ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
7 January 2019, 04:10 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,842
|
Piston vs cartridge converter
So I’ve used disposable fountain pens when younger and they were awesome. Well some of them.
Now I’m looking to a fountain pen. What I want, more than anything is reliability. I want a pen that just works and needs minimal upkeep. I’m also planning to stick with one ink so cleaning, flushing is less of an issue. I can see the value of the piston filling- bigger ink storage and seems to have less issues with filling it. But I ’ve read ink sticking to the sides of the wall creating flow issues. However it seems to be easier to clean. The cartridge converters seem to hold less ink and can have some issues filling completely. On the other hand, if things get bad you can clean/replace the converter easier than fixing the pistons. Are there any issues with the cartridge converters leaking more? Specifically I am looking at the Montblanc le petite prince- piston vs. cartridge converter, Pelikan, and a Nakaya piccolo- any issues with these specific filling systems? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
7 January 2019, 05:00 AM | #2 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Richard
Location: USA
Watch: YM Deep Space
Posts: 12,501
|
My preference is a C/C filling system as I love to change inks and colors often. The C/C system is easier to clean and change inks. JMHO!
__________________
Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM |
7 January 2019, 06:33 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Real Name: jim
Location: Deep South Texas
Watch: Samsung Gear S3
Posts: 757
|
Personally my favored system is a cartridge. The idea that piston systems hold more ink is in most cases simply incorrect. And the only system where you can safely carry a couple months ink supply is ... cartridge.
|
7 January 2019, 06:51 AM | #4 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Richard
Location: USA
Watch: YM Deep Space
Posts: 12,501
|
Quote:
You don't know what you are expounding upon except when you contradict me! Love what Jim says! There is a lot to be said for a pen that helps you change inks often!
__________________
Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM |
|
12 January 2019, 11:09 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,842
|
I'm now leaning toward a MB le petite prince classique.
Can you buy a separate converter for it? I didn't see it on the website. |
12 January 2019, 10:07 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Real Name: jim
Location: Deep South Texas
Watch: Samsung Gear S3
Posts: 757
|
Take a look to see if it needs a threaded or smooth converter, but it will be a standard international size converter, likely a Schmidt K5 or K6.
|
13 January 2019, 10:15 PM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,842
|
Thanks for the advice!
I bought a pen case and some iroshiruku asa-gao and its on its way. Now I have to decide between the classique models in the le petite prince line up and will order that in the next day or two. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
13 January 2019, 11:23 PM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Real Name: jim
Location: Deep South Texas
Watch: Samsung Gear S3
Posts: 757
|
Ask the seller to make sure a converter is also included. IIRC the current Classique (MB used that term for several different models) does already come with a converter. It's a $5.00 retail item so even if it is not included they will likely throw one in.
|
15 January 2019, 01:49 AM | #9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,842
|
Ordered the le petit prince classique fountain pen with fine nib from fountain pen hospital. Now I wait.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
15 January 2019, 02:14 PM | #10 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Richard
Location: USA
Watch: YM Deep Space
Posts: 12,501
|
Sweet!
__________________
Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM |
19 January 2019, 08:18 AM | #11 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: USA
Watch: Sky DayDate 2
Posts: 1,317
|
|
20 January 2019, 11:13 AM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 1,842
|
|
8 February 2019, 06:35 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Malaysia
Watch: Rolex 1500 '72
Posts: 16
|
I've tried both cartridge (Kaweco Sport) and piston (Parker Sonnet). While the cartridge is really easy and convenient, I prefer the piston. Less waste of plastic capsules and no needing to purchase separate packets of cartridges.
It's also quite a joy to flush and refill the pen from an ink bottle. It's quite akin to winding my watch every morning or shaving the old fashioned way. You take some time off from your busy schedule to rest (and get into your zen mode) and do something mechanical and appreciate older, simpler times. |
18 February 2019, 11:37 AM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: USA
Watch: Datejust 41
Posts: 83
|
Pelikan's piston-filling fountain pens are legendary and are considered, by many, to be the best in the business. They are extremely easy to maintain, and I have never had any flow issues with any of them.
|
3 July 2019, 12:16 AM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Lake Oswego
Posts: 178
|
My Pelikan pistons work very well. My Lamy 2000 piston similarly works very well. I have heard excellent reports on the vacuum filling systems for both Connid and Pilot, particularly the Pilot Custom 823. The converter for the Pilot Custom 74 is a very very nice converter. if they were all that good I might always go with a converter!!
|
22 July 2019, 06:06 AM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Long Island
Posts: 5
|
Piston fillers are fantastic, however they always end up needed maintenance / servicing in the future.
Cartridge filling pens are always easy to maintain and clean. |
19 February 2020, 08:31 PM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: UK
Posts: 6
|
Piston fillers (or converters) all the way.
I fit all my FPs with piston converters. You've just got to clean them regularly - every month or two, unless you're changing the colour of your ink. There's a wider choice of ink with a converter than a cartridge too, if that's something you're looking for. Mont Blanc, Lamy and Noodlers have some nice colours which can make your letters, notes and signature that little more personal. |
6 March 2020, 01:42 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Watch: Shiny One
Posts: 5,364
|
|
15 May 2020, 10:17 PM | #19 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Lee
Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48
Watch: What's on my wrist
Posts: 33,256
|
I'm new to pens but to date my liking is of converters and piston fillers. I find the cartridges a bit sterile and as someone already pointed out, wasteful. They also are restricting in their ability to change inks without waste. I suspect their are less inks available in cartridges than in bottles as well. As of yet I've had no failures of any sort.
|
20 May 2020, 04:16 PM | #20 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Richard
Location: USA
Watch: YM Deep Space
Posts: 12,501
|
Quote:
I take cartridges and refill them with a syringe and needle. You can imagine the versatility of this approach. That said, the C/C pens are just the thing for those of us that love to change inks regularly. Converters are the easy answer, but cartridges do have their sweet places. Just a little more trouble.
__________________
Rolex Yacht-Master 40mm (SS-YG / Deep Space MOP) 16623 Breitling Aerospace Titanium / 18K with UTC. Omega Speedmaster 3510.50 Oris TT1 Pro Diver Regulator 43MM |
|
23 May 2020, 12:56 PM | #21 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Lee
Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48
Watch: What's on my wrist
Posts: 33,256
|
Quote:
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.