I Just Has a Great Idea

[emes441]

So, I find it a royal pain to wash out a pen from one ink before switching to another. Here is a way to remove the hassle and save time on flushing and drying:
After you finish one ink and want to switch to a different ink:

• do not fill/flush with water
• Fill the pen with the new ink
• empty the pen from the new ink
• refill with that same ink

This may be a tad more expensive in the long run, but will save time and hassle.

Does this make sense?

[Jon Szanto]

Does this make sense?

No, not to me.

Aside from the wasteful nature, even if small, you are inviting a number of potential problems. First would be ink-to-ink contamination, if you are filling the pen directly from a bottle (i.e. putting the nib/section into the 'new' ink). An unclean pen can *potentially* ruin the new bottle of ink. It isn't uncommon to refill a pen with the *same* ink, repeatedly, but even then it is good to flush every few times.

The other aspect is that not all inks play well together, and having the two inks mix in the pen, even if for a short duration, could cause clogs, etc.

Not saying it can't work, and not saying you couldn't do it a number of times without issue. I just have a hunch, with a lot of ink swapping over the years, that the time saved isn't worth it. I mean, c'mon - flushing a pen isn't hard or doesn't take that much time.

[Chrissy]

Does this make sense?

No, not to me.

Aside from the wasteful nature, even if small, you are inviting a number of potential problems. First would be ink-to-ink contamination, if you are filling the pen directly from a bottle (i.e. putting the nib/section into the 'new' ink). An unclean pen can *potentially* ruin the new bottle of ink. It isn't uncommon to refill a pen with the *same* ink, repeatedly, but even then it is good to flush every few times.

The other aspect is that not all inks play well together, and having the two inks mix in the pen, even if for a short duration, could cause clogs, etc.

Not saying it can't work, and not saying you couldn't do it a number of times without issue. I just have a hunch, with a lot of ink swapping over the years, that the time saved isn't worth it. I mean, c'mon - flushing a pen isn't hard or doesn't take that much time.

Exactly.
Imagine changing from say blue black to light blue, red or orange for example. Using OP's method would ruin the whole bottle. Definitely a no no! It's not something I would ever consider doing. EVER!

[Carpio]

Hello,

10 minutes of relaxing, somewhat theraputic labour versus £5 - £12/£15?
I'm tight, so I wouldn't do what you suggest, but dig out and fill your boots if you find it convenient.

ps,
Don't mind me - I know nowt, but I would certainly heed what Jon and Chrissy have written, unless of course you're rolling in money and buying new pens is not an issue

Carpio

[Chrissy]

Hello,

10 minutes of relaxing, somewhat theraputic labour versus £5 - £12/£15?

Or more for some bottles of ink. I also find cleaning pens relaxing and somewhat therapeutic. Even with UK charges water has to be cheaper for flushing pens than just shoving them into the next ink bottle, keeping your fingers crossed and hoping for the best. That practice could never be relaxing or therapeutic for me.

[LizEF]

So, I find it a royal pain to wash out a pen from one ink before switching to another.

People hate me when I say what I'm about to say, but it is the truth, even if unpopular... You get to choose how you perceive cleaning out pens. It may take work to rearrange your thinking on the matter, but you do get to choose.

Everyone else has addressed the potential risks. And now you also get to choose what to do with what you know - this is a gift indeed, so cherish it!

[TSherbs]

So, I find it a royal pain to wash out a pen from one ink before switching to another. Here is a way to remove the hassle and save time on flushing and drying:
After you finish one ink and want to switch to a different ink:

• do not fill/flush with water
• Fill the pen with the new ink
• empty the pen from the new ink
• refill with that same ink

This may be a tad more expensive in the long run, but will save time and hassle.

Does this make sense?

??

I don't understand. What effort or expense has this saved you? You are merely trying to rinse the pen once with new ink rather than rinse it (once or twice) with water. What "time and hassle" is this saving you? Is getting up from your desk and going to a sink spigot the "time and hassle"?

[Sailor Kenshin]

I used to just snap in the new cart and glory in the color change.

Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I do it with piston-fillers, too.

[TSherbs]

I used to just snap in the new cart and glory in the color change.

Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I do it with piston-fillers, too.

I used to do this in college with Sheaffer blue and blueblack cartridges. The slow-ish changeover was fun, and the color mix in between was not ugly.

[Ron Z]

I wouldn't. Not all inks are compatible with each other, and the resulting chemistry experiment might not turn out so well.

[emes441]

So, I find it a royal pain to wash out a pen from one ink before switching to another. Here is a way to remove the hassle and save time on flushing and drying:
After you finish one ink and want to switch to a different ink:

• do not fill/flush with water
• Fill the pen with the new ink
• empty the pen from the new ink
• refill with that same ink

This may be a tad more expensive in the long run, but will save time and hassle.

Does this make sense?

??

I don't understand. What effort or expense has this saved you? You are merely trying to rinse the pen once with new ink rather than rinse it (once or twice) with water. What "time and hassle" is this saving you? Is getting up from your desk and going to a sink spigot the "time and hassle"?

Saves drying time...

I appreciate everyone's comments! I hear the concerns

[Chrissy]

I'm starting to believe this original post was either designed to be a joke or to provoke strong reactions. No regular fountain pen user would ever consider it as a possibility.

[LizEF]

Saves drying time...

IMO, drying time is not needed. Wrap the nib and feed in a paper towel or rag and let it wick out what water it will in a few minutes, or (if you trust yourself) do a few "thermometer flicks" and that's good enough if you're going to ink it again. Only if it's going into storage do you need to worry about it being fully dry.

[Brilliant Bill]

Not every new idea is a "great" idea. Ask Thomas Edison!!

[TSherbs]

So, I find it a royal pain to wash out a pen from one ink before switching to another. Here is a way to remove the hassle and save time on flushing and drying:
After you finish one ink and want to switch to a different ink:

• do not fill/flush with water
• Fill the pen with the new ink
• empty the pen from the new ink
• refill with that same ink

This may be a tad more expensive in the long run, but will save time and hassle.

Does this make sense?

??

I don't understand. What effort or expense has this saved you? You are merely trying to rinse the pen once with new ink rather than rinse it (once or twice) with water. What "time and hassle" is this saving you? Is getting up from your desk and going to a sink spigot the "time and hassle"?

Saves drying time...

I appreciate everyone's comments! I hear the concerns

??

Water requires no more "drying time" than using ink. Besides, ink is 99% water. Not sure what your thinking is. If you are willing to put up with a remainder wet ink in a nib, feed, and barrel, why would you want to wait for a little bit of water to dry??

[Ron Z]

No regular fountain pen user would ever consider it as a possibility.

No? You haven't seen what I've seen.

[Thom.]

So, I find it a royal pain to wash out a pen from one ink before switching to another. ...

As accurate as necessary, not as accurate as possible.

[Chrissy]

No regular fountain pen user would ever consider it as a possibility.

No? You haven't seen what I've seen.

Actually, I can imagine.

Many on here may already be noting down member "emes441" as someone to not buy any ink bottles or even pens from.

[emes441]

No regular fountain pen user would ever consider it as a possibility.

No? You haven't seen what I've seen.

Actually, I can imagine.

Many on here may already be noting down member "emes441" as someone to not buy any ink bottles or even pens from.

Let's be fair- I never did this yet. I was just asking the experts' opinion. I didn't realize people would take such offense.

[Thom.]

Let's be fair- I never did this yet. I was just asking the experts' opinion. ...

As an expert you can do that, but it is not advisable for normal users. And certainly not with nanopigments.