Dry Fountain Pen: Ink Not Coming Out? - This Quick Fix Will Work Every Time 

The thing about fountain pens is this: they are ADDICTIVE. Once you start enjoying one, you are introduced to a world previously unknown. You can collect different ones, different filling mechanisms, and learn the wonders of filling from ink bottle. Then one day you see a shining Mont Blanc, or a Waterman, Schaeffer, Parker, Pelikan, and you go 'whoa' . . .

I tried sqweezing it, with my fingers, it didnt work, so i tried with my teeth.. BIG MISTAKE, it backfired and at the back, the ink came out, i washed my mouth, but i have now a blue tooth

Great ideas for keeping your fountain pen working. A few which I use: 1. I always flush a brand new fountain pen with water before I ink it up. This removes any oil residual from the nib manufacture. Even a tiny bit of oil can clog the works. 2. I always flush the pen when I either refill the converter or change ink colour. The best tool for this is a bulb syringe (used for cleaning ears and/or for babies). 3. I use only quality inks which are water-based. Not all inks behave well in every pen and it’s a trial by error method to find what is best for each pen. Inks with additives for sheen or metallic flecks can clog the feed. 5. Never tap the tip of the nib onto a hard surface to get the ink to flow. This may very well damage the nib.

Top tips indeed...managed to resurrect two Waterman fountain pens that had long given up working. Thanks so much!

These are some good tips, thanks. An alternative that has worked well for me, before I try to push ink into the feed, is to just hold the nib and feed for a few seconds in an inch of water, maybe swish it around a little, until you can see ink drifting into the water. This washes any dried ink out of the nib and the feed, where most dried ink problems live, and gets the ink flowing again. This has worked very well for me. You shouldn't have to throw away a cartridge before it's used up.

Thank you, best advice for ages. My 2 parker pens of high quality ceased to work, after washing, because not used for 4 years, now they work perfect, I will now subscribe 👍

thank you. i had a pen i've had for 20 years or so now and i have the original carts for it too. its not super expensive, but your video helped me to bring it back to life. i can't thank you enough

Thank you for the education! So frustrated with my Montblanc but now I’ve got it working smoothly again!

This is so worth it!!! Thank you!! I use only fountain pens and sometimes it is so frustrating. Also keeping all your fountain pens nib part down on your work desk, really helps.

Thank you so much !! I almost throw away my fountain pen but thank god i was clever enough to search for solution and found your video !

Thank you so much for this video 📹 My fountain pain was not working since 2 year's I have tried your methods and it's working now Thanks to you 😃🙏

Hallelujah! I have been working for hours on a pen that I had forgotten in a drawer a year ago. Tried everything but the water trick. I let it soak for a bit and then dried it off like you recommended. A few strokes after and it was off and going again! Thank you!

Back into making greeting cards, so dug out my old pens and it was a no go. Ordered new cartridges and still no go. Thank goodness for RU-vid. Brilliant. Thank you Very Much.

I haven’t uesd mine (Pilot) in over 2 years changed the cartridge and left it downside for days and didn’t work but the moment I watched the first 3 minutes and squeezed it .. it worked again!!! Thanks man!!

Dude, that was amazing!!! I have had my fountain pen on the shelf for a year because I couldn’t find out what was wrong with it. After one squeeze of the refill cartridge, it started working again. Thanks so much. No one at the stores where I live knew how to help me.

I bought a parker pen almost 3 year ago ( brand new not working) thank you so much for this video, it really helped.👍

‘I didn't know’, excatly, because for most of the time, people use ballpoint pens those pens never need to clean. It is nice of you to make this vedio and show players whom newly find interest in fountain pens that pen needs to clean once every one to three month. Seriously, a lot of people don't know this because we are not in 1970's, with smart phone and PC, we really don't use fountain pens that often anymore. Cool vedio. :)

In fountain pens, surface tension of the ink has as much effect as the density of water versus air. If having a problem, use a very small amount, one drop at the most, of Jet-Dry or other dishwasher anti-streaking additive in 10 mL of water, and, in turn, one drop of that mixture in your converter or re-filled cartridge along with the fill of ink.

Thank you for saving me 4 years 😂. My dad loved pens, he gifted me a black Lamy and some Mont Blanc. I’ve been struggling with the Lamy for a while now. Was so frustrated. I washed it now and it’s working like a charm 😍

I recently just bought the EXACT same Parker pen you own, the good looking one, and I was looking for ways to solve the dry ink issue. This helped soo much THANKS!

My new Parker fountain pen was not working and I was so disappointed. I tried many tips but none of them worked. Finally, I lost all hope in that pen and almost threw it away. Then I saw this video and tried the water method. It really worked. Now, my pen is writing smoothly with no problem. I'm so happy. Thank you so much.

Thank you SO MUCH! I've had a fountain pen for over a year - could NOT get the dang thing to write! Your simple hints have me writing happily now with my pretty fountain pen! P.S. Got some ink-stained fingers in the process, but it was totally worth it!

