I was just checking out some old posts & realized that Levenger is selling a sampler pack of the fountain pen ink cartridges. According to the post, they are standard international carts. I'd like to try out their ink (especially that nice looking cobalt blue) but don't feel like dropping the money on a Levenger fountain pen, yet.

Right now I have a Lamy Vista, Lamy Studio, and Lamy Accent pen and my wife has a Pelikano Jr. I'm not sure if any of these take international carts or even how to find out. Anyone know?

The Lamy pens won't work with international carts. The opening is different. The Pelikano Jr. should work. I can say for sure that my Pelikanos (not Junior) take international carts and converters, and I think the same can be said for the Future and the Jr.

The Pendemonium web page has a detailed description of which pens take which cartridges. The ones that do not take international cartriges include Parker and Aurora, Shaeffer, Namiki/Pilot, Platinum, Lamy and a few others. Best to check the Pendemonium web page if there is any doubt.

Do you have a converter for any of your pens? I have a bottle of the cobalt blue and can send you a small sample if you wish (assuming you're in the US). It is a very nice blue.

Thanks for the generous offer. I have a converter for every fountain pen I own that takes one. I have yet to use a cartridge for any of my pens. Converter in every one of them except the Pilot Varsity.

BTW, what is the best way you've found for shipping ink samples like this around?

I'll PM you my contact info.

You can buy cheap vials (meant for the FPN ink swap program) from Dillo. They work well as long as you tape them shut.

The plastic or glass vials Pear Tree Pens uses for its sampler program also work pretty nicely, but you'll want to pack them more carefully if you have any of them. The one I got as part of a swap came with some paper padding in an old prescription pill bottle.