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Old 7 January 2019, 04:10 AM   #1
Roll the Lex
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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!


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Old 7 January 2019, 05:00 AM   #2
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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!
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Old 7 January 2019, 06:33 AM   #3
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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.
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Old 7 January 2019, 06:51 AM   #4
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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.
HEY!!!

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!
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Old 12 January 2019, 11:09 AM   #5
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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.
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Old 12 January 2019, 10:07 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roll the Lex View Post
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.
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.
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Old 13 January 2019, 10:15 PM   #7
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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.


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Old 13 January 2019, 11:23 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roll the Lex View Post
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.


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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.
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Old 15 January 2019, 01:49 AM   #9
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Ordered the le petit prince classique fountain pen with fine nib from fountain pen hospital. Now I wait.


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Old 15 January 2019, 02:14 PM   #10
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Sweet!
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Old 19 January 2019, 08:18 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Roll the Lex View Post
Ordered the le petit prince classique fountain pen with fine nib from fountain pen hospital. Now I wait.


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Be sure to share photos and the writing experience after you get it.
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Old 20 January 2019, 11:13 AM   #12
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Be sure to share photos and the writing experience after you get it.
I got the iroshizuka asa gao and a nock pen 3 pen case this week
I feel like I'm missing something...
Ah yes, unfortunately FPH said it's on back order and will take a week or so...
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Old 8 February 2019, 06:35 PM   #13
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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.
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Old 18 February 2019, 11:37 AM   #14
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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.
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Old 3 July 2019, 12:16 AM   #15
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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!!
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Old 22 July 2019, 06:06 AM   #16
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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.
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Old 19 February 2020, 08:31 PM   #17
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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.
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Old 6 March 2020, 01:42 PM   #18
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Quote:
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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.
My experience has been the same.
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Old 15 May 2020, 10:17 PM   #19
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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.
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Old 20 May 2020, 04:16 PM   #20
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Quote:
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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.
This is a world of its own.

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.
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Old 23 May 2020, 12:56 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bisquitlips View Post
This is a world of its own.

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.
I just ordered some syringes after I couldn't get the threaded converter to fit my Starwalker (nor would my unthreaded one). I'd toyed with the idea prior but you pushed me over the edge.
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