Are You A Cartridge or Converter Type?

[marklavar]

This tells me you don't own many modern pens. 

Actually, I own a nice mix. For modern, I've got 2 Pelikan m800s, an m215, an older m400, and Danitrio Mikado, a Filcao Columbia, and an Aurora Optima. The rest are vintage. I would actually like to pick up a nice c/c pen–just for the convenience–but there aren't a lot out there that I really like (I'm a Pel fan). Maybe the new Bexley Simplicity would be a good start...

You own some modern pens, but none from Parker, Cross or Waterman - some of the biggest brands in the modern FP industry.

[tonyv]

I mostly use the convertors because I love Noodlers inks, but once in awhile I use cartridges. I always use cartridges when traveling.

[Arkanabar]

I buy bottle-fill only pens by preference. I have a Safari, but in truth, I bought it for my wife. There were two things that really bothered me about it -- she didn't use it, and it didn't get used. I take it to work with me in case I need a pen, as I'd worry about any of my other pens hitting the concrete floor. My writing needs are pretty minimal there, so I don't have to worry about running dry. I rarely travel, but if I did and couldn't bring bottles with me, I'd just take more pens.

 

I'm too cheap to buy cartridges, especially when I have bottled ink available to me.

[LapsangS]

I have no preference. I use both methods, cartridge, converter. The handy thing is the ability to switch between bottled ink and cartridges and still use same pen. But I also own quite a few piston fillers, and an eyedropper pen. They all have their pros and cons.

[æon]

Dillo I've made a converter before, it's easy.

 

1. Take one used cartridge, cut back end off

2. Slip one sac (cut for length) over cartridge.

 

Voila, a 1 minute squeeze converter.

[DWL]

Taking the lesser of the 2 evils I have to go with converters. I'm a bottle filler type. 99% of my pens are vintage & don't use the converter system. Most of mine are the trusty ole lever fillers, there are of course the TD's, Snorkels, Vac's Parker Vacs, Button fillers & the odd aero or squeeze filler & we can't forget the ED's as well. Funny, no piston fillers in at the moment...hhmmm. might need to take care of that sometime soon.

[sonia_simone]

I own a nice collection of ink (bottles) but I travel quite a bit. As a result, much easier for me to use cartridges. However, at home, I use my bottle-drinkers primarily.

 

For anyone out there that has or had "access"....please, how can I get my hands on a syringe?

 

My best,

 

Paul

Paul, peartreepens.com (run by the very nice James P. who posts here) has a refilling kit with a syringe-like bit. I don't remember the price but it was very reasonable--I keep intending to order one myself.

 

I have never met James, I have no affiliation with James, he just seems nice and his shop sells useful things.

[lisa]

Another how to get a syringe recommendation.

Go to the pharmacy and bring (and show them) an empty cartridge, a pen and some of your ink bottles. Make sure there's some ink on your fingers and ask if you can buy a syringe and needle.

[aircraft_electrician]

I prefer filling from a bottle. Most of my pens are bottle only vintage pens (snorkels, touchdowns, vacs, levers, etc.), and the modern pens I have that can be used with a converter have converters in them. In fact, I only have 3 pens that I keep cartridges in; I have 2 vintage Waterman CFs that I can't find a converter for, so I use a syringe to refill the cartridges, and I haven't been able to find a converter for my Retro 51 Tornado yet either, so I use cartridges in it.

 

Tom

[cmeisenzahl]

Truth be told, I much prefer piston fillers ideally. ;-)

[David Holmes]

As an inveterate bottle guy, I must admit that travel presents certain... inconveniences. Going back and forth across the Atlantic with a 50cc bottle of American Blue has its downside. But, perhaps, a solution? Does anyone have experience with the VISCONTI TRAVELLING INKWELL? Seems like the best of both worlds. Too good to be true??

 

David

[Arkanabar]

I just searched General Topics for it, results here.

