Let's Settle The Faber Castell Basic Converter Mystery

[KBeezie]

Does this look like the right one?

http://www.fabercastell.com/products/more-products/refill/ConverterforfountainpenemotionAMBITION/148785

 

That's the one, and they didn't have that option right on their site before. Though oddly mine does not have the metal around the nipple like that one shows, but it's the same part #

 

Can't be bothered to read the whole thread (sorry). The Schmidt K5 (and derivatives/lookalikes, eg Pelikan) won't fit in the barrel; it's too wide (dia 7.7mm). Look for the step in the metal sleeve. If it has one, it won't fit a Basic. End of. Everything you need to know is on this page, I hope.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

 

Probably should have at least glanced the thread.

Edited May 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[swanjun]

 

That's the one, and they didn't have that option right on their site before. Though oddly mine does not have the metal around the nipple like that one shows, but it's the same part #

 

I will give it a shot, then.

[twdpens]

 

That's the one, and they didn't have that option right on their site before. Though oddly mine does not have the metal around the nipple like that one shows, but it's the same part #

 

Looks like a Schmidt K5 to me, not a Faber Castell converter. That won't fit a Basic (it's too wide).

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[KBeezie]

 

Looks like a Schmidt K5 to me, not a Faber Castell converter. That won't fit a Basic (it's too wide).

 

HTH,

 

Martin

 

Yet... it does...

 

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/fabercastell_basic/converter.jpg

...

 

and

 

So the excellent news is the convertor fits with no snags. I imagine it is best to unscrew the pen carefully so as not to rip out but we have all systems go. I can not wait to banish that insipid blue. Like you said, it is a big let down that a company that has such a strong color portfolio makes such a lacklustre ink.

 

Maybe read the thread ?

Edited May 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[swanjun]

It does look more like #1 in your picture than #5, however...

[KBeezie]

It does look more like #1 in your picture than #5, however...

 

#1 is a tiny bit thicker on the back, and it's the "Standard International" one for $5 from GouletPens.

 

But #5 is what faber-castell sent me, directly for that Part #, and a F-C rep even said it would work.

 

I assume you're saying the one you have has the same look as #1 (in respect to metal collar around the nipple).

Edited May 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[twdpens]

Yet... it does...

OK, to summarise:

 

In post #3 you stated that converter no.1, which is a Schmidt K5 BTW, doesn't fit, which I knew as the Basic is line of pens we have stocked for about 2 years now. See the step in the sleeve? That's where the problem lies. Your photo is very helpful, BTW.

 

In post #19 swanjun linked to a page listing a "Faber Castell" converter but with a photo of a Schmidt K5. In your post #21 you replied stating that it is the correct converter. In the mean time (post #20) I had warned against using the K5 and advised buyers to look for the step in the metal sleeve.

 

I replied in post #23 that F-C USA is listing the wrong converter and that the photo looks like a Schmidt K5 and that it won't fit a Basic. You replied that it would, thus contradicting your statement in post #3.

 

Maybe read the thread ?

I didn't need to read the whole thread. The links in the OP and post #19 were enough to get the alarm bells ringing. They all show a Schmidt K5. If a simple converter question isn't resolved in 18 posts then something is wrong, IMO.

 

 

Some useful information for Faber Castell Basic owners:

- the Faber Castell converter, ie the one that fits the Basic and other Design series c/c pens, is 7.5mm in diameter at its widest. It has a Faber Castell logo on the metal sleeve that retains the piston mechanism (see no.5 in the photo in KBeezie's post #3).

- the Faber Castell converter does not have a step in the metal sleeve.

- the Schmidt K5 and its lookalikes (eg Pelikan and others) is 7.7mm diameter.

- the Schmidt K5 has a bit of a bulge at the end of its reservior and then steps down (see no.1 in the photo in KBeezie's post #3). It is this bulge that prevents it from fitting in the barrel of a Faber Castell Basic.

- if you are offered a converter with a step in it, it is probably a Schmidt K5 and it won't fit your Basic.

 

 

Digging deep into my memory I think there was a time when Faber Castell supplied a Schmidt K5 with its Design series pens. This was, of course, long before the Basic range was lauched. That's probably why F-C USA shows this type of converter. If they are supplying the current type all well and good, but if owners buy an alternative based on the photo they will end up with something that won't fit.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[KBeezie]

So they using the same model # for two different converters then?

[humsin]

Simple answer. There are 2 Faber-Castell converters. The premium version is made by Schmidt and is engraved with "Faber-Castell". The other has the name printed on. The two are identical international converters; they differ by a single metal band around the nipple.

[twdpens]

So they using the same model # for two different converters then?

More like just an outdated photo. You wrote that you received the current style converter so that's good. The potential problem is that someone might look at the photo on the F-C USA website and buy an indentical looking converter for their Basic elsewhere only to find it won't fit.

 

Martin

[KBeezie]

More like just an outdated photo. You wrote that you received the current style converter so that's good. The potential problem is that someone might look at the photo on the F-C USA website and buy an indentical looking converter for their Basic elsewhere only to find it won't fit.

