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How to refill your fountain pen

How to refill your fountain pen

Fountain pens have a timeless charm that no other writing instrument can quite match and we looooove them around here. If you're the proud owner of a fountain pen, you're already well aware of the elegance and smooth writing experience it offers. One of the essential skills every fountain pen enthusiast should have is the ability to refill their pen. In this guide, we'll take you through the simple and rewarding process of refilling your fountain pen with another cartridge. If you're keen to use a converter, read this blog. Step 1: Gather Your Supplies Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary items on hand: Your fountain pen An ink cartridge that fits your fountain pen A stable and clean workspace Some paper towel for cleaning Step 2: Remove the old cartridge Gently unscrew the barrel to reveal the empty cartridge and remove the empty cartridge. Make sure you pop it straight into the bin! Step 3: Preparing Your Pen for Refilling Take your chosen ink cartridge and give it a gentle shake to ensure the ink is well-mixed. Insert the small end of the cartridge into the pen's grip section. Press the cartridge firmly until you feel a slight resistance. This indicates that the cartridge is securely in place. Step 4: Re-assemble your pen Screw the barrel of your pen back to the grip section gently but firmly. This should pierce the cartridge and allow ink to begin flowing! Step 5: Testing Your Pen Once you've refilled your fountain pen, give it a gentle shake to help the ink flow. Begin writing on a piece of clean paper to let the ink settle into the nib. You'll notice the smooth, consistent ink flow that fountain pens are known for. Step 7: Cleaning Up After you're done refilling your pen, make sure to wipe off any excess ink from the grip section and nib. This prevents smudging and ensures a clean writing experience.     If you need any help, make sure you get in touch with our team, we are always happy to help ◡̈ ✎ 

How To Use Bottled Ink - Honest Paper

How To Use Bottled Ink

This is an introductory guide to setting up your fountain pen with bottled ink. If you're wondering what bottled ink is or why you should be using it check out our blog here! Now you're caught up, let's get started... What you are going to need: 1. Fountain Pen  The first thing that you’re going to need is your fountain pen. Most fountain pens can be made to work with bottled ink.  2. Converter  You will need something called a converter, a plunger/piston device that goes into your pen where the ink cartridge usually sits. It is used to draw up and store ink. All of the fountain pens we stock are compatible with a converter, so if you purchase your pen from us you can also pick up the appropriate converter!  3. Bottle of Ink  Finally you will need your bottle of ink. At Honest Paper we have the basic colours (Blue and Black), in both the Lamy and Pilot ranges, as well as some more adventurous colours from Lamy and Robert Oster.     Now that you've got what you need, here's how to fill your fountain pens with your favourite bottle of ink. 1. Make sure your pen is clean and dry This means disassembling it and removing the cartridge that was in the pen. Running water through the pen until it is clear is a good way to make sure there is no residual ink left in the feed section (Make sure to let it dry!) 2. Put the converter in the pen Insert the empty converter into your pen where the cartridge would sit. It attaches in exactly the same way the cartridge does. Wind the plunger down towards the nib as far as it will go. 3. Submerge the nib including the breather hole in the ink On a stable surface, open your bottle of ink. You will need to submerge the nib of your pen into the ink, until the surface of the ink is over the breather hole (The small hole near the top of the nib).  4. Twist the converters plunger to draw the ink into the pen While holding the pen steady, twist the converter raising the plunger. This will draw the ink up through the nib into the pen. Don’t worry if it doesn’t completely fill the converter!  5. Repeat the process with the converter to get a better fill   While keeping the nib in the ink, repeat the full up and down motion of the converter a few times. This allows the ink to saturate and fill the feed section of the pen. After a few cycles you should see the converter fill most of the way. 6. Reassemble the pen and wipe off the nib Take the pen out of the ink and wipe the excess ink from the nib using a towel. Then reassemble the body of the pen. 7. Start writing And you’re done! Your pen is now filled with bottled ink and is ready to write just like it was before with a cartridge. And next time you run out of ink, just repeat the process listed here to refill your pen. (If you are using the same ink you may not need to clean out your pen, however if you change to a different colour you will want to clean out your pen again to prevent the inks mixing) Congratulations on filling your fountain pen with bottled ink! Now a whole new world of inky goodness has just opened up to you. So go! Explore, write or draw with your new found fountain pen ink.

