The Papermate Flexigrip pen has always been my favorite since my teaching days.
...until now.
No matter how much I scribbled, the ink just wouldn't flow.
Then I remembered a trick someone (probably Art) taught me a long time ago.
It was something about heating the tip of the pen to melt some of the clogged, dried up ink.
It took a couple of tries, but it works now.
I looked online to find out if this was a legitimate solution and found this Lifehacker website on how to Revive Dead Ballpoint Pens.
Someone did caution not to go too "fire-happy" because you can melt the pen which would really kill it. They suggest boiling water as an alternative.
Ah well, it worked for me this time so I'm happy.
I guess I liked it because the grip is comfortable, I don't have to worry about a losing a cap and the ink comes out smoothly and seems to never fail...
...until now.
No matter how much I scribbled, the ink just wouldn't flow.
It was something about heating the tip of the pen to melt some of the clogged, dried up ink.
It took a couple of tries, but it works now.
I looked online to find out if this was a legitimate solution and found this Lifehacker website on how to Revive Dead Ballpoint Pens.
Someone did caution not to go too "fire-happy" because you can melt the pen which would really kill it. They suggest boiling water as an alternative.
Ah well, it worked for me this time so I'm happy.
That's a much better solution than just tossing the pen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting solution.
ReplyDeleteI'll try this next time my favorite pen stops working. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have favorite pen type too, and the refills seem to skip ink sometimes. May try this with a Bic lighter. You could always take the ink cartridge out of the pen before heating up the tip of the pen. Hmmmm. Don't tell students....little fires at desks wouldn't be a good thing. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeletegood to know!!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby suggests alcohol on the pen of course...lol! I just throw mine away and buy new ones~!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that worked for you.
ReplyDeleteYou can buy refils too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has always been hit or miss for me with a good ballpoint pen. I shall look for this one!
ReplyDeleteI have done that too and it does work. I may want to try boiling water next time.
ReplyDeleteMost of my pens are ones I took from hotels where we have stayed. They are smooth flowing, black-inked, and disposable. I tend to not write that much any more, preferring to compose on a keyboard and let spell check bail me out. :-)
ReplyDeleteNothing worse than losing a good pen
ReplyDeleteI tried your hack on some nice pens I found in the back of my office supply cabinet. Sadly, it didn't work. Nor did hot water or alcohol. I had to toss them.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can usually learn something neat on Musings.
ReplyDeleteYou are clever! Well done.
ReplyDeleteI have a pen, a newish pen, that I love. It's a freebie from the local garage, and it just feels right.
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDelete