New pen in hand

Generally, a pen can be used normally by adding water to it once it is in hand, without the need to remove the bubble and use a new pen as someone said. Of course, sometimes it is inevitable to encounter situations where the pen does not come out of water or the pen tip is dry, and it is necessary to handle it slightly at this time. The pens that usually need to be cleaned are those that do not discharge ink smoothly after purchase, because some pens are not cleaned thoroughly during the inspection of the pen tip before leaving the factory or after the customer tests the pen at the counter. Over time, the components in the ink condense, blocking the ink guide groove of the pen tip, which can lead to poor drainage. In this case, the pen tip needs to be removed, soaked in warm water (avoid boiling water) for half an hour, and then dried. After installation, it can generally be used normally. If it still doesn't work, the soaking time can be extended. If it still doesn't work, you need to remove the metal sheet of the pen tip and use a small brush to clean the ink guide groove on the back of the pen tongue and the entire capillary structure (that is, the small gaps on the plastic part of the pen tip). The uneven water flow may also be due to the pen tip itself. One type is when the front end of the pen tip is too narrow. At this point, the pen tip can be pressed down slightly according to the usual writing posture, and held for one to two seconds. Alternatively, a thin blade can be used to expand the pen seam, but be careful. The second reason is that the ink guide groove is too narrow, so it is necessary to use a thin blade to expand the ink guide groove, and also be careful. Some new pens may not come out smoothly at the beginning of use, because the new pens are originally made in this way, so there is no need to be too nervous. After writing for two or three days, the pen head will be smoothed out and it will be much easier to write.

maintain

When writing, some writing paper should be placed under the paper to enhance the elasticity of the pen tip and reduce friction. Do not write on hard materials such as metal to prevent damage to the pen tip. Avoid mixing different inks in daily use to prevent sedimentation and blockage of the pen. Pens should be cleaned once a month or so to keep the ink flowing smoothly. If using carbon ink, it is important to clean them thoroughly. If the pen is not used for a long time, it should be washed and stored. And do not use excessive force when writing.

clean

During general cleaning, water can be sucked and drained repeatedly until the discharged water is clean and wiped dry. If there is a long interval for cleaning or if you plan to clean and seal the pen, you need to disassemble each part and clean it separately. After initial disassembly, it is divided into five parts: the pen tip, (ink dispenser/ink cartridge structure) converter or connecting screw, pen holder, pen cap, and pen holder. The metal part of the pen tip and the pen tongue (inking structure) should be further disassembled. The metal pieces of the pen tip should be rinsed clean with water, and the entire inking structure can be carefully brushed with an old toothbrush, and then soaked in warm water overnight. Clean and dry all parts, and wait until they are completely dry before they can be installed and sealed. Of course, different pens have different structures, and not all pens can be disassembled. For pens that are difficult to disassemble, only the first method can be used for cleaning, and do not forcefully disassemble or damage the pen.

It needs to be mentioned here that there is an elbow pen called a "calligraphy pen", which has the characteristic of large variations in the thickness of writing strokes. When using, lower the pen holder to make the strokes thicker and allow for slightly larger characters to be written; If the pen holder is raised slightly, the stroke will be fine and can be used to write slightly smaller characters. This type of pen has stronger expressive power than regular pens and is commonly used to write larger fonts such as envelopes. But writing with this type of pen has some difficulty, and beginners should not practice calligraphy with it.

Finally, there is one thing to pay special attention to: never use boiling or overheated water to clean the pen, otherwise it may cause damage to the pen. Especially some well-known pen brands use a material called "celluloid" to make pen holders, such as Bailikin. Hot water can cause serious deformation, melting, and other damage to this material. And do not let the water touch the pen tip, otherwise it may cause the pen color to become lighter or unable to write.