So the new pen you've just bought arrived in the mail and you're concerned about handling it right away because of the pandemic. Or perhaps you are concerned about the pens you already own and use out in the real world. If you're like so many others, after some time of writing you find your hands going from the pen to your face. Medical professionals have warned us all about limiting when and how often we touch our faces.
We know how to wash our hands. We know how to clean our tables, doorknobs, car doors and steering wheels, etc... but what about our pens?
We don't need to tell you all pens are not the same. All those different materials and finishes react differently - and many of the finer finishes do not react well to cleaning agents. Cleansers with ingredients such as vinegar, ammonia, and others can damage the finishes of a great many pens, so be very careful. We've seen the extensive damage cleansers can do. It's not only unspeakably ugly - it's not covered by any manufacturer's warranty!
Our advice to everyone is this: Try to avoid the urge to immediately open and handle a new purchase if you're concerned about possible contamination. Let it sit a few days. If there were any germs to worry about, they'll all be dead by then. Likewise with any of your finer pens such as Visconti's Homosapien, or any pen made with turned acrylic resins, woods, or metal with lacquer finishes. Just allow them to sit. The only safe cleanser is water on a slightly dampened cloth for these types of pens - and water won't kill coronavirus. But time will! So please be patient.
Pens that can be cleaned are those inexpensive, sturdy workhorses the Faber-Castell GRIP 2010 and 2011, Kaweco Classic Sport, Skyline Sport, and Frosted Sport, and the Lamy Safari and Vista. These rugged, ABS plastic wonders can be cleaned using a towel dampened with a little soapy dishwater if you absolutely must wash your pen.
Probably the most ideal pen for the germophobes among us is the diminutive Kaweco Liliput in Copper, as well as their Brass Sport, Brass Liliput, Brass Supra, and Brass Special series pens. Copper and its alloy, Brass have natural antimicrobial properties. These metals possess an inherent ability to kill a wide range of harmful microbes relatively rapidly - often within just a few hours. They won't kill coronavirus, but these metals are more than just good looking.
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