Rollerballs - capped or uncapped?

[Texatdurango]

I make pens because I enjoy making them. I'm pretty sure that every relative and friend of mine now has at least one of my little gems and my wife and I each have several of our personal favorites that we use but that doesn't stop me from making more... I'm obsessed!

Now for the question....

When you craft a kit pen, not knowing when it will be put into use, could be a week, could be six months, do you go ahead and uncap the kit rollerball ink cartridge and insert into the pen or do you leave it out, capped up, to be opened when you give away or sell the pen?

I read somewhere where the rollerball refills are only good for a certain length of time before drying out but don't have more than a few months experience to draw from so I wouldn't know.

I am talking about the Schmidt 888 and 5888 cartridges and am curious as to what others do.

George

 

[Dario]

I install it in the pen. If it goes bad/dries at time of sale/giving, I replace it. I always give an extra refill too.

 

[ed4copies]

I DO the same thing, put it in the pen.

HOWEVER, it would be SMARTER not to. Yes, they CAN dry out - if the cap is on the pen the chances are reduced.

Parker (look alike) gel refills in the ballpoint seem to dry out in about two weeks if they are not used, so leave them until just before the pen is sold.