Hello all ye pen-repairers and -repairesses out there, I found a useful tool to remove a section, or a blind-cap, or just open a tightly closed ink bottle. The gloves you see in the pictures below are really helpful in all these situations, giving a VERY good grip. I got them from a local building supplier (cost only about €3) and they work like a charm. No more fiddling with pads and stripes. Section pliers will hopefully become a "tool of last resort". (Caution: The occasional applying of dry heat to the barrel might still be necessary, esp. with older/ brittle material.)