How can you prolong the lifespan of a fountain pen?

When it comes to fountain pens, there are 3 ways in which you can ensure that it lasts longer: 

A. Always Keep The Cap On When Not Using It 

One of the best ways to prevent the nib from drying up or getting damaged is to keep the cap on when you are not using the pen. If you accidentally leave the pen uncapped, you will notice that the ink dries up fast. This causes the ink flow to decrease since the dried-up ink clots the nib and prevents fresh ink from flowing smoothly.

B. Don’t Let Others Borrow Your Pen 

Unlike other pens, fountain pens immediately adapt to the user’s writing style since the nib structures itself to suit the writer’s needs. Lending the pen to another person for an extended period can cause the nib to restructure itself according to the other person’s writing style. The nib can get out of shape, and this can ruin your writing experience later on. 

You can let a person borrow the fountain pen for temporary use, such as when they have to sign a document, But refrain from letting them use it for a longer period, like if your friend or colleague needs to write an essay. You can offer them a ballpoint pen or gel pens, in such instances. 

C. Regularly Flush The Pen 

Another important practice you should follow while owning a fountain pen is to flush it at least once a month. This way, you can ensure that the ink flows freely by flushing out any build-up or residual ink that is stuck on the feed or the nib. 

Besides, you can leave the nib to soak in a cup of cool water overnight to allow the nib to get rid of stubborn ink debris and gunk.

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