beginning of the video?
Hi,
I was just wondering what is the best way to clean a Pilot Custom 845(with the pump) fountain pen?
Could you please do a video showing the best, or recommended, way to do it?
Thank you very much.
Cheers,
Hi Brian,
Thank you for the informative video, could you please tell me the make of the pen case you are using?
Thanks,
Pedro
Thanks for your youtube videos ... I have a question, perhaps you have answered elsewhere in the 101 series ... I could not find it. I'm new to fountain pens - (about 2 weeks now - first time user, although I have read just about everything I could, watched videos, joined FPN etc etc etc etc ).... my Metropolitan (Silver with Python) seems to not be as "wet" as it once. I cleaned it as per your video with two cups of distilled water .... and carefully re-inked it as well ... but it still writes not-as-wet as it used to. Is there something accumulating perhaps on the nib? Is there some additional nib tip cleaning I need to perform? Is so - what do I do? It's a FINE, and I do NOT use a lot of pressure on the nib at all normally. I'm not writing on special paper. The "wet new feel" was from the default black cartridge that came with it when it was new. I now have Kon Peki in it now ... am I simply noticing an ink difference ?
+Richard Walters When I bought my Metropolitan, I also bought a bunch of the same ink that came with the pen and I have not noticed any difference in my writing. I'm guessing it's the ink that just happens to be different. I hope this helps!
DBLRedRibbon ... It is just the ink. I swapped out the ink in the wet pen and the dry pens. The "wetness" followed the ink - so it's not a characteristic of the pen. Looks like Noodler's Apache Sunrise is one of my driest inks for a Japanese fine (about an extra fine in American sizes) ... Follower by iroshizuku Ina-Ho (rice bag brown).
I still us the rice brown anyway - it's one of my favorite colors. The sunrise - I now use in thicker nibs.
+Richard Walters Noodler's Apache Sunset is dry in any pen I've used. Great color but best for ink washes and Art purposes.
+pen64 thanks for the reply. I agree.
How do you get the converter dry? Or how long should you wait before refilling your pen? Thanks!
A couple drops of water isn't going to impact the ink at all. But a trick Brian showed me was to use a paper towel and spin a corner of it until its thin enough to fit in the converter, then just move the piston down to push all the water to the absorbent paper towel. Hope that works! - Colin
Just want to give you the benefit of my advice on cleaning a fountain pen.
You need three things. 1. A pair of the strongest reading glasses you can find (say +3). You can get these for £1 ($1) here in the UK. Very useful for getting a really good view of anything that you are working on.
2. A (set of) jewelers loupe(s). Again a pound (dollar) or two for a set. Get at least a 10X and even a 20X if you can. Essential for checking the real details.
3. A set of feeler gauges.
The first two you are going to use for lots of interesting things. The feeler gauges not so much.
Dis-assemble all the parts of the pen. Remove the nib. Soak everything in water overnight. (Always put the plug in the sink before rinsing - or you will loose parts down the drain).
Check everything, especially the nib with the lens.
You will almost certainly find that the slot in the nib is blocked with dried ink.
This is where the feeler gauges come in. Use the 0.05 mm 0.002 in (two thou) blade. (That is half the thickness of a sheet of A4 paper.)
Wipe the blade clean first. Slide the slot in the nib onto the blade in the direction of the downward face of the nib. Do not try to go up as it will lock.
Inspect the nib again with the loupe to see if the slot is clear.
Wipe and repeat if necessary.
Also check the small slot in the plastic section that the ink flows down to get to the nib and clean carefully if necessary.
Dry and reassemble everything.
Hope this works for you.
You should try the Laban PF-900 fountain pen. It is an amazing pen and I think you would like it very much!
That's a Sheaffer Prelude, 22kt :) It's an okay pen, not my favorite. It's more for the bling factor. I called it my "Goldfinger" pen ;)
Main pen is a 3776 though?
I just found your videos last week and subscribed! Two quick questions - how do you clean fountain pens that used ink cartridges only?
