Pilot Non-Self-Filling Fountain pen

[hari317]

 

The pen had been inked, and when I tried to flush the barrel I kept getting blue ink coming out of the barrel, long after it should have come clean. Figuring it was a thich layer of dried ink, I ran a cotton swab into the barrel, only to find some sort of sponge seems to have been attached to the inside of the barrel, completely at the end.

 

The sponge (or spongey material) is securely attached to the end of the barrel and does not easily come out.

 

Has anyone who has one of these seen this configuration before? Was this some sort of ink-maker system where the sponge was loaded with a dry or concentrated ink, so you could just add water? It certainly is making this pen difficult to flush or change ink color.

 

John

 

 

Hi John,

 

Yes, there is a sponge/foam plug inserted into the barrel in each NSF pen that I have seen. I think the purpose of this is to restrict the ink capacity to prevent the typical ED overflow at low ink levels.

 

The sponge can be pullled out using long foreceps.

 

The white section insert can be similary pulled out to enable the use of a converter or carts. In fact, the sponge plug will need to be removed in order for the converter to fit into the barrel.

 

Best,

Hari

[holgalee]

I have the same issue with the foam plug. I've tried piece of bent wire but it didn't work. Gosh, do I need to get forceps? I suppose much force is needed to remove the white section insert as I can't seem to do it either.

[bbbiswas]

The Pilot <i>non self filling pen</i> is one of my favorite daily use Pilot pens. This pen has every feature that makes a great daily user:

<ol type='1'><li>It has a nice smooth GP steel nib (identical to Pilot 78G's nib unit) available in F or M widths.</li><li>It is an ED filler and holds a decent amount of Ink.</li><li>Has a reliable slip cap making the pen easy to cap and uncap, ideal for taking notes.</li><li>Has a great supple clip which can be used over any fabric.</li></ol>

 

The pens capped, the filling instructions are at the back. I noticed at the shop that the pens come packed in a cardboard 10 pen tray with one instruction sheet for each pen.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2177.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The pen uncapped and disassembled:

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2179.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2180.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The transparent part at the end of the section is actually an insert. This component acts as an O-ring for preventing ink leaks and also probably facilitates drain back of the ink from the feeder spaces back into the ink reservoir when the pen is held upright. Though I have not tried, I am pretty sure the transparent seal can be pulled off and a cartridge/converter used in this pen since the cartridge piercer is very much present in the section.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2181.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2184.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The nib is of a very fine quality, I have a few of these pens that are now twenty years old, I find that the plating tends to fade away a bit after long use.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2185.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The nib slit is perfectly aligned with the feed channel

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2186.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The clip IMHO is stylish and very supple.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2187.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2189.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The cap jewel:

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2191.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

I don't see this pen mentioned often here on FPN, I hope other members can add their experiences with this pen.

 

Cheers,

Hari

 

I have visited the website www.pilotpen.co.jp many times to see the pens made by PILOT.

I have come across models like Custom Heritage, Custom 98, Grance, Legance etc. All are cartridge/converter fillers.

I could not spot any heading "Non Self Filling".

Can you please give me ( bbbiswas@in.com)the exact name and model number by which I can refer it to Pilot pen company. I am looking for a pen like this to buy.

[holgalee]

I got tired of wrangling with wire and paper clips, so finally bought a pair of forceps. The foam was out in a jiffy.

 

Bbbiswas, I believe the pen was made in an asian country some years ago, so it can be purchased new or if you're lucky, as new old stocks.

[inkpenguin]

Holgalee, I am going to have to borrow your foreceps at our next pen meet!

 

This pen is the one I use to practice nib adjustments, smoothing, feed hacking. The feed and nibs are interchangeable with the Prera, 78G and Knight. In fact one of these nibs is currently deployed on my Knight.

[bbbiswas]

<!--quoteo(post=707249:date=Aug 20 2008, 05:29 PM:name=Readymade)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Readymade @ Aug 20 2008, 05:29 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=707249"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=707132:date=Aug 20 2008, 12:58 PM:name=tt32003)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tt32003 @ Aug 20 2008, 12:58 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=707132"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Btw Mustafa also selling another type of Pilot fountain pen at S$7 too next to the eye dropper.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

I think that one comes with a squeeze filler instead. It's a good way to get a Pilot converter for cheap <img src="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

Do note that the pilot pens are selling for S$8 at the 4th level stationary department , but only S$7 at the ground floor.

I am in Mumbai and cannot go to Mustafa, Singapore to buy a $8 pen. Could you give me their contact email.

[bbbiswas]

The Pilot <i>non self filling pen</i> is one of my favorite daily use Pilot pens. This pen has every feature that makes a great daily user:

<ol type='1'><li>It has a nice smooth GP steel nib (identical to Pilot 78G's nib unit) available in F or M widths.</li><li>It is an ED filler and holds a decent amount of Ink.</li><li>Has a reliable slip cap making the pen easy to cap and uncap, ideal for taking notes.</li><li>Has a great supple clip which can be used over any fabric.</li></ol>

 

The pens capped, the filling instructions are at the back. I noticed at the shop that the pens come packed in a cardboard 10 pen tray with one instruction sheet for each pen.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2177.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The pen uncapped and disassembled:

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2179.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2180.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The transparent part at the end of the section is actually an insert. This component acts as an O-ring for preventing ink leaks and also probably facilitates drain back of the ink from the feeder spaces back into the ink reservoir when the pen is held upright. Though I have not tried, I am pretty sure the transparent seal can be pulled off and a cartridge/converter used in this pen since the cartridge piercer is very much present in the section.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2181.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2184.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The nib is of a very fine quality, I have a few of these pens that are now twenty years old, I find that the plating tends to fade away a bit after long use.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2185.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The nib slit is perfectly aligned with the feed channel

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2186.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The clip IMHO is stylish and very supple.

