We’ve all tried to get a recalcitrant pen working by scribbling furiously on a piece of paper. For a quicker and less messy solution, try using the sole of your shoe instead.
This is one of those bits of folk wisdom that’s probably been circulating for years, but I’d never encountered it until Gizmodo editor Nick mentioned it casually yesterday. A quick test by our publisher Seamus confirmed that it works like a charm, and our speculation is that it might work better than paper by gripping more firmly to the ballpoint. Whatever the reason, it’s a neat trick.
Tim
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 1:33 PMDarn it! I threw out about five stubborn pens about an hour ago!
Nodeity
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 1:48 PMThis often works too,.. Roll the pen tip down, vigorously between the palms of your hands until the friction warms up the ink in the tube! Should only take ten to twenty seconds or so. :)
MrXion
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 3:48 PMUse a hair dryer on the body of the pen. Low heat for about 30 seconds. Works like a charm on ballpoints.
Joe Crupi
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 5:12 PMBrilliant idea. I’ll be sure to place a purchase order with the office manager for a hair dryer asap.
(c:
MrXion
Monday, February 14, 2011 at 7:15 PMGather up the dead ones and take them home :-)
Lillee
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 3:55 PMWhat’s a pen?
Emily
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 4:06 PMThis is a brilliant idea, I normally just throw out pens if they do not work he first time
Lira Tam Lo
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:04 PMGood idea if you are not at your desk… at the desk i find a better solution is a buttload of new pens on hand. If one doesn’t work just bin it. Hairdryers?? When would I have access to a hairdryer and not a new pen?
tsengan
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:14 PMHa! It’s like being at school all over again. I used to do this all the time.
HugheJass
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 2:26 AMStay tuned for our next article:
How to clean ink off your carpet
Lar
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 3:07 AMThis doesn’t actually say what to do? Do I scribble on the sole of my shoe? Do I step on the pen? Do I put the pen in my socks and wear them for a day?
Rowan
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 3:10 AMI find using a cigarette lighter to heat the nib works well too :)
Tipster
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 4:29 AMOne hack that always works like a charm for me: Try to write on any glass surface before trying on paper. It always works, no exceptions.
Neil
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 5:19 AM“There is nothing better in life,
Than writing on the sole of your slipper with a Biro”
as the great Half Man Half Biscuit once sang
Prophat
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 6:47 AMShoes are amazing!
They also work for quirky TVs, opening wine bottles and getting lazy step kids to remove your calluses.
ARN S
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7:43 AMI just warm up my ole ball points like Sarah Palin by writing the answers to my quizzes on the palm of my hand.
misswired
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7:53 AMJust skip the hassle of ball point pens and head straight for felt-tip pens.
John Lacey
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 10:02 AMI was reading a book of “Studio Tips” recently and the author suggested that you can get stubborn pens to work by putting a lit match underneath the tip of the pen.
luey33
Friday, February 11, 2011 at 3:55 AMI used to do this many years ago as a kid and I completely forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me!!
Stero
Friday, February 11, 2011 at 6:28 AMJust use a pencil…
mrjezza
Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 12:22 PMif you dont have access to a hairdryer in your office, when you go to make a cup of coffee make a second cup with just boiling water and sit the stuck pen in it