August 1, 2026

Fixing your Fountain Pen

I have another section on nib tuning, which is closely related. Is it a new pen and did you wash it out before first inking it up? Does it have ink? Has it dried out in the nib? 
- Check the nib/feed alignment
- Make sure the nib/feed are fully seated
- check nib alignment
- see the "baby's bottom" discussion in the 13 tips video
- some pens have a weak feed, it may need to be replaced
- some converters won't feed ink
Get a loupe! (I have a nice microscope).
He warns about "canyoning" if you fool with wetness using the 7 stroke method.
Go slow. Check. Repeat if necessary.

Feeds may be made from ebonite or ABS. Ebonite tends to give more ink flow and may be what you need with a flex nib.

Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Pen Info / tom@mmto.org