Caring for Your Modern S.T. Dupont Pens (Defi, Defi Millennium, Liberté/Sword, Line D/Line D Eternity)
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S.T. Dupont pens are celebrated for their timeless elegance and precision. To help you care for your pen, this guide is organized by pen type—fountain, rollerball, and ballpoint—covering everything from refills to maintenance and troubleshooting.
Fountain Pens
1. Proper Refill
Use S.T. Dupont fountain pen cartridges or a converter with bottled ink. Both options are compatible with modern S.T. Dupont fountain pens, allowing you to choose between convenience and variety in ink colors.
2. How to Refill
Cartridge:
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Unscrew the barrel of the pen to expose the cartridge.
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Remove the empty cartridge and insert a new one, pushing it firmly until it clicks.
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Reassemble the pen and wait a moment for the ink to flow to the nib.
Converter with Bottled Ink:
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Unscrew the barrel and prime the converter by turning the mechanism until the pump is all the way down.
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Dip the nib into the ink bottle and turn the converter’s plunger to draw ink into the chamber.
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Screw the barrel back on the pen.
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Allow a few moments for the ink to travel down to the tip of the nib before using your pen.
3. Cleaning the Pen
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Flush the nib and feed with warm water (not hot) every 1-2 months. You can hold the pen under a running faucet to help the water move through the channels in the feeder.
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Allow the pen to dry completely before reassembling.
4. Troubleshooting Tips
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If ink flow is inconsistent, clean the nib and feed.
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For dried ink, soak the nib section in warm water to dissolve blockages.
To prevent ink from drying inside your fountain pen and creating blockages:
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Do not leave ink your pen if you will not be using it for an extended period. (more than a week or two)
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Cap your fountain pen when not in use.
Rollerball Pens
1. Proper Refill
Use S.T. Dupont rollerball refills. These refills are available in blue & black as well as a soft tip refill. Art Brown sells our own refills for S.T. Dupont that come in a variety of colors and point sizes.
2. How to Refill
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Unscrew the barrel of the pen from the grip section.
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Remove the empty refill and insert a new one.
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Ensure the refill is seated securely before screwing the barrel back on.
3. Cleaning the Pen
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Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid exposing the rollerball tip to moisture.
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Use only non-treated silver polishing cloth regardless of your type of S.T. Dupont pen. Untreated silver polishing cloths are safe on Lacquer, Silver, Gold, Palladium, Platinum, as well as S.T. Dupont's wooden finishes.
4. Troubleshooting Tips
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If the ink skips, replace the refill as it may be drying out.
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Always store the pen with the cap on to prevent the tip from drying.
Ballpoint Pens
1. Proper Refill
Use S.T. Dupont ballpoint refills, designed for smooth, consistent writing. Available in black, blue and a variety of other colors.
2. How to Refill
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Unscrew the pen by holding the grip and twisting the barrel counter-clockwise to expose the refill.
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Remove the used refill and insert a new one, ensuring it’s properly aligned with the spring in the grip section.
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Replace the barrel by screwing it on clockwise and test the mechanism.
3. Cleaning the Pen
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Wipe the pen’s body with a soft, lint-free cloth to maintain its finish.
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Use only non-treated silver polishing cloth regardless of your type of S.T. Dupont pen. Untreated silver polishing cloths are safe on Lacquer, Silver, Gold, Palladium, Platinum, as well as S.T. Dupont's wooden finishes.
4. Troubleshooting Tips
If the pen doesn’t write:
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Gently roll the tip on a piece of paper to activate the ink.
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Replace the refill.
The refill does not fit:
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Ensure that you are using the correct refill.
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Make sure that the refill was placed into the grip section correctly and aligned with the spring.