I just found a good deal, even if the pens did not have the converters. I always use converters but have seen so many of you mention refilling cartridges that I wonder if I should try that.

So, was curious to see the proportion.

nick

Well, I prefer to use a converter over refilling the cartridge.

I think that it my preference stems primarily from me thinking, "if I am going to clean and rinse a syringe, I would rather clean out the whole pen".

Don't know if you can redo the poll, but I use both, so I didn't vote.

Chatter---
Have some empty cartridges that I emptied or I got with a used pen. They often hold lots of ink, so will use when I know I like a color and will use it lots. Will use a cart for a mix when I don't know if I'll like or worry the mix might turn to cement... then could just toss the cart. Not a big loss.

Both will wear out, tho' so far only had leaking problems with old cartridges, don't know how many times they had been reused.
With both you can mix ink in them using a syringe.
With the converter you can fill through the nib which is sometimes useful to get the ink flowing. Filling the cartridge (or converter) with a syringe then installing can sometimes take awhile to get the ink flowing. But shouldn't be worse than a new cartridge.
Converters usually hold less ink.

I don't go out of my way to get cartridges, they just come with the pens, so figure ways to use. Probably will always have some new cartridges around as they are good to have for a trip or if you are in school and might need to refill before you get back home.

The value of refilling old cartridges may be proportional to their length. The long cartridge in the Pelikan Pura measures 2.5 inches in length. It holds a lot of ink, maybe more than the proper converter could contain. I don't mind refilling this cartridge given its utility. The cartridges used in Cross pens, however, seem to hold less than the optional converter; there would be little reason other than convenience to choose the cartridge over the converter in this situation.

I do both, but I prefer refilling cartridges. They seem to hold more ink. I have one pen I use all the time that I had to go to cartridge from converter because the coverter didn't fit right, and I managed to make more than one ink mess. If it has a good converter, I'll just refill the converter with a syringe. I do like the convenience of that syringe refilling.

I refill cartridges. For me it is easier and less messy. Also, most carts hold more ink that your typical convertor.

No option for both? My current rotation is 3 pens, a cartridge, a converter, and an eyedropper.

I like using a converter because I enjoy the experience of dipping the nib into a bottle of ink and watching the converter fill up. Furthermore, all my converter pens stay at home or in the dorm so it's not a hassle to refill. On the go pens get cartridges. I've never tried refilling a cartridge but I might give it a try sometime.

I refill old cartridges because I have neither a Sheaffer converter, nor a Wearever converter, nor a Waterman converter. However, I do have a hypodeemic nerdle and lots of bottled ink.

Paddler

It's not as simple as "yes" or "no". For example, I understand that Waterman no longer make cartridges or converters for their CF range so folks have tried various other makes of cartridge just to find that they leak. What old CF cartridges can be found are filled and reused. I have read reports that the cartridges eventually split after a period of reuse.
My problem was to find a syringe and needle. The medical type are sharp and dangerous. Some computer printer ink refill kits come with a syringe and a suitable blunt and heavier syringe needle to refill the printer cartridges. It is not recommended to use the same syringe to load fountain pen ink as residue printer ink will probably damage your pens. Instead wait until you get a second refill kit for the computer printer and use the syringe from the old kit saving the new syringe for your pens.
Hypodermic (under skin) needles are dangerous even when sterile but after they have been filled with ink or left sitting about in a drawer; I don't really want to think about that.

I've basically used converters, but will try refilling cartridges...

But wait! I need cartridges then!



nick

Long ago I used a syringe to refill cartridges to save money. Most of my modern pens have converters. I have rediscovered the joys of refilling cartridges recently when one of my Z-24 converters failed to function properly in a Lamy Al-Star. Purchased the Write Fill kit and have been happily refilling one cartridge. Refilling is nice for all us cheapskates because less ink is wasted.