Dry Fountain Pen: Ink Not Coming Out? - This Quick Fix Will Work Every Time

[@user-kx5es4kr4x]

I tried sqweezing it, with my fingers, it didnt work, so i tried with my teeth.. BIG MISTAKE, it backfired and at the back, the ink came out, i washed my mouth, but i have now a blue tooth

[@onepenshow]

Oh no! Thanks for telling though

[@Madara2B]

man i got mad, when i squeezed to hard and craked the cartrige, might still work, but god damn bo, its INK.

[@lovish2891]

😂😂

[@BrendanMcGinley]

Sweet, now you have a smart pen connected with Bluetooth.

[@babyblueagle]

@@BrendanMcGinley genius! 😂

[@happysawfish]

The thing about fountain pens is this: they are ADDICTIVE. Once you start enjoying one, you are introduced to a world previously unknown. You can collect different ones, different filling mechanisms, and learn the wonders of filling from ink bottle. Then one day you see a shining Mont Blanc, or a Waterman, Schaeffer, Parker, Pelikan, and you go 'whoa' . . .

[@bravofighter]

What got me was my mother’s pens…she always got these super flexible nibs that would flow more ink with a little light pressure. Her writing is always so lovely and flowing, with letters that widen and narrow like calligraphy in natural script.

[@carolinewithers1647]

I lived in Germany when I was a kid. We were required to write in fountain pens. Kids are pretty innovative. Holding the nib under warm water (yes, take out the cartridge) will clean out the pen too. The last resort is taking the nib apart. But aa a kid I wasn't too scared to do that either! Glad you reminded me of the things I had learned by experienced

[@jessedavidschell6492]

Great ideas for keeping your fountain pen working. A few which I use: 1. I always flush a brand new fountain pen with water before I ink it up. This removes any oil residual from the nib manufacture. Even a tiny bit of oil can clog the works. 2. I always flush the pen when I either refill the converter or change ink colour. The best tool for this is a bulb syringe (used for cleaning ears and/or for babies). 3. I use only quality inks which are water-based. Not all inks behave well in every pen and it’s a trial by error method to find what is best for each pen. Inks with additives for sheen or metallic flecks can clog the feed. 5. Never tap the tip of the nib onto a hard surface to get the ink to flow. This may very well damage the nib.

[@onepenshow]

That last one is very true. Thanks for adding your tips, I've pinned it.

[@Ethericrose]

I couldn't understand why my brand new, quite expensive, Parker Fountain Pen wouldn't work at all (a birthday gift to myself .) I purchased it 4 years ago and I was incredibly sad that I couldn't use it so in the end it just sat in the pen holder in my Bureau. I never even thought about flushing the nib and tip with lukewarm water, yet it makes so much sense to do just that. Four year's of not being able to use my beautiful pen and now I'm using it for the first time and it writes like silk. Thank you. 😊

[@randomcow505]

do you know why oil based ink for fountain pens is not a thing? surely it would be very usefull to have since it wouldent dry out

[@shawnoconnors3645]

@@randomcow505 I think it's because its a solution to a problem which creates another one : - It doesn't dry out so won't clog your pen (YAYYYY!!!!) - Never dries on paper while you're writing or takes days to dry completely to avoid smudges --> useless for writting :)

[@veronica1070]

I washed my clogged nib and it writes so smoothly!! Thank you so much, it probably had a bit of oil

[@stum99]

Top tips indeed...managed to resurrect two Waterman fountain pens that had long given up working. Thanks so much!

[@paigec1732]

Thank you SO MUCH!!! My dad and I collect fountain pens- It was a shame when they "stopped working", but now I've fixed the issue thanks to you!!!

[@onepenshow]

Happy to help and nice to hear that you are collectors as well! Keep it up.

[@iswish_41]

You collect fountain pens and do not know how to maintain them? This doesn’t make sense lol

[@steveh1792]

@@iswish_41 Folks have to start somewhere. It's more fun if you get to learn how to maintain them, if you didn't know how before.

[@lollyriley3430]

@@iswish_41 I now have the time to use and collect pens, you have to start somewhere.

[@martinlanigan803]

Just flush out pen with pen flusher cleans all old gunk out pen

[@roderickfemm8799]

These are some good tips, thanks. An alternative that has worked well for me, before I try to push ink into the feed, is to just hold the nib and feed for a few seconds in an inch of water, maybe swish it around a little, until you can see ink drifting into the water. This washes any dried ink out of the nib and the feed, where most dried ink problems live, and gets the ink flowing again. This has worked very well for me. You shouldn't have to throw away a cartridge before it's used up.

