FAQs – Bertram's Inkwell

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Welcome to Bertram's Inkwell store

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📞 (301) 468-6939

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11520 Rockville Pike Suite E. Rockville, MD 20852

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New Hours - Tuesday-Friday 10 AM to 6 PM - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM • Closed on Sunday & Monday

FAQs

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[Which lasts longer, fountain pen ink, a rollerball refill, or a ballpoint refill?](/content/pages/faqs#section1 "Which lasts longer, fountain pen ink, a rollerball refill, or a ballpoint refill?"/index.html)
[How often should I clean my fountain pen, and how do I know when it is dirty?](/content/pages/faqs#section2 "How often should I clean my fountain pen, and how do I know when it is dirty?"/index.html)
[What is the best method for cleaning a fountain pen?](/content/pages/faqs#section3 "What is the best method for cleaning a fountain pen?"/index.html)
[How do I travel by air with my fountain pen?](/content/pages/faqs#section4 "How do I travel by air with my fountain pen?"/index.html)
[What pen do I choose as a gift?](/content/pages/faqs#section5 "What pen do I choose as a gift?"/index.html)
[I've been looking at what other people have called, and I am not sure that this is the right word, but a "kit pen." These pens could be made of wood from different sites, historical areas, or exotic woods. What have you heard about the mechanisms, clip and hardware of these pens?](/content/pages/faqs#section6 "I've been looking at what other people have called, and I am not sure that this is the right word, but a "kit pen." These pens could be made of wood from different sites, historical areas, or exotic woods. What have you heard about the mechanisms, clip and hardware of these pens?"/index.html)
[What is the best paper to use with a fountain pen?](/content/pages/faqs#section7 "What is the best paper to use with a fountain pen?"/index.html)

Q: Which lasts longer, fountain pen ink, a rolleball refill, or a ballpoint refill?

A: A rollerball refill will last an average of 30 legal size pages. A ballpoint refill will last an average of 300 legal-size pages. The fountain pen is the most economical because a 12 oz. bottle of ink will typically last almost a year. So, next time someone comments on your latest fountain pen purchase, just tell them that you are being economical!

Q: How often should I clean my fountain pen, and how do I know when it dirty?

A: I believe it best to clean a Fountain Pen at least once a month i.e. removing all the old ink from the feed and fill system, however if you are using red or green inks in the pen probably best to clean it twice a month. As to knowing when it's dirty, reduction in the quality of writing is a good indication, dried ink on the feed and or nib would be another. Remember to let the pen dry before refilling, water and ink do not mix well.

Q: What is the best method for cleaning a fountain pen?

A: Use a solution of 50% Windex and 50% cold water. Never use hot water. Fill pen with cleaning solution and then empty. Repeat this process until clean. Shake excess liquid from the pen by wrapping the nib in a paper towel and shaking downward like a thermometer.

Q: How do I travel by air with my fountain pen?

A: You don't need to worry about traveling by air with modern fountain pens. Today's fountain pens have intricate feed systems and are tested at pressures equivalent to that of a airplane cabin. As long as you keep the pen in an upright position, you should have no problems.

With antique fountain pens that use a bladder for ink, I recommend emptying the pen prior to travel and then filling it again at your destination.

Q: What pen do I choose as a gift?

A: Choosing the best pen as a gift can be quite easy if one applies a few simple rules. It's probably not a good idea to give a fountain pen as a gift unless the person is a fountain pen person or has asked for one. Rollerballs write great, but the refills tend to last for only about 30 pages. Ballpoint pens can write up to 300 pages with a Parker style refill. If the pen takes a Parker style refill, it will also take a gel refill.

A side note...Cross and Waterman rollerballs will take either rollerball, ballpoint or felt tip (fineliner) refills (the Cross will also take a highlighter).

Heavy is not always better, as it take a lot more skill to make a strong, lightweight pen than a heavy, strong one. Check the guarantee and reputation of the company with the salesperson; you may be surprised.

Finally, see what refill the pen takes. The more universal the refill, the easier it will be to find.

Q: I've been looking at what other people have called, and I am not sure that this is the right word, but a "kit pen." These pens could be made of wood from different sites, historical areas, or exotic woods. What have you heard about the mechanisms, clip and hardware of these pens?

A: While I have the greatest admiration for those few who can take a block of wood or acrylic and form it into a highly polished item such as a pen. I do have some reservations, no matter how rare or precious the body material may be, the clips, tips, and mechanisms in general come from a craft supplier and are dubious quality at best. Compared to the findings that a major manufacturer would normally use on a comparable pen they are for the most part junk. I have seen some "craft pens" of extremely high quality and what these talented people have done is take an antique pen strip out the nib and hardware and build a new body and cap, in fact they have basically remanufactured the pen. I only know of one or two people doing this at this time.

