How to Care for a Brass Pen: Patina, Polish and Flushing

Two capped brass pocket fountain pens standing side by side, drawn to scale — Two brass pocket fountain pens whose makers describe their patina, drawn to scale (1 mm = 8.11 px). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Product facts

Product: Kaweco Brass Sport Fountain Pen
Brand: Kaweco
Brand origin: Germany
Made in: Germany^*
Material: Solid brass body
Price range: $$$$over $75 per item
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Notes on these facts

Made by Kaweco (Germany). Made in Germany: Kaweco's CLASSIC SPORT series page says its Sport pens are produced and assembled in Germany; the Brass Sport series page does not state a country separately. Source. Price: example listing.
How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

Brass darkens because its surface oxidizes; Kaweco says each Brass Sport develops its own patina.
Filofax says metal features can be buffed and cleaned with a dry cloth; Kaweco sells a 40 ml metal polishing paste for €5.95 (about US$6.70).
Kaweco says ink cartridges made brass pens possible, because the ink no longer touches the metal.
To flush a brass fountain pen, take out the cartridge, soak the nib section in lukewarm water, then rinse and dry it fully.
Pilot suggests one to two hours of soaking for a cartridge pen, or overnight if it sat unused.

How do you care for a brass pen?

Mostly by using it: wipe it with a dry cloth, decide whether you like the patina, and flush the nib when ink stops flowing. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and its surface oxidizes in use. Kaweco says each Brass Sport develops its own natural patina, so in time no two look alike, and does not treat the darkening as damage.

How do you clean the outside?

Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth, and polish only if you want the bright colour back.

Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. Filofax says metal features can be buffed and cleaned with a dry cloth. This takes off fingerprints and dust and leaves the patina in place.

A dry cloth lifts dust and fingerprints. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.
Polish it only if you want the shine back. Kaweco sells ELSTERGLANZ metal polishing paste, 40 ml for €5.95 (about US$6.70), alongside its metal pens, but its shop page gives no directions. Follow the instructions on whatever polish you use, and expect the patina to return with use. Light wear is part of how a brass pen ages, so you may prefer to leave it.

Polishing is a choice; the patina comes back. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

How do you flush a brass fountain pen’s nib?

Take out the cartridge, soak the nib section, then rinse and dry it. Do this when ink flows poorly, before you change ink colour, or after a long rest. Most cartridge pens flush the same way, though soaking times differ by maker.

Unscrew the barrel and pull out the cartridge. Hold the nib section, unscrew the barrel, and pull the empty cartridge straight out of the section.

Barrel off, cartridge straight out. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.
Soak the nib section in lukewarm water. Stand it nib down in a cup so the nib is covered. Pilot suggests one to two hours for a cartridge pen, or overnight if it sat unused.

Lukewarm water loosens dried ink. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.
Rinse it under the tap and let it dry fully. Run tap water through it, then dry it with a soft cloth or tissue. Fit a cartridge only when the section is completely dry.

Rinse, dry, and only then refill. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Does ink touch the brass?

Not in a cartridge pen. Kaweco says brass was long used only for trims such as clips and rings; ink cartridges made brass pen bodies possible, because the ink no longer touches the metal. Brass clips, rulers and rings age the same way as the pen body.

How do you keep it writing between cleanings?

Cap it and treat it gently.

Put the cap on whenever you aren’t writing, so the ink doesn’t dry.
The first time you set a new cartridge, pinch it gently to push ink toward the nib.
Use cartridges your pen’s maker recommends; other inks may clog some pens.

For changing cartridges, see how to fill a fountain pen. If a flush doesn’t help, see how to fix a fountain pen that won’t write or contact the pen’s maker. For other fountain pens, our how to clean a fountain pen guide compares several makers.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my brass pen turning dark?

The surface is oxidizing. Kaweco says the Brass Sport develops a natural patina from chemical and corrosive influences as you use it.

Should I polish a brass pen?

It's your choice. Kaweco presents the patina as part of the pen's appeal and also sells a metal polishing paste, without publishing polishing steps, so follow the directions on the polish you use.

Does ink touch the brass inside the pen?

Not in a cartridge pen. Kaweco says brass could only be used for pen bodies once ink cartridges kept the ink away from the metal.

How long should I soak the nib section?

Pilot suggests one to two hours for a cartridge pen, or overnight if it sat unused. Then rinse it under running water and let it dry fully.

Do brass clips and rings age the same way?

Yes. The same oxidizing applies to every brass piece: it starts gold-coloured and deepens with use.

Where is the Kaweco Brass Sport made?

Kaweco's series page says its Sport pens are produced and assembled in Germany.

Sources (4)

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