Just bought a sailor bent nib for watercolor pen and ink. Off hand does the baby syringe work for cleaning? I bought the Calli non clogging, waterproof calligraphy ink. Is that going to be a problem? It works well with the watercolor. Lots to learn about inks.
Thank you. Arlene
Not sure about that particular ink, but usually Calligraphy ink or India ink is a big no-no. It'll ruin the pen so I might double-check that. Make sure you get an ink labelled for fountain pens. The syringe method should work, just unscrew the barrel of the pen and plug it right in! - Colin
Which pen is the clear one at the beginning of the video? Many thanks!
What is the paper at 1:40? Do you sell it? I love the off-white.
+Rebecca Nelson I'm pretty certain it's a Rhodia notebook (www.gouletpens.com/notebooks/c/10/?sortBy=productName%2Basc&facetValueFilter=Tenant~Binding_Orientation%3Atop%2CTenant~Paper_Color%3Aoff_white_ivory) but we have a bunch of off-white or ivory notebook offerings! - Colin
Yeah, probably. Technically, distilled water is devoid of all minerals, but bottled water will be just fine. Honestly, tap water is usually fine unless you know you have hard water.
I have hard, mineral filled water where I live which I use for all my fountain pen cleaning so that I don't have to spend too much money or time buying or generating distilled water and I have never had a problem, I shake/flick out the water after cleaning so that there is much less water to dry and I often fill my pens after I have got the pen as dry as possible by flicking and blotting but not evapourating.
Any tips for cleaning a pilot vanishing point that has been using noodler's bay-state blue?
Definitely no rubbing alcohol though right? I didn't try yet until I asked you, but I let it dry up cause I'm a noob lol. And thank you for the information. Much appreciated.
I'm gonna try a pigment ink (Platinum Carbon) for the first time, and I see people saying to clean the pen using it every few days like you said. What if I don't run out of ink for a lot longer than that? Do I throw the unused ink out every 3 days to clean it?? Do I put it back into the bottle and risk contaminating that? Or should I buy some kind of vial like the one you use for samples and pour the unused ink in that and refill from it after the cleaning?
Well, if the ink is still good, then just leave it in there! Remember, this is just a generalized recommendation, you will learn your pens and what length of time you can go without having to clean them. The 2-4 weeks is more if you're using them regularly as the use of the pen will constitute the need for cleaning. When it comes to storing your pens, if it's well sealed and you aren't worried about it drying out, you can let it sit in there as long as you want, really.
Thanks, just what I needed.
What about bottled water? Would that work better than tap water?
Is it ok to just take the cartridge or converter off of the nib section, hold it under a running faucet until the water coming out is clear? Is it necessary to pump or force the water through the pen?
Thanks for all of the helpful videos!
Just discovered your channel...I'm hooked! Thanks for sharing this video...can hardly wait to see the rest :)
Awesome, glad to hear you found your way to us! Lots of videos to take in. - Colin
You are correct.
Is it safe to take the converter out of the grip and run water through the grip? The manufacturer of my pen says to take the pen totally apart and soak the individual parts for 4 hours. That seems a little excessive to me.
hello! i have a pilot kakuno which i haven't used in a long time. i've cleaned it up before storing it, but when i try using it again a few days ago, the ink wont flow well. i need to add pressure to the tip of the nib to write, and i'm worried it might damage the nib. is there anything i can do to revive the pen? thankyou in advance.
I don't use my Pilot MR fountain pen on a regular basis.
1) Is it safe to store it filled with a fountain pen ink like Pelikan 4001 for months or years?
2) How about the pilot parallel mixable color ink cartridges? Can I store it for months with a ready-to-use cartridge like that? If not, how could I clean it while the cartridge is still filled with ink?
Do you need to dry out your pen after flushing? Or can you fill it immediately?
What pen is used in the video for the demo? The demonstrator and gold nib in the beginning?
That was a Platinum 3776 Century, but unfortunately the gold trim is no longer available. The Oshino or Nice are still options for the demonstrator look. - Colin
well i ask because im researching forensic analysis of pen inks so im mostly wondering about more common pens like ballpoint pens i have heard they are made with solvents.