S1:P7 — Syringes are my favorite tool for cleaning pens
Syringes make cleaning pens easier, so you can get back to writing and thinking more quickly. A quick how-to on using syringes for excellent pen hygiene. — Season 1, Post 6
Cleaning pens is both a calming, meditative pastime and a chore — all at the same time. The syringe is one of my favorite cleaning tools. Using one can clear out a feed and a converter in a flash. So I can return to writing with my fountain pens more quickly.
I used a lovely Franklin-Christoph 45 throughout this article for demonstration purposes.
Getting a pen-friendly syringe
Syringes are so useful that vendors now regularly include them in their pen cleaning kits. These kits are fantastic for those who are comforted knowing their syringes have been vetted by experts. Your syringes will be safe and pen-hygiene-compatible.
A variety of syringes are also available at lower cost from non-pen shops. While cheaper, you’ll want to confirm your purchase is safe for non-medical use and that your pen is compatible. This post should help!
I find two kinds of syringes work quite well for cleaning pens.
Two kinds of syringes
In fact, I use two types of syringes alongside one another when I’m cleaning pens: bulb and blunt-tip syringes.
Bulb syringes. Parents will know this variety as a nasal aspirator. Their intended purpose is to help clear out small children’s nasal passages.
Bulb syringe, stained and lovingly used
I’ve found both pliable plastic and rubber versions. Anecdotally, rubber versions work best for pen hygiene. The rubber surface forms a more water-tight seal against the ends of pen sections. But tastes may vary.
We’re repurposing these syringes to clear ink out of fountain pen feeds and from the space between nibs and their feeds.
Blunt syringes. Blunted needles are used by artsy hobbyists and in a variety of jobs. Their intended purpose is to move liquid from a container into somewhere else. We’re using these for just that purpose.
Seriously: look for a blunted tip for safety :)
Many blunted needles are printed with ml measurements. This is an optional feature. I find the measurements useful when meting out ink samples for friends. Not so much for cleaning.
A clarifying point: I strongly encourage you to seek out a blunt syringe. For safety! Sharp points and slippery liquids like ink are not good playmates. Your fingers, and I, will thank you!
Using the bulb syringe
I destroyed two bulb syringes before I learned to squeeze only from the top. Squeezing at the sides will over-stress the seam. Broken seams make for wet desktops — and sad pen hygienists.
First, submerge the syringe in clean, room temperature water. Then squeeze to fill.
Next, affix the opening to the end of your pen’s section - sometimes called the feed’s nipple. Where the converter usually sits.
Signed, sealed, delivered … from old ink
Push gently against the feed until the syringe forms a seal against the inner body of the pen’s section.
Then, I recommend the 4-second rule. Squeeze water through the feed for four seconds. Release. Your syringe will reinflate.
And repeat. Keep squeezing and releasing until your syringe is empty of water.
Revel in your clean feed and section. It’s important to revel.
Using the blunt syringe
My blunt syringe is a staple of pen maintenance. I primarily use mine to clear converters of ink.
First, remove the converter from your pen. Empty the converter. Turn the piston knob until the converter’s internal piston expels most ink.
(Some converters have a button at the top. Depressing that button accomplishes the same goal.)
Ink is often trapped between the clear plastic and end cap of a converter. So I recommend setting the internal piston halfway.
Smack in the middle
Fill your syringe with room temperature water. Place the end inside of your half-closed converter. Hold both over a bowl or your sink and slowly empty your syringe into the converter.
Draw back the converter’s piston into the fully filled position, by the piston itself. Hold your finger over the end and shake. Shake it good.
Repeat until your converter runs clear.
Happy pen cleaning
All that remains is to dry your writing friend.
There are many ways to get inky pens clean. Syringes have improved my pen hygiene. They make pen cleaning quick and easy. At least for me.
Write on.
