Effective Converter For Starwalker

[ArbInv]

I have read around the options for hacking a converter for the Starwalker. I am a little concerned that there is not a good option for the long term. Has anyone had long term success and if yes using what?The cartridges are small and really getting to be a pain.

 

Thanks

 

-Arb

[HermetiC]

I use these Duke

 

http://fotos.subefotos.com/fe023866a1e5d3481044c6825a7e9780o.jpg

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

In many of these pens, the regular Schmidt K5 converter (which is incidentally distributed by a lot of other pen manufacturers) often fits. Montblanc themselves use a custom Schmidt converter for the pens they have that take the screw-in converter. I'm still not sure how good it is to dip the grip section into ink. I'm not sure how corrosion resistant it is.

 

Dillon

[BrandonA]

There have been multiple other threads on this topic. I can't be bothered to check my pen, my advise is to search this forum.

[ArbInv]

There have been multiple other threads on this topic. I can't be bothered to check my pen, my advise is to search this forum.

 

Agreed but far from any consensus as to what to use or even if you should use a converter at all as the pen was not designed to be dipped into ink to refill. That's why the ask..

[Dr. Eriko]

Well, talking abour pens designs.... maybe the MB 144 was not designed for be dipped into the ink. Almost all of the MB users can remember the corroed collar nib in this MB 144 FP. And the converter was included with the pen.

A few days ago, I found a very good idea about DIY converter, and this is the link:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/270251-diy-mini-converter-tutorial/

 

Regards.

[Newjelan]

Agreed but far from any consensus as to what to use or even if you should use a converter at all as the pen was not designed to be dipped into ink to refill. That's why the ask..

I've been using a Faber Castell converter in my Starwalker for years with no problems whatsoever.

[Dillo]

I've been using a Faber Castell converter in my Starwalker for years with no problems whatsoever.

 

Faber Castell pretty much seems to only provide Schmidt converters now. It one way to get a Schmidt converter if you want one.

 

Dillon

[de_pen_dent]

 

Agreed but far from any consensus as to what to use or even if you should use a converter at all as the pen was not designed to be dipped into ink to refill. That's why the ask..

 

So fill the converter directly with ink and then insert it into the pen.

[EclecticCollector]

I've been using a Faber Castell converter in my Starwalker for years with no problems whatsoever.

I recently contacted my local MB boutique about installing a converter for my Starwalker, and they seemed to think it was a perfectly normal thing to do. I was quoted a price of $90 for this service. I'm assuming that MB feels the section is able to withstand being dipped in ink, otherwise why would they offer it?

[Newjelan]

I recently contacted my local MB boutique about installing a converter for my Starwalker, and they seemed to think it was a perfectly normal thing to do. I was quoted a price of $90 for this service. I'm assuming that MB feels the section is able to withstand being dipped in ink, otherwise why would they offer it?

$90 is extraordinarily expensive. I bought a Faber Castell converter (can't remember the cost) and inserted it. I've used a variety of inks over the years and never had a problem, including MB Midnight Blue, Visconti Blue, Diamine Majestic Blue, Diamine Royal Blue, and a variety of Iroshizuku inks as well as others. I can't see why MB needs to fit the converter, except to enable them to charge $90. My Starwalker is the Cool Blue one.

[de_pen_dent]

I also have to admit - my mind boggles at the idea of a $500 or whatever pen whose section "might be unsuitable for dipping into ink".

 

Given that plenty of other MB pens are dipped in ink, I find it improbable - from a manufacturing logistics point of view - that MB would use a different material for the nib collar, one which is unable to tolerate contact with ink. There is no reason for them to go out of their way to make a change that can only be for the worse.

Edited July 26, 2014 by de_pen_dent

[EclecticCollector]

$90 is extraordinarily expensive. I bought a Faber Castell converter (can't remember the cost) and inserted it... I can't see why MB needs to fit the converter, except to enable them to charge $90. My Starwalker is the Cool Blue one.

Mine is the original version before they released all the variants. When I heard the cost, and that they don't sell the converters separately, I politely thanked them for their time and hung up. A bit of Googling revealed that the F-C converter was known to work well, and I happened to already have one (cost: $4). I imagine it's nothing more than a money grab also.

[plumista]

My experience with my StarWakler (rubber squares and platinum finish, first year edition) is that I finally found a perfect-fit converter, just a no-name one, simply looking in my converters box. I guess it is a cheap unbranded Schmidt (as previous posts have suggested), so we StarWalkers users are happy enough, since this converter is probably one of the best: easy availability and long-term quality.

 

Regarding the eventual section corrosion if the section is dipped, well, I have dipped this pen in several inks over the years, and no problem at all so far: the section is just as brand new.

 

plumista

[_Stormin_]

These are in my SW's and run with no problem.

 

http://www.gouletpens.com/Standard_International_Cartridge_Converter_p/ed-converter.htm

 

They're certainly not ninety bucks.

[EclecticCollector]

These are in my SW's and run with no problem.

 

http://www.gouletpens.com/Standard_International_Cartridge_Converter_p/ed-converter.htm

 

They're certainly not ninety bucks.

But then you're missing out on the experience of waiting 2-3 weeks for a trained Montblanc technician to professionally hand-fit the (probably same) converter.

[Mister Mont Blanc]

I also have to admit - my mind boggles at the idea of a $500 or whatever pen whose section "might be unsuitable for dipping into ink".

 

Given that plenty of other MB pens are dipped in ink, I find it improbable - from a manufacturing logistics point of view - that MB would use a different material for the nib collar, one which is unable to tolerate contact with ink. There is no reason for them to go out of their way to make a change that can only be for the worse.

I definitely agree with you however I think the concern comes from the fact that the StarWalker pens have a metal section while almost every other MB fountain pen has only resin parts in the section area that will touch ink. I would also think though that whatever this material is, it should be able to withstand ink.

[_Stormin_]

I've been dipping one of my SW's since it's purchase seven years ago. There has been no issues with the pen.

[VOKEY]

The FC cartridge is a perfect fit for the SW.