In short there are too many great pens out there to buy something that may break and leave you no recourse.

Q: What is the best paper to use with a fountain pen?

A: The best paper to use is a high cotton content rag paper in a smooth finish . I personally prefer a paper with a little weight to it. In other words a little thicker than say normal fax paper or the cheap legal pad stuff. I have found that both the fax and cheap legal pads have a tendency to wax up and clog a fountain pen. Most are made with recycled paper that contains some wax in it.

Some time ago Bertram's Inkwell started selling a line of pads in several different sizes called Rhodia. These pads are great! I have been using the number 18 pad in the graph style and I absolutely love it. I love these pads! They are reasonably priced and great to write on.

Customers are saying

4.9

161 verified reviews167 total reviews

Positive Feedback:99.6%

2,520 reviews

Positive

Past 6 months

Excellent seller! Great communication, packed the pen carefully, and even upgraded my order when the original item was out of stock. The pen arrived quickly and exactly as described. Would gladly buy from this seller again. Highly recommended!

Positive

Past 6 months

Excellent seller! Great price, the item was exactly as described, communication was perfect and I received my item very quickly. All original packaging with no damage. A+++

Positive

Past year

The pen i purchased was labeled as "in stock" but that was not the case. After a couple days of waiting for it to ship, I reached out to the store and spoke with Bert. He was very helpful and kept me updated throughout the process as he restocked. It took a couple weeks but as soon as Bert received the pen, it was shipped out the same day. I just got the pen and it's perfect. Would definitely do business with them again. (I just might call ahead to confirm that the product is readily available.)

Positive

Past year

I received great customer service from Bertram’s Inkwell. The communicated with me in a timely manner and kept me abreast of the packing and shipping until my pen arrived. I received the pen faster than I thought I would and it was packaged well. It was exactly as described and a great value. The pen and is more beautiful in my hands than in the photo. I’m very satisfied with my purchase.

Positive

Past month

Easy, seamless transaction, item just as described. I’m having fun with this pen! It arrived quickly, well packaged, good price. Great seller.

Positive

Past 6 months

Fantastic seller! Super fast shipping, exactly as described and very nice surprise of a cool stamp and treat in the box. Would not hesitate to buy from them again.

Positive

Past 6 months

My item was received exactly as described. It was packed with care and arrived a day earlier than I thought it would.

Positive

Past month

Great pen at a good price. Good communication and fast shipping. Highly recommended seller.

Positive

Past 6 months

Great seller! Fast shipping and pen arrived in perfect condition and was well packaged. Have purchased from before...and will again!

Positive

Past year

Packaged impeccably! Item came exactly as described! Seller was very communicative - one of the inks is back ordered and will be mailed separately.

Positive

Past 6 months

I made a mistake with the mailing address and they were prompt to respond and send it to the right place. Item arrived as described.

Negative

Past month

Purchased the jtem 29 Aug 2026. No update no communication. I inquired 03 Sep, tells me Delta were supposed to ship it and that he will have info by 1200. Then , again total silence. No update no communcartion. Wasted so much of my time. Yeah positice feedback by a lot others but his interaction with me was super poor and a waste of time. Check photos and same feedback by another customer. Essentjally same as mine. Cancel order pls.

Positive

Past 6 months

Great seller! Fast shipping. Great color ink. I can’t wait to do more business with this seller. Can’t say enough good things about the product or seller. A+ rating all around.

Positive

Past month

Great pen! Sent in its orinal package. Great seller.

Positive

Past 6 months

Fast shipping (15 days from the US to germany), well-packed, very nice item. Thank You very much!

Positive

Past month

It writes beautifully and is a stunning pen to look at. It was shipped well packaged in on time. Very helpful seller.

Positive

Past 6 months

Fast shipping and nicely packed. I ordered an ink converter from this seller and it was shipped out immediately over the weekend. Excellent service and highly recommended!

Positive

Past year

Arrived in perfect condition being well packaged. Quality item and good to use. Great value and looks good. Would use this seller again as the item arrived exactly as described.

Positive

Past 6 months

Pen was exactly as described. Shipping was quick and pen was well packaged. Would definitely buy from this seller again. Very happy with this purchase!!

Positive

Past 6 months

Fast delivery, carefully packed, and great value for a hard to find pen! A+++

Positive

Past year

This arrived a very fast and was well packaged suggested arrival was Saturday and it showed up Thursday Thursday instead. All as described the color and was very nice with gold shimmer. I tried it in a dip pen. It’s a very nice color.

