I'm so totally clueless about inks that I have no idea what to fill it with and I don't want to put something bad in and ruin it. Can someone recommend something please?

Orangina,

To get started, I would recommend any of the Waterman inks. There are enough colors to choose from that something should strike your fancy. They reasonably priced and readily available online and most pen stores.

Waterman inks have always had a reputation of "playing nice" with virtually any FP.

Have fun!

Cheers,

Richard in Plano TX

Most "normal" fountainpeninks won't ruin your pen (if they don't have iron gal in it) otherwise there would be a lot of ruined pens on this board. Some inks may stain the converter (which is easily replaceble in a nakaya if i'm correct). If you want to stay on the safe side, i agree with Richard: Waterman has some of the best behaved inks i know (and some good colours too). If you want some more variation, most Diamine inks are also considered "safe".

Something that plays well with any FP is definitely what I need. I have a very limited knowledge of ink since all I've ever used is just the same ink the pen company makes (i.e. Pilot ink in my VP and Pelikan ink in my 200). I love orange and black inks but I'll probably just stick to black for this great pen.

J. Herbin inks are super safe in all fountain pens. I use them exclusively in my vintage pens, and I use them most of the time in my piston fillers. But Waterman, Montblanc and Pelikan inks should do well also. I use all three of those inks in my Nakaya and I have not had a single problem.

Good luck.

I saw those inks recently. I was considering just getting some cartridges and putting them into one of my less expensive pens just to try it out. Can any cartridge pretty much go into any pen? I was going to try to put it into my Safari but I could get a bottle and use my converter if they won't work.

Orangina wrote:

" ... Can any cartridge pretty much go into any pen? ... "

Not really. There are a wide variety of pens that take Waterman or international converters or cartridges. There are a number of exceptions. Parker cartridges are propietary and a number of companies use Parker type products. Sheaffer is strictly proprietary. And the Nakaya is an exception. I know that mine requires specifically Platinum cartridges or a Platinum converter. Remember that the craftsmen at Nakaya are retired Platinum employees. In that case, the Herbin bottled ink would be the choice.

Oh ok. Definitely use the converter my Nakaya came with. The goldfish is too cute not to.

I was just wondering if I got the cartridges if I could try them in my Safari. I'll probably just go with the bottle and converter to save money then since I'll need the bottle anyway if I really like the ink.

Gosh - I really have to stop staying up so late - I thought you were telling them to put Orangina (the fizzy drink) in their pen!! Sorry both of you...... I gave an audible 'gasp' I can tell you!