Pen Care and Advice
Ready to use
Your new fountain pen will be ready to use straight out of the box. It will be fitted with a Bock or JoWo screw in nib unit and a push fit Schmidt K5 International converter. In my experience, most fountain pen users like to use bottled ink but if you prefer the convenience of a pre-filled ink cartridge, of course the K5 converter can be removed and replaced with a standard cartridge of your choice.
Filling your pen
To fill your pen with ink, simply unscrew the section (the part of the pen that houses the nib and usually the bit where you grip/hold the pen) to gain access to the twistable top of the converter. Turn the converter top until the plunger inside is at the bottom (closest to the pen). Now you can submerge the fountain pen nib into your bottled ink and twist the converter top in the opposite direction. This will bring the plunger back up to the top of the converter sucking the ink with it. If there is an air pocket at the top of your converter it may be necessary to repeat this twisting filling action a couple of times to dispel any bubbles and get maximum ink capacity. ​
Swapping nibs
At some point during your pen ownership you may wish to swap the nib. The main reasons for swapping a nib are to change the aesthetic of the pen or to change the performance of the pen. For example swapping a polished chrome nib for a gold plated nib or exchanging a medium tipped nib for a broad or a stiff nib for a flexible nib.
These changes can only be achieved with any like for like nib unit. For example, you can swap any JoWo #6 nib for another nib with a JoWo #6 housing (although if you're familiar with the flexible nib factory company you may be aware that this opens up other possibilities for different brands of nib within JoWo or Bock compatible housings), but you cannot swap a JoWo housing for a Bock housing or a size 6 nib for a size 8 nib. If you desire this level of nib flexibility it would be best to contact me to discuss having a second section unit made to house the additional nib unit.
Pen Storage
Always store your pens correctly to minimise risk of ink leaks or blockages. I would recommend either keeping pens laid flat (for example in a pen tray or box) or storing them vertically with the nib pointing towards the ceiling if you prefer a pen holder/pot. If you travel regularly with your pens in a daily carry case, try and remember to keep the case upright too.
Cleaning your pen
How often you choose to clean your pen is a highly subjective issue. Some collectors will clean their pens every time they re-ink. Others will only clean the pen if they are changing the ink colour. The way you store and carry your pens will also affect the frequency with which you need to clean them.
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However often you choose to carry it out, the process is the same. I recommend disassembling the pen into its 5 main component parts (cap, section, barrel, nib unit and converter) and then using warm (not hot!) water to flush through all parts. If a pen has been left for a prolonged period and ink has become thick or congealed I would advise soaking the pen for a short period of time prior to flushing.
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Flushing bulbs and syringes can be purchased to aid with flushing nibs if you're likely to be cleaning a large number or pens regularly.
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If you do experience any leaks and need to clean the other components of the pen more thoroughly e.g. the cap, I would recommend a soft fluffy pipe cleaner and a small spot of washing up liquid. Be careful with the pipe cleaner not to let the internal metal wire scratch the pen or the threads, but I have found that gentle use can help to reach ink spots in the top of caps etc when running water just won't do.
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The use of vibrating ultrasonic cleaners has become popular recently too (as they are becoming more affordable). An acrylic or resin pen should be safe enough in an ultrasonic cleaner when used with just water but it is definitely not necessary and I would avoid use of chemical or prolonged submersion of pens with metal elements or adornments such as clips and roll stops. Ultrasonic cleaners should not be used on my wooden pens.
