Glass Dip Pen Guide

Glass Dip Pens have been around for over three centuries, and it's easy to understand why - they're easy to clean, durable, and often gorgeous to boot. The versatility of their pen nibs' via sanding allows individuals to quickly and easily resharpen their nibs as needed or customize them with only a piece of wet/dry sandpaper. The only major downside for these beauties is that they can sometimes be too heavy/unwieldy for the small-handed like, and that they cannot carry pages of ink without refill. 

What to Look For in Good Glass

No Bubbles / Clear, Intentional Design Choices 

Many glass pens today come from mass manufacturing, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - this allows for the trial and use of glass dip pens by many for relatively low cost; however, it's important to note that not all mass-manufactured glass pens are made with the same quality in mind. If you'd like your new purchase to last, make sure to inspect it for air bubbles- any air bubbles or fractures in the glass should be very clear intentional design decisions by the glass artist, encased carefully in additional layers to protect and prevent stress fracturing. 

If you're buying an introductory glass dip pen, most likely the bubbles you see in your glass pen are manufacturer's defects caused by not shaking or melting out the bubbles in the glass. These can create stress in the design of the pen, leading to fracturing or unintentional breakage during regular use. If possible, look to inspect your pen prior to purchase to avoid receiving an unintentionally fragile piece. 

Materials

Borosilicate Dip Pens

Modern glass pens hand-made by artisans are most likely made with borosilicate glass (this used to be synonymous with Pyrex, but the two have since parted ways in synonymy as the Pyrex company has developed more products made with soda-lime glass - also known as soft glass). Borosilicate glass (AKA hard glass, or boro) is less susceptible to fracturing when exposed to rapidly changing temperatures, and more durable than soft glass once properly annealed, making it a favorite for hard-wearing works. However, it requires more expensive equipment to work with (high powered torches, and stronger safety eye wear), and can be more difficult to handle. These pens can potentially be repaired or the pen nib replaced if damaged.

Soda Lime Dip Pens

Soda lime glass can be used to produce glass dip pens, and is a favorite of manufacturers for more mass-produced dip pen works. It should be noted that while these pens are more appealing due to low cost, they can be more fragile and require greater care in use and storage. These pens can potentially be repaired or the pen nib replaced if damaged, but care must be taken by an artisan in reheating the pen to get it up to temperature, as soda lime glass is more prone to thermal shock. 

Crystal Dip Pens

Crystal is a type of glass with an extremely high lead oxide content - this produces an incredible brilliance and clarity making for beautiful - but highly delicate - dip pens. While it is possible to repair a Crystal Dip Pen, the high lead oxide content makes this glass extremely soft and delicate to work with, making repairs more difficult, and more often than not, unlikely for an artisan to take on.

Maintenance

Rinse After Use With Ink

Glass dip pens do not require much in the way of repeat maintenance. Rinsing your pen with water between uses is the best way to ensure longevity of the pen and prevent build-up of ink and large particles that may damage the nib over time. You may also use a damp cloth to wipe it clean between uses.

Store Your Pen Securely

Make sure when the pen is not in use to store it in a secure location where it cannot be scratched or bumped. Small fractures in the glass can lead to large breaks or chips that affect the overall performance and lasting durability of your pen. 

Sanding Your Pen Nib

As your pen nib is used, you may notice it wearing down or becoming dull over time. Paper is a very fine abrasive, and the silica or acrylic that makes up your pen will file down over repeated use. In order to revitalize a dull glass dip pen nib, simply dip your pen nib in water and rub it gently on wet micromesh or high-grit wet/dry zona sandpaper. Make sure to rotate the nib of the pen to get even sanding. Always make sure to use the micromesh or sandpaper wet to prevent accidental fractures or cracks.  

Repair

Repair of glass dip pens depends on the material used for construction. Please consult the glass dip pen types above for more information. If unsure on what type of glass or material was used, please reach out to the reseller or manufacturer of your pen. If we sold the pen here, we'll be able to tell you what material was used. 

The Nib Is Broken

No worries! Assuming the pen is made of some type of glass, It is entirely possible to melt off and replace a damaged nib. If you know the maker of your glass pen, you should contact them for more information in regards to the type of glass used in its construction/manufacturing to determine the type of material used. Your maker may even be able to provide repairs directly. Once the materials are known, you may be able to contact a flame-working artisan to repair or replace the damaged nib. While the nib may differ in function, a skilled artisan that has made glass dip pens will know how to reproduce most general shapes. Who knows - you may even end up with a nib you liked better than the one originally on the pen you bought! 

The Body is Broken

The body of a pen being damaged typically requires individual assessment from an artisan. Pen bodies are varied works of art, and depending on the complexity of work or intricacy of design, it may not be possible to fix a pen or wholly salvage a design. If you truly love the work of the artisan involved, it may be worth reaching out directly to see if they can fix the pen for you or provide a reproduction. 

 

While PenCat does not offer repair services for damaged glass dip pens at this time, this is a service we would like to offer in the future. Stay tuned!