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How much should a pen be used to keep it in good shape? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hello everyone,

I've got a pen I only use to write in a journal dedicated to my mother who passed away. When I wish I could still talk to her I get that journal and write whatever discussion I'd like to have with her. I have a Pilot Cavalier that is only used for this.

I'm worried the irregular use might damage the pen. Sometimes I write everyday, but not everyday I have ideas of what to say so sometimes I go a couple of days, even weeks without writing much if at all.

Can it be bad for the pen and what is the proper maintenance I should do on such a pen with such irregular usage?

I'm starting thinking about using it more for other occasions and let it loose its "sacred" aspect, but I'm not sure yet.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

the greatest risk is ink drying inside the bladder and nib and causing difficulty to clean. i had a noodler’s ahab that i loved and after leaving ink in it for a couple weeks, it was sealed. i tried cleaning it out but only damaged parts in the process. (this is not a fault of the ahab- it is a great pen, but requires normal maintenance).

can’t speak to your specific pen, but i know that i either run my pens dry by using them within a week, or i completely clean them out and let them sit. there’s really not any in between if you want to keep everything working correctly.

sorry to hear about your mother. i’m sure it’s nice to write and remember her.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the reply. So I need to find some extra use for the pen because I don't have nearly enough to write with it usually.

I'll come up with something.

How do you clean your pen usually? I tried bathing in water once like I read in an article but turns out the pen I tried it one hated water and the paint has been flaking off since. Rinse under tap and dry immediately?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

i’ve always cleaned my pens by using warm water (not hot) and running it through until there’s no ink in the nib, barrel, anywhere. then i place on a lint free cloth or microfiber towel and let them air dry. if you fill too soon, you’ll get a watery mess.

also as i’m sure you know, you’ll want to put down something because ink will get everywhere when you’re cleaning and it’s super hard to get off.

(if you use platinum carbon like me, good luck removing it from anything, haha)