Frequently Asked Questions
- General
- Using My Pen
- Bespoke & Corporate
Are your pens really made in America?
What kind of nibs do you use?
We use Bock, and moving forward, Jowo 18k nibs, available in most sizes. Bock and Jowo nibs are German made, and currently the only part of a fountain pen we cannot produce in America. Nib manufacturing knowledge and equipment was lost in WWII, but that is something we are trying to change.
What sort of ink should I use?
For our rollerball pens, a Schmidt 888 cartridge is our favorite and is available in several sizes, colors, and even specialty tips like felt and gel.
Our fountain pen ink is privately bottled, American made, Private Reserve ink. In our experience, most every ink is safe to use in our pens. We would advise against many inks from Noodler's, especially their 'bulletproof' inks as the chemicals in the ink can eat away at the plastic nib feeds of the pens. We would also advise against 'shimmer' inks from any brand; they are usually loaded with glitter and metals, while very pretty, lead to clogs very quickly. Stick to well-known, water-based inks for your fountain pens.
How do I clean my pen?
A standard microfiber cloth (or Sunshine cloth provided with sterling silver pens) will handle your everyday cleaning beautifully. Avoid cleaning with any harsh chemicals, detergents, or solvents. Get in touch with us if you have any questions or special pen cleaning needs beyond a microfiber cloth.
Regular flushing of your fountain pen (every 1-2 weeks depending on usage) is recommended to keep the flow and experience perfect up to standards.
Is it safe to use my pen everyday?
Of course. Our pens may be beautiful, artistic pieces, but they are built to be used and may be treated as such. Our only word of caution is to not leave them in your car on an extremely hot day or in direct sunlight for hours on end; our hand-painted pieces prefer the shade.
What is the Bespoke Pen ordering process?
Bespoke pens are a great option for customers looking for even more personalization. Our entire process begins with a few email questions to establish a basic understanding of what you are looking for. After that we will have a more in-depth phone call wherein we discuss stylistic elements, materials, artwork, simply every customizable piece of the pen and how we can make it yours. A very popular model is custom artifact and artwork. For instance, an original floorboard from the family farm horse paddock matched with an oil painting of the farm and horses and an engraving of the family crest; a perfect gift set for the family.
Can I incorporate my own artifact?
Your artifacts are always welcome in the bespoke pen building process. We often utilize materials such as bricks from a family estate, or wood from a notable tree on the grounds.
What can your artists paint?
Our miniature artists are incredibly talented and have painted everything from family portraits and estates to beloved pets and even fantasy scenes. They can incorporate gold and silver foils, gems, diamond dust, whatever techniques and materials are necessary to bring your ideas to life.
How long does it take to create my pen?
Creation time of your pen depends entirely on the various elements and customizations you desire. Bespoke pens have been finished in as little as one week, or as long as 2 months. We will quote you a timeframe before we begin, and routinely send in-process pictures and updates along the way. When you receive your customized, truly original pen, you'll know the journey it's been on and that it was well worth the wait.
What do you offer for corporations?
We offer many services for corporations, very similar to our original bespoke pieces. Customized designs, several metal and materials options, custom packaging, even white labelling. Every project is personal and we take every step possible to craft the perfect product for your company.
- General
- Using My Pen
- Bespoke & Corporate
Are your pens really made in America?
What kind of nibs do you use?
We use Bock, and moving forward, Jowo 18k nibs, available in most sizes. Bock and Jowo nibs are German made, and currently the only part of a fountain pen we cannot produce in America. Nib manufacturing knowledge and equipment was lost in WWII, but that is something we are trying to change.
What sort of ink should I use?
For our rollerball pens, a Schmidt 888 cartridge is our favorite and is available in several sizes, colors, and even specialty tips like felt and gel.
Our fountain pen ink is privately bottled, American made, Private Reserve ink. In our experience, most every ink is safe to use in our pens. We would advise against many inks from Noodler's, especially their 'bulletproof' inks as the chemicals in the ink can eat away at the plastic nib feeds of the pens. We would also advise against 'shimmer' inks from any brand; they are usually loaded with glitter and metals, while very pretty, lead to clogs very quickly. Stick to well-known, water-based inks for your fountain pens.
How do I clean my pen?
A standard microfiber cloth (or Sunshine cloth provided with sterling silver pens) will handle your everyday cleaning beautifully. Avoid cleaning with any harsh chemicals, detergents, or solvents. Get in touch with us if you have any questions or special pen cleaning needs beyond a microfiber cloth.
Regular flushing of your fountain pen (every 1-2 weeks depending on usage) is recommended to keep the flow and experience perfect up to standards.
Is it safe to use my pen everyday?
Of course. Our pens may be beautiful, artistic pieces, but they are built to be used and may be treated as such. Our only word of caution is to not leave them in your car on an extremely hot day or in direct sunlight for hours on end; our hand-painted pieces prefer the shade.
What is the Bespoke Pen ordering process?
Bespoke pens are a great option for customers looking for even more personalization. Our entire process begins with a few email questions to establish a basic understanding of what you are looking for. After that we will have a more in-depth phone call wherein we discuss stylistic elements, materials, artwork, simply every customizable piece of the pen and how we can make it yours. A very popular model is custom artifact and artwork. For instance, an original floorboard from the family farm horse paddock matched with an oil painting of the farm and horses and an engraving of the family crest; a perfect gift set for the family.
Can I incorporate my own artifact?
Your artifacts are always welcome in the bespoke pen building process. We often utilize materials such as bricks from a family estate, or wood from a notable tree on the grounds.
What can your artists paint?
Our miniature artists are incredibly talented and have painted everything from family portraits and estates to beloved pets and even fantasy scenes. They can incorporate gold and silver foils, gems, diamond dust, whatever techniques and materials are necessary to bring your ideas to life.
How long does it take to create my pen?
Creation time of your pen depends entirely on the various elements and customizations you desire. Bespoke pens have been finished in as little as one week, or as long as 2 months. We will quote you a timeframe before we begin, and routinely send in-process pictures and updates along the way. When you receive your customized, truly original pen, you'll know the journey it's been on and that it was well worth the wait.
What do you offer for corporations?
We offer many services for corporations, very similar to our original bespoke pieces. Customized designs, several metal and materials options, custom packaging, even white labelling. Every project is personal and we take every step possible to craft the perfect product for your company.