How to disassemble a fountain pen and remove the nib. Fountain pen "Parker": reviews, photos. How to refill a Parker fountain pen? Well, don't give up at all

Fountain pens are like vintage cars today - they don't have to be used often, but they need to be looked after properly. It doesn’t matter whether your fountain pen is expensive or not, you need to clean any model regularly and correctly.

“Why clean a fountain pen?” you ask. Because the fountain pen uses the capillary principle, and if it is not cleaned, the pen will begin to write poorly, scratch the paper, or the ink will flow unevenly. You should clean your pen every 4-8 weeks., if you write to her regularly, without waiting until she gets clogged. If you switch to a different type of ink, you should also wash your pen.

We have identified several types of cleaning fountain pens: basic, thorough, advanced- using special equipment. Let's look at each of them in detail.

Basic cleaning

1. Disassembling the handle. Unscrew the pen and remove the nib. If your pen uses a cartridge, you can tape the exposed part while you clean the pen to prevent the ink from drying out.

2. Washing. Hold the pen under running water for a few seconds to wash off the first layer of ink. Use only cold or room temperature water as hot water may warp some components.

3. Soaking. Immerse the pen in a glass of clean water for a few minutes. Change the water when it turns ink color. This process will take at least an hour. Some waterproof and heavy-duty inks will take longer to clean. Tap water is usually good for this purpose, but if you know it has a high mineral content, then it is better to use distilled water.

4. Drying. After removing the feather from the water, let it dry for 12-24 hours. It is best to place it in a glass with a napkin at the bottom so that all the water is absorbed into the paper faster.

5. Assembly. When the pen is dry, if necessary, insert the cartridge back into the pen and screw both parts together.

Thorough cleaning

1. Do everything described in the first two steps of basic cleaning.

2. Place the open part of the converter or housing in a glass of water. Fill and empty the ink tank until it is empty.

3. Connect the body or converter to the pen and place it in a glass of water.

4. Use the converter or built-in filling system to fill the pen with water. Repeat until the ink is washed out.

5. Leave the pen in clean water to completely clean it.

6. Dry and reassemble the handle as described in the last basic cleaning step.

Cleaning the pen with a syringe

To effectively clean a fountain pen, you can use a regular syringe without a needle and an empty ink cartridge. Cut off the tip of the cartridge and attach it to the syringe. Insert the structure into the nib part of the pen and use it for rinsing by pumping water with a syringe. The only difficulty in this method is to select a syringe with the desired hole diameter, since it must connect tightly to the cartridge.

Cleaning the handle using special products

Some manufacturers produce special liquids for cleaning fountain pens. They are not cheap, and they are not always available here. But you can make a special tool yourself. Remember that plain water is still the safest means for cleaning fountain pens, and it is better to use special products once every few months.

Dishwashing liquid- an excellent safe solution for cleaning fountain pens; it can be added to water for greater effect.

Ammonia(ammonia) is suitable for difficult to remove ink residues. To do this, mix ammonia with water in proportions of 1:10. Do not use ammonia to clean aluminum, copper or brass handle components as they may corrode.

Bleach- the right remedy if nothing else has helped. You need to make a weak solution of bleach and water in a ratio of 1:20 and rinse the handle. Be careful as the bleach may damage some parts of the pen. Never use bleach with ammonia, as mixing the two will release harmful fumes.

Some fountain pens can be completely disassembled, making cleaning easier. But if you don't know whether it's completely disassembled, don't make any sudden movements to avoid tearing off the pen or damaging other components. If the handle is completely disassembled, wash all parts and dry them thoroughly before reassembling.

Despite all the variety of stationery supplies, the fountain pen is still especially popular. Parker Pen Company is one of the well-known companies specializing in the production of such writing instruments. She is the creator of the famous Parker brand. But are the fountain pens from this manufacturer really that good?

A short excursion into history

Who would have thought that the first analogues of modern fountain pens appeared around 600 AD? e. However, they acquired a metal body only in 1803. In turn, the first pens with metal nibs appeared closer to the beginning of 1830. However, such office supplies had an extremely short service life.

Shortly before the modern Parker fountain pen was introduced, many manufacturers began producing nibs made from rhodium, osmium, iridium, and also gold (meaning 14- and 17-carat). This approach made it possible to increase the service life of the tips on the handles and marked the beginning of a new mass production.