Why You Should Convert To Bottled Ink - Honest Paper

Why You Should Convert To Bottled Ink

The journey to bottled ink may seem like a challenging one, but don’t be afraid! It’s a very rewarding addition to your fountain pen world and an easier leap than you might think. Bottled ink expands the way you can use your fountain pens, and lets you get even more from their unique writing experience. For starters, by moving to bottled ink, the range of colours available to use with your fountain pen increases. Most pen manufacturers only make ink cartridges for their basic colours. Moving into using converters with bottled ink allows you to use their full range. Even more importantly is that you can now use bottled ink from any fountain pen manufacturer, a converter allows you to use ANY bottled fountain pen ink. Check out our other blog here for how to fill a fountain pen using a converter. (Note: Fountain pen ink is different to calligraphy ink, make sure the ink suitable for fountain pens. Calligraphy ink isn’t water based and will prevent your pen from writing) Another great advantage to bottled ink is that you no longer have to worry about running out of ink cartridges. Bottled ink comes in 30-50ml bottles, which gives as many as 100 refills per bottle. This means you're far less likely to get stuck with a pen which has just run out of ink. (Think about all the plastic you’ve just saved too!) On top of all of that, the world of bottled ink is just as deep and interesting as that of fountain pens. There are inks that are multi-shaded, inks that have metallic sparkles in them, inks that are watery or thicker, inks that blend colours and change as you write. The journey to finding your perfect ink is just as fun as finding your perfect pen. So welcome to the beginning of your bottled ink journey. There are almost as many inks to try as there are things to write about. So take the leap and expand the way you write and create, with bottled ink.   

Fountain Pens vs. Calligraphy Pens - Honest Paper

Fountain Pens vs. Calligraphy Pens

Not all fountain pens are calligraphy pens, and not all calligraphy pens are fountain pens. The style of writing a fountain pen will produce is found a) in your individual writing style and ability and b) the type of nib it has. Most fountain pens are fitted with a rounded nib and are available in extra fine, fine, medium or broad sizes. It is important to note that, while the broader the nib the thicker the line size, this doesn’t necessarily correlate to line variation or calligraphic effect. Read more on line variation… If you are determined to achieve a more flourished, calligraphic writing style, try a fountain pen fitted with an italic nib. Also known as a ’stub’ these have a flat tip, sometimes angled, and are available in varying widths. Words by: Ben GrahamImage Source: https://www.lamy.com/en/lamy-nib-guide/

Line Variation with Fountain Pens - Honest Paper

Line Variation with Fountain Pens

Line variation refers to how much of a difference you can get in line thickness from a nib.  While the majority fountain pen nibs are not designed for calligraphy or ‘flexing’ some nibs still have a certain amount of expression to them. This is because when you are writing and applying pressure to the pen on the page, it can force the tines of the nib slightly further apart, causing a wider line. While this effect can be desirable, it should be noted that you should be very careful in how much pressure you put on your nibs, because if you press too hard the tines will be permanently bent and ruin the nib. Experimenting with your nibs expression is something you should only do when you are already comfortable with your pen, and understand how it writes. Then, slowly try applying very little pressure on the down strokes of your writing to see if your nib has any expressiveness. *note that line variation in standard fountain pen nibs will only be possible on the down stroke of your writing. Some nibs, such as ‘stub nibs’ or ‘italic nibs’ get their line variation from having different shaped tips. Their variation comes from the direction of writing. Stub nibs tend to be more rectangular with rounded edges, giving line variation from side to side, and italic nibs are rectangular with a sharper edge, allowing for great variation between side to side and vertical writing strokes. Words by: Ben Graham

