It's been awhile since I've posted, but I still check FPN on a daily basis. It's wonderful to see that FPN has continued its growth as a friendly and supportive community.

Anyways, I purchased a Sailor 1911 (I got a great deal on it, or else I would have never been able to afford it) as a way to congratulate myself for finishing my first year of college. In anticipation of its arrival, I'm wondering if any type of non-Sailor cartridge will work with it, since I prefer to refill my cartridges and don't have any Sailor cartridges. I understand Sailor uses proprietary cartridges, but I was hoping to save a few bucks and see if maybe a different cartridge would work. This will be my first Sailor, and I am absolutely psyched about it.

Thanks for the help!

Unfortunately not!! No other cartridge fits on the Sailor. I assume you dont like the converters?

TNS

Bummer! I'm not a big fan of converters for a few reasons, simply because cartridges generally hold more ink and often function better. Refilling cartridges with a syringe, besides being just as economically sound as filling from the bottle, is also a cleaner process, and it's easier to get out the last bit of ink from a bottle with a syringe than a nib. Thanks for your response, Noble Savage.

Not a problem!! I know that Sailor converters are among the best designed. I dont know all the scientific specifics but there is more surface area due to the wider opening of the converter and the cartridge. I have yet had a flow issue with Sailor pens that is attributed to the converter or cartridges. The major drawback is the lack of volume it holds!!!

The next best converter and cartridge IMHO is the Platinum system. The Platinum cartridges uses a B B in the cartridge and that seems to break the surface tension. I have had wonderful experiences with Platinum pens. The only drawback with the Platinum cartridges besides the fact that they are hard to find is the B B that is in the cartridge. It sounds like something is loose in the pen, kind of annoying but the flow is still wonderful!! I know that Platinum makes a converter adaptor that fits so you can use international cartridges and converters.

TNS

FWIW, the Sailor converter works very well, and in the event it needs cleaning or you are switching ink colors, it can be completely, and I mean completely disassembled. Filling the pen does not require immersion of the entire nib, just up to the breather hole. Thus, if carefully done, there is virtually no cleanup from filling with the same ink.

Cheers.

I'm with the Noble Savage on this. The convertors in Sailors are wonderful performance wise. But they really do run on the small side.

So true, great flow but limited ink supply.
Now, where are the instructions to turn pens into eyedroppers?

Interesting! Another concern of using the converter was that it would increase the rate at which the (unnecessary) trim ring deteriorated. If the nib only needs to be submerged to the breather hole, then I don't need to worry about that.

Thanks to all who've shared their positive experiences with the Sailor converter. At some point, I might pick up a set of cartridges, but it's good to know that my converter will likely be problem-free.

The worry about corrosion should, I think, be minimal. I've not heard of a problem with this, and as you pointed out, if you only submerge the nib, the issue becomes a nonissue. I hope you love the pen!

I'm sure that if there are any issues with corrosion, Sailor will be responsive in dealing with it. I haven't heard of any horror stories about their service, which is reassuring. Oh boy, I'm so excited about getting this pen! It's supposed to have a sweet medium nib.