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When you are used to having your favorite fountain pen within reach all the time, you may not want to leave it behind when you go on business trips or even vacation. Unfortunately, we have all seen what changes in cabin pressure can do to travel-size toiletries. You are right to be concerned that the ink from your pen could spill all over your luggage in transit. Keep reading to find out more about traveling with fountain pens from our pen enthusiasts.
You can bring a fountain pen on a flight depending on how much ink it’s carrying. A full fountain pen won’t leak because [there is no] air to expand and mess with your ink. That’s why bringing an old, partially filled fountain pen is most likely to mess up your luggage.
When traveling with a fountain pen, the main issue is ink spilling from the pen due to cabin pressure variations. Ink spilling from a fountain pen is due to capillary action and gravity.
Carrying a fountain pen inside your luggage is fine. You may carry a fountain pen as long as the nib is pointing upward. Gravity and any other pressures will not force ink from the pen if the nib is kept pointed upward. If you are unable to do so, I advise you to empty your pen or simply leave it.
If you intend to fly with a fountain pen, you have three simple choices for keeping the pen and your other possessions safe during the flight:
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Another option is to use a pen with a cartridge and simply remove the cartridge before traveling.
I wrap the upper portion of the pens in paper towels, place them in a plastic bag in a zipper pen case and make sure they are nibs up. I take them in carry-on. It may be overkill, but it works. If you put them in carry-on there is no way to control nib orientation.