 

Martin

 

Quite understandable, and as you mentioned if it has a 'step' expanding the girth past the girth of a cartridge it's going to be a problem.

 

Both reps that dealt with me do have a link to this thread, as of a Saturday, primarily linked them because there's way more confusion than there needs to be for a simple part, and they haven't updated any information on the main product page to clear up some of the most basic questions. But no replies (however it was a weekend, they probably won't even noticed this mess of a thread until sometimes today).

 

I also noticed the one linked says ambition/emotion , which would fit the one 'pictured' just fine, doesn't mention basic, but in the finer description mentions all 'design' products (which BASIC is a part of). Shouldn't be this hard for them to come up with some clarification.

Edited May 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[swanjun]

Suffice it to say I'm gonna stick with my original plan of refilling cartridges with a syringe.

[twdpens]

Simple answer. There are 2 Faber-Castell converters. The premium version is made by Schmidt and is engraved with "Faber-Castell". The other has the name printed on. The two are identical international converters; they differ by a single metal band around the nipple.

 

Aha! There is indeed another converter and it is based on the Schmidt K5 and has an engraved Faber Castell logo. This is the converter supplied with Graf von Faber Castell pens, part number 148685 (not 148785 which is the Design series converter with printed logo). I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier.

 

It still won't fit a Basic though, and all Faber Castell Design c/c pens that are supplied with a converter (even the range topping Ondoro) have type 148785.

 

Martin

[KBeezie]

Suffice it to say I'm gonna stick with my original plan of refilling cartridges with a syringe.

Waterman long cartridge holds more than the converter anyways.

[shinewu]

Please dont buy from inkwell from the link I posted.

They will send you the international standard one.

It will be too fat for FC basic.

 

Seems like ordering from FC directly or seeing it

in local store is the only way to go!

 

 

 

I checked pretty much all the info I can find by Google. And I am really confused.

 

1) Faber does provide an official converter, but it does not support Basic, at least from the official website.

 

2) Some claim the international standard ones will fit, others claim they won't. This is really confusing.

 

3) Some even claim the Carbon or Leather version of Basic is catridge only. This is probably false. But I can't find a definitely answer either.

 

So I really need some help to find out exactly which converter I should purchase for my new Basic Mother of Pearl. I am considering these two:

 

Faber one:

http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Fountain-Pen-Converter-148785/dp/B000WE52HK

 

Generic one:

http://www.amazon.com/bluRAFIA-Schmidt-K5-Fountain-Converters/dp/B002FCLMTO

 

Which one should I get? Or I should just give up and settle with catridge?

[UK Mike]

I have had 3 F-C Basic pens with the metal barrel and all three have had different solutions. I'm not sure it is possible to say that some of the converters will fit the carbon barrels as there seems to be quite a bit of production tolerance in the bore of the barrels.

 

On two of the pens I have used the official Faber Castell Converter. However the 3rd one was simply too tight and wouldn't screw up completely (also the stuck converter took a LONG time to extract) Note that this was the official Faber Castell converter which seems to be a Schmidt K5. The metal bands make the diameter too fat to fit in some of the barrels. It seems to be a diameter problem rather than length.

 

The answer to this one was to use the Schmidt K1 converter which is the plain one without the metal bands. This fits fine and would be my recommended solution. Alternatively most of the Chinese converters from low cost Jinhao/Baoer etc pens are bandless and seem to fit ok.

 

The Schmidt K1 is only about £1.50 from the right sources, plus postage.

Edited May 30, 2014 by UK Mike

[shinewu]

I second that K1 and K2 both work flawlessly. K2 looks a bit nice with the metal band. K5 does NOT work at all!

[KBeezie]

Since this thread popped up again, I'm going to follow up with an email I received on May 13th.

 

 

Dear Mr. Blessing,

Thank you. The Design converter 148785 will fit into the BASIC Fountain Pens. I am working with my web team to have that detail added.

I have confirmed with my colleagues in Germany, that there was a bad production batch of smaller barrels at one point. This is what's causing all of the confusion. If the pen user finds themselves with the pen that will not allow the converter and they wish to use one, we will take care of the problem.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Renée Lamb

Faber-Castell USA

Consumer Relations

www.fabercastell.com

Edited September 1, 2014 by KBeezie

[typeOnegative]

Has anyone from India been able to get a converter for the Faber Castell Ambition? I am at my wits end as I do not like to use cartridges and the pen store that I used to go to does not exist any more, at least not in my locality. I received the pen as a gift and have not used it for more than two years. Was cleaning up and got thinking about the converter option.

 

Does the Schmidt K5 converter work on the F/C Ambition? Any input will be appreciated as all I can do at the moment is to endlessly polish the nib.

[Moonraker5]

Hi all.

 

Just to add to the confusion in all this, based on reading this thread I purchased a FC converter from cult pens for my basic (leather finish) which I purchased in July this year.

 

It does not fit perfectly.

 

The width is fine, however the small "tines" on the converter to allow for grip catch on the barrel which when screwing on the section will turn the converter pushing out some ink.

 

I think this can be modified by chopping a bit of the end of the converter. But I will have to see.