What types of fountain pens are there?

Around the beginning of the 19th century, the following types of fountain pens could be distinguished:

  • representative, or image (collectible accessories);
  • classic (for everyday use);
  • school.

All of them, like the Parker fountain pen, were equipped with the following parts:

  • A housing equipped with a special filling mechanism.
  • Special ink tank.
  • Protective cap.
  • A metal nib with a small split in the middle.

Parker pen (fountain): photos and features

"Parker" are unique pens that have a number of advantages. In particular, they create the clearest and thinnest lines, which makes your writing smooth and easy. This type of pen is much more comfortable to hold, and the actual writing of letters occurs quite quickly.

From an aesthetic point of view, text written with such stationery looks the most neat and calligraphic. That is why the Parker fountain pen is a favorite tool of employees and office owners, students and school teachers.

Depending on the cost, they prefer to use it as an image item that goes well with a leather case, purse and notebook of a business person.

What do people say about Parker fountain pens?

Everyone who has ever been lucky enough to hold Parker in their hands speaks mostly positively about it. Some people like the ease that comes with writing text.

Others pay attention to the streamlined shape and presentable appearance of the accessory, which allows it to be used as a gift. Still others pay attention to the aesthetics of writing and claim that the Parker fountain pen (you will find reviews of it in our article) even influenced their handwriting. It has become more calligraphic and neat. By the way, knowing such unusual capabilities of Parker, in some European schools teachers use its budget version when teaching children to write in primary grades.

Still others claim that pens sometimes scratch paper. Fifth people do not like the wasteful consumption of ink. According to them, they end at the most inopportune moment.

And finally, people who are not satisfied with the presence of ink at the end of the pen (meaning that after using the accessory, ink often remains on its tip, which then dries out). Another thing is that such dissatisfaction may well be caused by improper use of the pen or associated with its inexpensive analogue. However, the reviews, for example about such a stylish item as the Parker gold fountain pen, are mostly positive.

Where does the ink go in a fountain pen?

So that your pen does not let you down at the most crucial moment, take care of its timely refilling. To do this, recall that pen stationery, as a rule, contains an ink cartridge or a special piston converter. Moreover, the first is not intended for reuse, while the second has a large capacity and can be used many times.

However, refilling a piston converter requires more time than replacing an old ink cartridge with a new one. The second process is much faster and easier. For the first one, you need a certain environment and a small jar of special ink. We'll tell you how to fill ink for a Parker fountain pen below.

How can I refill a Parker pen with a converter?

To refill a pen equipped with a converter, first prepare your work area. To do this, place a napkin and a jar of ink on a flat surface (preferably a table). This task is best accomplished with ink from the same company as the pen itself.

Next, you should remove the protective cap of your stationery and carefully unscrew the barrel from the pen base. After this, unscrew the ink cap and set it aside (on a napkin). Then dip the pen into the bottle. In this case, leave only the upper part of the feather on the surface.

The next step is to get rid of any remaining ink in the reservoir. This can be done by turning the converter piston counterclockwise (the movement should be made until it stops). This simple step should be performed until three drops of ink fall into the jar.

Without changing the position of the handle, continue to rotate the converter, but in the opposite direction. This way you will be able to fill the reservoir with a new batch of ink. When everything is done, carefully remove the pen from the jar and rotate the converter using rotating movements (as described above). This will get rid of a small amount of air trapped in the ink bottle.

Then return the barrel to its place, and also remove excess ink with a napkin. Now you know how to refill a Parker fountain pen that contains a converter.

How to refill a Parker pen with a cartridge?

To replace a used cartridge with a new one, first remove the protective cap. Then carefully remove the empty container and replace it with a full one. Moreover, apply a little force: press on the reservoir with your fingers until you hear a characteristic loud click. And only after your cartridge is completely installed, you can slowly tighten the barrel. The pen is ready for use.

How to clean the nib in a Parker pen?

If you suddenly decide to clean the pen in a pen with a converter, then first you should open the converter slightly, and then bring it to a pre-prepared container with water at room temperature and rinse it. Moreover, it is worth performing this procedure until the water in the converter becomes completely transparent. At the end of this step, blot the nib and the pen itself with a napkin.

If your pen contains a cartridge, it is recommended to remove it before washing the pen. Then place the nib and pen body into a container of clean water. Rinse and dry with a napkin.

