All you’ll need is a soft cloth, some water, and a mild detergent or metal polish. First, wet your cloth with warm water and add a small amount of detergent. Gently rub the cloth over the surface of your pen, taking care to avoid the ink reservoir. We are specialists in fountain pens and carefully select the best models of fountain pen based on excellent writing performance and value for money. If you need help in choosing the right pen for you (or buying a fountain pen as a gift)take a look at our buyer's guide. The product filters enable you to narrow down your perfect choice from our vast ranges of fountain pens by selecting price, nib width, nib material, filling type and style. Fountain pens (sometimes called "ink pens") still represent the pinnacle of writing performance and comfort as the nib glides effortlessly across the paper requiring very little pressure from the writer's hand. I opted for the standard pen, and you can see below how it compares to the two short Tactile Turn pens I own. I will say it feels very hefty in the hand, but I really like the feel of it. I left the container outside overnight. After a couple of hours, I noticed the colors started to change. Out of curiosity, I wanted to see just how far I could take it. Taking out the pens after 18 hours - the results were dramatic and ...slightly disturbing. If you're after the mirror shine and think you can just keep it nice with a sunshine cloth, you're not going to be able to. Firstly, brass oxidizes fast, so you're gonna be polishing it every other day, and second, the cap has four metal springs that center it and make the cap/uncap feel smooth and tight and keep the whole affair from wiggling about (which makes it feel NICE to cap and uncap) which put long micro scratches down the section and on the base where it posts. These micro scratches will become invisible with time as you let it patina, likely within a week they'll be invisible (but the patina will develop and improve over decades, so brass only looks more and more beautiful with time)

The second cleaning method has a more pleasant, minty smell. Toothpaste contains microabrasives that can polish your pens and your pearly whites. Using an old toothbrush you reserve for cleaning, brush the toothpaste on a small area of the brass ballpoint pen. Gently brush the surface until you start to notice the lightening of the tarnish. Then, wipe down the pen using a polishing cloth or paper towel. A couple of years ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a pen made out of solid, untreated brass. Fortunately nowadays they are much more common, in part due to the contributions of German pen manufacturer Kaweco! Brass is different from most other metals that are commonly used in pens; it’s about three times as dense as aluminium, and it forms a beautiful patina after some use. Put those properties in a pen, and you get something quite unique! The AL Sport is made of aluminum, a sturdy metal that is lighter than metals like brass or steel. Most AL Sports have matte, anodized finishes that won’t chip or flake, but they can still be gouged by other objects like house keys.

Another interesting fact about copper is that it has inherent antimicrobial properties, meaning that it naturally repels bacteria and other microbes. This makes it a great choice for people who are concerned about cleanliness, as well as those with allergies or sensitivities. To remove tarnish, I'm going to show you a couple of methods using materials you can find at home as well as a product made for this specific purpose. But before we get all "mad scientist" on a few brass ballpoint and fountain pens, I want to share a few ways you can remove tarnish from brass. It is natural for brass to patina over time as it reacts to the oxygen in the air and the oils from your skin. Even a brand new pen can exhibit a slight darkening, also called toning, right out of the box.

For starters, both metals are highly conductive, meaning that they’ll absorb the heat of your body, creating a pleasantly warm writing experience. However, this conductivity can also cause the ink in your pen to dry out faster than usual. As a result, we recommend storing your copper or brass pen in a cool, dry place when not in use. Believe it or not (you can see the video for proof), you can use ketchup to remove tarnish with surprising effectiveness. It doesn't have to be "fancy" ketchup, either. As with any cleaning method, test it on a small area of the pen first. Coat the desired area of brass with ketchup. Let it sit for a minute. Then, clean it off using a paper towel. As the Roman poet Horace wrote, "More durable than brass my monument shall be." Human beings are the only creatures (that we know of) endowed with awareness of mortality. All of us know we're going to die someday. With this knowledge, we attempt to build monuments to outlast us so we may never fully die. We create art and contribute to a greater cause with the hopes that our deeds will live on. Our tools, like the humble pen, can remind us of this grander scale in a symbolic way. However, when I was removing the nib, I was surprised to see it's a standard Schmidt nib unit. So I don't know who makes the nib, but the feed and housing are the same, so you can unscrew the nib and feed from the pen (don't have a cardtirge in it) and screw in any schmidt #5 nib unit. I just wanted to play around with it, so I pulled the nib out and tried several various nibs.Last but not least, we promised a showpiece and, with the Kara Kustoms Decograph Signature Edition, we didn’t disappoint. This stunning solid copper fountain pen is limited to only 30 pieces and each is handmade in the United States. Buyers can choose from a full range of steel nib sizes (extra fine, fine, medium, broad, extra broad) or opt for titanium in EF, F, M, and B sizes. Eyedropper - A pen that utilizes the entire barrel as a reservoir for ink. Ink is directly filled into the barrel, allowing for a high ink capacity. Here's a video on how to do it! Yes, this method does leave your pen smelling like ketchup. So, you might want to rinse it off after you're finished polishing the pen. Made from solid lead-free 'eco' brass, which is left untreated and uncoated, it weighs in at 44g which is more than most other pens currently available. The untreated finish means this pen will - like the Al-Sport Raw that came before it - wear over time and develop a unique patina depending on use and storage conditions. The finish can either be left to develop or can be restored using brass polish and a liberal application of elbow grease.

Now that you have an idea of what makes brass and copper pens so unique, let’s take a moment to explore five incredible pens that would work well in your collection. Whether you are looking for something for everyday use or want a showpiece, we have something for everyone. 1. Tactile Turn Bolt Action Ballpoint Pen Finally, it is worth noting that both metals carry some weight, helping to create a pen that not only looks stylish and old-worldly but also feels substantial and valuable in hand. If you prefer a lighter pen, you may want to look for a model made from another material. Understanding Patina and How to Care for Your Pen Copper Patina I disassembled the Fisher pen, removing the front section, refill, and spring. For the Retro 51 pen, I removed just the refill and spring. At the time, I thought using tape would protect the clip and top disc. As you'll find out, I was wrong. Patina can add character and uniqueness to a pen, helping it to stand out from the crowd. However, some people prefer the look of a shiny, new pen. If this is the case, you’ll need to regularly polish your pen to maintain its original luster. Fortunately, polishing a brass or copper pen is a fairly simple process.

New, TWSBI ECO T Rosso Fountain Pen

Comparing the two metals, brass is stronger and more durable than copper. It is also more resistant to tarnishing, making it a better choice for everyday carry pens. That said, some people prefer the softer color and vintage appeal of copper.