FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
When it comes to the world of all things pens, there are many questions we frequently get asked about nibs, pen sizes and ink to name just a few.
We have started to put together some of these to help you and other liked minded pen enthusiasts who love pens and need just a little bit of help or guidance. Here we have some commonly asked questions. If you don’t find the answer to your questions below, please feel free to drop us a message and we will do our best to help you out or at least point you in the right direction.
Does my pen come in a box?
Your pen will come with a box if this is stated and/or pictured in the items description. We do have display boxes available at an additional cost, please email us prior to completing if you would like a quote.
What nib size should I go for?
For beginners we would suggest fine or medium before venturing either side of these grades.
Which pen would you recommend for someone who is new to using fountain pens?
For those who are starting out, we would recommend starting with either the Jinhao x750 or Baoer No. 801
How do I look after my fountain pen?
The most important part of looking after your pen is making sure the nib unit is kept clean. The best way to do this is to soak your nib in warm (not boiling) water with some washing up liquid or similar. Let it soak for a few hours, dry and refill your pen. We would recommend you do this every couple of months.
My pen isn’t working properly, what should I do?
Have you followed the above advice? If yes and you are still having difficulty then please do email me as most issues can be rectified quickly.
How do I fill my fountain pen using a piston convertor?
You will need bottled ink to fill your pen using a piston convertor, simply unscrew the barrel of your pen exposing the ink convertor. Dip your nib unit in your bottled ink, activate the convertor mainly by twisting the top screw and you will see the ink flow into the ink compartment. Take your pen out of the bottled ink, wipe the nib with a cloth screw the barrel back on and away you go!
What ink can I use in my fountain pen?
Most pens can take international standard ink refills which, can be purchased in our shop or you can use a wide range of bottled inks. Avoid using dip pen ink as this is more viscous and doesn’t flow as well. Some pens can only use certain refills or may only be a pen that works with bottled ink, in this case it will be mentioned in the items description. If in doubt please do email us.
What is the difference between a roller ball and a ballpoint pen?
Ballpoints use a thick oil-based ink, while rollerball pens use a water based ink similar to that found in fountain pens. Ballpoints are good for official documents, the ink tends to dry almost immediately with minimal smudges. Rollerballs require less pressure when writing and are available in finer grades. The downside of ballpoints are that the ink can feel sticky, if let for a long time it can take a lot of time to get the pen writing again and sometimes big blobs of ink can take a long time to dry. Rollerballs are prone to drying out quicker and ink can smudge fairly quickly after writing.