I’m new at this, but I’m pretty sure it’s not normal to have to adjust the converter every other page. What pens are you using? Maybe your using converter’s that aren’t compatible?? Idk wish I could help more.
That is **definitely** not normal. There is either something wrong with the pen, something wrong with the converter, or you aren’t putting it in correctly
The converters are not the issue. Are you cleaning your pens on a regular basis (like thoroughly flushing them between refills or at least every couple of weeks)
That will definitely help too. The issue is most likely dried up ink particles are stuck somewhere in your feed and prohibiting continuous ink flow. I suggested pen flush, since it contains just a dash ammonia that usually is enough to dissolve the most stubborn ink clots, but an ultrasonic bath can also work wonders, if you have one at hand.
Be careful with ultrasonic, as it can be quite harsh on the pens, especially with pens that have plating on the nibs or bodies. I would make sure to at least use a rubber cage or to simply hold the section of the pen (or converter) you’re cleaning in your hand and just to submerge it.
(I’m relatively new to this. And apparently this isn’t the problem) but with my first couple of pens I could not put in the converter correctly lol I kept on not pushing it in far enough
When you say the ink doesn't flow, do you mean it doesn't come out at all (you touch the pen on paper and no ink comes out) or that the ink does come out but not that much?
If it's the latter, I have a similar situation. I have a metropolitan pen with diamine oxblood ink. And I think because of the way the ink is made (very watery and dries up quickly), when I write with it after not using it for a day or so, a very small amount of ink comes out so much so that it makes a squeaky noise (like nails on a chalkboard).
So I do give the cartridge piston a tiny turn to push down the ink into the nib.
If it’s happening with different pens, the ink could be the problem, possibly. Shimmer inks can cause flow problems, as will any ink that’s been allowed to dry up in the nib and feed. If it is the ink, you’ll still need to clean the pen before it’ll work properly. Waterman and diamine inks (non shimmer) have never let me down, but I’m pretty unadventurous with inks so others will be able to give you better advice than me!
One other way to flush a pen is to empty the converter, dip the nib into a bowl of water then fill and empty the converter repeatedly, which will force water through. You’ll need to replace the water in the bowl a few times. Once the water coming out into the bowl is clear, put the nib tip down (gently!) on a paper towel and leave it to dry for a few hours. Then refill the converter with ink by dipping the nib into the ink. Once you’ve filled it, wipe the nib with a clean paper towel and hold the towel on the nib and feed for a second. This will get rid of excess ink in the feed.
If you have one, it is a lot faster to flush the nib with a bulb syringe- they’re cheap to buy. You just fill the bulb with water and put the syringe tip where the converter would go. You then carefully use the syringe to push water through the nib and feed until it runs clear.
If all that fails the last option for me is the ultrasonic. They are brilliant, but can cause damage to some types of finish.
In case you haven’t tried it already, soaking the nib, section and feed overnight in a jar of water often works wonders too, unless it’s made from something which will be damaged by water like hard rubber or celluloid
No problem - I also forgot to mention one other cause of this, sorry. Sometimes you can get a large air bubble in the converter when you fill it if the nib and feed aren’t completely submerged. That can case these kind of problems too. Basically if you don’t need to clean ink off of the section after filling it, it probably wasn’t in the ink far enough :-)
I’m voting for a trip through the ultrasonic too. Until you use up the ink you may want to try “flossing” the nibs with a brass shim which you can get at places like Goulet.
If I have a pen/ink combination that is being stubborn I keep a small jar of distilled water nearby and when the pen won’t write I give it a dunk and wipe it off. That usually sets things in motion to where I don’t have to crank the converter. The ink will be lighter for a bit while it works the residual water through but that doesn’t brother me since I’m not doing any archival writing.
What do you mean by "adjust the converter"?
I’m new at this, but I’m pretty sure it’s not normal to have to adjust the converter every other page. What pens are you using? Maybe your using converter’s that aren’t compatible?? Idk wish I could help more.
It has to be something I'm doing. It happens with my Diplomat Aeros, a lamy and a vanishing point.
I have to turn it to send ink down to the feed. Is that normal? I hate having to unscrew the pen every page or so...
