Fountain Pens for desert dwellers

After moving to Arizona, I gave up on my fountain pens and moved to gel pens because they kept drying out forcing me to keep cleaning the nibs. PITA. Has anyone found good ink for arid areas?

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Maybe try over at FPN?

Hi honce, have you tried asking over at Fountain Pen Network? (I'm a cross-member.) This sounds exactly like the kind of question that would be obsessed over on that board :-) and a quick search on "Arizona" turns up a few members from there.

Although I don't live in quite as arid a region as you, I only have problems with nibs drying out when I leave the pen uncapped for an extended period of time (days) and a quick dip in water usually fixes it. Admittedly, I do not buy the fanciest pens, either.

Good luck on your search.

pens for desert dwellers

I too extend the life of pens that dry out by dipping gently in water. In the case of marking pens, I might pry off the top and let a drop of water be absorbed in the barrel.
In the case of ballpoints, sometimes unscrewing the tip or the top, whichever is easier, readjusts the air pressure inside (I think that's what's happening) and the pen is good to go.

Humidor?

I'm guessing here, but I know that some pens owners use cigar cases for their pens, so perhaps a humidor of the right size could double as a pen box?

nibs that dry out

I soak the nib in warm/hot water for an hour or so, shake out the excess ink and soak again. (Some say distilled water is best.) That'll bring it back to life.

During use you need to cap if you are not writing continuously. If you start and stop a lot (such as in meetings), get a Pilot Vanishing Point. They are the clickable fountain pens but write beautifully smooth.

...dave
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