GENIUS HACKS FOR A BETTER FOUNTAIN PEN EXPERIENCE

Writing with a fountain pen is a luxurious experience that can be greatly enhanced with the right tools and techniques. In this blog post, we'll be showcasing ten genius hacks for a better fountain pen experience. From taking off the grip to shaking down the pen to improving its functioning, these hacks will make a writing with a pen more comfortable and enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pen user, reading through this blog will give you surefire ways to get the best out of your writing experience!

1) Clean a Converter Pen using a Bulb Syringe

Cleaning your converter pen can be tiring when you flush it with water by pulling the syringe out and flushing it out several times. Here's the trick: take the converter off so you just have the pen part. Use an ear bulb syringe and fill it up with water by pressing it first then releasing it as you dip it in water. Use it to flush the ink out of your pen, and keep going until the water becomes clear. You may just dip the nib in the water. Take a napkin or paper towel and hold it in the nib to draw out the remaining moisture.

Using a bulb syringe gives you around 50 cartridges worth of water which saves you a lot of time and effort. Plus, it seems more fun!

2) Flip the Nib Over when Writing on Cheap Paper

The paper choice can sometimes go outside your control and it may get too absorbent at times. When writing on cheap paper, you may try flipping your nib over to give you better control. By doing so, you get at least two nib sizes smaller - it's perfect when you need to write in a small area.

There are different types of nibs and not all of them are designed for this hack. Use lighter pressure when you flip your nib over.

3) “Shake Down” your Pen to get Ink Flowing

When you're sure that your pen still has ink but it just doesn't start flowing - maybe you just need to put in the right amount of force. Start by holding your pen high enough in your hand so it does not hit the table. Then, "shakedown" your pen by gently tapping your hand's heel pad on the table. Make sure that your pen's nib is not hitting the table. Don't forget to place a piece of paper on the table because the ink would most likely fling as you "shakedown" your pen.

4) Remove the Converter and Fill Directly from the Bottle

One of the ways to put ink is to fill directly from the bottle rather than using a converter. This will prevent blocked fountain pen flow and clogs. It is particularly useful when you want to keep your nib clean. Once you've installed the converter, you'd want to force some ink through to get things flowing smoothly. Just a side note: this hack will decrease your ink capacity by a little bit because your feed is empty, which can sometimes make up 0.2-0.3ml

Fountain pen ink evaporates quickly, which can leave your pen with a dry feeling. To avoid this, refill your pen before it runs out of ink.

5) Tone Down Highly Saturated Inks using Distilled Water

Highly saturated inks don't always flow as you want them to, or they can take too long to dry. The best way to address this is to dilute your fountain pen inks with distilled water. You might want to start with a 10% dilution - this does not forfeit color saturation so your ink will not appear pale.

6) Keep your Fountain Pens Entirely Full or Downright Empty Before Flying

Flying with fountain pens can be a hassle, but it's worth it to keep them in top shape. Flying in high altitudes may cause ink burping as pressures drop. The best hack, whenever you are flying, is to either fill it up completely or empty it down to the last drop.

Eliminate the air or the ink, and you’re good! Either fill the pen all the way with no air bubbles or completely empty it.

While there are disposable fountain pens available at the market that can be ideal when traveling, investing in a good and long-lasting pen grants you a more personal touch and an improved fountain pen experience.

7) Removing Accumulated Ink in your Demonstrator Pen Cap

Ink can sometimes accumulate between the insert and the cap when you are using a demonstrator pen.

Use the friction from a rubber band to pull the insert out of the cap after sliding it into it with a pencil. This way, you get a clean demonstrator cap that is pleasing to the eyes.

8) Dipping the Pen Ink or Water | Get Ink Flowing Again

Fountain pens are not just for writing - they're also perfect for sketching and drawing. However, if you experience any difficulties with your pen, dipping it into water or a bottle of ink may help it start flowing again.

Make sure you're replacing your pen's liquid ink often enough - every three months is typically recommended for optimum performance and less skipping during use.

9) Flooding the Feed to get Highly-Saturated Ink

Ink is the lifeblood of your pen. By flooding the feed, you'll get a more saturated and darker black ink stream in your pen. This will give you better coverage when writing or sketching with a fountain pen, and it'll be easier to see what you're doing on paper. In addition to better ink flow, flooding your fountain pen also gives you more control over your writing.

There are different types of needs that you can choose from starting from fine points to broad points. For average-size handwriting, an m nib suits you best.

10) Let Out a Few Drips After Filling

Fountain pen ink reservoirs can get clogged easily, leading to frustrating skips in your writing. To prevent this from happening, make sure to keep your fountain pen ink reservoir topped off by releasing a couple of droplets of ink after filling. This simple hack will help minimize air bubbles and ensure a smooth, consistent writing experience. It's like running a fountain pen hospital in your own hands.

How To Use Your Fountain Pen More Often | Hacks for Better Fountain Pen Experience

Fountain pens are sure to give you a better writing experience - and you can take advantage of this when you use your pen more often. Aside from the 10 fountain hacks that we already tackled: here are a couple of ways for you to enjoy your everyday fountain pen:

Use it for journaling or planning | Start an Ink Journal

Fountain pens are amazing tools that offer a unique way to write. They're perfect for journaling and planning and can give your notes a personality of their own. It's an added bonus to the nostalgia that keeping track of your everyday life gives.

By writing in a journal every day, you'll also start to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your motivations. Ink is therapeutic - writing down your thoughts can help clear your head and facilitate relaxation! So go ahead - start writing and see what amazing things happen as a result. Touch device users can never relate to this!

