Mini Converters: a Review and Comparison

[Hoarder68]

There were several threads recently (including my own), asking about short/ mini converters -- so I thought I'd post a review now that I've actually gotten and used them.

 

 

SHORT / MINI CONVERTERS

 

WHAT: These small international converters can be used in FPs that take standard international cartridges, but cannot fit a standard international converter because the inside of the barrel is either too short or too narrow.

 

HOW: The mini-converters are shaped just like international cartridges, only with a bit of hardware added on to make them able to pump ink in and out. This allows them to be almost as small as the cartridges themselves. There are 2 types of mini-converters that I am aware of: the plunge by Montverde/Yafa/Delta, and the squeeze-fill by Tryphon. See below for where to purchase, and for a comparison of the models.

 

PROS: Thanks to these little gadgets, many (most?) pens that are described as cartridge-only, can in fact be converter-filled, thus giving you ink options without the need to resort to the whole syringe-in-the-cartridge business. I use these converters in my MB Greta Garbo and my Retro 51 Cherry Blossoms pen, both described by the manufacturers as cartridge-only. The converters work great with both pens.

 

CONS: Obviously, the converters will only work in pens that accept standard cartridges, not in pens that require any of the brand-specific cartridges. Additionally, the ink capacity in the converters is rather limited, and they are awkward to use due to their small size.

 

WHERE: You can purchase the the squeeze-fill Tryphon converter here: http://www.tryphon.it/catalogo.htm (search for "bantam" mini converter, half way down the page). Payment via pay-pal, very cheap shipping, and the seller is friendly and helpful. You can purchase the the Montverde/Yafa/Delta plunger converter here http://www.yafaoutlet.com/miniconverter.html . However, I cannot comment about the Yafa website, because I bought mine from the Bromfield Pen Shop in Boston.

 

TRYPHON VS. YAFA COMPARISON:

 

I got both models -- just in case one, but not the other, would it into my pens. Both of them fit, but they are very different in construction.

 

 

The yafa plunge converter is all-plastic, and exactly like the full-size plungers, only mini. Because the converter is so small, the plunge can be hard to manipulate -- especially if you have either large hands or long fingernails.

 

 

The tryphon squeeze is very cool-looking and fancy -- the metal squeeze-hardware is gold-plated! So seemed especially suitable for my Greta Garbo. : ) However, if you are uncomfortable with the squeeze-filler mechanism, it might not be for you.

 

Both converters are great, helpful inventions and I would highly recommend them.

 

Hope this was useful,

QM2

Will they fit the Yard O Led pocket Viceroy?

[bluemax]

anyone know if there's any Bantam units in the UK?

[fpfanatic5]

Sorry to add another question, but does anyone know if either of these would fit in a Waterman C/F?

[RitaCarbon]

Any one try this in a padrino breve and/or Retro 1951 Tornado? Inquiring minds wanna know.

 

I have installed a mini Moteverde converter in my Padrino. Even if it leaks a little bit, it's not that bad. The ink stays on the walls of the converter and doesn't drip outside. I love it.

 

[marnixmoed]

Do any of these convertors fit in a Montblanc Starwalker fountain pen?

[rodgerkoopman]

This is exactly what I needed for my Reform fountain pen. It only accepts one short international cartridge.

 

Thanks!

 

[publius]

I have had several of these Monteverde convertors, & they all leaked by developing cracks in the taper between the reservoir & the nipple. I don't understand it myself — this happened in several different pens, so it must have been a defect in the convertors. I shall have to try the squeeze type.

[marnixmoed]

I know my post is not about convertors, but I decided to place it because so many of you guys complain about leakages.

 

I dislike using cartridges because they are relative more expensive, and I like the principle & process of refilling something.

 

Anyhow, I read that some physician uses medical injection needles to draw ink from the ink bottle and then inject it in the cartridges.

I have done it myself for quite some time now, and it works perfectly. No leakages at all. Just don’t fill it till the border, but leave some spare space in the cartridge.

I use original Montblanc cartridges and original Montblanc ink. Although I think other ink brands/colors would do fine too. I would recommend original Montblanc cartridges though, just to be sure that it fits neatly.

