What Are Pen Fins For?

By Liz •  Updated: 05/10/23 •  4 min read

I remember the first time I held a fountain pen. The smooth barrel, the shiny nib, and oh, the weight of it in my hand! It was love at first write. But there was something I didn’t understand at first – a mysterious part of the pen called the “fins.” I had a bunch of questions, like “What are they? Do they help the pen swim or something?” And most importantly, “What are pen fins for?”

If you’re just starting out in your fountain pen journey, you might be asking the same questions. That’s okay. We’re here to explore together.

What Are Fountain Pen Pen Fins?

Picture this: You’re looking closely at your fountain pen. You notice the shiny nib, the part you write with. Just behind it, there’s a piece of plastic or hard rubber with a bunch of thin, comb-like lines. Those lines, dear pen enthusiasts, are the fins. Now, they aren’t there to make your pen look like a fish or a bird. They serve a much cooler purpose.

clean fountain pen nibs

These fins work in four main ways:

  1. Ink Reservoir: Think of the fins as a mini swimming pool for your ink. When you’re writing, the fins store a little extra ink, so you don’t run out mid-sentence. Pretty neat, huh?
  2. Capillary Action: Here’s a fancy term for you – capillary action. This is how the ink travels from the main ink holder to the nib. The fins help in this process, maintaining a nice balance between the ink and the air that keeps your writing smooth and steady.
  3. Preventing Floods and Burps: You’re probably thinking, “Wait, pens can burp?” Well, not exactly. But sometimes, when there are temperature or pressure changes, ink can suddenly come out. This is what we call a “burp.” The fins help prevent this by expanding and contracting to handle these changes. It’s like a safety net for your ink.
  4. Buffering Ink Flow: When you’re writing, the fins act like a buffer. They control how much ink comes out when you apply pressure to the nib. This way, you don’t get a big blob of ink when you’re in the middle of jotting down your best ideas.

Now that you know what pen fins are for, you might be asking yourself, “Why should I care?” And that’s a fair question. Here’s the thing: understanding how your pen works can help you have a better writing experience. When you know how to best use and care for your pen, it can last longer and write better.

How to Keep Pen Fins Clean

Now, just knowing what pen fins do isn’t enough. If you want to get the most out of your pen, it’s important to make sure those fins are clean. Here’s why:

Remember how we said that the fins help control the flow of ink? Well, imagine what happens if they get all clogged up. That’s right, the ink flow gets disrupted, and your writing might start to look more like a staccato than a smooth symphony.

Keeping the fins clean is pretty simple. All you need is some water (distilled, if you have it), a gentle cloth or paper towel, and a bit of patience. Here’s a quick guide:

  1. Empty the pen: If your pen has a removable ink cartridge or converter, take it out. If not, just make sure it’s as empty as possible.
  2. Clean the nib and feed: Gently rinse the nib and feed (that’s the part with the fins!) under a slow stream of cool to lukewarm water. You want to flush out any old ink that’s hanging around.
  3. Dry it off: Carefully blot the nib and feed dry with your cloth or paper towel. Don’t rub or you might damage the fins.
  4. Let it rest: Leave your pen parts out to dry completely before you put everything back together. You want to make sure there’s no water hiding in those fins.
  5. Ink it up: Once everything’s dry, refill your pen with your favorite ink and you’re good to go!

Keeping those fins clean means they can do their job properly, making your writing experience as enjoyable as possible. Plus, it helps your pen last longer, so you can keep writing your heart out!

The More You Know…

I know when I discovered what pen fins were for, it was like unlocking a secret. I understood my pen better, and it made me appreciate the magic of writing with a fountain pen even more. And I hope, now that you know, you’ll find your fountain pen journey a little more exciting.

Remember, we’re all in this to learn, to grow, and most importantly, to enjoy the art of writing. So, here’s to you, the new fountain pen enthusiast, and your journey ahead!

Liz

Hey, I'm Liz. I'm the founder of this thing. Pen-obsessed and a notebook nut, I love writing by hand. So I'm gonna talk about it on a computer.