I have been thinking about getting one of these but I am curious as to why they use a bong rather than a screw top. I would have thought a screw top would have been more secure.

I don't claim to know but the "bong" fits snugly in a large rubber seal, the same seal that grabs/holds/seals the fountain pen when filled from the well. It makes sense from a production standpoint to use that same secure seal rather than adding a screw top which would have required addition of another O-ring. My 2 cts.

Bart

The first version did use a screw top. I think the screw top would be more prone to getting ink on threads and the like.

When I got mine, I felt insecure about it. But after using, traveling with it, and storing for a couple year, it works. I would think that screw top would present greater complexity and the whole getting pressure correct or it will leak... over pinch an o-ring and it leaks. Just guessing, but the friction method works great. JD

If you are on the fense. Jump, it is great. If I have an ink bottle and the inkwell sitting next to each other, I use the inkwell. Now if you have a large collection of Conklin cresent fillers, not so much.

Thanks for setting my mind at ease. I think I will have to wait until next month though as I am spent up

Another issue is that the earlier versions were threaded for Visconti pens so if your pen would not line up with the threads...ink abounds Someone with a Visconti Mickey want to comment?

They probably moved to the rubber seal to make it more generic so more pens could use it.


Kurt

I have owned a travelling inkwell for a year but have not used it. I really should try it - but I am actually afraid of opening it with ink inside! I imagine that it will require too much force to open, ink will end up flying all over. Maybe I should start testing with plain water....

/Tojusi

Just turn it as you pull. The come out surprisingly easily, yet require a force that will not happen unless it is a hand trying to remove it. They are a wonderful device. But the first few times you fill a pen, do it over a sink. Until you get the hang of it. After that, you are likely to get hooked. They are wonderful. JD