Also, after several refills it would be wise to exchange it for a new cartridges, just to be sure it won’t leak after many removals. The plastic of the cartridge might get deformed.

 

An advantage of this method, is that you can still have a spare cartridge in the back of the fountain pen, in case you run out of ink on the move.

 

If there are properly working converters, I would change to that. But until then, I hope this helps with the leakage problem.

 

Grt,

M

[SF Susan]

I'm happy to have found this thread. I have a Monteverde converter for my little Kaweko Sport pens (they take standard international cartridges) but find it awkward to use. I'm going to go to the Tryphon site and order one of the squeeze type converters.

[QM2]

Just want to add/update:

 

Since having started this thread almost 2 years ago, there has been a great deal of evidence suggesting that these converters are not all they are cracked up to be.

 

First off, there are many pens which the mini-converters do not in fact fit, even though in theory it seems that they should. This is usually due to unexpected architectural constraints in the pens that are not obvious until you actually try the specific pen with the specific converter. Sigh : (

 

Then there are the reports of leaks in the Monteverde converters. I have had the same Monteverde mini converter in my MB Greta Garbo since May 2007 and it has not leaked, so the problem is far from inevitable. But still, it is clear that it happens.

 

Finally, there is the problem of usage. The plunger style converters can be difficult to use, because the plunger is very small and not very smooth to operate. The squeeze converter is also difficult to use: the arrangement of the squeezing plates make it challenging, at least for me, to get a lot of ink in there.

 

So in short, these mini-converters are far from a perfect solution for our "cartridge-only" friends. The search continues!

 

 

 

Edited February 28, 2009 by QM2

[hollyuk]

I would just like to add my experience to this.

 

I found that the the tryphon/bantam squeeze converter would not fit either of my cartridge pens - not the Greta Garbo or my Mozart. Basically the 'gold coating' starts too near to the end of the converter so it cannot go into the nib section far enough to fit in.

 

I've been using the monteverde converter in my Greta Garbo for a while now and am very pleased - not leaks so far. The only downside really is that it holds less ink that a standard cartridge (due to the plunger mechanism). My Greta Garbo has an OB nib so it gets through a fair amount of ink - however I would still rather use this than cartridges as I feel I have a lot more choice in ink colours etc.

 

With regard to the Mozart - I have found that the monteverde fits the nib section, but the plunger section is a bit too long for the barrel - there was a post on the forum a while ago by someone who had cut down the plunger section to make it fit - so it sound as if it can be done.

 

I also have a cartridge filling kit, but haven't had time to use it yet.

 

I really wish that MB would make a mini convertor that fit these pens properly.

[marnixmoed]

...I really wish that MB would make a mini convertor that fit these pens properly.

 

Same here!

[Carrie]

anyone know if there's any Bantam units in the UK?

I'd like to know the answer to that too? Also, has anyone any experience of using one of those in a modern Conway Stewart Dinkie? My Dinkie is an amber one meaning the body is semi translucent, I like the idea of the gold plate converter rather than a dark cartridge showing through.

[Chevalier]

Does anybody know a company that could make converters for us? I have a couple of pens too small to fit standard converters too. I have two plans for mini converters with enough space for a decent fill in my drawer, I just need to find someone who could make a small batch of those (maybe 500-1000 first).

[tutelman]

I have found a third contender for mini convertor. It is made by Templar Ink, LLC. It doesn't hold a lot of ink, but I think none of the minis do.

 

Here's a link to their web site:

 

http://templarink.com/

 

and a photo comparison they did:

 

 

And the usual disclaimer; I have no interest in Templar. I'm just a customer.

[Ipsilon]

I have found a third contender for mini convertor. It is made by Templar Ink, LLC. It doesn't hold a lot of ink, but I think none of the minis do.

 

Here's a link to their web site:

 

http://templarink.com/

 

and a photo comparison they did:

 

 

And the usual disclaimer; I have no interest in Templar. I'm just a customer.

 

 

Thanks for the link. I have just ordered a few of these, to see if I can fit them in my Stipula Monna Lisa. A converter with a piston will make it easier to push the ink in the nib when it dries (as it dries very easily, and squeezing the cartridge to push the ink was impossible!)

 

Y