Positive

Past 6 months

Perfect transaction! The pen is new and perfect. The packaging was great and the shipping was fast. I will definitely do business with the seller again!

Positive

Past 6 months

I found this seller due to the Saint Louis pen show, I got a pen that needed a special refill. When I couldn’t find it, a vendor recommended this seller. I ordered my refills, and they arrived early in excellent condition! I will be buying more!

Positive

Past 6 months

Item received as described new with great wrapping and shipping. Ty

Positive

Past 6 months

The product was, as described, in excellent condition. Shipping was fast. Highly recommend seller. A+.

Positive

Past 6 months

My item was exactly as described and shipped quickly. I also received excellent customer service. I’ve already made additional purchases and will recommend to others!

Positive

Past 6 months

We had a bit of a glitch on the order and they weren't able to provide me with the color I originally had ordered. The seller let me know that immediately, was apologetic and gave me several option including cancelling the order. I was able to get Diamine's ochre and it's beautiful and perfect for the pen I'd newly purchased. I truly was impressed by the fast customer service and their honesty in letting me know what happened was on their end. Good to know I can rely on their integrity!

Positive

Past 6 months

Great packaging and fast shipping. Item exactly as advertised, thank you for hand written note, someone clearly cared about their customer, packaging and the product.

Positive

Past year

This is a very interesting Inc. it arrived with another at the same time and arrive two days earlier than expected. It was well packaged and as described this in color is quite unusual and amazing. I tried it in a dip pen, and I look forward to putting it into a fountain pen. I am very glad I picked this one up.

Positive

Past year

Pen was purchased at a great price. The pictures of pen were good, but the pen is amazing in appearance and color. New in original packaging shipped with care and arrived 2 days early. Will definitely save seller to my favorites.

Positive

Past year

Communication was great, delivery was fast, pen was well-packaged, and the pen itself is gorgeous! Thanks! Would definitely be happy to buy from this seller again!

Positive

Past month

Thank you. Quality was as described. Loved the handwritten touches on packing slip. Shipping took a lot longer than anticipated.

Positive

Past year

A 5 star PLUS + PLUS Ebay feedback for seller! Fast shipping, excellent and careful packaging and a state of the art writing instrument delivered at my mail box. An excellent purchase order experience. THANKS!

Positive

Past year

Nicely packaged and shipped fast. The product itself was as described, highly recommended.

Positive

Past year

Fast shipping, pen was well packed. The item is as described and arrived in great condition. Excellent seller!

Positive

Past year

Amazing!! Amazing product shipped so quickly and packaged well ! Just as advertised amazing experience will be coming back for future pen purchases!!!

Positive

Past year

Hello for whatever reason it will not let me leave a message. I cannot contact you. It does not let me do anything so I need to leave feedback. Please get a hold of me on order 2744. You accidentally sent me a second pen I paid for one I got the second pen today The VC 700 R thank you.

Positive

Past 6 months

Lovingly packaged and shipped with speed. Delighted with this transaction. Would purchase again in a heartbeat. I've said it before and I'll say it again! Bertram's is the best in the biz!

Positive

Past year

The item was out of stock when I purchased it. The seller immediately contacted me and let me know that the item was out of stock and gave me the option to either cancel the order or wait for the item to be restocked. I chose to wait for the item to be restocked. I am very happy with the pen, even though I had to wait for the item to be restocked. The seller communicated with me and provided great service.

Positive

Past 6 months

This is the third pen I buy from seller; two on eBay and one in store—all phenomenal products and service. What a great experience!!!

Positive

Past year

This pen is absolutely extraordinary! It is exactly as the seller described. The seller shipped quickly and his communication was punctual. I would buy again from these guys anytime.

Positive

Past 6 months

Bought with Onyx TWSBI Eco, came safe and sound. No issues, all packaging was brand new. Got to say, I love the Plum more then the slate, excellent condition.

Positive

Past 6 months

Hi! My TWSBI fountain pen arrived safely, and I’m absolutely delighted with it! It’s beautiful and exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you so much for the great service and careful shipping. I’m very happy with my purchase! 😊

Positive

Past 6 months

Great seller! Fast shipping and pen arrived in perfect condition. Very happy with the purchase. Bid with confidence.

Positive

Past 6 months

Excellent customer service, beautiful pens. Seller shipped with care and was quick to remedy an order issue. Thank you very much! Lifelong customer!

Positive

Past year

Great seller! Item as described and fast shipping. Thanks!

Positive

Past year

Bought this second pen from this seller. Just as described. Recommend this seller!

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