Thread: Stylus-philes speak out!

Very interesting. So, say I use up a ballpoint about every 1 1/2 weeks. What would you suggest for a pen to get?

Originally Posted by zenshaver

Very interesting. So, say I use up a ballpoint about every 1 1/2 weeks. What would you suggest for a pen to get?

you need a pen that's either eyedropper-filled (called EDfill by most FP enthusiasts) or can be converted to EDfill.

As I've said, the Platinum Preppy is a great pen for this, so are Sheaffer school pens. (either pen is under 10 bucks, usually) any pen that has very fine threads between the barrel and section will work, you just put silicone grease (like plumbers and scuba divers use) on the threads to make them air and watertight, and you're good to go.

the advantage of this is that you use the entire barrel to hold ink, instead of just a small fraction. also, if your pen is clear (like the Preppy and School Pen) it looks very cool. filling the pen is also easy, you just open it up and dump ink it.

most large bottles of ink (like the Noodler's 4.5 oz bottles) come with an eyedropper. such a bottle of ink would last you years and years, and can generally be had for 10-20 dollars depending on color and brand.

also, traditionally filled pens (like the Pelikan M-series) hold a lot more than cartridge/converter pens, but they tend to be very expensive and also a hassle, maintenance-wise.

So, I can get into this relativley cheaply. Thats cool.I still am a bit confused on what you said about the grease though. I guess I would have to see the pen in person to better understand.I may just have to get one.

Originally Posted by zenshaver

So, I can get into this relativley cheaply. Thats cool.I still am a bit confused on what you said about the grease though. I guess I would have to see the pen in person to better understand.I may just have to get one.

take the cap off the pen. then unscrew the nib+section from the barrel. you will have 2 pieces in your hand, the section (which holds the nib) and the barrel. take the cartridge out of the barrel, or detach it from the section, depending on the pen. the threads that hold those two parts together have to have grease on them to keep ink from seeping out.

petroleum grease won't work because certain petroleum greases can act as solvents to certain petroleum-based plastics. silicone grease is entirely inert, so that is used instead.

So a lamy al star wouldn't work because of the view hole?

Originally Posted by zenshaver

So a lamy al star wouldn't work because of the view hole?

correct. but the AlStar piston converter holds a lot of ink, almost as much as an international long, so it's not too bad. like i said, about 30-40 pages with an EF nib on notebook paper.

ok, here is an EDfill pen, with a clear barrel. sorry the picture sucks, it was taken with my phone. i couldn't take this one apart or it would have made a mess, but you get the idea. pens that have clear barrels like this are sometimes referred to as demonstrators.

Thanks. You are really helping me understand.

Originally Posted by zenshaver

Thanks. You are really helping me understand.

it's an ancient and mystic affectation, just like straight razors I've got to evangelize it as much as I can or it will die with me