Basic pen maintenance
Filling the pen with a converter
If you are using a converter, then unscrew the pen. Empty the converter of ink residue by rotating the top end until the piston inside reaches its lowest position. Beware, a few drops of ink may leak from the nib. Then dip the entire tip and the beginning of the grip below the ink level and rotate the top end of the converter until the piston reaches its uppermost position. The pen is filled. Clean it gently with a cloth and screw in the barrel.
Filling pens with cartridges
If you are using bombs, then unscrew the pen, remove the old one and insert the new bomb in its place. It needs to be pushed in with a click to perforate the mouth and start the ink flow. The Kayu pens are compatible with universal international size cartridges.
“If you’re filling the pen with cartridges or it hasn’t written in a while, it will take a while to break down because the ink has to run down into the nib. If you have time, place the filled pen tip down and wait a moment. If you have a converter and are in a hurry, you can try pushing the ink out of the converter by turning the top end and moving the plunger down a little.
Cleaning a pen with a converter
Simply unscrew the pen and use the nib to suck in and squeeze out pure (preferably distilled) water instead of ink, as if the pen were being filled with ink. Flush until the water flowing from the nib is colorless, ideally the transparent wall of the converter will be also completely clean and free of ink colouration. Once you are done, dry the pen with a cloth and screw it together. Remove the converter only in exceptional cases, as this may cause ink to leak.
“I highly recommend cleaning your pen every time you refill it, but at least once every two months. Also check the nib itself and the inside of the cap regularly for cleanliness and to remove any ink residue or dirt. If you will not be using the pen for a long time, keep it ink-free and flushed.”
Cleaning pens with cartridges
After unscrewing, you basically have two options. You can rinse the entire nib section, cartridge removed, under a stream of running water, occasional blowing through the nib is also allowed. Or you can be more sophisticated. Install an empty cartridge onto the pen, then use syringe with needle filled with water, pierce the cartridge with a needle and flush the pen through the empty cartridge. It should work perfectly. Rinse until clean water comes out, then dry with a cloth and screw the barrel back on.
Repairs and spare parts
If you get any ink or other stains on the pen, I recommend cleaning with a cloth soaked in water or spirit. For more resistant stains, try removing the stain with rubbing alcohol, but rarely use it on wooden parts as it does not benefit the surface. Do not use solvents or other thinners. If you should happen to damage any of the parts, all may not be lost. Get back to me and we will work something out. Most of the parts parts I can replace with new ones and others may be repairable. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.
