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How to Repair Fountain Pen Nibs

Fountain pens often are associated with the academic and professional world. A person must have great care and concern for the condition of his writing utensils to own a fountain pen. These delicate instruments are meant to be refilled and can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The nibs, or tips, of these pens are particularly susceptible to damage; if the nib is not working correctly, ink flow can be ruined. With some care and precision, you can make basic repairs to the nib of your fountain pen.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass
Sandpaper or cardboard

Instructions

- 1
  Observe the nib under a magnifying glass. Scratchy writing or decreased ink flow are generally signs that one of the tines of the nib is misaligned. Check to see that both tines are aligned; if they are not, apply gently pressure with your fingers to each side until they are aligned again.
- 2
  Observe the nib under a magnifying glass to see that it is well balanced. The nib should be perfectly centered from the feed coming out of the pen̵7;s top. If the nib is not centered, apply gentle pressure with your fingers to return the nib to the center.
- 3
  Gently draw small circles or figure eights on a piece of cardboard or sandpaper. This technique will wear down any sharp or protruding edges of the nib. Draw only a few circles, until the writing is even again; do not draw too many, or you will wear down the nib too much.

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