Are Glass Pens Worth Messing With? Guide to Glass Pens
If you have never used a glass pen, I think you would agree that the idea of writing with glass sounds intimidating, right? I thought the same thing!
I have tested two of the top-rated glass pens from Amazon. I experienced them first hand with different techniques and inks to see how these pens worked. After testing them, I have discovered that glass pens are easy to use and easy to take care of!
In this post, I will give you an easy guide to get you started using a glass pen and remove the intimidation of using one.
Let’s get started!
This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure HERE.
What Is a Glass Pen?
A glass pen is a writing utensil made entirely of glass (sometimes acrylic or crystal). It does not have any ink inside the pen. It is almost like a calligraphy pen that you dip into ink before writing or drawing. The tip of the glass pen is made with intricate spiral grooves that hold the ink and allows the ink to flow down the tip and onto the paper in a steady stream.
Do Glass Pens Work?
Yes, glass pens do work! Depending on how the pen is made, some pens work at any angle you hold them, and some glass pens have a sweet spot. This means you have to hold the pen at just the right angle for the ink to flow onto the paper.
Using the correct ink is also helpful in having a good writing experience. (Continue reading below to see what the best inks are to use with your glass dip pen.)
Are Glass Pens Fragile?
Glass pens are more durable than you would expect. I was nervous about getting my first pen because I was afraid to drop it. These pens are not as delicate as one would expect, but keep in mind these are still made of glass! Take care and use caution not to drop it, and it will last you a very long time.
How Do You Hold a Glass Pen?
The best way to hold a glass pen is between your thumb and first finger, supported by your middle finger. Having three fingers supporting the glass pen is the best way to control your pen when writing or drawing. Some glass pens have a “sweet spot” that you have to find to get the ink flowing. One of my pens needs to be held at a slight angle. The other glass pen I have, made by a different company, can be held at any angle, and it writes the same.
If you are trying out your glass pen for the first time and not getting the ink to flow, try holding the pen at a slightly different angle until you find that sweet spot.
What Kind of Paper is Best for Writing on With Glass Pens?
The right paper makes all the difference when using a glass pen and ink.
I recommend using smooth paper that is thicker than regular computer paper. If you use low-quality paper, your glass pen will not be able to glide smoothly across the surface. If your paper is too thin, the ink can bleed through.
Here are some of the best types of paper to use with a glass dip pen:
100 gsm - 160 gsm journal paper ( I use Dingbats Notebooks and Archer & Olive journals) *Affiliate links
Marker paper - found online and in art stores. They come in pads of different sizes to choose from.
Mixed media paper - this paper is also found in art stores and online.
Calligraphy Paper and practice pads - You can buy special calligraphy paper to write on or use practice pads. Calligraphy practice pads are lined for lettering practice.
Using any of these options will give you great results when using your glass dip pen and ink!
What Kind of Ink Do You Use With a Glass Pen?
Picking the right ink will give you the best overall experience using a glass pen.
Inks you can use with your glass pen:
Fountain pen ink
Calligraphy ink
Ecoline liquid watercolor
India ink
Any other kinds of ink can get caught or dried up inside the ink grooves of the glass pen and cause the ink flow to stop. It will also make it harder to clean. If you stick to the four types of ink I recommend, you will not have any trouble!
Fun Tip: You can use watercolor with your glass pen too! All you have to do is use your watercolor brush to pick up your watercolor, then brush it generously onto the glass pen. Be sure to coat the ink wells of the pen for best results and continuous writing or drawing.
How to Ink a Glass Pen for Writing
To properly ink your glass pen, all you have to do is follow these simple steps:
Open the ink jar, so the mouth is exposed.
Dip your glass pen straight down into the ink about halfway up the ink shaft.
Pull the pen out and point the tip up at a 45-degree angle while rotating the pen. This will allow the ink to distribute evenly through the ridges.
