Thread: Fountain Pens?

I've taken to using cartridges for my pens. I am in college, and if for some reason I run out of ink, it is nice to be able to pop a new cartridge in and go. I have been considering a converter though for my pens
Is there anyone who has used a their pen on a daily basis that uses a converter? and if so, how do you like it, would it be better to have the convenience of a cartridge for school and note taking?

While I do not have a MB pen I have followed numberous threads about ink safty in pens. 99% of needlers inks are fine with these pens, big ugly debate rage about the BayState line of inks though...

FPN has TONS of info about all kinds of stuff related to fountain pens...

Well I have an Ohto Rook and a couple Platinum Preppies (med & fine) on their way to play with!

Originally Posted by crazyengineer

I've taken to using cartridges for my pens. I am in college, and if for some reason I run out of ink, it is nice to be able to pop a new cartridge in and go. I have been considering a converter though for my pens
Is there anyone who has used a their pen on a daily basis that uses a converter? and if so, how do you like it, would it be better to have the convenience of a cartridge for school and note taking?

I'm also in college and use a Noodlers that is converter and have never had a problem. You just get in the habit of filling it every day or two, or check it every time before you leave.

Originally Posted by crazyengineer

I've taken to using cartridges for my pens. I am in college, and if for some reason I run out of ink, it is nice to be able to pop a new cartridge in and go. I have been considering a converter though for my pens
Is there anyone who has used a their pen on a daily basis that uses a converter? and if so, how do you like it, would it be better to have the convenience of a cartridge for school and note taking?

I started with cartridges and they were very convenient, but when I got my Lamy I went with the converter. I do use it daily and get about 3 days of hard writing out of a fill. The only problem I have had with the converter is sucking up air bubbles. Thankfully my Lamy has a see through converter so I can empty the chamber and fill to my liking.

Originally Posted by crazyengineer

I've taken to using cartridges for my pens. I am in college, and if for some reason I run out of ink, it is nice to be able to pop a new cartridge in and go. I have been considering a converter though for my pens
Is there anyone who has used a their pen on a daily basis that uses a converter? and if so, how do you like it, would it be better to have the convenience of a cartridge for school and note taking?

I would much rather use a converter. I bought some Quink yesterday and it was $10 for a bottle. Approximately 60 refills or 17 cents each time. At the same store cartridges ran about 93 cents each. A big price difference. I don't know the volume difference between the converter and the cartridge but it is still going to be cheaper. That should make a difference for a student.

You should learn quickly how long it will write and then know how long between fills. As far as running out unsuspectingly I always carry two writing utensils at work and usually three. Pen, pencil, and marker. I have taken many notes with a sharpie! Carry 2 pens and/or a pen and a pencil and don't worry about not being able to write. You can read your notes with any of them.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

I would much rather use a converter. I bought some Quink yesterday and it was $10 for a bottle. Approximately 60 refills or 17 cents each time. At the same store cartridges ran about 93 cents each. A big price difference. I don't know the volume difference between the converter and the cartridge but it is still going to be cheaper. That should make a difference for a student.

You should learn quickly how long it will write and then know how long between fills. As far as running out unsuspectingly I always carry two writing utensils at work and usually three. Pen, pencil, and marker. I have taken many notes with a sharpie! Carry 2 pens and/or a pen and a pencil and don't worry about not being able to write. You can read your notes with any of them.

Tim

9 times out of 10 a converter holds much less ink than a cartrige. And some pens just don't have a converter available for them. The Preppy has a converter but it costs twice the amount as the pen lol. Cartriges can be flushed with a bulb flusher or a syringe, The Goulet pen Co. has kits for that. So you can still fill a cartrige with any ink you want (thats FP safe...) and take advantage of bulk ink deals. I'm still looking for an old bottle of Sheaffer ink, in a gallon bottle

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

9 times out of 10 a converter holds much less ink than a cartrige. And some pens just don't have a converter available for them. The Preppy has a converter but it costs twice the amount as the pen lol. Cartriges can be flushed with a bulb flusher or a syringe, The Goulet pen Co. has kits for that. So you can still fill a cartrige with any ink you want (thats FP safe...) and take advantage of bulk ink deals. I'm still looking for an old bottle of Sheaffer ink, in a gallon bottle

Good post!

I bought a Parker Sonnet yesterday. A lot more than I should have spent but it had the features that I wanted. First and foremost I didn't want to unscrew it every time I needed to write. I get a lot of calls and need a quick note. I feels good in my hand. Most of the cheaper models I saw are bulky and uncomfortable. I was really disappointed with the Lamy Safaris when I held them in my hand. Big and bulky with grooves that force me to hold it in a certain way. Many of the high end ones were big also so just not to pick on the cheap ones. No need to put a chain and weight on them to prevent someone from stealing them. The clips on the Safaris were also ridiculously big. The Sonnet looks classy.

It came with a converter and one cartridge. Just by looking the converter it looks to hold about 40% of the volume of the cartridge. Wall thickness etc could vary that, it is just an estimate.

I could have bought about 30 Pilot Varsities for the same price. I am afraid that tomorrow I will loose it on the first day at work!

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

Good post!

I bought a Parker Sonnet yesterday. A lot more than I should have spent but it had the features that I wanted. First and foremost I didn't want to unscrew it every time I needed to write. I get a lot of calls and need a quick note. I feels good in my hand. Most of the cheaper models I saw are bulky and uncomfortable. I was really disappointed with the Lamy Safaris when I held them in my hand. Big and bulky with grooves that force me to hold it in a certain way. Many of the high end ones were big also so just not to pick on the cheap ones. No need to put a chain and weight on them to prevent someone from stealing them. The clips on the Safaris were also ridiculously big. The Sonnet looks classy.

It came with a converter and one cartridge. Just by looking the converter it looks to hold about 40% of the volume of the cartridge. Wall thickness etc could vary that, it is just an estimate.

I could have bought about 30 Pilot Varsities for the same price. I am afraid that tomorrow I will loose it on the first day at work!

Tim

My avg pen was in the $150 range and for years I never lost one of them, in fact I still have them. I got the Lamy, big hands.., for a work pen that I didn't have to worry about.

Just like razors there are a wide veriety of styles to fit a persons user needs. I like a larger pen just like I enjoy a larger razor. Try them all and remember what feels good

Originally Posted by 32t

Good post!

I bought a Parker Sonnet yesterday.
......

Nice.... you will enjoy it I love mine.