I have a Laureat that is 20+ years old. The little neck on the end of the converter tore off, and even though it didn't leak, I decided to replace it. Well, the replacement leaks out the back end. Somehow ink is getting behind the little washer inside. Bummer, eh, but probably a fluke, right? Nope. I had given my niece a translucent pink Kultur for her birthday back in March, and she has reported to me that the same thing is happening with that converter.

The converters were purchased separately from two different sources. What's the dang deal! I wish I hadn't gotten rid of the old converter, which didn't leak at all even after the neck ripped off.

Has anybody else had issues with recently-made Waterman converters?

I have two Waterman's a Phileas and a Dune Expert II. The Expert leaks periodically. No leaks yet with the Phileas. It's down right ugly though when you open up the pen to fill and the converter is covered with ink aas well as the barrell! Ugh!
PMS

In my opinion, converters are the weak link in modern fountain pens. For some reason, manufacturers cut corners (and costs!) in their production of converters. To me, the converter is part of the "drive train" of a c/c fountain pen and should be made of only the highest quality materials and to tight specifications. Seems silly to me that a replacement 18K gold nib sells for over $100, while the converter sells for $5. We need better converters!

Certainly would agree we need better converters - would happily pay more for one that lasted. But I think the manufacturers prefer to push the cartridges with their better profit margins.

My Waterman converter has a stiff piston, and sometimes it just turns around instead of going down. Haven't had any leaks though, so not a huge problem.

I need to get a couple of new ones to replace these faulty ones, but I'm a little gun-shy about 'em. Argh!

The converter that came with my Harmonié didn't last long -- the piston started to really drag -- but the aftermarket replacement that I bought (I think from Swisher) hasn't developed any problems over a couple of years' regular use.

-- Brian

The converter for my Rotring Core looks to be about the same size and shape, and it's never given me trouble. Maybe I'll order a Rotring converter instead.

Since 2004 waterman pens have used international size converters, so there should be a wealth of choice out there.

That's one of the main reasons that I don't use converter pens. I have had too many bad converters!! Leaks. I only use Pistons pens now. Or use Cartridges.

I use the Pelikan Souverän series and Mont Blanc Piston Filler type of pens, to avoid the problem and the plus is they hold more ink.

Oh, How do you like the ink? that I sent you??

Oh, it's niiice! It's in my current rotation for sure.

I own only a few cartridge/converter pens and absolutely loathe the converters in the more recently manufactured models. A new production Conklin Glider provided ample opportunities to test the effectiveness of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap for removing inkstains on fingers because both Conklin converters I tried wouldn't seal with the nipple in the section. My Phileas has also gone through two (Waterman) converters, both leaking ink from the top. Both pens are now quite happy using recycled cartridges filled by syringe. Interesting note: the converters in my older Prelude, Sonnet, and Parker 45 work just fine. In addition to the recommendations on after market converters from Swisher are there any other solutions that have worked?

I have about ten Waterman converters and all work just fine. I guess I am lucky.

That bird above looks like a good meal.

If you'd like to get rid of the possibly-leaking top (-- a leaking piston seal, I guess), you could try an international-size squeeze converter, from Tryphon for example. I assume a Phileas would take international-long.

-- Brian

!!

Is it you or your alter-doggo that wants to eat the kestrel? If you eat predatory birds, watch out for biological magnification...

-- Brian

Hmm, I shall watch out for my converter's performance in my Phileas then.
Fills up nicely enough for a first time use: took about three turns up and down to fill it, but so far, so good.
My cross converter for my Townsend looks fragile and feels stiff to turn by comparison. Haven't used it yet.

I've also had problems with my single Waterman converter. It leaked. I replaced it with another and haven't had any other problems.