Dude this was so helpful- Im trying to get into drawing with fountain pens and this was so helpful for thank u

Waited for the ink to flow down for 10 minutes. Saw this video and squeezed the cartridge and boom. It works. Thank you!

you sir, are a saviour. Thanks a ton for keeping things straight to the point. :)

your personality is golden, thanks for the help!

My grandparents buy me one very nice fountain pen per year on special occasions (usually my birthday). A lot of them have never been used or had ink put in them just because I don't want them to dry out, but the first one I ever got is very special to me and I use(d) it all the time. It's a Waterman Paris "Expert Essential Black Fountain Pen GT". I used it for most of high school, college, and for the finer details of my drawings. I stopped for a while and tried to get back in to drawing 2-3 days ago, but the pen was dried up. I squeezed the cartridge, a drop of ink came out and I was able to write semi-smoothly for a few lines before it stopped. Thank you so much for such a simple solution. Most of the "cleaning tutorials" I watched before this were using pliers to pull things apart, using acid baths, using stir bars and hot plates. While it was effective, it seemed so barbaric/harsh on the metals in and on it. I plan on using this pen for a very long time. So this method seems to be perfect for me. Thanks a million, my man!

10 years ago I gave myself a Parker fountainpen. After a year it dried up and lay in the drawer till an hour ago... Thanks for the soaking tip. Its back and working like new!!

I'm so happy!I'm glad I came across this video. My fountain pen is really working now. I was anxious I thought I couldn't use this anymore cause I haven't used this for months. It was a gift from my friend in London.

So appreciate the information you shared in this video. I've been struggling with getting a smooth consistent flow of ink.

Thanks so much! I recently got a fountain pen and this was very helpful. I never had to write with fountain pen in school, but now I wish they had made us, at least know how to use one!

IT WORKED!!!!! Pushing cartridge worked!!!!!@@@@@. Thank you@@@@@@@!!!!!!

Great tried the water and squeezing the cartridge Worked beautifully . Thankyou

Thank you for this video ! It worked for me ; I was almost buying a new pen, but didn't need to at the end 🙂

Yay!!!!!! It worked. The third idea worked for me...thankyou ☺️

Thank you! Finally understand how to get the dry ones working again. Super helpful. Was about to give up on these special pens.

Greeting from South Africa. Love your accent! In hard starts i just take out cartridge and dip tip into cartridge opening few seconds. Or dip nib in water few second wipe and good to go. Works every time. Cartridges are sometimes too hard to press. Fpens are so expensive here due to $/R exchange. Regards

Thank you! Squeezing the cartridge did the trick for me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Have a rather expensive Parker, would hardly write. Soaked the nic and works beautifully!

This water trick worked like magic! Thank you so much!

I enjoyed this video very much, thank you for making it. I have to say that I knew everything you said, but you were so genuine that I watched to the very end. I've been using fountain pens probably longer than you have been alive and I'm delighted to see a surge of new users pretty much across the world. Please forgive me for being so forward, but you're delightful to listen to and your honest enthusiasm shows. Subscribing because I want to watch more of your stuff. - roc

yaaaay! It finally works! Thank you! Gonna go and keep journaling😊

FREE Guide: 7 Secrets That Will Instantly 10x Your Writing: onepenshow.com/secrets

Thank you for the cleaning tips. I own a couple of Sheaffer Snorkel pens and my wife has a Mont Blanc fountain pen, Sure will be nice to keep them operational after cleaning.

you've been so helpful! IM BEYOND GRATEFUL that you saved my pens!

Any pen I haven't used for a while, I do the water trick just in case any ink got left behind or dried in the feeder. Also, a good thing to do is if you are changing ink colour, hold the nib and feeder assembled under a slow running tap after you have removed the cartridge and tried to use up any remaining ink first. When the water coming out of the nib runs clear, tap the nib on a piece of paper towel to drain out any water. If there is still colour in the water on the towel, put it back under the tap again. It should only need a minute or so. Try to direct the water where the cartridge will attach so it goes through the whole system. When no more ink or only a tiny amount is on the clean paper, carefully dry the assembly so you don't leave fibres behind, then attach the cartridge. Scribble a little bit as usually the first word or so may be lighter as there might be a tiny bit of water sill in the feeder. If you REALLY want to get ALL the water out, you can blow gently in through the cartridge hole and you will see it form on the nib where it can be drawn off with tissue or paper towel before attaching the ink filled cartridge or adapter.

Thanks just fixed my pen and very pleased. 🙏🏽

Thank you so much, I did the cleaning in water on a pen that I had given up on, a much loved pen, and it now writes beautifully.

Thxs so much you saved my life and my fountain pen actually worked

Thank you! Just helped me revive a pen I hadn't used in a few years. I even considered just buying a new one. Subscribing now!

DUDE you are like a Genie!!! thank you SOOO much!!!! LOL @ when you are cleaning the pen "if you dont take the cartridge out... well youll see"

All the tricks were so helpful. I tried the last one with warm water. Worked really well. Thank you.

Many thanks!...was able to get my pens going using your tips...subbed!!

Thank you bro my ink sucking pen was not working from 3 years now I just saw your video and tried to dip the pen in water And then it worked thank you ❤️

Thank you for that long conversation And you saved my pen's life

Best tips of ALL for my :'no flow" LAMY......Working BRILLIANTLY now Thank you !!!!

