This video is a simple illustration of how to change the refill in a "cigar style" pen. this will work for either a click or twist style. Just click on the picture to watch the video.
Pen care and cleaning
Wooden Pen Care: Avoid leaving your pen in either extreme hot or cold temperatures as this can cause splitting of the timber. Please also try to avoid dropping your pen onto hard surfaces as this will often result in damage to your pen. All pens are finished using different types of hard protective coatings. Use a soft cloth to buff up the pen as needed. Don’t use any cleaning agents not intended for use on wood. Never use any cleaning or finishing product that contains abrasives or cleaning agents in the formula. Car waxes have fine abrasives in the formula to clean the surface and should not be used.Floor care and furniture care products are appropriate for use on our wood products. Paste wax is easy to apply and buffs to a high gloss shine. The plating may be cleaned with a damp soft cloth. Do not use any abrasives on the plating as it may cause the plating to be removed.
Acrylic / Resin Pen Care: The resins used in our pens are man made products and more tolerant to extremes of heat and cold than timber. However, as discussed above, take all practical measures to ensure the pen is not dropped. Resins are more brittle and are more likely to crack or chip if dropped. Use a good quality plastic polish to revive the shine if required. A quality rubbing compound can also be used to buff out light scratches.
Rollerball Pen Care: The same care should be taken with your rollerball pen as has been noted above under wooden or acrylic / resin pen care, again not exposing them to temperature extremes and avoid dropping them onto hard surfaces.
Choosing The Correct Rollerball Refill: All Rollerball pens handcrafted by Pens by Charley come with either a Schmidt or Private Reserve refill. When necessary make sure you replace your refill with one that is the same or equivalent, otherwise, your writing experience will not be the same. Rollerball liquid ink is similar to liquid fountain pen ink. It is very different to ballpoint ink, which is waxy and requires thrust to push the ink from the tip. A rollerball liquid ink refil flows like a wick when it is touched to paper. Paper (or a shirt pocket) will literally wick the ink from a rollerball refill short time.
Fountain Pen Basics: Almost all fountain pens are comprised of the same basic components: a nib (also called a point, this is the decorative metal writing tip of the fountain pen, available in stainless steel, rhodium gold and other metals), a feed (the ribbed component attached to the back of the nib), and the ink supply (various options here include: cartridge, piston, convertor, plunger, vacuum,and sac). Many people do not realise that there are certain care requirements for Fountain Pens and that if they are followed many "problems" can be resolved or never happen in the first place.
Cleaning Frequency: A fountain pen should be cleaned after every second filling of either ink from a bottle or cartridge. Which means, if you use the pen and you replace the cartridge, insert another and then run out, clean the fountain pen before you install the third cartridge or fill from an ink bottle.
Cold Rinse Only: Fountain pens should only be cleaned with clean, cool water. IMPORTANT: NEVER USE HOT WATER. Hot water can easily damage the feed. If your fountain pen is excessively dirty, a teaspoon of ammonia can be added to a cup of water, then soak the nib section overnight. You can also use a window cleaner like "Windex", just be sure it has ammonia as this helps break up dry ink and dirt the best.
Flushing the Nib: Flush the nib section with water until it runs clear. You may use the faucet's power or you may use a ear syringe and force the water thru, this is very effective since it gives more force and cleans the nib out better.
Drying After Washing: Cover the nib section with a soft dry cloth and shake it a few times to force the water out. It is best to do this right before bedtime and leave it to dry overnight. In the morning just pop in a cartridge and you are ready to write! We use a store bought toothbrush rack with a soft paper towel folded where the nib will rest. You can put the freshly cleaned pen in one of the slots and let the capillary action from the towel draw the wetness out. This is very effective and we clean our pens like this. If your pens are piston fed only (only bottled ink can be used) you can soak your pens first in water then suck fresh water into the chamber and evacuate the water. Do this three or so times or until the water runs clear. Most pens have nibs that easily unscrew which makes cleaning the chamber with a "Cotton Bud" easy if you wish.
Storing Your Fountain Pen: Never store your fountain pen lying down. The ink will coagulate and dry in the nib section and make it difficult for the ink to flow and for the pen to write properly. Keep your pen capped with the nib pointed up in a pencil cup or other type of holder. If you are not going to use your pen for a week or more, evacuate the ink or remove the cartridge. Pen cases where the pens lie flat are great ways to store unfilled pens.
Fountain Pen Care: Fountain Pens are a delicate writing instrument that can bring years of enjoyment if properly used and maintained. Cleaning and general care are the same as ball and rollerball of the same material. However, below are helpful tips on using, cleaning and storage of your fountain pen.
Ink Cartridges: Fountain Pens handcrafted by Pens by Charley use standard “International size” cartridge refills unless otherwise noted. To change cartridges simply unscrew the nib section and twist off the ink cartridge. Take the new cartridge and press it onto the nib unit until it is firmly seated. Gently write on a scrap of paper until the ink begins to flow.
Ink Converter: Fountain Pens handcrafted by will accept a standard size ink converter to allow you to use your favorite brand of bottled ink. Simply remove the ink cartridge and replace with a standard size converter. Make sure the piston is at the bottom of the converter before placing the nib in the ink well. Twist the piston top while the nib is submerged thus filling the converters reservoir. Cleaning Your Fountain Pen: The single most important issue regarding fountain pen use is keeping your nib clean. This will provide an ongoing free-flowing ink experience. Pens by Charley suggest you soak your pen’s nib section (known as the “nib block”) in cool, pure water after every two or three cartridges, or two or three reservoir fills, at the most. After a 12 to 24 hour soak, run the nib under tap water flowing very slowly. Touch the nib’s tip to a paper towel and look to make sure there is no pigment present. At this point your nib is clean and ready for more ink.