[@onepenshow]

Yes that is absolutely correct. I agree, good tip.

[@lindasue8719]

Thanks for this tip!

[@joshuawilliams5213]

This is the best way I have found. Just a quick dip in water and it usually works right away. Does not work with some permanent inks and some troublesome ones.

[@dintoons1]

Absolutely right! Simple n easy. I always carry a little bottle of water in my pocket. Works like a charm :)

[@d33p345]

i use a wet tissue, the capillary action pulls ink out nicely

[@dibopls4173]

Thank you so much !! I almost throw away my fountain pen but thank god i was clever enough to search for solution and found your video !

[@onepenshow]

Happy you found it and you're welcome! If you want more tips for cleaning your pens, be sure to subscribe

[@stevenbarwin3559]

Thank you for the education! So frustrated with my Montblanc but now I’ve got it working smoothly again!

[@magirusdeutzjupiter2234]

Thank you, best advice for ages. My 2 parker pens of high quality ceased to work, after washing, because not used for 4 years, now they work perfect, I will now subscribe 👍

[@reidclifton1]

thank you. i had a pen i've had for 20 years or so now and i have the original carts for it too. its not super expensive, but your video helped me to bring it back to life. i can't thank you enough

[@cdtaylor7732]

Hallelujah! I have been working for hours on a pen that I had forgotten in a drawer a year ago. Tried everything but the water trick. I let it soak for a bit and then dried it off like you recommended. A few strokes after and it was off and going again! Thank you!

[@sarahshah4298]

This is so worth it!!! Thank you!! I use only fountain pens and sometimes it is so frustrating. Also keeping all your fountain pens nib part down on your work desk, really helps.

[@Shubhangi_Joshi]

Thank you so much for this video 📹 My fountain pain was not working since 2 year's I have tried your methods and it's working now Thanks to you 😃🙏

[@gutfinski]

In fountain pens, surface tension of the ink has as much effect as the density of water versus air. If having a problem, use a very small amount, one drop at the most, of Jet-Dry or other dishwasher anti-streaking additive in 10 mL of water, and, in turn, one drop of that mixture in your converter or re-filled cartridge along with the fill of ink.

[@sassylrhg]

omg! that truly makes sense! Im gonna try this! THANK YOU!

[@manojnaik1351]

I bought a parker pen almost 3 year ago ( brand new not working) thank you so much for this video, it really helped.👍

[@virgsimp]

Back into making greeting cards, so dug out my old pens and it was a no go. Ordered new cartridges and still no go. Thank goodness for KZbin. Brilliant. Thank you Very Much.

[@moha0nar]

I haven’t uesd mine (Pilot) in over 2 years changed the cartridge and left it downside for days and didn’t work but the moment I watched the first 3 minutes and squeezed it .. it worked again!!! Thanks man!!

[@Rebecca-qf7is]

Thank you for this! I was trying to revive my old fountain pen and was having issues, your tricks work.

[@onepenshow]

Glad it helped!

[@flashladderacrobat]

Thanks so much , I just revived my Parker pen, it was totally dry , now it works fine. Dank je wel ! Thanks !

[@onepenshow]

Graag gedaan - What Parker do you have?

[@SusanLMcGee]

Dude, that was amazing!!! I have had my fountain pen on the shelf for a year because I couldn’t find out what was wrong with it. After one squeeze of the refill cartridge, it started working again. Thanks so much. No one at the stores where I live knew how to help me.

[@onepenshow]

Love it, you're very welcome. That's why all the stores go bankrupt! The internet provides better help. Just kidding of course

[@ZakiaJ]

Waited for the ink to flow down for 10 minutes. Saw this video and squeezed the cartridge and boom. It works. Thank you!

[@diyajdili2501]

My new Parker fountain pen was not working and I was so disappointed. I tried many tips but none of them worked. Finally, I lost all hope in that pen and almost threw it away. Then I saw this video and tried the water method. It really worked. Now, my pen is writing smoothly with no problem. I'm so happy. Thank you so much.

[@nyasa5362]

I recently just bought the EXACT same Parker pen you own, the good looking one, and I was looking for ways to solve the dry ink issue. This helped soo much THANKS!

[@FrontNationaal]

10 years ago I gave myself a Parker fountainpen. After a year it dried up and lay in the drawer till an hour ago... Thanks for the soaking tip. Its back and working like new!!

