Author Topic: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.  (Read 2502 times)

Offline Daniel McGill

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Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« on: September 25, 2019, 04:04:36 PM »
Dear fellow penmen and enthusiasts.

I pose a question to you all. Which, in your humble opinions, cleans a nib better? A linen cloth or a heavy duty player towel? I shall expand on what I mean by better: to clean the nib without releasing artifacts that may clog or throw the nib off.

Thank you all.

Offline CraigRuhl

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2019, 04:11:20 PM »
I haven't used a linen wipe so I can't comment on that - my wife's linen cabinet is off limits and I haven't asked permission. Some time ago, we were dining in a restaurant that offered large paper napkins that had a feel like linen, tightly woven and virtually dust and lint free. I asked for a was given a small stack of them and that is what I use to clean pens. I've never had a snag or catch using them. Prior to that used good quality paper towels and had numerous problems.
Craig Ruhl
A novice penman, seasoned writer, voracious reader, and all-around nice guy. I am a lifetime collector and user of fountain pens.

Offline K-2

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2019, 05:09:15 PM »
I'm team cloth: wash and reuse!  But it doesn't have to be linen - just as long as it is lint-free, tightly woven, and absorbent.  I actually like using pieces of old, worn-out cotton sheets/pillowcases or um. worn-out boxers.

Offline Estefa

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2019, 05:16:40 PM »
I use cotton or linen cloth – old shirts from my husband work greatly ;).
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Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2019, 09:45:00 PM »
I use cotton or linen cloth – old shirts from my husband work greatly ;).
I see.
I think I now know why some of my old t-shirts have been disappearing.

Offline TeresaS

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2019, 11:02:52 PM »
I use those cloths you get when you get a new pair of prescription eyeglasses. They work great.
Teresa

Offline Estefa

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2019, 03:01:14 PM »
I use cotton or linen cloth – old shirts from my husband work greatly ;).
I see.
I think I now know why some of my old t-shirts have been disappearing.

Naah … T-shirts don’t work, they’re too linty ;D
Stefanie :: Website :: Blog :: Instagram

Offline AAAndrew

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2019, 04:12:08 PM »
I find the small, smooth napkins you get in some coffee shops work well. Paper towels can have lint, but the napkins which are smooth seem fine to me. I like the ones from coffee shops because they are small.

Of course, cloth does have tradition on its side. Pen wipes were a traditional craft for girls as they learned how to stitch and embroider. You find mentions of even distinguished statesmen found using some awkwardly made pen wipe, a treasured gift of a young daughter or granddaughter.
Check out my steel pen history blog
https://thesteelpen.com/

Offline jeanwilson

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2019, 03:58:27 PM »
I've had this old cotton damask napkin for 25 years. Sometimes at IAMPETH conference - those of us who have *Linus blanket* nib wipers would have a little show and tell session. I throw mine in the wash once in a while. It is not crusty - those are all stains that do not come out.

Not all cotton is the same. Higher quality cotton will be a lot less linty than generic t-shirts. Linen is nice - but again - there many different kinds of linen and you want something that was high quality and has been washed many, many times.With either linen or cotton, you want a tight weave and something that was fairly light weight to begin with. Ladies hankies are ok - but can be too fine. Men's handkerchiefs are nice.

I'm very fond of mine - and often ponder making it into something else. It might be fun to start a new one.

Offline Mary_M

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2020, 10:01:57 AM »
Jean, this is actually quite pretty and looks like an abstract scarf!

Offline JanisTX

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2020, 02:15:43 PM »
I use Bounty paper towels!  They work great!

Janis

Offline AnasaziWrites

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Re: Cleaning your nib...cloth Vs paper towel.
« Reply #11 on: January 04, 2020, 05:05:46 PM »
I use Bounty paper towels!  They work great!

Janis
That's what I use too. And they do work great.