I notice that Pilot/Namiki VPs and Falcons, and Lamy Safaris don't have a finned collector like Pelikans and MBs. I assume the finless nibs have an internal mechanism that regulates the flow of ink. I can see the ink collect in the external comb as my hand warms the pen, but if you can put one inside the pen, why hang one outside?

I know there is a reason, but I don't know what that is. Anyone?

Doug

Putting one outside doesn't mean there isn't one inside as well. From my reference page on feeds, here's an ordinary modern plastic feed such as used by Stipula, Bexley, and innumerable other small companies:



There are just as many fins on the back half as there are on the front. The ones on the back half are hidden inside the section, and they serve as a secondary reservoir while the exposed ones are more for buffering momentary flow irregularities.