Before writing, make sure to point the tip back down and drip off any pooling ink at the tip to avoid flooding the paper.
Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to write or draw!
How Do You Clean a Glass Dip Pen?
Cleaning a glass dip pen is extremely simple. All you need is a dish of clean water and a paper towel. (Use a glass dish for water, so it is easy to clean the ink-water out once you are done.)
Once you have finished with the ink on your dip pen, simply dip the pen into the clean water dish. Move the pen around in the water to make sure all the ink is removed from the ink grooves. (It is important to be gentle with this step, so you do not break the tip in your dish).
Once the glass tip looks free from all of the ink, gently wipe off the tip with a paper towel. I prefer paper towels because some tissues can leave lint on your pen tip. When you dip the pen again into your ink, the lint particles can end up in your ink!
How Do You Store Your Glass Pen?
Most glass pens come inside a well-padded box with a protector on the glass tip. I recommend keeping these boxes for storage because they’ve already done an excellent job packing them safely for you. Once you are finished with your pen for the day, slide the pen back into the nib protector and right back into its padded case. Keep them in a neutral temperature location out of reach of kids or pets.
Are Glass Pens Worth It?
Are you someone who enjoys the experience of writing or creating? If you answered yes, then my answer to this question is, YES!
Glass pens are so much fun to write with because nothing is like it. It is such a fun writing experience to use a glass dip pen.
Glass pens are also very affordable. The best-selling glass pens on the market are under $10.00! You can also get some fantastic gift sets that come with a glass pen and different color inks in the same box. Prices vary, but you can get these for around $20.00. (Continue reading below to see where you can buy glass pens).
What Can You Use a Glass Pen For?
There are several ways you can use glass pens. Below are just a few suggestions:
Calligraphy
Hand lettering
Daily writing/journaling
Art
Drawing/doodling
I recommend testing them out in different ways to see what you like to use glass pens for. I enjoy using mine in all the ways listed above.
What Are the Best Glass Pens?
There are so many glass pens on the market to choose from. Personally, I love my Molshine Glass Dip Pen. This was an individual glass pen that I purchased from Amazon.
I also love my ESSSHOP Glass Dip Pen set that came with 12 different colored inks in the set. When these were purchased, they both had a five-star rating on Amazon, and I would agree with these ratings! They are wonderful pens.
Some of the top-rated glass pens are listed below for you to check out if you are interested. (You can find these pens in my Amazon Shop) *Affiliate link
Molshine Glass Dip Pen *Pictured above
ESSSHOP Handmade Glass Dip Pen (Comes with 12 inks) *Pictured above
Mancola Glass Pen
Vanleonet Glass Pen and holder set
SeeSky Handmade Glass Pen
Where Can You Buy Glass Pens?
There are many places online where you can purchase glass dip pens. I got two of mine on Amazon, as you read above. I like searching on Amazon because I can see the reviews of people who have purchased the exact item I’m looking to buy. The reviews are also an excellent place to find tips, tricks, and recommendations for the item I’m looking to purchase.
There are other online options like Etsy. Glass pens on Etsy are hand-made and have beautiful design options that you do not find on Amazon. These are great for gifting or purchasing something fun for yourself!
You can also search for glass pens and find various retailers that specialize in hand-blown dip pens.
Look around and see what catches your eye. The best way to start is to find a dip pen paired with ink in the set. That way, you have everything you need to get started!
Final Thoughts on Glass Pens
Thank you for joining me on the topic of glass pens! If you do not have a glass pen yet or you are looking to buy one as a gift for the stationery fanatic in your life, I hope you found this helpful.
Glass pens are fun for anyone looking to try something new. I love that they are affordable compared to other calligraphy pen options! They are unique, beautiful, and easy to learn how to use. Glass pens are easy to clean and care for, which is a huge plus! I believe glass pens make your writing experience enjoyable and take you outside the box of a regular pen.
I hope you’ll give it a try!
Come back soon.
Holly
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