How Do You "rest" Your Inked Pens?

[kenmc]

All of my current pen rests and holders hold the pens upright. I would like to get a holder that rests the pens horizontally but I'm afraid it will affect the pen's performance after a few days since I've read that inked pens should be upright to allow the ink to drain back into the pen. I was curious as to how you "rested" your inked pens?

[jar]

When not being carried my inked pens sit flat on a desk, no pen rest. In fact in over a half century of using fountain pens I've never had a pen rest.

[kenmc]

When not being carried my inked pens sit flat on a desk, no pen rest. In fact in over a half century of using fountain pens I've never had a pen rest.

Thanks jar! Gee, I didn't think of that option for the poll - sorry. But since you have used them laying flat for 50 years I guess you answered my question.

[jar]

When not being carried my inked pens sit flat on a desk, no pen rest. In fact in over a half century of using fountain pens I've never had a pen rest.

Thanks jar! Gee, I didn't think of that option for the poll - sorry. But since you have used them laying flat for 50 years I guess you answered my question.

 

The important thing is to not leave pens sitting and inked so long that the ink dries inside. I've stuck pens in an old coffee cup or sitting on a desk or in a drawer, but I also make sure never to leave one inked and unused long enough for the ink to dry in the feed channels.

 

How long that is will depend on the pen and ink being used. If the pen is well sealed it can be weeks or even months; if not well sealed it could be days or even just overnight. Each pen will be different, an individual, unique.

[basterma]

If the pen is more than three fourths full, the nib points up. Once its got less than a quarter ink left in it, the nib points down. Some hard starters get stored lying flat, since that seems to ease the starting issues I have with them.

[goldiesdad]

Mine are all nib up either in a cup on my desk or in my traveling pouches in a briefcase.

 

I have a Franklin leather holder I wear around my neck and that pen is always nib up.

[penstuff]

Vertical for me, either at home or in my shirt pocket.

[Gcouch]

I usualy just leave them horizontal, especially if left on my desk. The only times I store them vertically are when they're in my backpack (it has a pen holder) or in my pocket.

[Paddler]

My desk pens are constructed exactly like my other (pocket?) pens. Desk pens are rested vertically, nib down. They are always instantly ready to write at the first touch to the paper. I rest my other pens any way that is handy; they all perform the same way. None have come to harm from my carelessness.

 

The only reason one would make an effort to rest a pen nib up is if the feed doesn't have enough capacity to absorb the ink pushed out by expansion when the pen heats up in one's hand. These are the feeds that don't have the fins on the bottom surface. Many of the older vintage pens are this way. Parker 21s are notorious for chucking up a blob of ink on the page when they warm up. I have an old Sheaffer Vac-Fill Balance that does the same thing. I have to hold it in my hand vertically and warm it for several minutes before writing. Pain in the neck.

[FPFan]

Mine have always been horizontal filled or not. That is unless they are in a shirt pocket. Even one filled with Nano Carbon ink for months at a time, never skips until the cartridge is empty.

[jslallar]

When not being carried my inked pens sit flat on a desk, no pen rest. In fact in over a half century of using fountain pens I've never had a pen rest.

 

 

All the same except my usgae has been considerably shorter than Jar's half century. I can at best claim a little over a quarter of a centiury

[pajaro]

I have been using fountain pens for about 54 years, and I find it makes little difference how the pens arre stored, as long as it is carefully done. Occasionally I have had a pen better stored upside down, because otherwise it seems I had to soak the feed to get the pen started writing again.

[mirosc]

they are just lying on the desk. that's it, no fancy pen rest is necessary for me. (I rather invest the money in pens or inks)

[ImQuagmire]

When at home I store them horizontal otherwise I carry them in a vertical position in my backpack.

Edited October 22, 2012 by ImQuagmire

[Pelikan_FP]

They're either in my shirt pocket or in my carry bag, vertically nib up.

[irrigger]

If it is not in my shirt pocket, it is horizontal in either it's tray at home or on a notepad at work.

[StyloBug33]

I tuck mine in with a soft blankie and sing them a song

 

 

you knew someone had to say it

[BrandonA]

When not being carried my inked pens sit flat on a desk, no pen rest. In fact in over a half century of using fountain pens I've never had a pen rest.

 

Always flat and I don't have any proper pen rests. At work ill rest them on top of either my leather pad or the leather pen case.

 

At home I have a bit of foam padding which came with some crystal glasses - I hollowed out a channel for the pens to fit in.

[JMichael]

I started using fountain pens regularly in the mid-60's. I never knew of storing pens vertically, nib up. They were either in my pocket or horizontal in a desk drawer. It seems they were horizontal most of the time. I inked, used, and never flushed. Never had a problem. Until recently, I used a Parker 75, bought in 1967, with Quink black ink.

[Sasha Royale]

Pens come out of my shirt pocket into an old, felt-lined, leather

dice cup. I think it is from a backgammon game. Nibs up.