Converter And Ink For Parker Frontier

[AndrewThomas]

I just exhausted the cartridge on my Paker Frontier (1st and so far only FP) and am looking to buy a converter and ink. Will any Parker converter fit?

 

Also, I've heard not-great things about Parker's ink. Is it wiser just to go with a Noodler's black?

 

Thanks!

[FLJeepGuy]

The Frontier will use the standard current model Parker slide or twist converters.

 

As far as the ink goes, I'm not a big fan of Parker's inks. To me, there's nothing really wrong with them, but there are just so many more interesting inks out there. Personally I'd stay away from Noodler's inks until you have a bit more experience with fountain pens and their care and feeding in general. Some of Noodler's inks require a bit more attention and pen maintenance to keep everything in good working order. You might want to look at Goulet Pens (no affliation, just a happy customer here). They offer a nice selection of inks and sell them in sample sizes. My personal preferences lean to Iroshizuku, Diamine and Private Reserve.

[sera0516]

Hello,

 

Congratulations on selecting the Frontier---I have five of them and really enjoy them.  Here's my own personal opinion and experience, for what they're worth:

 

1.  I think the Noodler's inks are great, but on occasion I have had a Frontier that just does not flow well, and the use of Parker Quink ink solves the problem.  So...I recommend using Parker inks (Quink) at the get-go.

 

2.  If you are located somewhere where you can obtain a needle and syringe (I get them at a pharmacy), you can re-fill your existing cartridge (or any other).

 

3.  Here is my experience with Parker converters:  There are 3 types: 1.  the parker slide converter, around 5 dollars, fits the Frontier, is easy to use, and does not hold a huge amount of ink, but is acceptable.  2.  the "old" or "original" version of the Parker "Deluxe" or twist-style converter---this fits the Frontier and holds more ink.  This is hard to find (see 3 below) but is still available, I believe, at this time, from the Parker Service Center in Janesville for 10 dollars plus shipping.   By twist-style I mean it is a piston with a rod that you twist to raise and lower the piston.      3.  the "new" (now-available-on ebay-and-amazon) version of this same "Deluxe" twist-style converter, which also runs about 10 dollars...   In my humble opinion, and in my experience, there is an issue with this converter, and this is the converter that is now widely available on the internet.  It seems to fit all or nearly all Parker pens EXCEPT the Frontier, for which it is just too tight.  Meaning, the opening of the converter is too small to be easily forced onto the nipple inside of the section.  In my experience, after a long struggle, and brute force, with considerable worry about whether I would damage the pen, I was finally able to force this converter to fit.   But I believe that one has to be careful not to damage the pen.  And depending on the precise manufacturing, I do not know whether all of these new converters will fit the Frontier or not.  It did seem, with the one I tried, that it "stretched" or somehow was easier to insert once I had gotten it seated the first time.

 

In some online outlets, you will see a photo of the old version, but when you buy, you will receive the new version. I have seen photos that give a bit of a "warning" that the photo may not be precisely what you receive....no harm there, they are just acknowledging that their stock is the new version.  I expect the old version will be obsolete as soon as all the sellers' run out of stock.  

 

How to tell the difference?  The old version is distinguishable because near the opening of the converter, there is a metal circular band just above the opening.  The new version just has the regular black plastic at the opening, and no metal band circling the converter just above the opening.  Otherwise, they look the same, but set side by side....there are a few other differences.  Others have posted about this issue with the converter.  Some people have had trouble with the new version in some of the Parker 45's, and some have not.  I myself have had trouble with the new version of the converter in my Parker 75's.....same issue, too tight to fit comfortably and I did not want to risk my pen.

 

I couldn't say whether the new or old version is better, once the new version was actually made to fit....assuming it "stretches," which was my experience.  I have been told that the new version was intended to be tight to prevent leaks, but I have several of the old versions and never had a leak.

 

Unless you are prepared to hassle around a bit, I would opt for the slide converter instead of the twist converter.  But if you choose the twist converter, contact the seller and ask if it is the old or new version and ask if there is a metal band just above the opening, or whether it is just plain (no circular band).  The person you speak to may or may not know what you are talking about, but it is worth a try.

 

Hope this is helpful.  I wanted to post all this for sharing with others, and your question seemed like the right place.  best of luck.