Filling instructions

[Stompy]

This may be a silly question so I apologise in advance.

 

Why is it that filling instructions for piston fillers (e.g Pelikans) converters (e.g Parker, Cross) and aeromatic 51s advise that three drops are expelled back into the bottle after filling? I only ask because it doesn't seem to be required for Sheaffer Vacuum-fillers or Touchdowns.

 

It only bothers me with C/C pens - modern converters don't hold a vast amount of ink as it is.

 

Thanks.

[wimg]

Hi Stompy,

 

I have never seen such instructions other than with "vintage" pens. And I can assure I have never done so anyway. I fill any pen to the brim, fill every pen several times too, not just once, just to get that little extra ink in . I don't see the harm in not expelling 3 drops. What I do do, is wick the nib and feed afterwards, nib pointing upwards, to remove excessive ink.

 

I think this is essentially why this is advised. If you expel 3 drops, and next turn back the filler, the pen sucks in a little air through the feed, thus removing any excess ink, which may cause blobbing.

 

However, the wicking system works just as well, and you would want to wipe the nib anyway (I do ).

 

Maybe there is a difference with regard to old-fashioned pens with gravitational feeds, I don't know. I wouldn't think so, as the ink will come out blobbing regardless .

 

Anyway, some pens have to be filled twice to get maximum fill, f.e. the Waterman Edson. It takes easily as much ink in the feed system as it does into the converter, but in order to fill it up completely, you'll have to suck up ink, and next, while keeping the nib submersed in the ink, expel the ink, and refill. You actually can see that the first time around the converter only gets filled about half way, the second time it is really full.

 

I also keep the nib submersed in the ink for about ten seconds, in order to make sure all ink that can get in there, will have enough time to get in.

 

HTH,

Kind regards,

Wim

[KCat]

my understanding is that air in the reservoir is needed for consistent flow. A squeeze type filler never fills completely when filled in the traditional way (vs. say, a Visconti Ink Pot) therefore there is no need to include the "expel 2-3 drops" instruction. By default, there will always be some air in the sac.

 

piston-fillers, OTOH, can be filled completely with little or no air remaining.

 

frankly, I've never seen any difference in behavior of the pen due to being completely filled or leaving a little air pocket in there. So I ignore it most of the time.

[Leslie J.]

I almost always just use the wicking system as Wim suggests. Sort of a 2-in-1 process of cleanup and getting the ink flowing. If I have a hard starter (usually a converter/cartridge), I might use the twist or squeeze (sounds painful ), but I always try wicking first. For new or new to me pens, I always flush thoroughly before the first use.