Proper Filling Techniques?

[Weiss.ar]

Hello, I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to owning a fountain pen. It seems when I was a young man I received a Pelikan from a family friend and never even knew about it. Twelve years later I found it and did some research to learn how I could start using it. I have not been able to identify the type of fountain pen that it is, but I did learn that it is a piston filled pen.

 

Whenever I dip the nib into the bottle of ink, I (obviously) get ink on the back of the nib (the shiny, smooth part). Even if I wipe the nib with a towel, ink still remains near the crest (if that's the right word for it) and I can't seem to get it off.

 

Are there any good techniques out there to clean your nib after filling it with ink (using a piston)?

 

Thanks for your help, and I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before. I tried the search ability several times but wasn't able to find what I was looking for.

 

Cheers.

[USMCMom]

What ink are you using?

[Weiss.ar]

Higgins non-waterproof drawing ink. I was told it was the correct type of ink for a fountain pen by the owner of an art supplies store.

[Stoneguard]

I don't think you should use that ink, and i dont think that inks for fountain pens

[USMCMom]

I found this video ... perhaps it will help. As for the nib ... the shiny silver side is the front or top. The other side is usually dark and has grooves and is the bottom or back.

 

 

We have a lot of very knowledgeable members here and I'm sure they will be responding to your post as well.

 

Welcome to our big inky family!!

Edited August 12, 2011 by USMCMom

[USMCMom]

I agree ... I don't believe that's the right type of ink for fountain pens, but is used for dip pens.

[Stoneguard]

i just remember reading somewhere that, that ink was bad to fill your pens with

Edited August 12, 2011 by Stoneguard

[USMCMom]

hmm, is that, that india ink? thought it was bad for pens?

 

You don't want to use India ink in fountain pens.

[Nimmireth]

I agree with Stoneguard. I looked up the Higgins ink on dickblick.com and most of their inks are for dip pens, airbrush etc. If it were me, I'd go with a well established brand of ink specific for fountain pens. Two well behaved inks are Waterman and Pelikan. Neither is highly saturated and both are easy to clean.

 

YMMV

[Stoneguard]

Also Weiss.ar i found this thread

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/110888-design-higgins-ink/

 

 

Edit: I second the Waterman ink's, i've been using waterman black in my lamy safari, and it's a excellent ink. i've also ordered the "florida blue" as well.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Stoneguard

[Weiss.ar]

The box says it is for calligraphy pens. If this ink is harmful or bad for my pen, what is a better ink and is the damage already done to my pen? I've seen that video (it's actually how I learned that my pen uses a piston- the box it came in has no instructions nor does it even identify which model the pen is- i can't find it anywhere and believe me I've looked).

 

Thank you for your help.

[USMCMom]

Yes, that ink is for dip pens and you don't want to fill your pen with it. As for getting the ink off the nib of your pen ... help should be here shortly.

[Stoneguard]

I would highly suggest you give it a thorough cleaning, ASAP in my newbie's opinion.

[somnath1077]

The box says it is for calligraphy pens. If this ink is harmful or bad for my pen, what is a better ink and is the damage already done to my pen? I've seen that video (it's actually how I learned that my pen uses a piston- the box it came in has no instructions nor does it even identify which model the pen is- i can't find it anywhere and believe me I've looked).

 

Thank you for your help.

 

Flush your pen with water repeatedly until no trace of ink remains. There are a number of inks that you can use. Pelikan itself has a wide range of fountain pen inks (the 4001 series); there's Waterman, Lamy and lots of other brands. If would help if you posted some photos of your pen.

Edited August 12, 2011 by somnath1077

[OcalaFlGuy]

Weiss.ar that India ink is a mortal wound to fountain pens.

 

I'd doubt if you can get it all out with just Ammonia water.

 

You REALLY NEED some of the Kuh-i-noor Rapido-Eze technical (drafting) pen cleaner.

 

Even then it's probably gonna to take several flushes and soakings. That India ink is wicked stuff.

 

The very best, quickest way would be to use the Rapido-Eze in an ultrasonic cleaner.

 

If you don't have one of those but can procure the Rapido-Eze, get a small disposable plastic cup (not styro) and take it, the pen and cleaner to a local jewelry store. Fill the cup with a couple inches of cleaner/water, put you pen nib down in the cup and have them sonicate the cup for you. The sound waves will pass thru the plastic cup and that way none of the solution gets mixed in their cleaner. I doubt they would even charge you to do that for you. (If you have your own sonicator, this also greatly reduces the amount of pen cleaner you have to use. )

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL-nay nay from Higgins stay away! says the Hunt's snack ink horse

[USMCMom]

From what I've read a moment ago, don't use hot water, but luke warm water and try to wash it off. If you have an old toothbrush, you might have to use it, just don't scrub real hard. It was also stated that if it's too bad, you might have to use the amonia (non sudsing) and water bath.

[Weiss.ar]

I just flushed it and have opened up all the parts to let it air dry. I took two pictures (but i don't have a very sophisticated camera). The pen is about 5 inches long and the nib has a distinct "M" on it. It's a cloudy/smoky grayish color, and is at least 12 years old.

 

I think it might be an old Pelikan M400 but I just got bitten by the fountain pen bug yesterday so I'm not entirely sure my research is accurate.

 

Cheers.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Weiss.ar

[USMCMom]

Rapido-Eze ... that's what I was trying to remember!!

 

Bruce, since he just has it on the nib, do you think soaking it in the Rapido-Eze and gently using an old toothbrush would help, if he doesn't have access to the ultrasonic or a jeweler won't help??

[USMCMom]

Weiss, since you flushed it, do you see any signs of the dreaded Higgins ink left? Nothing comes off on your fingers??

[USMCMom]

Nice looking pen!