Glory is like a medal that has two sides. The front one is attractive, the back one is not so much. Same with Parker pens. On the one hand, they are extremely popular, in demand among wealthy and wealthy people, and are an indicator of high status. On the other hand, the popularity of the brand is the key reason for the massive appearance of counterfeits on the market. Many of them are not so easy to distinguish with the naked eye from original products. Therefore, before buying a pen, pay attention to the following signs that indicate that what you are looking at is not a fake:

  1. Package. If you choose Parker, it is better to buy the pen where it is sold in the original manufacturer's packaging. See for yourself!
  2. Price. The price of the product cannot be significantly lower than in other stores or on alternative sites. A variation of 5-10% is acceptable. But if a pen costs 50 instead of $100, you need to be wary of a fake.
  3. Guarantee. Along with the product, the buyer must be given a warranty card, which is usually placed at the bottom of the case. Pay attention to the text - it is usually duplicated not only in Russian.
  4. Logo. The Parker seal or engraving is an important feature that allows you to determine the originality of products. The logo must be clearly visible and of high quality engraving or printing.
  5. Rotation mechanism (for ballpoint pens). If the product is equipped with a rotating cap, it must be equipped with a closer, which fixes the rod and brings the cap to its final state.
  6. Spring (for ballpoint pens). The spring mechanism must be clearly fixed; it must not fall out.
  7. Removable cap. This is a must have for any Parker pen. It should click into place after a little effort.
  8. Feather. Pay attention to the geometry of this part! Any deformations are excluded. The nib must be engraved with the Parker logo or pen name. If the feather is gold, a hallmark is required.
  9. Thickness marking. The pen can have different parameters. To indicate the thickness of the writing element, it is marked with letters and their combinations from the Latin alphabet. Fine nib - F, medium nib - M, etc.
  10. Handle surface. When varnishing, the body of the product must be uniform and smooth. The presence of chips and burrs indicates a fake. The lacquered surface of the original handles reflects light.

When purchasing any product, it is important not to forget to pick up the receipt. Even if it was not possible to identify a counterfeit during the first visual inspection, after its detection the product can be returned.

And most importantly! Considering that the level of counterfeits is constantly growing, in order to protect yourself from purchasing a fake item, it is better to contact a trusted online store - in this case, fountain pens will be guaranteed to be original. We are ready to provide all documents confirming the origin of the goods, manufacturer certificates and product warranties. Don't take risks, buy Parker only where you are sure of the authenticity of the product!

One of the main advantages of a fountain pen is that it can last for many years - you can refill it with ink an infinite number of times. However, like any other thing that is constantly used intensively, sooner or later even the highest quality handle can break and require repair.

What to do if the pen stops working?

First of all, find the original warranty card for the pen, which was in the original packaging. Parker offers a two-year warranty on all its products, and it is valid anywhere in the world. Even if you purchased your pen from a private seller, you can send it in for repairs if the warranty period has not yet expired. This is why it is important to check the contents of the product. The receipt must indicate the date of purchase.

What does the warranty cover? Please note that wear and tear or mechanical damage will not be considered a warranty claim. The handle will be repaired or replaced only when problems during operation are caused by manufacturing defects in materials or design. The brand cares about its reputation and fixes such problems completely free of charge. Otherwise, the warranty will not help you in any way - if you dropped the pen, carelessly threw it into Swisswin backpack and the pen is bent - repairs will have to be done at your own expense.

Today it is possible to extend the warranty period for another two years. This can be done on the brand's official English website, where you will need to fill out a short application form and provide an email address for feedback. After some time, you will receive an electronic Certificate, which can be printed and attached to the original warranty card.

In order for the product to be repaired under warranty, it must be sent to the manufacturer by mail. To do this, pack the pen in a branded box, attach a warranty card and a printed Renewal Certificate (if available). It is advisable to first clean the pen and rinse the mechanism, removing traces of ink, so that it does not accidentally leak due to shaking on the road.

The Parker Contact Center can be reached by telephone or email. You will always be kept informed of the progress of the repair and will be notified when the repaired or replacement pen has been dispatched so you can await receipt of your shipment. Replacement is made with a similar model, and if it is not available, with a product of similar characteristics from the same price category. In most cases, Parker tries to fix the pen rather than replace it, because everyone knows how attached the owner can be to his pen. - This is more than just writing instruments, they are of real value when they are associated with important events in life and store pleasant memories.

