Flushing the FP

[MoonDogJerry]

If you are re-filling a FP with the same ink do you usally flush the pen and nib or just re-fill?

[Skullring]

If I am using the same ink I just refill with no flush.

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by Skullring

If I am using the same ink I just refill with no flush.

x2

I only flush/rinse if I'm using a different ink or if I know I won't be inking it up again for a while.

[2careless]

Depends on the ink - if it's iron galled, always a flush, otherwise no flush.

[blackmsport]

same... refill...

[Shangas]

Never fill your fountain pen with iron gall ink. You'll regret it.

If the ink you're refilling the pen with is the same ink as is already in there, then there's no reason to have to flush. Just refill.

If the ink is different, then flush first.

[Lion]

I'm basically pretty new to using fountain pens but if I'm using the same color ink I do not flush it out first!
What is iron gall ink???

[Shangas]

Iron gall ink is a very old-fashioned (I mean that literally. It's been around since medieval times) writing ink. It's made from iron filings, oak galls (hence IRON GALL ink) and acid.

While it's perfectly safe to use with dip pens and quills, it's murder on fountain pens because it would eat away at the pen and the iron filings would clog up the feed and turn your prized fountain pen into a very pretty drumstick.

[Lion]

Shahan, thanx for the education...I appreciate the explanation!!!

[2careless]

There are 2 types of iron gall inks, the older being what was described by Shangas. There is a modern type of iron gall ink that is less acidic but still has ferro-gallic compound in it, e.g. MB blue black, and using this ink requires regular cleaning.

P.S. I'm 100% certain MB Blue black has ferro-gallic contents as this is written in the little note that came with the ink bottles.
They have removed the description of "ferro-gallic" in the new Midnight Blue ink but they still recommended for using "permanent" inks, one has to regularly clean the pen as there can be deposits formed in the feed system, and I infer this means even the new Midnight Blue would still contain ferro-gallic contents.

[SeanTRF]

I don't flush my pens when keeping the same ink in the pen. I keep four pens in my writing rotation so I can have access to different inks without having to take the time to flush out pens.

Sean

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by 2careless

There are 2 types of iron gall inks, the older being what was described by Shangas. There is a modern type of iron gall ink that is less acidic but still has ferro-gallic compound in it, e.g. MB blue black, and using this ink requires regular cleaning.

P.S. I'm 100% certain MB Blue black has ferro-gallic contents as this is written in the little note that came with the ink bottles.
They have removed the description of "ferro-gallic" in the new Midnight Blue ink but they still recommended for using "permanent" inks, one has to regularly clean the pen as there can be deposits formed in the feed system, and I infer this means even the new Midnight Blue would still contain ferro-gallic contents.

Could you elaborate a little on this for a newb please? I have the mark twain filled with the mb ink you described. How often should I flush out the pen? I write with it regularly but still haven't had to fill it (it's my first fp so I don't know how long one filling should last). Could you recommend an different in that isn't ferro-gallic? I love the midnight blue in the mark twain as it suits the theme of the pen. I've been wanting to add a meisterstuck and fill it with black ink....
TIA

[2careless]

Originally Posted by Zed Homme

Could you elaborate a little on this for a newb please? I have the mark twain filled with the mb ink you described. How often should I flush out the pen? I write with it regularly but still haven't had to fill it (it's my first fp so I don't know how long one filling should last). Could you recommend an different in that isn't ferro-gallic? I love the midnight blue in the mark twain as it suits the theme of the pen. I've been wanting to add a meisterstuck and fill it with black ink....
TIA

If you use it regularly then flush it after you finish the ink in the pen. (I'd flush it every 4-6 weeks if you still have ink inside).
The usage of these inks is mostly due to they are "permanent", i.e. not washable.
Noodler has some "bulletproof" inks that are not washable while also non ferro-gallic.

[Zed Homme]

Thanks! I'll check out the noodler inks...

[2careless]

BTW, if you intend to get Noodler's Baystate Blue, make sure you check out all the discussions in FPN about this ink first. Personally I'd stay away from it, but the colour is just fantastic.

[Lion]

Very interesting, MontBlanc gave me a bottle of their blue-black ink. I guess I may not use it if there is a lot of maintenance involved!!!