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6 February 2017, 03:43 AM | #1 |
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The converter conundrum
Well, I'm going out on a limb now. The converter. The cartouche. The piston filler.
For many years I have seen fountain pens under the light of their filling mechanism. My all-encompassing premise has been that converter filled pens are inferior. Period. Thus, I have only been interested in piston filled pens and capillary fillers like the Parker 61. Thus my preference for the 61 and Pelikans. I admit to having looked down on the converter system as a cheap cop-out. There, I said it. Regarding the 61, they are old pens, beautiful pens, and in not all cases the capillary filler works perfectly, so those I mostly keep safely away and every once in a while take them out to admire their beauty. But Pelikans from the 600 and upper ranges rock my world, as well as the Toledos and tiny 1931s. As of lately, and under the inebriating influence of Jim, Richard, et el., I have been overlooking the converter "flaw". For instance, I have always loved lacquer ST Duponts... except for the converter. Now I like the ST Dupont better. I even went to the extent of buying a rather expensive Nakata... with converter. And I've become obsessed with the Waterman Le Man 100... with converter. Still, though, each time I have to fill up a converter I can't help thinking that someone is making fun of me, deriding me, for handling such lowly plastic gimmick. And when I go to a Pelikan, I'm overwhelmed with deep respect. By the way, I abstain from using a cartouche... oh, so grammar school. Of course, please add a single grain of salt to all of the above, and just fire away. I'll love you all the same. |
6 February 2017, 04:05 AM | #2 |
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My favorite filling system is the cartridge. It's simply hard to fault a system where you can carry a months supply of ink securely in your pocket.
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6 February 2017, 04:19 AM | #3 |
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Oh, no...!!! But the craftsmanship, the mechanics, the design, the tolerances and materials, the work put into a piston system inside the barrel...!!! A cartridge inside a vintage Toledo is like placing a Chinese quartz movement inside a Patek 5004...!!!
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6 February 2017, 05:28 AM | #4 |
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One reason I sold most of my Pelikans.
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6 February 2017, 05:36 AM | #5 |
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That's strange, Jim. I've heard you say that before. Most of my pens are Pelikans, some over 20 years old which I bought new, and I have never had the most minimal issue with a Pelikan. And the nibs are great. They are easy to change, to find, to customize, and they are pretty. The piston filling system, flawless in every case.
I've had problems galore with all sorts of Montblanc, I have a Sailor that could never shoot straight, an Omas that looks glued together by a kindergarten ill-behaved boy, etc. But never an issue with a Pelikan. Of course, I have bought all my Pelikan pens new. |
6 February 2017, 06:37 AM | #6 | |
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6 February 2017, 07:02 AM | #7 | |
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6 February 2017, 10:25 AM | #8 | |
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Then you have not spent enough money on one! You could purchase this one new, admire it for a period of time therefore enhancing your appreciation of Pelikans and the depreciation of your savings, and then sell it to me used! But of course.... you knew that!
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6 February 2017, 11:23 AM | #9 |
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Or just go straight to this:
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6 February 2017, 05:59 PM | #10 |
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I like converters. Super easy to clean and if it all goes wrong, toss it and get another converter that being said, I do have a good amount of piston fillers. Got to have both in a self respecting collection!! Don't toss those Nakaya fishy converters though!!
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7 February 2017, 01:21 AM | #11 |
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Those painted Nakaya converters do rock...!!
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8 February 2017, 07:34 AM | #12 |
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8 February 2017, 08:24 AM | #13 |
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8 February 2017, 01:57 PM | #14 |
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But... you said Pelikans! ........ .... .. ..
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8 February 2017, 09:20 PM | #15 |
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11 February 2017, 05:40 AM | #16 |
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I stand corrected!
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11 February 2017, 11:24 AM | #17 |
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I would have to agree with this. Although I do not have as much experience with fountain pens as you gentlemen, my only pen is an entry level Pelikan M150. Just today I was looking to upgrade and purchase something a little nicer, but couldn't get past the cartridge filling system on some of the higher quality offerings. I would like to try a MB, but I'm afraid to invest several hundred dollars on a fountain pen I do not like. Any suggestions? Should I suck it up and give it a shot or stick with what I know?
