The following information will help keep your purchases looking and working great. You'll find tips for caring for your wood pen, resin pen, and fountain pen. We have also included a guide containing refill and ink information.

 

 

Wood / Burl Pen Care

 

You may be inclined to think that wood / burl pens would be quite delicate and require a lot of care, but that wouldn't be true. There are just a few common sense don'ts to remember : Avoid excessive moisture (it is wood after all), avoid excessive heat and cold, and do not use as a hammer.

 

If the finish becomes flat or dull you can use a quality furniture wax to restore the luster. Buff with soft cloth. Never use chemicals or cleaners on your item. They can strip the finish off the pen and possibly disfigure the wood. If you are unsure about the situation, email us. It is normal for many woods to change hues with age. Like many fine furniture pieces, they will develope a patina. It is part of the beauty of natures work and should be treasured.

 

 

Resin Pen Care

 

We use several types of resins or man made materials for our pens. These materials are much more resistant to moisture and temperature extremes, but care should still be exercised.  Although resins are very durable, avoid sharp blows as these materials can be somewhat brittle.

 

There are several plastic polishes that work well for cleaning and restoring luster to the finish.  Should your pen become lightly scratched, you can use automotive buffing compounds to remove them.

 

 

Fountain Pen Care

 

A fountain pen works by "wicking" ink from the pump or cartridge down the nib (the business end of any pen). Ink will build up and need to be cleaned out. This is done by flushing out the pen with warm water several times. If it becomes clogged, soak the nib (and the nib only) in warm water until the ink loosens. Avoid letting parts other than the nib get wet. If they do, wipe down and let dry.

 

It is best to carry your pen with the nib up. Obviously if the nib is down when carried, it may leak. Another leak buster is to keep the ink levels as high as possible.

 

Always use quality fountain pen ink. The non-permanant ink is the easiest on the pen. Colored ink and permanant ink may require weekly cleaning.

 

Refills

 

Rollerball

All the rollerballs we sell use readily available cartridges. Suitable replacements can be found in most stationary / pen / office supply departments. Simply take the cartridge to the store and match it up. Of course, we stock the best refills and can ship directly to your home or office. See our Accessories Page!

 

To change the cartridge, unscrew the nib section (the business end of the pen) and remove the cartridge. There may be a spring behind the cartridge, be careful not to misplace it as it must be reused.

 

Ballpoint

There are 2 types of ballpoint refills for the pens we craft, the Cross and the Parker. Suitable replacements can be found in most stationary / pen / office supply departments. Simply take the cartridge to the store and match it up. Of course, we stock the best refills and can ship directly to your home or office. See our Accessories Page!

 

To change the cartridge in a Cross style pen, simply pull the 2 halves of the pen apart. If your pen has a continuous grain pattern, you may want to note the orientation before pulling it apart. It may take a little effort to pull it apart. You will see a black plastic piece which you will unscrew. Remove the cartridge and screw in a new one.

 

To change the cartridge in a Parker style pen, see the individual pen type instructions on the Pen / Plating Information Page. It is as simple as the Cross style, but there are several methods.