If the warranty is void

In the event that the warranty period has long passed and you did not manage to extend it in time, as well as in a situation where the breakdown is not caused by factory defects, but by the consequences of careless operation, repair becomes a more difficult task than sending the product back to the manufacturer.

If your pen doesn't write, first check to see if you've run out of ink. They could also simply dry out if you haven't used the pen in a while. In this case, it must be thoroughly washed and refilled. can be easily purchased in specialized stores. It is best to use high-quality branded ink - their service life is much longer, they do not dry quickly on paper and do not spread in unsightly blots.

If everything is fine with the ink and the pen does not write, you should contact a workshop that will offer repair services for money. Choose a specialist carefully: today many unscrupulous citizens offer their services, but in fact disappear with your pen and money. Do not contact little-known companies; give preference to a well-known service center that has been around for a long time and has a good reputation. Even if the price of repair seems too high to you, you will be sure that you will get a good result.

Is it worth repairing the handle yourself?

If you have some experience, or the product is not too dear to your heart, then why not give it a try? Many problems that arise when using fountain pens can actually be solved on your own. Who knows, maybe you will discover something new and interesting? It is relatively easy to replace some damaged or lost parts, for example, a clip, a button, or a pen. Many spare parts are on sale, and finding them is not difficult.

Well, if repairs are too troublesome and time-consuming, you can always use a new collection. Parker offers some amazing pens at a variety of price points, so if your old pen breaks, you may want to consider purchasing a new one.

Promotion

Important historical documents were signed with it, famous works and operas were written... The Parker pen has remained the standard writing instrument for more than a century. Today this accessory is no less relevant. It embodies the best production traditions of the 20th century, but at the same time does not lag behind modern trends.

Today, Parker's huge assortment includes four main types of pens: fountain and ballpoint pens, rollerball, and pencil. However, the company's product series are much larger. Together with Rechi.Ua buyers, we figured out what Parker product lines exist and what their features are.

Parker Classic- production of this model began in 1964. The body is made of epoxy resin and stainless steel, and the finish is gold and chrome. The clip is arrow-shaped, which seems to hint that the company is developing dynamically and does not intend to stop.

Parker Duofold- its production began back in 1921. The modern model has been rethought, but is not without its original charm. The new collection features an improved nib (gold, platinum) and updated finishes (lacquer, gold plated and silver).

Parker Frontier- a pen in the spirit of the new millennium. It has a unique grip section, thanks to which the product fits comfortably in your hand without straining your fingers and hand. The body is made of acrylic and trimmed with gold and chrome. The nib also consists of two materials - gold plated and stainless steel. There is also a two-channel ink collection and supply system.

Parker Sonnet- a combination of classics and discreet modernity. A versatile design in which the body consists of stainless steel, silver and epoxy resin, and finishing with gold, chrome, rhodium and lacquer gives the pen even more aesthetics and sophistication. A wonderful addition to the model is the sophisticated engraving. The feather is presented in five variations, including one made of pure gold.

Parker Reflex- a new generation pen, which has a fairly simple design (compared to other products) and, accordingly, low cost. It is made of high-quality plastic, and the soft grip is provided by the rubberized part of the body. The pen is made of stainless steel.

Parker Insignia- 1991 model. A harmonious combination of discreet design and innovative ideas. Stainless steel and brass body, arrow shaped clamp. It has 10 modifications in finishing, including gilding, varnish and chrome.

Parker Jotter- a massively popular collection that combined stylish design, inexpensive materials (plastic, stainless steel), and therefore low cost. Chrome finish.

Parker Vector- a product developed in the 80s. A practical and inexpensive solution, because the body is made of plastic and stainless steel (the trim and nib are also made of it). The ink supply and collection system is two-channel.

Parker Latitude- a pen for creative and extravagant people, which is primarily reflected in the original design. The stainless steel case is varnished and finished in gold.

Parker Rialto- the line comes from 1994. The lacquered brass body and gold trim provide a calm yet classy design. The nib is made of steel and gold plated, there is a two-channel ink supply and collection system.

Parker Dimonite- everything that young people need is in this pen: a fun futuristic design and an inexpensive price, because the product consists of brass, plastic and stainless steel.