Fountain Pen FAQ's - Honest Paper

Fountain Pen FAQ's

Are fountain pens easy to use? Even with their exquisite appearance, delicate and shiny nibs, fountain pens are perfect for elevating your everyday writing experience. Often confused as a ‘calligraphy pen’ or a ‘dip pen’, rest assured they are neither as tricky or messy as those!   Can I learn calligraphy using a fountain pen? Not all fountain pens are calligraphy pens, and not all calligraphy pens are fountain pens. So, the answer is only sometimes, and more specifically with the correct nib type and some practice. Read more…   What is line variation? Line variation refers to how much of a difference you can get in line thickness from a nib. Read more…   Are fountain pens dip pens? No, fountain pens aren’t designed to be dipped. Fountain pens contain an ink reservoir, which are designed to be refilled using either a converter or a pre-filled disposable ink cartridge. Unlike dip pens, fountain pens are self contained and typically capped, so you can easily carry it with you and make use of it every day.   Are fountain pens okay for left-handed writing? Yes, there are nibs designed for left-handed writers. For example, the Lamy left-handed nib which is slightly oblique, making it ideal for left-handed writers who frequently tilt their hand when writing. As another option, left-handed writers can try a finer nib for a speedier dry time to avoid ink smear.   How do I clean my fountain pen? For converter and cartridge filled fountain pens, simply disassemble your pen and wash each piece through with water.For a simple clean: Disassemble your fountain pen into 4 parts - lid, body, feed (with nib attached) and remove the cartridge or converter. Under the tap, run a slow stream of water into the feed so that it trickles through the nib on the other side. Do this until it runs clear. Wash the other parts with water, then set everything aside and allow to dry. Reassemble. For a more thorough clean, you can remove the nib and clean it with water as well (please note that not all fountain pens are designed to do this).   How often should I clean my fountain pen? It’s common to clean you pen between changes of ink colour, mainly to avoid colours mixing. Troubleshooting: If you leave your fountain pen idle, with ink inside, over an extended period of time you may find writing to become scratchy or even impossible. In this case, ink may have dried in the feed, blocking ink flow. Try cleaning your fountain pen throughly, re-ink it and then attempt writing again.   Pictured: Bespoke Letterpress Writing Pad, Lamy Safari Fountain Pen in White.

Introduction To Fountain Pens - Honest Paper

Introduction To Fountain Pens

I remember my first time picking up a fountain pen. I was expecting little more than a complicated writing experience, laced with the disappointment that I wasn't worthy of something so fancy. To my surprise the writing experience was not only a simple one, but one that left me inspired to continue to write and explore in this new world of pens. As writers and stationery lovers, we all enjoy the special connection we have to our craft and hobbies. To pick up our favourite notebook, sip our favourite tea and to simply enjoy. This is true regardless of our crafts, whether it's writing novels, poetry, journaling, note taking or simply our daily to-do list. The connection from person to pen to paper is one that is unique to each Individual, and one that leads to our unique writing styles. Finding your own rhythms and patterns in writing furthers our journey into creativity and our enjoyment within it. Fountain pens offer a different approach to writing, their nibs allowing for ink to flow uninhibited from the pen onto the paper. This gives a writing experience like no other, one where you guide the ink as your write. So next time you're in Newcastle, why not take the time to come into Honest Paper, to find and explore the world of fountain pens. It is far less complicated than you might expect and it can be deeply rewarding. I constantly am finding myself inspired when I uncap my fountain pen, ready to see where the paper will take me. Now go forth and write! Enjoy and explore the way that only you can communicate. Dig deep into your love of the bespoke and the artisanal, and most of all, create! Words by: Ben GrahamPictured: Milligram Journal in Beige, Lamy Al-Star in Graphite, Lamy Blue-Black Ink  

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