My Van Gogh midi was having some issues starting up and I took a look at the convertor, where I found the ink in a gravity defying location -- at the end of the convertor away from the nib. Give it a quick shake and it writes like a charm. It was loaded with Diamine umber, by the way.

Without being a expert in the physics (chemistry?) of surface tension, it seems that the type of plastic used affects how the ink moves in the cartridge.

Maybe going to a cartridge would be a good idea. I use a cartridge in a vanishing point for the same reason. Does anyone know whether the Van Gogh use standard international cartridges (short or long)?

My impressions of the pen after using it for a few weeks:

Stiff but smooth nib
Gorgeous colors
Nifty clip that lifts and is spring loaded; easy to put in a front pocket.
Balance could be a bit better. I don't feel as comfortable I'd like about keeping the cap when posting, and I don't like how the cap band rubs against my hand between my thumb and forefinger.

Overall though I'm pleased with the pen.

Stephen

You have not stated what ink you are using but it could be a heavy ink issue.

I used Visconti's own ink (black) that came with my Maxi and I had the same exact
issue you have now with your Midi. Hard starts after refills and tough flow. Even
though your manual tells you to give a twist in the other direction after a converter
fill to compress the air in it. Hard starting in my Vanishing Point too!!!

I threw the ink out!!!! Omas, Aurora and Waterman all flow beautifully and you
will find you won't have to shake it to get it going. I had to do the same thing too.

Scott.

Hi Stephen,

The Van Gogh Midi will accept international cartridges, both short and long.

I know of one other person with a similar problem, and she used both Noodler's and Private Reserve inks. A quick rinse in a solution of water and a drop of dishwashing detergent helped resolve the problem. If you haven't already tried that, it's worth giving it a go.

James P.

It was Diamine umber.

I really think it's an issue of how a particular ink reacts to the plastic used in the converter, and not a nib/feed issue. Ink seems to roll down the sides of a cartridge but not a converter.


Thanks James for the idea. I do have some inksafe, so I did an experiment with that. I put a little bit on a wooden Q-tip stick, dipped it into the inksafe, and then dipped it into the ink inside the cartridge. I shook up the cartridge, and then let it stand in my pen box. After 10 minutes, I unscrewed the body so I could see the cartridge and inverted the pen as if for writing. The ink unfortunately clung to the backside of the cartridge.

I'm sure the inksafe will increase the flow of the ink once it makes it to the nib/feed, but it has to get there first.

Filling my own long international cartridges might be end up being my best bet.

Is Waterman the only ink manufacturer that makes long cartridges?

Stephen

I don't know the answer to your question, but they are the only manufacturer of long cartridges of which I'm aware.

Another idea just occurred to me - Visconti makes two types of converters, one in their lower-priced models like the Midi, and another for their more expensive pens and which comes standard on the Van Gogh Maxi. I don't know if the main clear tubing is identical in both converters, but they use different pistons - it's possible that switching converters may also solve the adhesion problem. I've never tried this, so have no idea whether it will work - this is sort of a "typing out loud" proposal.

James

Hmm. I think I'd prefer going the cartridge route.

Do Aurora cartridges (king size) fit in pens that take international cartridges?

The Aurora cartridge has a wider opening. My Van Gogh takes the short international cartridges. Its convertor has a metal twist knob and it threads into the section. When I first got my pens, I used to have flow issues like you have described. I haven't had flow problems in my pen for a long time. I don't know why that is. If the pen is new, then manufacturing process oils might be impeding flow and contributing to the vacuum effect. I've also sent the Visconti back to Italy once because it wasn't performing to my satisfaction (slow starts, dry flow, etc.) The pen came back a perfect, wet writer. I also like really wet writers, so I sometimes add a drop of dishwashing detergent in the ink that's in the convertor. Water with some household ammonia seems to do a good job with flushing the pen. It also gets all the dishwashing detergent out if I get carried away and add too much!

Lamy makes some pretty long cartridges.

Thanks to all. I have some Pelikan long international cartridges on order. It also gives me a chance to try out brilliant black.

Stephen