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2187.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2189.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

The cap jewel:

<img src="http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Pilot%20Tank%20pen/IMG_2191.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

I don't see this pen mentioned often here on FPN, I hope other members can add their experiences with this pen.

 

Cheers,

Hari

Hari,

 

Can you please tell me where in Mumbai this pen can be bought?

[hari317]

 

Can you please tell me where in Mumbai this pen can be bought?

 

This pen is more commonly called the "regular" or the "Pilot tank" pen here. I have seen quite a few of these for sale at Meenakshi stores at Avenue Road in Bangalore. I have also bought a few of these a few years back from the "Bombay Fountain pen depot" located at AR street, directions to reach this shop can be found in this post: link Good luck!

 

Hari

[inkpenguin]

I am in Mumbai and cannot go to Mustafa, Singapore to buy a $8 pen. Could you give me their contact email.

 

You can go to their website at: http://www.mustafa.com.sg/index.asp But I'm not sure if they have them available online. If you have friends coming over to Singapore, you might want to ask them to stop over there at Mustapha since it is one of the must-visit places in Singapore if you are arriving from India.

 

 

 

[septagon]

Interesting! Dad a couple of Pilots.. I'll definitely try this out in Singapore. Its been really long since I've used a barrel Like someone said, last barrel pen was a Camlin. What do you suggest for Ink?

[subbucal]

This is the pen I have been using for long...an excellent writer and ink never leaks. Its easily available in Chennai@Rs.375/-, in most shops.The 78G with a converter is Rs.750/-. both these pens are similar writers. Thanks to hari for the model name, I was wanting to know it for long.

[ville900]

Hello,

 

Where can I buy them by mail order ? Any idea of a shop in India shipping those / and(or) of eBay / and (or) of someone here on FPN ?

[hari317]

Hello,

 

Where can I buy them by mail order ? Any idea of a shop in India shipping those / and(or) of eBay / and (or) of someone here on FPN ?

 

Graceaj from Singapore used to sell these pens on FPN. The pens are still available at Mustafa Singapore, I asked my friend to buy me a few when he went there a few months back.

 

I hope FPNers from Singapore are able to help you get these pens.

 

Best

Hari

[pk_gt1]

Hello,

 

Where can I buy them by mail order ? Any idea of a shop in India shipping those / and(or) of eBay / and (or) of someone here on FPN ?

 

Graceaj from Singapore used to sell these pens on FPN. The pens are still available at Mustafa Singapore, I asked my friend to buy me a few when he went there a few months back.

 

I hope FPNers from Singapore are able to help you get these pens.

 

Best

Hari

 

 

Got this exact bluish green non self filling pilot in college street.Biswas pen stall stock these in huge nos.

Costed my 550 rs or approximately $10 .

The best part is it's tank which can be eyedropped and can give you enough writing.

Aprt from the plastic which is uninspiring ,the cap on the other hand is quite good.

 

One part of the pen which surprised me is the nib.I took a Medium one and it is writing like a Fine one ,much finer to those of Fine lamy safari nibs.

Edited May 12, 2012 by pk_gt1

[hari317]

Got this exact bluish green non self filling pilot in college street.Biswas pen stall stock these in huge nos.

Costed my 550 rs or approximately $10 .

The best part is it's tank which can be eyedropped and can give you enough writing.

Aprt from that the plastic is unispiring ,the cap on the other hand is quite good.

 

One part of the pen which surprised me is the nib.I took a Medium one and it is writin like a Fine one ,much finer to those of Fine lamy safari nibs.

Excellent. Nice to hear about the shop in Kolkata who still carry this pen. These used to be available dime a dozen in Mumbai, but nowadays no one stocks these.

 

There is a sponge inserted into the barrel, if you remove it, you will get even more ink capacity.

 

Best

Hari

[jimhughes]

Any place to purchase these in the USA? My searches, like Jet Pens have drawn zip. Thanks, Jim

[hari317]

Any place to purchase these in the USA? My searches, like Jet Pens have drawn zip. Thanks, Jim

No place AFAIK. But I don't know why this is the situation. The pens are being produced. Maybe a seller like isellpens can locate stocks and bring them to US customers. Maybe you can draw their attention to this thread so that they can locate the model.

Edited May 14, 2012 by hari317

[jimhughes]

Hari:

Thanks for the suggestion. Jet pens has a form to suggest new products for them to carry. I will investigate that. Jim

[ninad]

Hari, would it be possible for you to update the images using another image hosting service? Your Photobucket images are no longer displaying due to exceeded bandwidth, possibly because several FPN members (across all threads) insist on including all the images in each of their reply. Each such use costs you further bandwidth. I recommend http://imgur.com/ or http://tinypic.com/

[hari317]

Hari, would it be possible for you to update the images using another image hosting service? Your Photobucket images are no longer displaying due to exceeded bandwidth, possibly because several FPN members (across all threads) insist on including all the images in each of their reply. Each such use costs you further bandwidth. I recommend http://imgur.com/ or http://tinypic.com/

 

I just dont have the funds now to buy the additional/unlimited bandwidth option from Photobucket, they do offer that. The pics should appear from the 18th of this month, when my monthly bandwidth counter rsets.