Why do my FPs seem to run dry quickly?

[mjm700]

Wondering if I am doing something wrong or not getting a full refill on my MB fountain pens. I can't really quantify or provide a good measure since I switch pens often but my FPs seem to run dry very quickly. All of my FPs are MB so can't compare by brand.

Rather than try to confirm my experience, it would be great to just hear some of your recommendations on how to ensure you get a good refill and what you do to maintain ink during use -

Do you frequently flush out with warm water when you refill? Anything to be careful of?
Do you dip the nib in the ink to a certain level when filling?
Do you clean the nib a certain way after you refill to avoid loosing too much ink?
Are you diligent about replacing the cap during use?
Any other recommendations or frequent causes of running dry too early?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[jar]

I flush with cool water, not warm.

I insert the full nib and first part of the section in ink when I fill.

I then quickly swipe nib and section under running water and then dry.

I always replace the cap if I will not be writing almost immediately.

[vman]

Originally Posted by jar

I flush with cool water, not warm.

I insert the full nib and first part of the section in ink when I fill.

I then quickly swipe nib and section under running water and then dry.

I always replace the cap if I will not be writing almost immediately.

I do the same. OP, how do you store your pen when not writing?

[Spoonage]

Don't know how much this plays a part but what are your nib sizes. All of my pens are on the fine or medium spectrum. Maybe if you use a more broad nib, you're putting down more ink per stroke and that gives you the impression of running dry faster? How much writing are you doing i.e. couple signatures a day or are you writing full pages?

[mjm700]

Originally Posted by vman

I do the same. OP, how do you store your pen when not writing?

Thanks for the responses and sorry for the delay -

I will switch to cool water rather than warm water. That is different.

I do always replace the cap when not in use but I sometimes will use the pen on a conference call and there are inevitably times when I am just holding the pen and not using it and the cap it not on. Perhaps that has something to do with it.

I store all my pens in a pen case.

Interesting on the nib size. I have a few different ones but I dont think any are broad.

[Spoonage]

What type of ink are you using? How much pressure do you use when you write? Just throwing some things out there.

[mjm700]

Originally Posted by Spoonage

What type of ink are you using? How much pressure do you use when you write? Just throwing some things out there.

MB ink - pressure is an interesting question. I think I apply somewhere close to medium pressure. I try not to put too much pressure on the nib and look for a smooth stroke across the page.

[Spoonage]

Maybe try a different ink? Pressure was only brought up because more pressure causes the times to open more laying more ink...

[JasoninDenver]

I prefer a thinner ink with my Parker and Dupont pens.

Iroshizuku Shin-Kai seems to work best across all pens and nibs.

[johntictoc]

certain inks run wetter. mont blanc nibs tend to be dryer writers.(mont blanc isnt the best in the game) make sure to keep the pen capped. Pilot iroshizuku has some of the wettest inks and i prefer them for finer nibs. good luck

[Formulansx]

Man I tell you what! I don’t understand it at all but, my Narwhal ebonite Nautilus has stayed inked for 2 years or so. Still writes with no problems. Easily on par with Platinum’s slip n seal mechanism.

[daveo5]

I have both, a slip on cap, and a screw down cap. The slip on cap dries up in a relatively short time. The screw on cap stays fluid for a considerably longer period. What do you have?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[jar]

Originally Posted by daveo5

I have both, a slip on cap, and a screw down cap. The slip on cap dries up in a relatively short time. The screw on cap stays fluid for a considerably longer period. What do you have?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Both type caps work equally well is well designed. I have an old Aurora with a slip on cap that can sit unused for months and still start up as nib touches the paper. But I also have so screw cap pens (including a couple MBs) that can be hard starters if not used in just one day.

The biggest issue is the fit and condition of the inner cap.

[IGY]

Originally Posted by mjm700

Do you frequently flush out with warm water when you refill?

After every refill I flush the pen with cool / tepid water. Warm water can distort rubber washers inside the pen. Cool water works just as well provided you don't let ink dry out inside the pen and in this event you might need to use a specialist pen cleaner.

Originally Posted by mjm700

Do you dip the nib in the ink to a certain level when filling?