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11 February 2017, 11:25 AM | #18 |
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11 February 2017, 01:24 PM | #19 | |
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Pelikan nibs are easy to find and easy to change. They are pens that will last forever. I love Pelikan Souverain pens better than any others. In my own biased opinion, I think they are far superior to Montblanc pens in every respect. Check nibs.com, Fountain Pen Hospital, etc. And good luck in your search. |
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12 February 2017, 03:23 PM | #20 | |
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18 February 2017, 12:00 PM | #21 |
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Juan, To speak about converters; I think they completely have a place. Caran d'Ache, Graf, Sailor, Yard-o-Led, among other makers use converters.
I think a benefit of converters is that they hold less. I don't write that much but I like to use a fountain pen when I do. A converter insures I am always using fresh ink. A piston full of ink would take me at least a month to run through ... if not more. Also, I dislike the washable inks, and like the "bullet proof" inks, for permanence. I lost valuable tax records because I kept the records with non permanent ink. The books received a water dunking. Gone were the records. so a pen, like my new Caran d'Ache Varius Ivanhoe Black ... with a converter ....is perfect for the poisonous ...and Very black .... bulletproof ..Noodler's Old Manhattan Black. An ink I would NEVER put in a vintage piston Pelikan or Omas because there is the strong possibility it stains the ink tank window. Let it stain the converter window! So those are my reasons in praise of converters. Rafael |
18 February 2017, 01:30 PM | #22 | |
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I see it somewhat as a mechanical vs battery type of argument. Or like plastic disposable parts inside a Patek Philippe (Nakaya). Of course, to each his own. |
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18 February 2017, 02:00 PM | #23 |
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I thought about that.
The "plastic aspects" of converters, etc......... I am trying to see past the obvious (sniff) aspects. So then if I would agree, but I don't; ....that makers of pens I mentioned, and there are many more. They have have opted to adopt a lesser quality level than makers who have constructed pens with piston mechanisms? Converter pen manufacturers are on a lower level? Like Breitling is "lower" (sniff) to Patek Phillippe ? In short Piston fillers are higher class than converter fillers? Is that what you are saying ? rm I think converters have their place. I cited my reasons, based on practicality ........ and Sailor pens, Yard -o- Lead etc are way way above G-Shock |
18 February 2017, 09:51 PM | #24 |
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Apologies if I was a bit accellerated, above.
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18 February 2017, 09:56 PM | #25 | |
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Pistons are not really some complicated technological feat. Pistons have been around for thousands of years. The issues faced in creating a piston type converter and piston fountain pen are exactly the same. There needs to be a movable seal with an opening below the seal and an opening above the seal. Second, there is the myth that piston filled pens hold more ink and bigger piston fillers hold more than smaller piston fillers. 100% myth. The modern 146 and 149 use exactly the same piston mechanism and hold the same amount of ink and the Montblanc 147 with it's two international standard cartridges hold more ink than either the 146 or 149. Now the tiny by comparison Montblanc 234½ from the 40s and 50s did hold more ink than any modern Montblanc but that was because Montblanc did use a different piston system that allowed greater seal travel. |
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19 February 2017, 12:33 AM | #26 |
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Ok, guys, I agree that we disagree. I just find a cheap converter inside a fine pen a cop-out. By the way, "class" has nothing to do with it. This is not about Marxism.
PS- "But why is a converter cheaper to make than a piston filler? Why is a piston filler more difficult to make than a converter filler." The response is self-evident. In terms of production, to integrate a functional piston filling system in a pen is more difficult, labor intensive, and requires more parts that just turning a barrel and adding a converter made in China by the millions at a minimal cost. |
19 February 2017, 02:05 AM | #27 | |
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Sorry but today many fake pens have functioning piston fillers including Montblanc knockoffs currently being made in Korea. China also makes fully functioning piston filled fakes. In addition, many converters used in the better pens are made in Germany by companies like Schmidt. |
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20 February 2017, 07:30 PM | #28 | |
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20 February 2017, 11:15 PM | #29 | |
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21 February 2017, 04:40 AM | #30 | |
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