A good friend of mine just confessed that she’d inherited a few Montblanc fountain pens that once belonged to her grandfather. “I’ve just inked them, and they write buttery smooth. I’m so lucky,” she said. That’s one of the beauties of taking good care of a fountain pen: enjoying it and then having it passed down to the next generation.
Watches, jewelry, and most fountain pens can last for decades or, in many cases, for generations. But unlike a ballpoint, rollerball, or mechanical pencil, they ask for a little care in return.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, dropping a fountain pen nib-first isn’t the only way to damage a fountain pen. In fact, it takes just a couple of small bad habits that seem harmless at first to slowly wear down your pen over time.
Hoping that you might find it useful, I’ve put together some of the most common mistakes to avoid if you want to keep your fountain pens in good condition without unexpected servicing.
1. Throwing it into your bag with everything else
As tempting and convenient as you might find it, throwing your fountain pen into a bag is a sure way to end up with unwanted scratches all over your beloved companion. Keys, coins or chargers become enemy number one once they start rubbing against your pen. Especially if the pen is made from metal, constant contact with hard objects will eventually leave scratches, dents, and worn edges. Resin or lacquered pens are even more vulnerable.
If you’re carrying a fountain pen around (which I hope you do), keep it in a sleeve, a dedicated pen case, or at least in a separate compartment.
2. Filling it with the wrong ink
Not every ink belongs in a fountain pen. While there were only a handful of options back in the day, today the variety of inks is overwhelming, which makes the decision more and more difficult.
But there are a few inks you should never let your fountain pen feed come into contact with: India ink, calligraphy ink, acrylic ink, and special drawing inks made for completely different tools. Many of these inks contain shellac, pigments or binders that dry inside the feed and can permanently clog the pen. If the bottle doesn’t clearly specify that it is intended for fountain pens, you’re better off skipping it.
There are hundreds of excellent fountain pen inks available (Sailor, Pilot, Scribo and Diamine, to name a few), so there’s simply no reason to experiment and risk permanently damaging your fountain pen.
3. Letting ink dry inside the pen
A fountain pen isn’t something you can leave untouched for months and expect it to work perfectly. In fact, as ink dries, it starts building up inside the feed, where the channels that deliver ink to the nib are incredibly small. Over time, the flow becomes weaker, the pen skips, or it stops writing altogether.
If you rotate between several pens, empty and clean the ones you won’t be using for a while. It only takes a few minutes and can save you from a much bigger cleaning job later, or costly servicing.
4. Forgetting to clean it
Even if you’re using the right ink, residue slowly builds up over time, and there’s no way to prevent it. You don’t have to go crazy about it; a quick rinse with clean, lukewarm water every few fills helps wash away dried ink before it becomes a problem.
Plus, if you’re switching ink colours, cleaning the pen first also prevents unexpected colour combinations. Think of it as changing the oil in a car. A little routine maintenance goes a long way.
5. Pressing too hard while writing
This is a very common mistake and one of the reasons I’m not comfortable lending my fountain pen to someone else. Many people pick up a fountain pen and write as if they’re using a ballpoint. The thing is, fountain pens don’t need pressure as the ink flows through the nib on its own. Pressing harder won’t make it write better. It only puts unnecessary stress on the nib and can eventually bend or misalign the tines.
Unless you’re using a flex nib (which is designed to be used with some pressure), just hold the fountain pen in your hand, guide the nib across the paper, and let it do the rest.
6. Leaving it in a hot car
Extreme heat is one of the easiest ways to shorten a fountain pen’s life.
That’s because high temperatures can warp plastic parts, damage seals, cause ink to expand, or even make the pen leak inside the cap. If you tend to carry a fountain pen in your car, avoid parking your car in the sun or at least place the pen in a separate compartment away from direct heat.
The same goes for placing it next to radiators or in direct sunlight for long periods. Believe it or not, your pen prefers room temperature just as much as you do.
7. Posting the cap isn’t always a good idea
Some pens are designed to be posted. Others aren’t. I’m not a huge fan of it anyway, and I’ll explain why. Even on pens that can be posted, jamming the cap onto the barrel every time can leave marks, wear down the finish, or crack the barrel over time. I know it’s a useful way to get a bit more length, but whenever possible my advice is not to do it.
If the cap doesn’t slide on naturally, don’t force it.
8. Ignoring a loose cap or loose parts
If something starts feeling loose, don’t keep tightening it harder every day.
A loose clip, converter, or cap usually has a simple cause, and forcing threads or overtightening parts often creates a much bigger problem. When something feels different than usual, it’s worth checking at your local pen store or a specialized repair shop before carrying on.
9. Using alcohol or harsh cleaning products
When it’s time to clean your pen, water is usually all you need. Alcohol, acetone, bleach, and household cleaners can damage resin, remove protective coatings, or dull decorative finishes. Unless the manufacturer specifically recommends it (which I doubt), keep harsh chemicals well away from your pen.
10. Leaving it uncapped while you answer “just one message”
We’ve all done it, right? You put the pen down, unlock your phone, and suddenly ten minutes have passed. Meanwhile, ink has already started drying on the nib. If you’re stepping away, even for a short while, put the cap back on. It only takes a second and keeps the nib ready to write when you come back.
11. Twisting parts that weren’t meant to move
If a converter, piston, or section feels stuck, don’t force it. Most fountain pens are built with tight tolerances. Applying extra force rarely solves the problem. In fact, it often makes things worse. When in doubt, check the manual or look up the manufacturer’s instructions before taking anything apart.
12. Thinking every problem needs a repair
A fountain pen that skips isn’t necessarily broken. Sometimes it simply needs fresh ink or a quick rinse. Sometimes the converter isn’t fully seated. Before assuming the worst, start with the simple fixes. More often than not, that’s all it takes.
13. Not using your fountain pens at all
This is by far the biggest mistake you can make. It’s like having several sports cars sitting in the garage and never driving them. Although I understand the appeal of collecting, I believe collecting alone can never match the joy of actually writing with a fountain pen.