I lived in Germany when I was a kid. We were required to write in fountain pens. Kids are pretty innovative. Holding the nib under warm water (yes, take out the cartridge) will clean out the pen too. The last resort is taking the nib apart. But aa a kid I wasn't too scared to do that either! Glad you reminded me of the things I had learned by experienced

Thank you, you’re tips worked like a charm! I’m back to writing with my favorite fountain pen.

Just found you. Love your accent. Just reignited my fountain pen addiction so I’m buying loads of cheap ones. Nothing over $30.00. I’ve got some good ones. Surprising how smooth some of them are. Love your accent. Not sure quite where you’re from. Pondering 💝

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! This actually worked and so many other videos didn't work once again thank you

Thanks a lot man, really saved my life and my pens.. I had taken a pen from my friend and forgot to give it to him. out of the blue asked me about it after 10 MONTHS! I eventually found it but it took too much time to recover it. After seeing your video it was running like a charm in 2 mins! thank you though....

Thank you so much, my fountain pen is fixed now. I was so sad that it stoped working and then i found your video. Thank you so much

it worked, thank you so much love from India

Thank you so much😃

I could not get a pen that I love and treasure (a gift from a special person) to work. I tried everything. I was really upset about it. I found your video today and tried your trick and it worked! I appreciate this very much.

Thanks your trick worked! I love fountain pens too also my ballpoint pens too

Thank you very much for the video, you are very knowledgable but at the same time humble, that is a nice quality to have. Cheer to you and good luck! I subscribed

Thank you so much. I recently started using fountain pens. I have never used them before. I'm learning how to write and I thought I couldn't write properly. Thanks for the vedio. Hope I can fix it

I passed a needle point along the superior feeder channel a few times to increase the flow of ink on a Pilot Explorer. It worked ok for me. Thank you.

Thanks a ton buddy . i was trying to fix this problem for 5 years. when my new Kawece was not working i thought there is something wrong .. :) fixed it atlast

I see you share the passion for fountain pens like I do and I loved your video. I already knew these but you reassured me. Thanks and keep yo the good work.

THANK YOU

OMG! Thank you so much! I havent been using these pens for a year and i decided to use them today. But when i tried to use it, it wasnt working so i came to you, then you said to put it in water and clean it afterwards so i did. And it worked! thatnks so much i was panicing!!

I swear just watching this video cleans out the dry ink from my pen, thanks for this.

It actually worked.... thank you

Really loving this channel and your enthusiasm!

Thankyou,it worked

thankyouuu worked a charm on my sailor pen 🥰🥰🥰

Thanks. I'll try these tips. Hopefully I can get my pens working. I bought a set at a second hand shop. I don't know how old it is. Luckily, the ink cartridges are not dried out.

I did exactly what you said to clean my Cross fountain pen… and IT WORKED!!! I couldn’t believe it!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I’ve subscribed to your videos and I think I’m gonna treat myself to another fountain pen with a non that is a bit wider, not that I know how to take care of them. I have always loved writing with fountain pens but they always clogged up- but now I know the secret! Thanks to You!! Yay!!🎉🩷

your tip on placing it in water fixed it instantly thanks!!

With some pens another trick is to fill an ear syringe with water, place it where the cartridge is inserted and squeeze the water out of the syringe. That will dislodge any old ink clogging the pen. That will work even when a simple soaking in water does not totally do the job.

thank u so much😭❤ I recovered my fav pen

Simply washing the pen front worked wonders!! Thank you so much for saving me from an enormous frustration!! Super, it was so useful!!! Thanks again.

THANK YOU! It works! Finally i can use my fountain pen again

Thank you! I put it in a glass of distilled water took quite a few rinse’s to get it completely clean. ☺️

I used one of your methods and it worked....thanks a lot

Thank you sir. It is best way. My pen is writing smoothly and elaborately.

Hi Sir, I'm very new to fountain pens' and your videos have been very helpful and informative. Thank you for putting out these great videos.

Thanks. That helps me and saved my money

It's worked for me. I have a fountain Mont blanc that I have never used. I decided to use and was dry 😪. Finally works with the first tip. Thanks

Thank You!!!!soaked the nib in cup of water it work!!!!!

Tq so much bro it's help me very very well

Thank you so much!! You helped me! 😂 that bugger won't write but inked me all over🤣you're cool!

My new Kaweco arrived yesterday and I was devastated. One nib does not work, no ink flow. I communicated with the customer service, and still waiting for their response. I was determined to return the item. And I found this! And now, I am one happy soul. Thank you.

I found a really nice pen set my grandpa had from 2006 and it has a really nice fountain pen but I didn't know how to use it. Thanks! It helped! 😀

Hey man! It worked.. thank u for making the video

Thanks a lot your trick reall worked for me

Throwing it out of frustration fixed mine, and it’s working now

I haven't used my Parker fountain pen for years and my way of doing work didn't give any results. You have explained it very well. If you were doing a video on nuclear fusion, I probably could've submitted a thesis on this :).