Fountain Pen Troubleshooting + Maintenance

A few tips on how to take care of your fountain pen: 

Store your pen horizontally when not in use.

Keep out of direct sunlight. 

Use often to keep the ink from drying out. 

Handle with care - do not drop your pen. When not actively writing, keep the cap on! 

Cleaning your pen:

Uncap your pen and unscrew the section from the barrel. Remove the empty cartridge or converter. Hold the empty section under running water with the nib side down. This will flush out any remaining ink.

Let the nib/feed + section dry completely (overnight is typically what we do!)

Something’s not right: 

If your fountain pen isn't writing the way you feel like it should be, here are a few things to try! 

Examples of some common issues: 

A fine nib fountain pen filled with a less wet ink may skip and feel scratchy as the ink isn’t flowing appropriately. But that same fine nib fountain pen filled with a wetter ink will write smoothly. 

A medium nib fountain pen filled with a specialty (shimmer) ink may write a little less smoothly compared to when it’s filled with a non shimmer ink. 

1. What kind of paper are you writing on - not all paper is fountain pen friendly. We recommend Tomoe River Paper or MD Paper for the best writing experience.

2. Try to keep a near 45 degree angle when writing.

3. Check for clogs and dried ink - Flush the nib and feed under lukewarm water. Fountain pens should be used regularly as ink can dry out in the feed/nib. Keep in mind pens can clog when using specialty inks not suitable for the nib size.

4. Check to see if the nib and feed are aligned.

5. Shake your pen gently over a paper towel and draw in a figure 8 pattern to get the ink flowing again. Be sure not to press too hard. Get the ink flowing again 

6. Switching your ink - sometimes it is an easy fix by just using a different ink in your pen. 

My pen is still not writing the way I want:

Brand Warranties (direct through the pen brand) 

TWSBI Warranty - no specific time frame

TWSBI's policy focuses on sending specific replacement parts (such as a cracked barrel, broken cap, or feed) rather than giving you an entirely new pen. While the replacement parts are usually provided free of charge, you are typically asked to cover a small shipping and handling fee (often around $5 to $10, usually paid via PayPal) Claims can be submitted directly through TWSBI's contact page or via email. Photos may be required.

Kaweco Warranty - 2 years

Kaweco provides a 2 year manufacturer's warranty that covers free repair or replacement of defective parts or the entire pen if a manufacturing or material fault occurs within two years of purchase. Excludes normal wear and tear, user damage (such as drops or misuse), and third-party modifications like custom nib grinds. Claims can be filed directly through Kaweco's contact page. Photos may be required.

LAMY Warranty - 2 years

LAMY provides a 2 year manufacturer's warranty for general manufacturing defects, with free repair or replacement of defective parts. Must provide a dated copy of your original receipt or invoice from an authorized seller. Excludes normal wear and tear, improper handling, misuse, or abuse, damage from using non-Lamy inks or refills. Claims can be submitted directly through LAMY's Warranty page. Photos may be required.

Did you try all the standard troubleshooting tips? The pen is fine but you're still not a fan of the way the pen writes? It’s just probably not a good fit!

Fountain pen people love buying, trading and reselling via eBay, Facebook, Etsy, Reddit or Mercari. 

*All pens will write differently and the writing experience will vary greatly from brand to brand. It can also make a big difference depending on what nib size, types of inks you are using as well as paper type you are writing on. 

**This guide serves as a reference to some best practices we personally find helpful and useful. Not to be taken as “medical” advice for your pen :)