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Most of the times fountain pens can be considered as works of art, since they are made with precious metals, jewels and enamel. The correct care of those precious pens is a good habit for whoever wants to use his fountain pen for a long time without any trouble. Stipula has made a decalogue for the correct use and maintenance of fountain pens.
A decalogue for a good maintenance of fountain pens, extract from the Stipula's experience.
1) Use only cold or tepid water when washing the pen. Demineralised water will work best (tap water sometimes contains particles which may clog the feed).
2) Never use hot water, alcohol or solvents as these will damage the feed or other parts of the pen irreparably.
3) Wash the pen by filling and emptying it with water (repeat this until the water is clear). If the pen uses a cartridge/converter, soak the nib section in water for some hours.
4) If you do not plan on using your pen for a prolonged period of time, empty and wash it out before storing it away.
5) Avoid using chemically treated paper, which usually has a slick feel, because it does not absorb ink well and leaves residues on the point of the nib which might clog the ink flow
6) If travelling by plane, it is a general rule to follow with fountain pensto fill or empty them completely and keep them stored in vertical position with the point upward. This will avoid leakage.
7) Do not loan your pen to anyone, as the nib adjusts only to your own writing style (i.e.: pressure and angle).
8) When not using the pen, keep it stored vertically with point upward to prevent ink from settling in and clogging the feed.
9) If your pen does not write immediately (after not having been used it for more than a month) the ink has probably dried and clogged the nib and feed. To restore the ink flow either wash the nib with water or fill and empty it with ink of same color. If it does not write yet, wash it with tepid water.
This extact is based on the experience of Stipula, a pen manufacturer. Stipula pens are writing instruments stand out due to the accuracy in the choice of materials and their aesthetic and functional elegance. Stipula take his name from the small straw that the ancient Romans used to break as a sign of acceptance of an obligation. Stipula is thus synonymous with commitment to untiring, quality research into the best of the best. Faithful to a logic of continuity with the past and in full respect of the traditions of the Florentine crafts “botteghe”, Stipula has succeeded in uniting ancient techniques with modern technology to create products of superb workmanship.
The process that brings to a new Stipula fountain pen starts with a drawing in the Design Department, where a staff of designers and engineers determine what the pen will look like: the shape, the colour, the filling system and all the other mechanical aspects.
Once the drawing is perfected in all its details, it is brought to the Production Department.
If you walk through the Production Department you can really appreciate the work that is behind the making of a quality fountain pen. The manufacturing and assembling process is fascinating. It starts in the lathe section, where solid rods of material are turned either through traditional lathes or through control machines to become parts of the fountain pen.
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