Cross Green Converter Question

[sharon888]

I recently uncovered a couple of Cross Century fountain pens. They're probably from the 80s, maybe the 70s. One had the green converter in the box. When I installed the converter, it wouldn't draw up ink through the nib. I can draw up ink into the converter when I place it directly into the ink, however it leaks where the section screws into the body of the pen. Is the converter defective? I've never had a converter that couldn't draw up ink through the nib. I tried putting the converter directly into the ink because I read that someone else had the same problem and had tried that.

 

Thanks for your help!

[Mike 59]

Hi, A couple of possibilities with your converter, one being that it has a split in the collar where it plugs into the pen, if you have a magnifier/loupe you should be able to see it.

Another is that the nib section is full of dry ink so that the converter cannot draw any fresh ink from the bottle.

In the second case, a good soak in water overnight could be all it needs to clear it.

I have a Century 2, and it uses the orange threaded converter, although the green one will fit, I have tried.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Mike 59

[sharon888]

I picked up some cartridges and the pens work fine with those so it appears that the converter is bad. I'll have to pick up a couple. Thanks for your help!

[Mike 59]

Ok that's proved it, converters can develop tiny splits which obviously will leak out into the nib section, and I guess the seal on the plunger could leak over time.

But I would say that Cross converters are among the better made ones, and not had that problem here though.

Cross cartridges are ok to refill and use over and again, would say keep to the 'real' thing, other makes won't fit.