| Each Sheaffer fountain pen, as almost any fine | | | | most probably cost well over $100. It is that kind of |
| writing instrument using ink, can get clogged. The ink | | | | things that need special care - always. |
| flow can be stopped by two main factors: improper | | | | If you just don't know what to do or feel totally |
| care and bad ink. | | | | uncomfortable at the idea of screwing things up, it is |
| Cases of improper fountain pen care include, for | | | | a good idea to bring the pen to a pen shop (if there's |
| example, keeping the writing instrument in the wrong | | | | one in your area). For about $20, they will clean the |
| position. When not used for some time (over several | | | | pen out and return it back to you in perfect |
| hours), a pen should be put in uphold position, the nib | | | | condition. Cleaning may take up to one day, so |
| up. Otherwise the inks may get stuck in the residue | | | | probably you won't get your pen back the day you |
| and over the time clog the filling mechanism. | | | | bring it. |
| A fountain pen can be damaged by using bad ink for | | | | However, there's a good chance you can unclog |
| filling and writing. No pen-o-phil in the world will ever | | | | Sheaffer's pen at home conditions. If you have any |
| recommend waterproof or Indian ink for fountain | | | | high soluble ink at hand, like Sheaffer Skrip, you may |
| pens! It is like one of the commandments for any | | | | try to clean the pen with it. Such inks are reported |
| pen lover. Unless you want to make serious damage | | | | to clean the clogged residues of ink. |
| to your precious pen, never use waterproof or Indian | | | | But in most cases it is not enough, and you have to |
| inks in it. | | | | use some chemicals for proper cleaning. Usually it is a |
| There are special inks aimed just at using in fountain | | | | mixture of ammonia and water (1 part of ammonia, |
| pens. Sheaffer itself produces nice ink of many | | | | 10 parts of water). Use a converter, or a piston from |
| colors, and what could be better of using original | | | | your fountain pen to fill the nib section with the |
| Sheaffer ink in Sheaffer fountain pens? It gives you | | | | solution, drop it and leave it in the mixture overnight. |
| an absolute guarantee that no damage to the pen will | | | | Be sure to flush it with water after it's dried. Gently |
| ever occur. Of course there are superb inks made by | | | | blow water through the nib section toward a nib to |
| Mont Blanc and Waterman, or you may find Noodler's | | | | remove the softened ink residue. Try not to use |
| to be what you really like most of all inks. I personally | | | | more than 5 parts of ammonia because it can |
| use Noodler's in my Sheaffer Agio Limited Edition. | | | | seriously damage the precious writing instrument. |
| With the above said, I am going to describe some | | | | Normally ammonia:water as 5:10 is used in most |
| steps that will help you to unclog a Sheaffer fountain | | | | serious cases with stubborn clogging which happens |
| pen. | | | | quite rarely. |
| Don't get nervous and stay away from panic. It's not | | | | By the way, the last method is exactly what pen |
| Doomsday. Avoid excessive shaking or other physical | | | | shops use to unclog all fountain pens, not just those |
| measures - remember, that your writing instrument | | | | bearing Sheaffer's company logo. |