How To Use a Fountain Pen

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Most of us find ourselves in everyday situations where we either borrow a pen from someone or lend a pen. When I whisk out my pen to lend to someone, I always get a surprised look when they see it is a fountain pen. 6 out of 10 people will ask me how to use it.

Typically most fountain pens have lids which twist off. Some of these writing implements are designed so that when the lid is screwed onto the other end it provides better balance. So the very first thing that I recommend to novice users is to take the cap off and place it on the other end.

Find a natural and comfortable grip on the body of the pen. It doesn't matter if the pen is plastic, wood or metal. Your grasp should be sturdy but not tight. Once you find a grip that is comfortable check to make sure that the front of the metal nib is viewable to you. This is also described as the front of the nib facing forward. Many people invariably twist the pen nib incorrectly and it then becomes backwards. Since different pen nibs have different designs look for the engraved numbers, or the brand name of the nib. Some nibs have intricate scroll work. These are all signs of the front of the pen nib. Back sides of the pen nibs may be identified by black fins or by hollow concaved areas in the metal. If needed rotate the pen in your writing hand so that the front of the nib is viewable to you.

  ► Front of a fountain pen nib.

Test the fountain pen first on a scrap piece of paper. If the fountain pen hasn't been used for awhile it is possible that it needs to be primed, that is to make the ink flow. There are two different ways this may be achieved. Purists will say that paper towels, tissues and other fibrous wipes leaves behind traces of lint and particles which will clog nib channels. They recommend using a small stream of water to get the ink flowing again. Tilt the pen downward so that the stream of water runs from above the channel and off the nib tip. If water is unavailable a small disposable wipe perhaps a paper napkin, paper towel, or tissue may be used. With this wipe use a downward stroke start from above the channel of the nib and end at the tip. This is done to free any clogs within the channel. Repeat the downward stroke as many times as needed. Using a slightly dampened wipe may provide better results.

Once the ink is flowing you are ready to write. There is something that right-handed people don't realize, left handed writers use a different writing technique with fountain pens. Yes, left-handed people can use fountain pens too! Instead of pushing the nib across the paper, it's more of a pull with a curl of the wrist. It is the same technique that left-handed calligraphers use.

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