Shimmer inks

[LandyVlad]

So does anyone have a recommendation for a good converter pen somewhere in the TWSI ECO to TWBI580 price range?

 

Any pen I got would be swapped between different shimmer and/or sheening inks now and then. 

 

 

edit: Or maybe just get a 'sacrificial' eco - which is to say, one I don't mind if it gets stained.

I would imagine the fact they can be disassembled to a degree to be cleaned would make it unlikely some sort of permanent feed blockage would occur?

[Dillo]

@LandyVlad I would not recommend the Eco because they have single channel feeds and I've had to unclog a few from shimmer inks. Instead, I would recommend you find a pen that uses a JoWo 6 nib. Swap the nib onto a Flexible Nibs ebonite feed and housing. Even though those have a single channel as well, they seem somewhat more forgiving for shimmering and sheening inks like this. The other big plus is that the JoWo nib and feed parts are plentiful, so if something were to happen, you can get a new feed, housing, or nib. My thinking is that this should be fine for as long as you have it and easier to clean the shimmer out of. Ebonite is generally very resistant to many chemicals anyhow, so cleaning things out shouldn't be a big issue.

[LandyVlad]

On 12/25/2024 at 12:53 PM, Dillo said:

@LandyVlad I would not recommend the Eco because they have single channel feeds and I've had to unclog a few from shimmer inks. Instead, I would recommend you find a pen that uses a JoWo 6 nib. Swap the nib onto a Flexible Nibs ebonite feed and housing. Even though those have a single channel as well, they seem somewhat more forgiving for shimmering and sheening inks like this. The other big plus is that the JoWo nib and feed parts are plentiful, so if something were to happen, you can get a new feed, housing, or nib. My thinking is that this should be fine for as long as you have it and easier to clean the shimmer out of. Ebonite is generally very resistant to many chemicals anyhow, so cleaning things out shouldn't be a big issue.

Thanks.

Any tips as to what affordable pen would be a good starting point, and where to source the compatible parts you mention? 

[Bo Bo Olson]

Diamine Arctic Blue, is the best glitter ink I have out of 6 (4 other Diamine ones...not so good.) or so. One can fill from the top just after shaking and it's got good, no tilt glitter.

Pelikan Golden Lapis, needs to be shaken, then wait 30 or more seconds and filled from the bottom of the bottle.

Arctic Blue is the more affordable of the two.

[Dillo]

@LandyVlad There's quite a few pens that take the JoWo 6 nib. I was thinking perhaps a Gravitas Sentry Ultem of some kind. I think that something with a cartridge/converter system would be better for flushing. Flexible Nib Factory (google them up) has replacement ebonite feeds and parts for pens that use the JoWo 6 nib. Flexible Nib Factory isn't the cheapest for shipping to where you are at, but maybe if someone else where you are wants more than one, that might make some sense. American shipping and postage rates are high in general. If you're having a lot of trouble, I may be able to help in some way.

 

Personally, I am thinking of getting a Schon DSGN Ultem or PEEK pen or a similar Gravitas for this purpose and pulling the stock nib and fitting it in the Flexible Nib Factory J6E ebonite feed and housing and using that as my pen for inks that don't go in my other pens.

[LandyVlad]

@Dillo Thanks very much for that info. Prices are - steep and I am looking for a less expensive solution in the first instance. An inexpensive pen that is OK with shimmer. 

I would always consider a bigger spend down the track a bit. 

 

For example and comparison purposes - 

Gravitas Sentry Ultem €100,00 EUR

Flexible Nib Factory J6E ebonite feed and housing USXD $35.20

Plus the not inconsiderable postage costs.

 

Looking at the above pen and parts ONLY the cost to me would be AUD$225

To put that in perspective, locally a TWSBI Eco costs AUD$59 or a 580ALR costs AUD$106 

 

I'm not saying the suggestions you made aren't worth the money, however by the time postage is added...

Postage for parts USD$25.23 and pen €39.03 (total AUD$107) = TOTAL spend AUD$332

 

The inks I want a likely going to be small production runs and that where the $ needs to go in the first instance while they are available.

 

If anyone has other pen recommendations I could pick up locally that might really help. My local 'go to' shops are pulp[addiction and larrypost but I'll shop anywhere within reason

[Dillo]

Yes, I recommend those because they have the best likelihood in my mind of lasting some time and not having trouble when using those inks. A lot of cheap pens have single channel feeds or are difficult to take apart for cleaning in a way that you can unclog the shimmer. That's why I don't necessarily recommend those. It's all about the feed in this case

[chromantic]

They appeal to our inner teenage girl.