[@onepenshow]

That is awesome! Glad it was helpful and enjoy your pen.

[@histologytheart1430]

Thank you for saving me 4 years 😂. My dad loved pens, he gifted me a black Lamy and some Mont Blanc. I’ve been struggling with the Lamy for a while now. Was so frustrated. I washed it now and it’s working like a charm 😍

[@edenyan7237]

‘I didn't know’, excatly, because for most of the time, people use ballpoint pens those pens never need to clean. It is nice of you to make this vedio and show players whom newly find interest in fountain pens that pen needs to clean once every one to three month. Seriously, a lot of people don't know this because we are not in 1970's, with smart phone and PC, we really don't use fountain pens that often anymore. Cool vedio. :)

[@abhishekrajtomar9360]

you sir, are a saviour. Thanks a ton for keeping things straight to the point. :)

[@yourstruly6517]

Dude this was so helpful- Im trying to get into drawing with fountain pens and this was so helpful for thank u

[@Ishiisan]

thanks for this tip! I finally got my montblanc fountain pen my grandmother gave me 25 years ago

[@oldschoolpanini5021]

your personality is golden, thanks for the help!

[@giantidiot31]

My grandparents buy me one very nice fountain pen per year on special occasions (usually my birthday). A lot of them have never been used or had ink put in them just because I don't want them to dry out, but the first one I ever got is very special to me and I use(d) it all the time. It's a Waterman Paris "Expert Essential Black Fountain Pen GT". I used it for most of high school, college, and for the finer details of my drawings. I stopped for a while and tried to get back in to drawing 2-3 days ago, but the pen was dried up. I squeezed the cartridge, a drop of ink came out and I was able to write semi-smoothly for a few lines before it stopped. Thank you so much for such a simple solution. Most of the "cleaning tutorials" I watched before this were using pliers to pull things apart, using acid baths, using stir bars and hot plates. While it was effective, it seemed so barbaric/harsh on the metals in and on it. I plan on using this pen for a very long time. So this method seems to be perfect for me. Thanks a million, my man!

[@LolaS19]

Thank you SO MUCH! I've had a fountain pen for over a year - could NOT get the dang thing to write! Your simple hints have me writing happily now with my pretty fountain pen! P.S. Got some ink-stained fingers in the process, but it was totally worth it!

[@onepenshow]

Welcome to the ink-stained-finger club then - and appreciate the kind comment Esther

[@lijojohnkidarathil]

Thank you for this, my fountain pen finally worked!

[@skwervin1]

Any pen I haven't used for a while, I do the water trick just in case any ink got left behind or dried in the feeder. Also, a good thing to do is if you are changing ink colour, hold the nib and feeder assembled under a slow running tap after you have removed the cartridge and tried to use up any remaining ink first. When the water coming out of the nib runs clear, tap the nib on a piece of paper towel to drain out any water. If there is still colour in the water on the towel, put it back under the tap again. It should only need a minute or so. Try to direct the water where the cartridge will attach so it goes through the whole system. When no more ink or only a tiny amount is on the clean paper, carefully dry the assembly so you don't leave fibres behind, then attach the cartridge. Scribble a little bit as usually the first word or so may be lighter as there might be a tiny bit of water sill in the feeder. If you REALLY want to get ALL the water out, you can blow gently in through the cartridge hole and you will see it form on the nib where it can be drawn off with tissue or paper towel before attaching the ink filled cartridge or adapter.

[@janetjones3129]

Thanks so much! I recently got a fountain pen and this was very helpful. I never had to write with fountain pen in school, but now I wish they had made us, at least know how to use one!

[@Energy-doctor]

Thanks just fixed my pen and very pleased. 🙏🏽

[@ExecutiveZone1]

DUDE you are like a Genie!!! thank you SOOO much!!!! LOL @ when you are cleaning the pen "if you dont take the cartridge out... well youll see"

[@onepenshow]

Haha yeah not so clever...

[@colinbramer5531]

I swear just watching this video cleans out the dry ink from my pen, thanks for this.

[@homerana6490]

Thank you for that long conversation And you saved my pen's life

[@oscarpalaciosruiz]

Thank you! Squeezing the cartridge did the trick for me.

[@alicealison6048]

Thank you! Finally understand how to get the dry ones working again. Super helpful. Was about to give up on these special pens.

