How Do You Store Your Pens?

[subbu68]

Had been reading on the net to store the pens in upright position to prevent leaks etc. Then why the flat pen cases that store the pens in horizontal position than something you stick your pens in vertical position?

 

I currently use the cases that came with the pens and are lying flat in my bureau.

[j.a.j.]

Laying flat is completely ok on desk – at least in my understanding. Only exception is eye dropper pens which should in theory benefit from laying nib up – still i store mine horizontally.

 

If you carry a pen in pocket, briefcase etc. laying nib up prevents some trouble.

[BrandonA]

I never store my pens upright and have never had a problem.

 

When I'm transferring a pen I usually have them nib up as this they fit into the MB leather pouches

[discopig]

They're lying flat in a 24-pen case I have in my desk.

[trdsf]

'How' is not so great a problem for me as 'where'

 

Most of mine are sitting upright in glass bowls or repurposed coffee cups; the desk sets are on the desk in the living room.

 

This is a really useful thread; I was going to whip out the ol' knitting needles and make a wall hanging/storage piece, and vertical vs. horizontal is something I hadn't decided yet.

[LamyOne]

Hello Subbu68,

 

There is a key difference: pens should never be stored with ink in them.

 

For the pens that you are using, it doesn't really matter; it is basically personal preference; especially if you use the pen regularly. If you will not be using the pen for more than a couple of days, then it should be stored vertically, so the ink doesn't pool around the feed, leading to a quicker formation of clogs down the road.

 

Best regards,

 

Chris

Edited October 4, 2014 by LamyOne

[inkstainedruth]

My inked pens are stored nib up -- generally either in small pen cases in my purse (I have two outer pockets partly protected by the straps, which are the perfect size and depth for the cases) or, at home, in a canister on the shelf where I keep most of my pen stuff.

Clean pens not in rotation (and pens that need to be repaired) go into some inexpensive fake leather zipper cases that hold 24 pens each.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[sirgilbert357]

Hmm, I guess I need to re-think things then. Mine are vertical in my backpack on my way to and from work, but once I get there, they are usually horizontal. I guess it's not a huge deal, as I've had no leaks yet and I generally use each one a little bit throughout the day, but I guess I should keep them upright more. I would like to try to just use one pen a week or until it runs out of ink, but I just love to switch it up during the day...

[ac12]

If it does not leak, don't worry.

As for the,nib up, nib down, horizontal, there are issues and reasons for everything.

- For convenience my pens are in a cup. And the only way it can be is vertical, nib up or down. Because the cap is usually larger than the body, the cap is usually UP, thus the nib is up also. If you don't use the pen for a while, the nib can dry out.

- My desk pens in the desk sets are all nib DOWN. The nib does not dry out, but the ink can increase in concentration, and the color can approaches black. If left too long, it could probably then clog with the thicker concetrated ink in the feed.

- I store my Lamy joy horizontal. Because that prevents the air bubble in the converter from moving to the front of the converter when stored nib up (as I used to store it). The cap+clip is rather large, so I don't store it nib down.

- This same ink converter issue/problem makes me have to tap the converter/pen when I take a nib up pen from my pen cup. An air bubble has formed/moved to the front of the converter, surface tension is keep the ink at the back of the converter, and is preventing the ink from touching the feed. So the pen will either not write, or run dry once the ink in the feed has been exhausted.

- If your pen has a silicone ink sack, it should be stored nib UP. Store it nib down, and you could get a small ink drip from the nib.

- If you travel, nib up is probably the preferable, to reduce the chance of ink spitting out of the nib into the cap, due to vibration and shaking.

- If the pen is subject to temp and air pressure change, then nib up, to keep the ink away from the nib, to reduce spitting or burping.

 

ps, as was mentioned, this is for pens that are in use. True storage, requires the pen to be emptied and cleaned, or you develop other problems.

Edited October 6, 2014 by ac12

[lmarine0510]

Here's my rack of my currently inked pens on my desk. Scored this thing for $1.99 off eBay a while back. When I'm carrying pens around in my pants pockets, I actually use a pocket protector that is designed for a shirt pocket so they stay upright and isolated from other loose items in my pockets. http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k457/lmarine0510/58090875-8CE7-4C05-92ED-740071C8BCEC_zps5buf9bxh.jpg

[Mezzie]

Like others said, I keep mine nib up in transit, but once I get to work, they're horizontal on my desk. I do use all my pens frequently enough to have to refill them each at least once a week, so storage isn't much of an issue.

[subbu68]

I changed the way I store. (I'm the OP of this thread)

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/275597-now-i-store-like-this/

Edited October 7, 2014 by subbu68

[Tas]

Oooo, a new one today.

 

An upturned Caran d'Ache Chromatics box lid. It even has foam padding at the bottom for a soft landing . . .

[Sasha Royale]

I store in zipped cases, with elastic loops. Each holds 48 pens. I stand them in a book case.

[georges zaslavsky]

when not used they are uninked, each in their pen pouch or if not in their box and hidden in my drawers

Edited November 14, 2014 by georges zaslavsky

[setriode]

I presently have four cigar boxes with a kitchen towel lining. Next week I will take delivery of some tray inserts from Go Pens. This will sit on a wad of cotton wool in each box. Four boxes aren't enough and I will need to buy a few more cigar boxes because several pens remain in boxes and pouches. I would like to see them all neatly arranged in boxes.

[CSG]

I keep one pen, a family heirloom, uninked in a box in the safe. A few of the cheapies (like Pilot Varsitys) are in a couple nightstand drawers. The 4-5 I use regularly are in a cocobolo pencil cup I've owned for 30 years. That sits on a living room end table (which is next to where I do most of my business). Having retired long ago, my office is the sofa and dining table (for letters, notes, and such).

 

I don't have a collection to speak of, just a few Varsitys, two Pilot Metropolitans, and four better pens.

Edited November 14, 2014 by CSG