Cross fountain pens are stunning creations. They’re more than just a writing instrument—they connect the writer to the page like nothing else can, being beautiful objects in their own right as well as practical necessities. That means you need to take care of your Cross pens to ensure they keep their luster, and here are just a few tips to ensure yours stays up to scratch:
• If you haven’t used the pen for a while, run the nib under a small stream of water to flush out any trapped ink.
• Store the pen horizontally, capped and with the nib facing upwards when not in use (removing the ink first if it won’t be used for a long period of time).
• Don’t press down too hard but rather apply a constant pressure to the nib to ensure an even flow and smooth writing style.
• Occasionally fibers can get caught in the nib slit, so if the ink glops or writing is impaired make sure to inspect the nib with a magnifying glass and clean accordingly.
• Only use inks specifically made for fountain pens to avoid clogging it up.
• Make sure to choose quality paper to ensure smooth writing and prevent fibres clogging the nib.
• If the pen becomes completely clogged, fill it with cool water and leave overnight with the nib being totally submerged.
Finally, fountain pens love to be used and will write better with ink flowing more smoothly when used regularly, so don’t keep it in a drawer—get it out and get writing!
