Care Guide
Caring For Your Wood Pen
A handmade wood pen asks very little. Here is everything worth knowing, in about two minutes of reading.
01Everyday Care
Your pen is finished to be handled. Natural oils from your hand are fine — they are part of why a wood pen looks better after a year than it did on day one. Just avoid dropping it on hard floors; wood dents where metal only scratches.
02Cleaning
Wipe the barrel with a soft, dry or barely damp cloth. That is all it needs. Do not soak it, run it under a tap, or put it in a dishwasher. Dry immediately if it gets wet.
03Protecting The Finish
Most pens leave the shop with a hardened CA or lacquer finish. Once or twice a year, a light buff with a clean microfiber cloth restores the shine. A tiny amount of quality furniture or carnauba wax can be used on oil-finished pieces.
04Avoiding Excessive Moisture
Wood moves with humidity. Keep the pen out of bathrooms, car cup holders, and damp bags. Sustained moisture can raise grain or, over years, loosen a press-fit component.
05Heat And Sunlight
Do not leave a pen on a sunny windowsill or a car dashboard. Prolonged UV fades color in exotic woods and dyed acrylics, and heat can soften adhesives.
06Proper Storage
Store the pen in its case, a pen sleeve, or a desk cup where it will not roll onto the floor. If it will sit unused for months, store it capped or retracted and away from direct light.
07What Not To Use
No household cleaners, alcohol, acetone, bleach, ammonia glass cleaner, silicone sprays, or abrasive pads. Any of these will haze or strip the finish and can damage plating.
08Maintaining Metal Components
Buff plated hardware with a dry cloth only. Do not use metal polish — it will cut through plating. If a threaded cap starts to feel gritty, wipe the threads clean with a dry cotton swab.
09Long-Term Care
Replace refills before they dry out, keep the pen out of extreme conditions, and give the barrel an occasional buff. Cared for that way, a hand-turned pen is a lifetime object — and if something ever does go wrong, get in touch. Michael made it and can usually fix it.
Questions about your piece?
Email RMWCraft@yahoo.com or send a note through the contact page.