1. Talk to people the way you'd talk across a table at a pen show. Disagree with the point, not the person.
2. No personal insults, sarcasm at someone's expense, or pile-ons. If a thread is heating up, step away rather than getting the last word.
3. Assume good faith. Most misunderstandings here are tone, not malice.
Look after newcomers
4. There are no stupid questions - all deserve real answers.
5. No gatekeeping. Nobody needs to own a vintage 149 to belong here. A $5 pen someone loves is as valid as a $500 one.
6. Point people to the search kindly — with a short answer attached, not instead of one.
7. Give advice, not orders. "You might try a wetter ink" beats "you're doing it wrong."
Keep it honest
8. Be clear when you're stating fact versus opinion, especially on nib grinds, ink behaviour, and restoration methods.
9. Declare any commercial interest if you sell, repair, or are sponsored.
10. Don't repost private messages or others' photos without permission.
Don't
11. Troll, bait, or stir arguments for entertainment. Deliberate provocation gets removed.
12. Bring in off-topic politics or personal feuds from elsewhere.
13. Argue with moderators in-thread — take it to a private message.
If something goes wrong
14. Report rather than retaliate.
15. Apologising costs nothing and is respected here.