Catalog your fountain pen inks

When it comes to inks, it's important to catalog your collection in some way. By doing this, you can easily find the right ink for your pens. Start by organizing your pens by type or ink color. Next, keep track of what you've used, how much each bottle costs, and where you bought them from. This way, you can easily find the right ink for your notes or sketches - no more mixing up different colors!

Making a catalog of your pens and inks enriches your understanding of how fountain pens work. There are also different types of paper that you might want to add to your catalog. There's nothing more satisfying than using fountain pen-friendly paper.

Take notes

Fountain pens are a wonderful tool for taking notes, writing letters, and otherwise capturing snippets of life. It can make the task of taking notes a fun activity which lessens writing fatigue. Make sure you have one readily available in your bag's pocket.

Sketch, Draw, or Doodle

There are many artists who use fountain pens and liquid ink for crafting pieces of art. You should use your pens for your art if you're not confident with your writing style or if you prefer to draw.

Practice, Practice, Practice | Hacks for Better Fountain Pen Experience

Whether you are sketching, doing calligraphy, or simply writing - practice really helps you improve better than you can imagine. Once you see your progress, you'd definitely look at your notes or sketches with a little smile on your face - that's artwork!

Practice your penmanship

By aiming to improve your handwriting, you'll not only be able to write with more precision, but you'll also be able to enjoy your fountain pen writing experience even more. Try using different strokes, handwriting styles, and even swipe gestures in your letters to make them look better. Additionally, try practicing on fountain pen-friendly paper by writing in ALL CAPS. This can be a little challenging for the lefties as you may have to deal with smudges all over the page.

Don't forget that practice makes perfect - so keep at it!

Are you new to writing with a fountain pen and literally starting from scratch? Check out our handy beginner's guide to expressive fountain pen writing experience.

Cleaning Your Fountain Pens | Hacks for Better Fountain Pen Experience

Cleaning your fountain pens is an important part of keeping them in good condition. By following these 10 genius hacks, you'll be able to keep your pens clean and functioning properly. Keep in mind that they should be cleaned as soon as you finish using them - no excuses! If you don't have time to clean them regularly, store them in a cool, dry place. If something doesn't seem right, take your pens to an expert for a check-up.

At first, a fountain pen can seem to be an expensive pen to maintain compared to other types like the gel pen and the ballpoint pen. However, there are affordable fountain pens that are perfect for your budget. Make sure to also follow our 10 hacks to make the most of your pen.

Conclusion

Whether you're a newbie or an experienced fountain pen user, there are sure hacks in this blog that can help you improve your experience. From taking off the grip to improving the behavior of inks, these tips will help you get the most out of your fountain pens!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I choose the best fountain pen?

Choosing the right fountain pen is the first step to a smooth writing experience. Make sure to visit us at woodfountainpens.com and see a collection of the best fountain pens out there.

Handcrafted one by one using only the best quality materials, we made The Hemmingway to be a fountain pen of remarkable character and beauty. It's definitely an excellent choice!

How do I prevent clogging of fountain pen nibs?

One way to prevent clogging of your pen nibs is to rotate them regularly. This will help to clear any built-up ink. Additionally, make sure to clean your pen after every use. This will remove any dirt, ink residue, or other debris that may have built up over time. You can also try blotting the tip of your pen instead of sweeping it across the page.

Nib calligraphy is a great art to practice. Make sure to use quality pens for that glossy finish!

What are some other things that I can do to improve the quality of my writing experience? | Hacks for Better Fountain Pen Experience

When it comes to writing with a fountain pen, there are a few things that you can do to improve your experience. One of the main things is to start with a comfortable journal or sketchbook for writing or sketching. Choose the right paper for your fountain pen - if it's too heavyweight, the ink won't flow well. When it's too thin, the ink will smudge.

If you're having trouble getting started due to low ink levels, try warming up your pen before each use by gently "shaking it down". Finally, use flex nibs and appropriate pressure when writing or sketching with a fountain pen.

Still on the fence about having your first fountain pen? You may find some reasons why you should write with a fountain pen here.

Why does my ink sometimes come out in weird spots on the paper?

Fountain pen ink is highly soluble and it will spread easily across a surface. One common way to fix this issue is by blotting the excess ink with a paper towel or cloth. You may also try dipping your nib in water or refilling ink bottles to smoothen your ink flow.

My fountain pen stopped writing. What can I do to fix it?

If your pen is not writing as smoothly as it used to, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. First, make sure to clean your fountain pen by dipping your nib in water. Next, you can force ink by "shaking down" your pen. Lastly, try using a different ink cartridge and see if that solves the problem.

Try following the steps in this blog first before thinking about buying a new pen.

How do I clean my fountain pen?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning your pen, but here are some suggestions that will work for practically any pen you may have:

Avoid using bleach, alcohol, or cleaning products that contain these (such as cleaning wipes). The materials and finishes of fountain pens can be severely damaged by these. You should also avoid washing your fountain pens on running water. Prolonged contact with water can also heavily damage sensitive materials like hard rubber.

Generally, wiping your fountain pen gently with a damp cloth (note: use water only) is the go-to method for cleaning your fountain pens.

How do I avoid ink burping?

Eliminate the air or the ink by having your pen completely empty or completely filled up.

How do I remove ink from my pen cap?

Wrap a rubber band around the end of a pencil, insert it into the cap, and use the friction to grab the insert and pull it out.