Using a lever-fill fountain pen is a straightforward process, but requires a gentle touch. Here's how to do it:
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Dip and Fill: Dip the pen nib into your ink bottle. Make sure the nib is fully submerged.
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Engage the Lever: Locate the lever on the side of the pen barrel. This lever compresses the ink sac inside the pen. Firmly but gently squeeze the lever. Do not force it.
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The Filling Process: As you compress the ink sac using the lever, you'll see ink being drawn up into the sac. Keep the nib submerged in the ink.
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Release and Re-inflate: Once you feel the sac is full (or as full as it can get), release the lever. Let the sac fully re-inflate. You might find it helpful to count to ten slowly at this stage.
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Clean the Nib: Remove the pen from the ink bottle. Gently wipe any excess ink from the nib and feed using a soft cloth or pen wipe. You're ready to write!
Troubleshooting:
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Pen Won't Fill: If your pen isn't filling properly, check that the lever is moving smoothly and compressing the sac fully. The sac might be damaged or the nib might be clogged.
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Ink Leaks: Leaks can occur if the sac is overfilled or damaged. Ensure that you aren't overfilling the pen during the filling process.
This process relies on the lever mechanism creating a vacuum to draw ink into a rubber sac within the pen. This is different from a cartridge or converter fill system. Mastering lever filling allows you to use a variety of inks and appreciate the unique writing experience of vintage pens.
