Pens; Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the Blade pen and the Piston Blade one?
The Piston Blade pen features a sprung piston mechanism that allows you to suck ink up into the pen, meaning it will hold more ink without the need for constant re-dipping. The Blade pen is a traditional dip pen; dip it and go.

I'm left-handed, can I use this?
Absolutely! The design of these pens is as symmetrical as possible so left-handed users should have the same experience as right-handed users. 

Do you dip them, or do they hold a cartridge?
These pens are designed for dipping, they don't take a cartridge. The piston model, however, features a spring piston action that when you press it while the nib is dipped in ink, forces air out, then as you release the piston, it draws ink into the barrel. This means it holds more ink than a regular dip. Please note though that the entire opening of the nib should be submerged in the ink, otherwise it is more likely to suck up air than ink.

How should I clean these pens?
Cleaning your pen regularly is essential to maintain its performance, especially after using Indian ink, acrylics or other inks prone to clogging. After you've used it, you can use your mouth to blow from the opposite end to blow out excess ink. Maybe blow it into a tissue or something to save from being spattered with ink. After that, give it a rinse. A bit of regular maintenance is preferable to a 'Big Clean'. Here's how to clean your pen:

1. Disassembly for Cleaning: If possible, disassemble the pen into its component pieces. (don't try and disassemble the non-piston version, it is only made of one piece of metal)

2. Rinsing with Water: The simplest way to clean the pen is by rinsing it with water. For pens equipped with a piston mechanism, you can use the piston to flush water through the pen's barrel. For disassembled parts, hold them under running water to rinse out ink from the interior surfaces.

3. Dealing with Clogged Nibs: If the nib becomes clogged, it might require more than just water to clean. Depending on the type of ink causing the clog, you can use acetone (found in nail varnish remover) or isopropanol. These solvents can help dissolve ink residues that water cannot remove. Follow safety instructions on any chemicals that you use.

What kind of ink do you recommend?
Different inks will each give you slightly different results, and as long as you keep it clean, feel free to experiment. I've found that these pens work really well with The Rohrer & Klingner inks. Not all inks are created equally of course, so some variation in performance is expected.

Regarding wear and tear, will I have to replace the whole pen or just the nib?
Over time, any nib will experience wear. However, if you have found that the pen has worn to the point that the quality of line is affected, the nib can be reshaped using fine-grade abrasives. This might be an extreme situation, so please reach out for advice if you find yourself in this position.

How should I store my pen when not in use?
These pens should be stored clean and dry. Leaving them with ink inside will almost certainly clog them up.

Why isn't my pen shiny any more?
Over time, brass will develop a patina. This is normal. If you want to keep your pen looking it's finest, feel free to polish it with your favourite brass cleaner. I use Brasso, but use whatever is available to you. 

How long will it take for my order to arrive?
These pens are all hand-made by me (Dan Berry) by myself in my workshop. They are time consuming to make and require a lot of effort to make them well. Depending on the quantity of orders I have, there could be a wait of a few weeks between order and delivery. There may be occasions where I have stock to hand, but this tends to be rare. Sometimes, sourcing materials at the correct specifications and quantities can be challenging. I'll aim to keep you up to date as your order progresses.

Can you engrave them?
Sadly not. I don't have the right equipment to personalise these pens and wouldn't be able to do a good job of it.