Fixing a Homemade Pen

So, before I knew what I know now (regarding making your own pens), I ended up tossing a few that I loved, because I wasn't sure why they weren't working anymore. I cleaned them thoroughly, but the ink was not flowing out of them like it use to.

Issue 1: Then, I decided to open one up to see what the heck was going on. Sure enough, as I wrote on my "Homemade Pens" page, the tip of the lead of the pencil had fallen off and THAT'S what was clogging my pen!

(*No matter what the metal, you should be able to fold it back, but I can't say how sturdy it will be overtime. Ones made from flashing will fold back nicely. Just peel off the tape and reposition on the same holder, or a new one.)

Issue 2: For ones that need recut -- 1) If you cut it wrong, and the end is bent/crimped, 2) if you want it smaller/thinner, OR 3) you just need to redo it b/c it's not working, as I wrote on the Homemade Pens page (https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/p/homemade-pens.html), start at the top/nib of the pen and cut down toward the handle. You should get a nice smooth straight tip that way. I've fixed about 5 or so pens this way, and now they work so great!

These are 2 I fixed. Wish I had taken a before pic, so you could see the crimps.

See how straight they are now though?

*if all else fails and you cannot salvage it, just toss and make a new one! Cheap to do, just a bit time-consuming.