[jd50ae]

I use both. Depends on the pen or if I am traveling. Obviously cartridges when on the road, no less then 3 pens. I just bought a NAMIXIN which is a huge pen, desk pen only. Got it for grins and it will only work with a converter. Do not know why. By the way, it is a very nice writer, smooth and with some flex.

[treeverte]

I love converters BUT I discovered a great fellow who sells German cartridges by the bag in all

colors and Ebay CHEAP, and I have to say I am loving the cartridges. A good price makes a difference. The ink has been great! Search under ink cartridges and fountain pens

[kenny]

If I had my way, I'd rather use bottled. My favorite pens are piston fillers.

 

However, it is really only convenient to use the bottles when I am at home. I also keep a bottle on my desk in my cubicle at work. However, I am only in my office 3 half-days a week. The rest of the time, am on the move from place to place, floor to floor, with no central location from which to operate. My job is very writing-intensive, and I can easily go through an entire pen in one day. When I use a piston filler at work, therefore, I MUST bring multiple pens.

 

I have to say, as a result, the cartridges are just MUCH more convenient. Also, this week I'll be travelling to a conference for a week. It's not practical to take enough filled pens for that many long (12+ hour) days. With the new security restrictions, I cannot bring a bottle in my carry-on bag, and if I put the bottle in my checked baggage, it is only a matter of time before some airport security bozo lets a loosely tightened bottle turn my whole wardrobe Naples Blue.

 

So, I wind up using cartridges for travel, MOSTLY cartridges for work (but if I will be at my office, I try at least one piston filler), and mostly bottle fills (piston or converter) at home.

[jsonewald]

For anyone out there that has or had "access"....please, how can I get my hands on a syringe?

I use converters, new cartridges, and refilled cartridges. The refilled cartridges hold more ink than converters.

 

Farm supply/equine supply stores have syringes and needles. The problem there is needles often come in multi-packs, and you'll end up buying a bunch. You also have a needle that is extremely sharp, and can nick the side of the cartridge throat. (That is aside from the potential of an accidental fingertip tattoo.) Syringes are usually available in singles or smaller packs.

 

The best filler needles I have came from ink jet cartridge refill kits. They are blunt, and are much longer than injection needles. The last one I found was at a Dollar Tree store. I threw away everything but the needle. It is long enough to reach all the way into the reserve chamber of a Parker cartridge.

 

Added: If you go for veterinary needles, you might find them at Petsmart stores that have a "State Line Tack" section.

Edited November 7, 2006 by jsonewald

[Scribbles]

I definitely prefer filling from a bottle. Its much more affordable in terms of the amount of ink. There is a much greater variety of ink available in bottles as well. The cartridge is also a waste of plastic. You CAN reuse them if you use a syringe however using a syringe cancels the convenience of the cartridge. Thats three strikes for the cartridge...

 

Three strikes your out!

 

I'd only use a cartridge if it were the only ink available. Better to use a cartridge than a ball point

[girlieg33k]

Prefer filling from the bottle, but cartridges are convenient when I travel. That's about the only time I'll use them. For cartridge only pens, I'll use a syringe.

 

I was able to obtain a syringe with no problems through my local vet. I told him what I needed it for, and he gave me a few, no charge. I suppose this is one of the benefits of living in a relatively small New England town, where people know each other. If I had asked my vet in Southern California the same question a few years ago, he probably would have wondered what I was up to...

[JimStrutton]

I could have almost have voted bottle, but there are the occasions when I need to take a spare cartridge along with me. If I am packing for a trade show or something and can't afford the time to mess about with a bottle, then a trusty 61 and Sonnet get packed and a pack of cartridges.

 

To put my cartridge use into perspective, it is about 18 months since I need to buy any. I do cheat and fill the cartridge that is in the pen, or take it with me full and swap out the converter if I need to.

 

Pens always seem to write a bit better when filled from a bottle IMHO.

 

Jim

[Taki]

Most of the time I use bottled ink but for my decimo I use Pilot BB carts. I love it for the color and convenience since I use it a lot at work. I share a desk with other people and don't really want to leave a bottle at work.