Is there a difference in ink capacity for a lever fill vs. a convertor for a 58? Thanks.

Stephen

*bump*

I would like an answer to this, as well. Actually, my concern is more about the durability factor - is a lever filler on a modern CS going to be a problem sooner rather than later? Will the sac go bad in two years, or last for 50? I like the lever filler for it's vintage feel, but feel like a converter is a safer bet - am I wrong?

My experience with CS converters is not the best one as I have had leaks where the converter attaches to the section. On the other hand, a sac would need to be changed perhaps in 6 or more years (?) which is an easy task. Capacity should be roughly the same for both unless you put an oversized sac which is not reccomended at all... If I could choose... no doubt... I would go for the lever filler!

Thanks for the reply. I did end up going for the lever filler. I decided that it is more interesting than a C/C, and though I've never replaced a sac, I'll try it when needed.

Swisher has a 10% sale until midnight Sunday (coupon code CA2006, for anyone who's interested) and they're clearancing 58s, so I got it at a good discount! I loved the Heather acrylic and figured it was now or never.

Let me add something...

I have some short experience with CS (modern). One Duro Buttom fill (sac), 2 Churchills (lever = sac) and one 58 (lever = sac)... all perform flawless, and two 100's (Piston =converter), one of them giving problems, the other one is fine, but both excellent writers. I have also several vintage (58, 60, 85, 100, duro...) all are lever fillers with no problems whatsoever.

Regarding modern CS, they may be a bit more difficult to open for the first time but any "not much experienced" can service it very easily and do a sac change in a couple of minutes, not to mention owns CS service which nowdays is very good and has the advantage of not "touching" the warantee conditions...

No doubt you will enjoy your 58, it is a great pen, both aesthetically and functionally. If you feel that it does not write as smooth and/or as perfect as you would like, this would mean that some nib tuning would be required (which usually is not the case). You should end up with a pen that you are going to use extensively and really love...

I really debated that too. I examined my lifestyle (more-than-occasional air traveller) and decided on the c/c. I recognized that care for the pen would be far easier (to include removing the cartridge before flights). I also, somewhat less of a concern, thought about the periodic sac maintenance (as mentioned earlier) and any 'wear & tear' on the lever.

However, from a purist standpoint: I find the lever-fill to be a more beautiful, true-to-form pen.

Thanks for the further input. I don't fly very often (rarely! only twice, and I would have just taken a boat if I could have), so that wasn't really a consideration for me, but I can see how it would be for frequent flyers.

I'm anxious to have my pen, but probably won't get it until late next week at the earliest - because of the sale, shipping is 4 or 5 days longer than it normally would be. I might have to trade for an XF nib if the F is too wet, but think I read somewhere that it's only $10 to do so through CS. I just couldn't resist the deal, even though it did put me about $40 over what I was supposed to spend...