[@kamiyakaoro5182]

I'm so happy!I'm glad I came across this video. My fountain pen is really working now. I was anxious I thought I couldn't use this anymore cause I haven't used this for months. It was a gift from my friend in London.

[@susanmoses4488]

I could not get a pen that I love and treasure (a gift from a special person) to work. I tried everything. I was really upset about it. I found your video today and tried your trick and it worked! I appreciate this very much.

[@onepenshow]

Susan, that's great, I'm glad it helped and you're treasured pen is back in working order

[@tcoleman3921]

IT WORKED!!!!! Pushing cartridge worked!!!!!@@@@@. Thank you@@@@@@@!!!!!!

[@desmondwatson829]

Great tried the water and squeezing the cartridge Worked beautifully . Thankyou

[@leynieraragon9417]

you've been so helpful! IM BEYOND GRATEFUL that you saved my pens!

[@andremation]

“Do this once a month” Me, with my fountain pen I found on the ground 2 years ago and have never cleaned: heh...yea right

[@onepenshow]

Same here, I always forget, but now I know what to do when I've postponed for too long.

[@kasvinimuniandy4178]

ahahhahahahhahah~~~~~ me too!!!!

[@babycakes3737]

I am so excited to try cleaning mine. Its frustrating when I'm trying to write and it won't write, even after i put a new ink cartridge in it. I have 5 pens and currently only 1 has ever worked. Thank you!

[@HandcraftedCurio]

All the tricks were so helpful. I tried the last one with warm water. Worked really well. Thank you.

[@onepenshow]

You're welcome, and happy to hear it.

[@ljubitza8501]

Thank you for this video ! It worked for me ; I was almost buying a new pen, but didn't need to at the end 🙂

[@cherylcollier4662]

So appreciate the information you shared in this video. I've been struggling with getting a smooth consistent flow of ink.

[@VroomVroom-v1f]

Yay!!!!!! It worked. The third idea worked for me...thankyou ☺️

[@sylvanaoktavia920]

yaaaay! It finally works! Thank you! Gonna go and keep journaling😊

[@adelecondron-king2365]

Best tips of ALL for my :'no flow" LAMY......Working BRILLIANTLY now Thank you !!!!

[@onepenshow]

glad it's helped,

[@jimschmidt1199]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Have a rather expensive Parker, would hardly write. Soaked the nic and works beautifully!

[@munjeartgallery964]

It actually worked.... thank you

[@fletacosta4701]

Thank you so much. I recently started using fountain pens. I have never used them before. I'm learning how to write and I thought I couldn't write properly. Thanks for the vedio. Hope I can fix it

[@onepenshow]

I hope it helps and you're welcome Fleta.

[@nuranbilalaoglu8423]

Thxs so much you saved my life and my fountain pen actually worked

[@Avery_Rafn2011]

Thank you so much my fountain pen now works thanks to you buddy

[@DH_Artist]

Throwing it out of frustration fixed mine, and it’s working now

[@lollyriley3430]

Thank you so much, I did the cleaning in water on a pen that I had given up on, a much loved pen, and it now writes beautifully.

[@gurukirubakaranpgii1712]

Thank you sir. It is best way. My pen is writing smoothly and elaborately.

[@vanessashelly1083]

Thank you so much, my fountain pen is fixed now. I was so sad that it stoped working and then i found your video. Thank you so much

[@nayarasillva]

It's worked for me. I have a fountain Mont blanc that I have never used. I decided to use and was dry 😪. Finally works with the first tip. Thanks

[@onepenshow]

Excellent, Mont blancs are excellent pens

[@TrainTracker911]

Thank you for the cleaning tips. I own a couple of Sheaffer Snorkel pens and my wife has a Mont Blanc fountain pen, Sure will be nice to keep them operational after cleaning.

[@mauodias]

I once bought a fountain pen because I thought it was cool and wanted something fancier to write. First few times were fantastic, much more than I expected, and it really added a layer of pleasure on writing that I didn't expect. However, it lasted for a few pages, and since then I couldn't use the pen anymore. I was about to give it away but found your video. You saved it! I cannot thank you enough!

[@americapink1]

Thank you was able to fix my pen in a jiffy. Back to writting now

[@onepenshow]

Great to hear, enjoy

[@ohaninha]

THANK YOU! It works! Finally i can use my fountain pen again

[@karensmit1894]

Greeting from South Africa. Love your accent! In hard starts i just take out cartridge and dip tip into cartridge opening few seconds. Or dip nib in water few second wipe and good to go. Works every time. Cartridges are sometimes too hard to press. Fpens are so expensive here due to $/R exchange. Regards

[@lollipopoplolli]

My new Kaweco arrived yesterday and I was devastated. One nib does not work, no ink flow. I communicated with the customer service, and still waiting for their response. I was determined to return the item. And I found this! And now, I am one happy soul. Thank you.

