Why Are Eye-Dropper Pens So Common From India

[OCArt]

I am wondering why eye-dropper pens seem to be so common from India? I that the main pen style used there or just the main type for export?

 

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Dave

[bk123]

I guess it is easy to make. The other reason I can think is cost. Eye droppers are more cost effective than making converter or other filling mechanism. Most of the eye droppers are made in house by small manufactures and in very less quantity because of low demand of FP these days. I think that's why you can see lots of ED than other mechanism pens.

This is my opinion. it may not be true.

[fountainpagan]

I quite agree with Binod.

Moreover, if you damage a converter, it is more difficult to find another - and to produce it would ipact on the pen cost.

Bottled ink is less expensive to produce, than cartridges, or converters.

And, even if I don't think it is one of the reasons why ED are so popular, it as however, a consequence of it - ED are much more ecological.

Edited May 22, 2015 by fountainpagan

[deepak23]

Bottled ink (excellent quality) costs 30 cents for 60ml. An eyedropper is about 10 cents. A chinese converter is about $1. No brainer....

[mcgeechan]

I like the Indian eyedropper way as I write a lot during a week at work I can easily drain an ASA Galactic of all of its ink.

 

I would agree with Binod, eye dropper manufacturing process is a lot simpler, making it far more economical to turn out pens from small workshops.

[WDP4BAAZ]

I think for huge ink carrying capacity. I load my Mohi ebony eyedropper once in fifteen days

[Nomad]

As Hari--who is extremely knowledgeable about Indian EDs--has noted in another thread, India (or parts of it) has a climate that mitigates the tendency of ED pens to burp ink when the ink level runs low.

 

"In India, we can escape with the use of a very simple feeder, since we already have a very high ambient temperature. so the heat transfer from pen to hand and vice versa leads to minimal effect on the gas column temperature."

[harshgagwani]

The ED`s are so popular since the major user of fountain pens in india are the students also accountants(munim) hence the quantity of ink required is high for their use so they prefer the eye droppers.Also the running cost is less in ED comparative to other mechanism. .

[Vintagepens]

Older sources claimed that where heat and humidity were high, rubber ink sacs did not last long -- and for that reason, eyedroppers were favored.

[deepak23]

Older sources claimed that where heat and humidity were high, rubber ink sacs did not last long -- and for that reason, eyedroppers were favored.

True. The older natural rubber sacs would not last long. The heros seem to use synthetic rubber and my 336 and 332 have gone decades without need for replacement of sacs

[OCArt]

I just found these related threads:

 

The Physics of Eye-dropper Pens

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/269046-the-physics-behind-eyedropper-burping/

 

And

 

Eye-dropper pens RIP

http://indiapoint.net/archives/2015/03/19/eyedropper-fountain-pens-r-i-p/

 

both are good reads.

 

thanks for all who replied. I enjoyed your views.

Dave

Edited May 26, 2015 by OCArt