Why doesn't my fountain pen write?

Nothing is more annoying than a fountain pen that doesn't want to write. But what is to blame? Well, the question is not easy to answer. So let's try a little compendium!

Problem 1: The fountain pen is not filled correctly

Therefore, first check whether the cartridge or converter is inserted correctly. Sometimes dipping the nib in ink also helps to ensure that the ink flows correctly.

It often helps to clean the new fountain pen properly. The best way to do this is to rinse the fountain pen well with clear water and a little ink cleaner, then let it dry before filling it with ink.

Have you filled your piston fountain pen correctly and left it with some air?

Sometimes a fountain pen also needs air. Or rather he always needs air. The capillary action of the ink conductor only works with the help of air. It's not for nothing that the hole at the end of the spring slot is called "Breather Hole" in English. As the ink draws forward through the small, fine slits of the ink guide to the tip of the nib, there must be no vacuum in the ink tank. That's why an air duct is installed in parallel in the ink conductor. But even that alone is not enough for a perfect ink flow!

To ensure that the air can easily get into the ink container, you should make sure that there is a little air there when filling it. And how to achieve this: dip the fountain pen into the ink glass and fill it with ink. Then take it out and turn the piston knob half a turn so that 1 to 2 drops of ink flow out again. Then turn the piston knob back to the starting position. Now there is a little air in the ink tank and the ink flow is good again.

Problem 2: The ink cleaner is blocked

Different inks also have different recipes, different Ph values ​​and so on. It is therefore always necessary to clean the fountain pen when changing from one ink to another. Otherwise deposits may occur due to the combination of these inks.

This is also the case if the fountain pen has dried out. Even then, it must first be cleaned thoroughly. The cleaning syringes from Octopus or Kaweco are ideal for this, as you can easily flush the ink pipe with them.

But be careful: these cannot help with dried pigment ink! Therefore, always clean the fountain pen immediately after use!

Problem 3: Ink tube and nib are assembled incorrectly

Even though all of our manufacturers pay attention to the quality of their products, it can happen that the smallest deviations occur. The distance between the nib and the ink conductor can be a fraction of a millimeter too wide and the ink flow is no longer possible. If this occurs, please contact our customer service immediately so that we can help!