[@haripriyad5169]

Thankyou,it worked

[@abie4063]

Thank for sacrificing a pen to show this. It helped a lot!

[@edgaraquino2324]

Many thanks!...was able to get my pens going using your tips...subbed!!

[@onepenshow]

Fantastic!

[@adolfovasquez7495]

Thank you, you’re tips worked like a charm! I’m back to writing with my favorite fountain pen.

[@smokeyquartz7]

your tip on placing it in water fixed it instantly thanks!!

[@onepenshow]

Glad it helped!

[@rayanbouhadiba4061]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! This actually worked and so many other videos didn't work once again thank you

[@oioiartist]

first one worked thankyou ✊

[@industryrule-4080]

Damn, I had given up on my Lamy Safari after numerous cleanings and still not writing. The cartridge squeeze brought my pen back to life! Thanks!

[@aren7138]

THANK YOU

[@hariprasath.p5473]

Thank you so much😃

[@catherinehrabar1273]

Thanks so much - got my Waterman working beautifully again...

[@31leoceara]

When I haven't used a specific fountain pen in a long time and it's ink cartridge has dried out (the water of the ink has evaporated), I just insert some water in the cartridge with a syringe. Then I clean the pen with water, put the cartridge back and voilá, it's working again.

[@nataliamedina2577]

Thanks your trick worked! I love fountain pens too also my ballpoint pens too

[@onepenshow]

I'm glad it did. I appreciate any good pen as well. Cheap ballpoints though ...

[@_gorezone_]

Thank you! Just helped me revive a pen I hadn't used in a few years. I even considered just buying a new one. Subscribing now!

[@susanharris5930]

Thanks so much. I have my favorite pen back. I tried soaking it. But, this time used warmer - not hot - water, let it soak for longer and after soaking, filled the soaked part with a little water and blew through it to push the warm water out the end. I did this several times to make sure the liquid was flowing again and I have my pen back. 🥰

[@onepenshow]

Glad it helped!

[@ariixlrq]

My most favourite pen was out of ink.. and it was only one in the store and this idea helped me, thank you.

[@ScarletRed.]

Thank you! I put it in a glass of distilled water took quite a few rinse’s to get it completely clean. ☺️

[@Aspsychotherapy]

This water trick worked like magic! Thank you so much!

[@agares4850]

thank u so much😭❤ I recovered my fav pen

[@jashankbabu9189]

Thanks a ton buddy . i was trying to fix this problem for 5 years. when my new Kawece was not working i thought there is something wrong .. :) fixed it atlast

[@rbf100]

With some pens another trick is to fill an ear syringe with water, place it where the cartridge is inserted and squeeze the water out of the syringe. That will dislodge any old ink clogging the pen. That will work even when a simple soaking in water does not totally do the job.

[@OneRedOnion]

I enjoyed this video very much, thank you for making it. I have to say that I knew everything you said, but you were so genuine that I watched to the very end. I've been using fountain pens probably longer than you have been alive and I'm delighted to see a surge of new users pretty much across the world. Please forgive me for being so forward, but you're delightful to listen to and your honest enthusiasm shows. Subscribing because I want to watch more of your stuff. - roc

[@mareeya7117]

thankyouuu worked a charm on my sailor pen 🥰🥰🥰

[@joseparada4430]

I passed a needle point along the superior feeder channel a few times to increase the flow of ink on a Pilot Explorer. It worked ok for me. Thank you.

[@azlynzzz5]

Thank you so much!! You helped me! 😂 that bugger won't write but inked me all over🤣you're cool!

[@buslady3705]

Thanks. I'll try these tips. Hopefully I can get my pens working. I bought a set at a second hand shop. I don't know how old it is. Luckily, the ink cartridges are not dried out.

[@tanmay7630]

Thanks man you helped me a ton it happened with my new pen

[@niovisantama3130]

Simply washing the pen front worked wonders!! Thank you so much for saving me from an enormous frustration!! Super, it was so useful!!! Thanks again.

[@onepenshow]

Great to hear!

[@saadbalawi1177]

Thanks. That helps me and saved my money