Your tongue on a ball point pen

[falafel]

and other remedies for a non-writing pen.

I've had the worst luck with pens lately. Brand new pens, straight out of the box, keep failing within a few scratches. There is plenty of ink left, I just can't get them to write!

The only remedies I know include licking the end of the pen to try and stimulate some ink flow and smashing the end of the pen down on the paper, with increasing frustration. Neither of these really seem to work.

[creekster]

I will assume you are not speaking euphemistically (that would be really gross here) and answer plainly:

Take the recalcitrant pen and put the tip between the palms of your hands. then slide your hands back and forth very quickly to generate heat. This will heat up the pen tip and sometimes let the ink flow around the ball. The key is to make sure both of your hands are in constant contact with the tip of the pen so that the heat generated is transfered constantly to the pen tip.,

I know I am going to regret this post.

[TripletDaddy]

Once the shock from creekster's grody "pen" post finally subsides, and you decide that you do not want to simulate self-abuse on your writing utensil, you can try the following.....it is basically the same principle, is equally effective, and way less homoerotic:

Take a lighter and use the small flame to heat the entire body of the pen. In the words of the most prolific hip hop duo of all time....WARM IT UP, KRISS!

[creekster]

Once the shock from creekster's grody "pen" post finally subsides, and you decide that you do not want to simulate self-abuse on your writing utensil, you can try the following.....it is basically the same principle, is equally effective, and way less homoerotic:

Take a lighter and use the small flame to heat the entire body of the pen. In the words of the most prolific hip hop duo of all time....WARM IT UP, KRISS!

That makes me Kross.

Mine doesnt require tools. You can do it all alone, with no one or anythign else around.

[TripletDaddy]

That makes me Kross.

Mine doesnt require tools. You can do it all alone, with no one or anythign else around.

This pic combines both of our suggestions quite nicely.

[falafel]

I will assume you are not speaking euphemistically (that would be really gross here) and answer plainly:

Take the recalcitrant pen and put the tip between the palms of your hands. then slide your hands back and forth very quickly to generate heat. This will heat up the pen tip and sometimes let the ink flow around the ball. The key is to make sure both of your hands are in constant contact with the tip of the pen so that the heat generated is transfered constantly to the pen tip.,

I know I am going to regret this post.

This had better work! I need some real results to prove what I was doing when I'm finally hauled in front of the higher ups.

[Babs]

clearly you need the PFM.

[falafel]

Once the shock from creekster's grody "pen" post finally subsides, and you decide that you do not want to simulate self-abuse on your writing utensil, you can try the following.....it is basically the same principle, is equally effective, and way less homoerotic:

Take a lighter and use the small flame to heat the entire body of the pen. In the words of the most prolific hip hop duo of all time....WARM IT UP, KRISS!

I don't have a lighter on hand.

I did try submerging the tip in a cup of hot water. I thought at first that it worked, but the pen dried out within 2 seconds of writing.

[Donuthole]

This pic combines both of our suggestions quite nicely.

FTR, I treasure my BIC Zodiac lighter which reads: Cancer

[TripletDaddy]

I don't have a lighter on hand.

I did try submerging the tip in a cup of hot water. I thought at first that it worked, but the pen dried out within 2 seconds of writing.

One other option is simply to throw the pen away and grab a new one. I know a box of 15 or so costs around $1.50 but sometimes you need to bite the bullet and just splurge.

[falafel]

One other option is simply to throw the pen away and grab a new one. I know a box of 15 or so costs around $1.50 but sometimes you need to bite the bullet and just splurge.

Thanks, that's a very useful suggestion. However, as these are "business items," I let the firm pick up that tab. And I really like these pens. But it seems to be a big problem with this particular model - i.e., I've tried throwing them away.

[Donuthole]

Thanks, that's a very useful suggestion. However, as these are "business items," I let the firm pick up that tab. And I really like these pens. But it seems to be a big problem with this particular model - i.e., I've tried throwing them away.

I really like the BiC SOFT Feel Med. pens my firm buys. Love them, actually.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Once the shock from creekster's grody "pen" post finally subsides, and you decide that you do not want to simulate self-abuse on your writing utensil, you can try the following.....it is basically the same principle, is equally effective, and way less homoerotic:

Take a lighter and use the small flame to heat the entire body of the pen. In the words of the most prolific hip hop duo of all time....WARM IT UP, KRISS!

I'm about to.

[TripletDaddy]

Thanks, that's a very useful suggestion. However, as these are "business items," I let the firm pick up that tab. And I really like these pens. But it seems to be a big problem with this particular model - i.e., I've tried throwing them away.

Thank you for providing a clear example of the problem with the pen.

Is there anyone else there that can help you find a functioning pen? An admin, an intern, a paralegal...perhaps even a small child? This seems to be a sizable task for you. I wish you luck on your quest to operate a disposable ball point pen. Please keep us posted!

[TripletDaddy]

I'm about to.

that's what you were born ta do!