I have a Pilot VP with a broad nib. I also have a Namiki converter for it and Namiki Blue cartridges. Can anyone tell me why the pen writes as smooth as glass and with a nice wet line when using the cartridge and not as well ( a distinctly less smooth, drier experience ) when using the converter with either Parker Quink Blue or Pelican 4001 Blue ( the only bottle inks I have so far ). In my other pen, a Mont Blanc, both inks work well, although the Quink flows better. Does the Pilot only work well with Namiki ink? Is it the converter that retards the flow regardless of what ink I were to use? Help! Ron C

All inks will flow slightly differently. I personally have found that the Pilot cartiridges flow a bit wetter than the converter. Maybe because the carts hold so much more ink. Maybe because of reduced surface tension. Anyway, consider refilling the carts with your favorite ink using a syringe. There are several posts about refilling.

This question comes up fairly frequently, and most people have better luck with using cartridge in VP. I just refill cartridges with syringe rather than using converter in my VP. You can get syringes from a pharmacy. I think some oral syringes for giving medicine for babies might work, too. Also Pear Tree Pens sells a kit meant for this.