Questions
Everything you wanted to ask.
The pens, the copper, the nibs, the shipping and the currency, answered plainly. Something else? Write to us and a person will reply.
The pens
Where are STEX pens made?
Every STEX pen is machined from solid metal and finished by hand at the STEX workshop in India. STEX is run by Nandish and Jigna Shah, who spent more than twenty years in the copper trade before making their first pen.
What are STEX pens made of?
Pure copper, brass and titanium, often combined (for example copper with brass, or titanium with copper details). A few models use rosewood, solid acrylic or a black PVD finish. The material of each pen is listed on its product page.
Which nib do STEX fountain pens use?
Every STEX fountain pen is fitted with a German Schmidt steel nib, Medium as standard, with Fine and Bold also available. Most models take a Schmidt converter; the pocket-size 100C takes a Kaweco converter. Each pen's specifications list its nib and converter.
What ink and cartridges can I use?
Any bottled fountain pen ink, filled with the included converter, or standard international cartridges. Avoid India ink and drawing inks, which clog fountain pens. The ink never touches the metal body.
What refills do STEX roller pens take?
STEX roller pens take Schmidt refills, which are sold by good stationers worldwide.
How heavy are STEX pens?
From about 24 g to 62 g, depending on the model and metal. The slim Magnum pens are the lightest, at around 24 to 28 g; the full copper 137C is the heaviest, at 62 g. Each product page lists the weight and draws the pen to scale.
Copper and care
Why does a copper pen change colour?
Copper reacts with air and the natural oils on your skin, forming a thin protective layer of copper oxide called patina. A copper pen goes from bright rose to satin brown within weeks and to a deep chocolate within about a year, darkest where you hold it.
How do I clean a copper pen?
Separate the cap and barrel from the nib section, rub the copper with a paste of lemon juice and salt or a copper polish, then rinse and dry it thoroughly. Keep cleaners away from the nib and feed.
Does titanium tarnish?
No. Titanium forms its own invisible oxide layer, so a titanium pen keeps its grey finish and needs nothing but a wipe.
How do I look after a fountain pen?
Keep it capped when you are not writing, use fountain pen ink, and flush the nib section with clean water every few weeks or whenever you change ink.
Ordering, prices and shipping
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes. Every STEX order ships free with tracking from our workshop in India to anywhere in the world. Import duties, if any, are set by the destination country.
Which currency will I pay in?
It depends on where you are. Visitors in India see prices and pay in Indian rupees (INR); visitors from every other country see prices and pay in US dollars (USD). The currency is set automatically from your location.
How do I pay?
Checkout is handled securely by CCAvenue, which accepts major credit and debit cards and other online payment methods. Card details are entered on the secure checkout, never on this site.
Can I exchange a pen?
If your pen arrives with a manufacturing defect, return it unused in its original packaging within 7 days of delivery and we will exchange it. Personalised or engraved pens can be exchanged only for a manufacturing defect.
Can I cancel an order?
Yes. Contact us as soon as possible and we will help you cancel it. There are no cancellation charges once an order is confirmed.
Gifts and special editions
Can I have a pen engraved?
Write to us with the pen you have in mind and the text you would like, and the STEX team will tell you what is possible for that model.
What are STEX Special Editions?
Two families of pens made by hand. Exclusive Editions, such as Arihant, Nathji, Pawansut, Venkateshwar and the Ganesha sets Bhaalchandra and Ekdant, are single pieces: 01/01 in the world. Limited Editions, such as Astakona, Jaisalmer and Suryoday, are small numbered runs. Send an enquiry from the edition's page and we will reply with the price and when it could be ready.
Can I have a pen made to my own design?
Yes. Describe your idea, the theme, the story behind it and who it is for, and the workshop will tell you what is possible, how it would be made and what it would cost. A pen made this way becomes an Exclusive Edition, 01/01 in the world.
Do you make corporate gifts?
Yes. Write to us with the model, quantity and date you need, and the team will reply with options.