All the way in without pressing the nib against the ink bottle. Some ink bottles come with a handy cage that helps you get the last drops of ink from a bottle without damaging you nib. See here:
https://www.twsbi.com/products/twsbi...50-ink-bottles

Originally Posted by mjm700

Do you clean the nib a certain way after you refill to avoid loosing too much ink?

No. Just a kitchen towel. You are bound to lose all the ink stuck in the ridges of the nib feed. You could leave some of the ink in the feed if you are going to use your pen immediately.

Originally Posted by mjm700

Are you diligent about replacing the cap during use?

Yes.

Originally Posted by mjm700

Any other recommendations or frequent causes of running dry too early?

Ink choice can play a part. But the biggest factor is the pen itself: how the manufacturer designs and manufacturers the nib and the feed. I find that my Montblanc, Scribo and Namiki will run dry if left upcapped for too long. My Pelikan pens are very resistant to the nib drying out... real workhorses.

Originally Posted by mjm700

Anything to be careful of?

Specialist pen cleaners these can be harsh on your pen if left inside the pen for too long so you need to make sure you read the product use for the pen cleaner. Because ink chemistry varies so much between manufacturers you are best to chose a cleaner produced by the same manufacturer as your ink so that it will be effective. For example, one that I use is Diamine nib cleaning fluid. And I only use this if there is a specific problem, not as a regular thing. This contains ammonia so you definately don't want it sitting around in your pen for too long:
https://www.diamineinks.co.uk/detail.aspx?prodcode=1223

One other suggestion: for general Montblanc pen maintenance check out this German specialist tool maker
https://www.mspens.de/

Hope this helps.

[mjm700]

Originally Posted by IGY

After every refill I flush the pen with cool / tepid water. Warm water can distort rubber washers inside the pen. Cool water works just as well provided you don't let ink dry out inside the pen and in this event you might need to use a specialist pen cleaner.


All the way in without pressing the nib against the ink bottle. Some ink bottles come with a handy cage that helps you get the last drops of ink from a bottle without damaging you nib. See here:
https://www.twsbi.com/products/twsbi...50-ink-bottles


No. Just a kitchen towel. You are bound to lose all the ink stuck in the ridges of the nib feed. You could leave some of the ink in the feed if you are going to use your pen immediately.


Yes.


Ink choice can play a part. But the biggest factor is the pen itself: how the manufacturer designs and manufacturers the nib and the feed. I find that my Montblanc, Scribo and Namiki will run dry if left upcapped for too long. My Pelikan pens are very resistant to the nib drying out... real workhorses.


Specialist pen cleaners these can be harsh on your pen if left inside the pen for too long so you need to make sure you read the product use for the pen cleaner. Because ink chemistry varies so much between manufacturers you are best to chose a cleaner produced by the same manufacturer as your ink so that it will be effective. For example, one that I use is Diamine nib cleaning fluid. And I only use this if there is a specific problem, not as a regular thing. This contains ammonia so you definately don't want it sitting around in your pen for too long:
https://www.diamineinks.co.uk/detail.aspx?prodcode=1223

One other suggestion: for general Montblanc pen maintenance check out this German specialist tool maker
https://www.mspens.de/

Hope this helps.

This is all very helpful. Definitely a few things here to try. Thanks.

A related question - Any rule of thumb on how long is too long to keep ink in a pen without using it? I like to trade off between pens and only have a couple fountain pens. Sometimes I will go several months without using one. How do you know when it is enough to just flush it with water vs using a cleaner.

[jar]

Originally Posted by mjm700

This is all very helpful. Definitely a few things here to try. Thanks.

A related question - Any rule of thumb on how long is too long to keep ink in a pen without using it? I like to trade off between pens and only have a couple fountain pens. Sometimes I will go several months without using one. How do you know when it is enough to just flush it with water vs using a cleaner.

There is no such number. It really is individual to the pen. As long as it starts immediately when you do use it all is fine and if it doesn't then you let it sit too long.

And I've never found it necessary to use a cleaner.

[mongrelnomoad]

My sailors will start immediately after being in a drawer for a year. By far my best performers.