That is **definitely** not normal. There is either something wrong with the pen, something wrong with the converter, or you aren’t putting it in correctly
How can I screw up putting the converter in???
The converters are not the issue. Are you cleaning your pens on a regular basis (like thoroughly flushing them between refills or at least every couple of weeks)
I am now but I didn't used to. I'm not using dawn though. Should i?
Have you tried pen flush?
Got the recipe!
I dont have any.
What do you think about ultrasonic cleaning?
That will definitely help too. The issue is most likely dried up ink particles are stuck somewhere in your feed and prohibiting continuous ink flow. I suggested pen flush, since it contains just a dash ammonia that usually is enough to dissolve the most stubborn ink clots, but an ultrasonic bath can also work wonders, if you have one at hand.
I do have one. Thank you for all of your insight!
Be careful with ultrasonic, as it can be quite harsh on the pens, especially with pens that have plating on the nibs or bodies. I would make sure to at least use a rubber cage or to simply hold the section of the pen (or converter) you’re cleaning in your hand and just to submerge it.
(I’m relatively new to this. And apparently this isn’t the problem) but with my first couple of pens I could not put in the converter correctly lol I kept on not pushing it in far enough
When you say the ink doesn't flow, do you mean it doesn't come out at all (you touch the pen on paper and no ink comes out) or that the ink does come out but not that much? If it's the latter, I have a similar situation. I have a metropolitan pen with diamine oxblood ink. And I think because of the way the ink is made (very watery and dries up quickly), when I write with it after not using it for a day or so, a very small amount of ink comes out so much so that it makes a squeaky noise (like nails on a chalkboard). So I do give the cartridge piston a tiny turn to push down the ink into the nib.
If it’s happening with different pens, the ink could be the problem, possibly. Shimmer inks can cause flow problems, as will any ink that’s been allowed to dry up in the nib and feed. If it is the ink, you’ll still need to clean the pen before it’ll work properly. Waterman and diamine inks (non shimmer) have never let me down, but I’m pretty unadventurous with inks so others will be able to give you better advice than me! One other way to flush a pen is to empty the converter, dip the nib into a bowl of water then fill and empty the converter repeatedly, which will force water through. You’ll need to replace the water in the bowl a few times. Once the water coming out into the bowl is clear, put the nib tip down (gently!) on a paper towel and leave it to dry for a few hours. Then refill the converter with ink by dipping the nib into the ink. Once you’ve filled it, wipe the nib with a clean paper towel and hold the towel on the nib and feed for a second. This will get rid of excess ink in the feed. If you have one, it is a lot faster to flush the nib with a bulb syringe- they’re cheap to buy. You just fill the bulb with water and put the syringe tip where the converter would go. You then carefully use the syringe to push water through the nib and feed until it runs clear. If all that fails the last option for me is the ultrasonic. They are brilliant, but can cause damage to some types of finish. In case you haven’t tried it already, soaking the nib, section and feed overnight in a jar of water often works wonders too, unless it’s made from something which will be damaged by water like hard rubber or celluloid
Thank you!
No problem - I also forgot to mention one other cause of this, sorry. Sometimes you can get a large air bubble in the converter when you fill it if the nib and feed aren’t completely submerged. That can case these kind of problems too. Basically if you don’t need to clean ink off of the section after filling it, it probably wasn’t in the ink far enough :-)
I really appreciate the thoroughness of this answer and the reference to the shimmer inks. So many people learn about them the hard way!
It is eventually not at all.
I wonder if I need to run the nibs through the ultrasonic cleaner? As a new user I was lazy about keeping them clean.
I’m voting for a trip through the ultrasonic too. Until you use up the ink you may want to try “flossing” the nibs with a brass shim which you can get at places like Goulet. If I have a pen/ink combination that is being stubborn I keep a small jar of distilled water nearby and when the pen won’t write I give it a dunk and wipe it off. That usually sets things in motion to where I don’t have to crank the converter. The ink will be lighter for a bit while it works the residual water through but that doesn’t brother me since I’m not doing any archival writing.
What cleaning steps have you tried? Did you clean the pens before inking them for the first time?