Use your fountain pens! (or else)

Fountain pens present an interesting paradox – the more you write with them, the better they perform. While it’s tempting to keep precious pens safely stored, they’re actually at their best when they’re part of your writing routine.

We’ve all been there. You buy a beautiful pen, admire its craftsmanship, then carefully place it in a display case. Months pass. The ink dries. The mechanism stiffens. What was meant to be preserved is now deteriorating.

⚠️ Common issues from storage

Pen repair specialists see these problems in unused pens:

• Dried and crystallized ink
• Cracked or deformed feeds
• Seized piston mechanisms
• Corroded nibs and components
• Dried-out seals and gaskets

All preventable with regular use.

✍️ Why daily writing matters

Unlike ballpoint pens, fountain pens use a fascinating system called capillary action to deliver ink to paper. Here’s how it works: inside your pen is a “feed” with tiny grooves or channels. When you write, these channels guide ink from the reservoir to the nib through surface tension – the same force that makes water climb up a paper towel.

When you use your pen regularly:

• The ink keeps flowing through these tiny channels, preventing clogs
• Dried ink particles don’t have a chance to crystallize in the feed
• The nib stays properly aligned with the feed
• Moving parts (like pistons in self-filling pens) remain flexible
• Metal components resist micro-corrosion that occurs when ink sits stagnant

🧪 The science of fountain pen damage

Unused pens face three enemies:

1. Evaporation: Ink dries and hardens in feeds
2. Gravity: Settled ink particles clog mechanisms
3. Time: Lubricants dry out, metals oxidize

💡 Make writing a habit

Start small:

• Morning pages: 3 pages of free writing
• Daily task lists
• Meeting notes
• Personal letters
• Sketching
• Signature practice
• Journaling (or bullet journaling)

Regular writing helps the nib adjust to your unique writing style and angle. The more you write, the smoother your experience becomes.

🛠️ Smart maintenance for regular users

Active pen users need simple routines:

• Flush with water every 2-3 ink refills (my favorite hack is to use a bulb syringe to clean the pen)
• Clean before switching ink colors
• Store nib-up when not in use
• Keep caps sealed tight
• Use high-quality paper (like Tomoe River) to prevent scratching

⚠️ Warning signs of pen damage

Your pen needs help if you notice:

• Hard starts and skips
• Scratchy writing
• Ink flow issues
• Strange sounds
• Feed discoloration
• Nib tine misalignment
• Piston resistance

If any of these happen, just give it a good cleaning.

Read: Medical supplies all fountain pen addicts can’t live without

🎯 Your 7-day writing challenge

1. Pick your nicest pen
2. Fill with quality ink
3. Write 2 pages daily
4. Log your experience
5. Clean weekly
6. Share your progress
7. Repeat with another pen

📈 Value in use

Well-maintained pens that see regular use often retain their functionality better than those left in storage. Regular writing and maintenance help preserve:

• Mechanism function
• Nib performance
• Feed condition
• Overall reliability

🌟 Start writing today

Your pens are tools for expression, not trophies for display. The best way to preserve them is to use them regularly and maintain them properly.