Hiya! First post here, I've been lurking and reading posts for about a week though : )
After reading a lot of posts, I bought a Hero 184 from Todd at isellpens.com. It's a really beautiful pen, but I have a few questions - First, where could I buy some good, reasonably priced ink? My mom managed to dig up some German 'Drawing Ink' that she had, but I don't think the ink is made for a FP. Another think, maybe related, is that when I lay the pen down to write it takes a little bit of distance before it starts writing, any ideas about this? (And it does this even after I've been writing for a few minutes)
I've read some of the topics on ink, but I never came across a link to where to actually buy it.

Second Question, where could I buy a converter so that I could use cartridges? I managed to fill up the pen this morning, but it was... pretty messy. It's some kind of 'pump filler', I read that the ones that come with Hero pens are not the best, and I believe it after using this one.

Thanks in advance,
-David

p.s. I still want a Parker FP... planning on buying one once I finish my degree, the Sonnet is SO pretty : )

Welcome to FPN!! I don't believe I would put Drawing ink in a Fountain pen. You can find Bottles of Parker Quink ink at Staples. The squeeze filler you have is the converter. To use with cartridges the converter is removed. There are several good places to order ink on line. Swisher Pens, Pear Tree Pens, Pendemonium, Levenger. Good luck and welcome to the Fountain pen crowd!

So...I take off the pump thing and then put on the cartridge? Will try, thanks!
EDIT: The cartridges I have already, from a Sheafer pen don't work : /
Oh well, I guess I'll try getting some new ones.

I don't think we have a local 'Staples' here in Alaska where we are, but I'll look around some of the local stores.

Thanks,
-David

p.s. I have a feeling this is going to be an expensive forum, just like knifeforums : )

Other than Quink from Staples or other big-box office supplies, there
might be other "fine stationery" or art supply stores that stock some
fountain pen ink. If they have a fountain pen section in the store, they
usually sell some ink to go with it.

DON'T use the DRAWING INK! It's likely to be the black India ink
with shellac that will clog your pen. You need thin fountain pen ink,
instead. If it's already in there, wash the pen, now. There is a
product called Rapido-eze that works well for removing dried drawing
ink (from Rapidograph and other tech drawing stylographic pens).

Actually, I buy most ink over the 'net, even though I live in a LARGE
metropolitan area. Here are some places that I found are reliable
and honest. Yes, if you are wondering, it's possible to ship ink in
bottles intact many miles, as long as proper packing is done. If
you are dealing with freezing temperatures and packages might be
sitting outside long, you might want to order during the warm season,
as fountain pen ink is mostly water.

www.pendemonium.com (Legal Lapis, The Violet Vote, Eternal Brown)
www.peartreepens.com (set of 4 ink samples in tiny bottles)
www.thewritefill.com (kit with syringe for re-filling carts or converters)
www.swisherpens.com (has its own exclusive inks)
www.inkednib.com (obscure R&K colors like Scabiosa)

Have fun.

Thanks for the links, I'll take a look. Shipping to Alaska is usually murder though, they say Alaska is part of the US, but I don't think the sellers know that : |

>DON'T use the DRAWING INK! It's likely to be the black India ink
>with shellac that will clog your pen.

I don't think the pen is clogged - I cleaned it out completely yesterday with water and I think I got all of the ink out. I managed to improvise and got some of my Sheaffer's ink into it, and now the pen is writing much better - no false starting or anything, so it must have been the ink.
We have a full set of Rapidographs, with black india ink, but I knew not to use that from reading about black india ink previously.

I would really like some very dark brown ink, not the lighter kind... I think I'll look for it on those websites.

Thanks,
-David

p.s. My hands are completely covered in ink (almost), I can't seem to get it out, and my skin is peeling where the ink is. I was playing with some glass dip pens yesterday that I received as a gift. They came with 6 or 7 bottles of ink, which seems to be truly impossible to get out - I just took a shower and it's still as bright as ever on my hands.

Hmmm, in that case the most northerly ink seller I know of personally is Stylus Fine Pens in Edmonton, Alberta. (There may well be a more northerly one that I don't know about).

They have a website, but unfortunately no on-line catalog. However, they are extremely responsive to e-mail and their service is excellent, prompt, and courteous. I've ordered from them way too many times.

There are different size/shape cartridges. As you have already found, Sheaffer cartridges won't fit, nor will Parker or Lamy ones.
You will need International cartridges.

You may want to try Diamine Inks in the UK if you need to mailorder. They have cartridges as well as bottled ink in more colours than you want to know about...

The Writing Desk in the UK also sell Diamine inks and cartridges, as well as many other brands.