Nib care - Santini Italia Fountain pens and nibs Made in Italy

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Nib care

GUIDE HOW TO CARE OF YOUR NIB

The idea that one should not lend a fountain pen is widespread. The nib could become bent or changed otherwise by another type of writing position. Have no fear! The high flexibility of a gold nib always withstands considerable pressure. The fine writing ball of extremely hard metals related to platinum is scarcely worn by years of use. So a nib can experience no damage through use by a strange hand, unless it is damaged by being hit, bent or dropped. Bent nibs should always be repaired, if possible, or replaced.


Ink flow stops or not regular.

 
Cause: Your piston filling is not filled correct, too much air inside the piston.

 
Remedy: Empty the piston. Fill it with a water. Repeat it 2/3 times unless your filling system is perfectly cleaned. Follow the instructions how to fill your piston pen.

Too thin- ink flow.
 
Cause:  The nib slit, when held to the light, no longer shows a hairline opening.
Remedy: A sharp, very fine cutter should be inserted into the slit carefully from below.

Nib supplies no ink.

Cause: The nib slit is open too wide.
Remedy: Press the nib together from both sided until the tips cross slightly over each other.

Ink flow stops with light pressure on the paper.

 
Cause: The ink passage is separated from the nib. A gap is visible.
Remedy: Press the rounded back of the nib gently on a surface. In most cases, though, the nib must be removed and reshaped.
Correct use of your fountain pen.

   
  • Do not press hard when writing, as this can damage the nib. A good fountain pen should glide effortlessly across paper.
  • Use fresh ink. Do not use bottled ink that is more than a year or two old. If you do use older ink, you should first examine it for any mold that may be growing on the surface. Then stir the old ink to make sure that there are no lumps or sediment on the bottom (a sign that the ink is solidifying). Thinner fluid inks are less likely to solidify than thicker inks. And if the ink has not been used for several weeks, shake the bottle before filling the pen.
  • Black ink contains gum arabic. If you allow black ink to dry inside of the nib, it may cause permanent damage. If you do not plan to use your fountain pen for more than a couple of days, clean your fountain pen before the ink has dried.
  • Avoid using chemically treated paper, which usually has a slick feel, because it does not absorb ink well. Ink will collect in the nib and ultimately clog the feed. If your pen skips after using treated paper, wipe the nib with a lint-free cloth. If this does not work, wash the pen out with water.
  • When traveling by plane, we recommend that you either fill your converter completely or leave it empty to reduce the risk of leakage. Always keep the nib upright during takeoff. When opening your fountain pen in flight, you should hold the pen upright and remove the cap slowly. Always keep your pen capped when not in use.
  • Do not loan your pen to anyone, as the nib will adapt to your writing style (pressure, angle).
  • If your pen doesn't "start" right away after not being used for a couple of weeks, ink has probably dried and clogged the nib and/or the feed. To start the ink flowing again, resist the urge to press down hard on the pen. Instead, wet the point of the nib with water or ink of the same color. If that doesn't work, wash the pen out.
     
Cleaning instruction of a Fountain Pen.

Unscrew the barrel from the nib section (if it is converter filling).
 
Rinse the nib by filling and emptying it with water (repeat this until the water is clear). Caution: Ink residue will flow out.
 
  • If the pen uses a cartridge/converter, place the nib section into a beaker or other container of clean water and let it soak overnight.
  • The water level should completely cover the nib.
  • Be sure to use room temperature water. Distilled water will work best (tap water sometimes contains particles which may clog the feed). Never use warm or hot water (heat will expand the inner works of the pen) or alcohol, as these will damage the feed or other parts of the pen.
  • Let the nib soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then blot dry with a paper towel. Soak the nib overnight if necessary.
       
Wash your pen every few weeks or whenever changing ink colors.
How to store your fountain pen.

If you do not plan on using your pen for a prolonged period of time, wash and empty it out before storing it away. When not using the pen, keep it stored vertically with the nib pointing up to prevent ink from settling in and clogging the feed.
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