A David Oscarson pen is built to last generations. Sterling silver and hard enamel are durable materials, but they reward care. A few simple habits keep the silver bright, the enamel clear and the nib writing well. These are general guidelines; for anything beyond routine care, contact us and we will put you in touch with the authorized service channel.
Silver
Sterling silver naturally tarnishes on contact with air. That is not a flaw; it is how the metal behaves, and regular handling actually slows it. Wipe the pen with a soft, dry silver polishing cloth, working gently around the guilloché and along the clip.
Avoid liquid silver dips, ultrasonic cleaners and abrasive pastes. They can dull the enamel, fill the engraving and wear the plating on gold vermeil or rhodium trims. Gentle and regular beats strong and occasional.
Enamel
Hard enamel is glass, fused to the silver in a kiln at more than 1,000 °F. It resists scratching far better than lacquer and will not fade, but like any glass it can chip if dropped onto a hard surface. Cap the pen when it is not in use, set it down rather than rolling it across a desk, and keep it in its presentation box or a padded pen case when travelling.
Ink and filling
Use ink made for fountain pens only; drawing inks and inks containing shellac or pigment particles can clog the feed. The filling system accepts a cartridge, a converter or an eyedropper fill, sealed by a series of O-rings. If you use the eyedropper method, keep the O-rings in good condition and do not overtighten the barrel.
Flushing the nib
When changing inks, or before storing the pen for several weeks, flush the section and nib with cool water until it runs clear. A converter makes this easy: draw water in and expel it several times. Let the section dry nib-down on a soft cloth before refilling. Never use hot water or solvents.
Store pens capped, upright or flat, away from heat, sun and humidity.
Storage
Store the pen capped, upright or flat, away from direct sun, heat sources and damp. A pen left in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill can leak ink or stress its seals. If you keep several pens, a lined case or tray prevents them from knocking against one another.
Roller ball
The roller ball needs no flushing. Replace the refill when the line fades, and keep the pen capped so the tip does not dry out. The same care for the silver and enamel applies.
If a pen has been stored for a long time and will not start, do not force the nib. Flush it with cool water, let it dry, and refill with fresh ink; that usually solves the problem.
Keeping the record
Keep the presentation box and the documentation that came with the pen, and note its collection, colour and number. That record helps with insurance and with servicing, and it is part of what you pass on with the pen.
El Laguito Cigars is an authorized David Oscarson retailer in Canada. If your pen needs more than routine care, or you have questions about inks and refills, contact us and we will help.