Melting pens

I have been looking for some pens to cover with polymer clay and couldn't find the Bic stics that I know from people in the states are oven friendly. I tried out a few brands - without clay (having already learnt the hard way!) and they all deformed even at 115oC. I asked for help on the PCC forum and Tonja was able to suggest using some papermate pens - PaperMate Flexgrip Elite and PaperMate Flexigrip Ultra in capped rather than retractable models. I couldn't find either of those with caps either - only retractable.

I widened my trials and melted many a pen in the oven but I can conclude the following pens are safe for 115oC (Fimo curing).

• Papermate Comfortmate - capped ball pen (this also comes in retractable but haven't tried those)
• Papermate 2000 Stick
• Papermate Flexigrip Elite (I had the retractable ones cause I couldn't find the capped ones and only tested the barrel)
• Bic round stic ( I found some in a pound shop - hurrah!)
• Bic soft feel retractable pen but you can take the retractable part out and it is only the very end cap
• Staples own brand metal barrelled roller ball pen with cap - cost about £1.99

 
The following pens melt/distort in a 115oC oven

• Staedtler Sticks
• Reynolds by papermate
• Staples own - Sonix ball point stick pens
• Staples own cushiongrip ball point pens (retractable)
• Papermate 2020 Stick

Hope that helps and I hope to be able to show you some covered pens soon