It’s time to bring back the fountain pen and learn how to write with a fountain pen to recreate beautiful handwriting! Take time to enjoy writing with a fountain pen. If you do not have a fountain pen, it is time to get a good one for yourself! Fountain pens can be personal – the grip, the nib and the ink you use will have to suit how well and comfortable you are using your pen.
You must have a fountain pen to begin with. A fountain pen consists of 4 parts – cap, nib, barrel and ink reservoir. New fountain pens come without ink. You need to fill the pen with ink before using it. There are different ways of filling a fountain pen with ink.
First remove the cap of the fountain pen. Then remove the barrel by twisting anti-clockwise.
There are 3 types of ink reservoirs for fountain pen – ink piston converter , ink bladder and ink cartridge.
Twist the piston converter anti-clockwise to force air out of the converter. Insert the nib of the pen into a bottle of ink. This time twist the piston converter clockwise to draw ink into the converter. Wipe off the excess ink from the nib with a clean tissue paper. Twist the barrel to place it back on the nib.
A fountain pen with an ink bladder can be filled by placing the nib of the pen into a bottle of ink. Gently press and release the metal part of the bladder until ink fills up the bladder.
Ink cartridge is inserted by pushing it into barrel of the nib. The cartridge should click when it is inserted in place. Ink cartridges are convenient but being easily disposable, they are not environmental friendly and more expensive in the long run. It is better to fill your pen from a bottle of ink.
Remove the cap and put it on the end of your pen. The cap gives the pen a bit a weight and balance if the pen is too light.
Hold the pen at an angle between 40 to 55 degrees with the writing surface. The degree of slant is important. This inclination allows the ink to flow easily as the small ball end of the nib slides across the paper.
Do not apply too much pressure on the pen when writing or it will damage the nib of the pen. Your writing strokes should be light and steady, and the ink will flow smoothly across the writing surface.
Keep practising until you are comfortable with the ink flow.
Always keep the pen capped when it is not in use. This will prevent the ink on the nib from drying out.
Fountain pens should be stored with the nib up if possible.
If ink does not come out of the nib, soak the nib in cool water for a few minutes. This should unclog any dried up ink in the nib.
For more stubborn clogs, remove the ink reservoir and put the nib in running water. Flush water through the nib for several minutes until the water runs clear. Dry the nib with a soft cloth or tissue before using the pen again.
How To Write With A Fountain Pen © 2011 lady rain
