Let's Settle The Faber Castell Basic Converter Mystery

[shinewu]

I checked pretty much all the info I can find by Google. And I am really confused.

 

1) Faber does provide an official converter, but it does not support Basic, at least from the official website.

 

2) Some claim the international standard ones will fit, others claim they won't. This is really confusing.

 

3) Some even claim the Carbon or Leather version of Basic is catridge only. This is probably false. But I can't find a definitely answer either.

 

So I really need some help to find out exactly which converter I should purchase for my new Basic Mother of Pearl. I am considering these two:

 

Faber one:

http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Fountain-Pen-Converter-148785/dp/B000WE52HK

 

Generic one:

http://www.amazon.com/bluRAFIA-Schmidt-K5-Fountain-Converters/dp/B002FCLMTO

 

Which one should I get? Or I should just give up and settle with catridge?

[swanjun]

I just bought a Basic myself and was planning to just refill cartridges for it, so I'm curious as to the answer, as well.

[KBeezie]

I checked pretty much all the info I can find by Google. And I am really confused.

 

1) Faber does provide an official converter, but it does not support Basic, at least from the official website.

 

2) Some claim the international standard ones will fit, others claim they won't. This is really confusing.

 

3) Some even claim the Carbon or Leather version of Basic is catridge only. This is probably false. But I can't find a definitely answer either.

 

So I really need some help to find out exactly which converter I should purchase for my new Basic Mother of Pearl. I am considering these two:

 

Faber one:

http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-Fountain-Pen-Converter-148785/dp/B000WE52HK

 

Generic one:

http://www.amazon.com/bluRAFIA-Schmidt-K5-Fountain-Converters/dp/B002FCLMTO

 

Which one should I get? Or I should just give up and settle with catridge?

 

1) Where do you see this? Far as I can tell they simply don't have a 'direct' means of ordering the converter on their own site (though later on they seemed to have added it according to Michelle)

 

My Email Seems to say otherwise (Apr 23rd 2014):

Dear Mr. Blessing:

I'm following up with you to confirm that all BASIC fountain pens in our inventory do accept the Design Converter. However, I am still awaiting confirmation from Germany that this is still the case elsewhere and will be sure to follow-up with you once I have received this information.

Please let me know if I can assist any further as I will surely do my best to help.

Sincerely,

Michelle O'Meara

Faber-Castell USA

Consumer Relations

www.fabercastell.com

 

 

2) The 'nipple' or the portion behind the section accepts standard international. However the BASIC's barrel design is a bit on the thin side. I had/have two, a Carbon Fiber and a Leather one. The official one (Part # 148785) will fit in both, but in my carbon fiber it was a little snug on the wall of the barrel but it did fit, and didn't pull out when removing the barrel, on the leather one, it just slips right in, right up to the wall of the barrel.

 

I used my faber-castell converter in both my Carbon Fiber and Leather one.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/fabercastell_basic/converter.jpg

 

#1 is a "Standard International" for $5 from GouletPens, it won't fit into the Carbon Fiber or Leather Barrel, the silverish ring on the back of the converter is too thick for it. Same for #2 (Jinhao one), but #3 (Monteverde Mini) and #4 (from a Yiren pen) will fit just fine as it's thin enough. And naturally #5 is the official converter.

 

3) This is not true, Michelle confirms it. I think the reason some people think this is because places like CultPens are saying it due to "Design changes", but I think it's because on some versions of it, it's a tad snug and people pulling the barrel off a bit too hastily might also pull out the converter.

 

the reason I HAD a carbon-fiber is because the section/grip cracked down the middle, and according to one retailer there was one batch with a bad grip/section (which may have been exacerbated by the barrel putting too much outward pressure on it. Got it replaced with a leather version, which the FC converter fits into without grabbing the side of the barrel, so much smoother (and will fit #2 above 'snugly' but enough so that I wouldn't want to risk it).

 

If you don't want to get faber-castell's official version, the Monteverde Mini Converter is $2.50 at GouletPens (not sure what it is on Amazon) will definitely work, at the trade off of lower capacity.

 

PS: A Large waterman cartridge will fit, if you want to refill a large cartridge.

 

My Thread on the Carbon-Fiber one

My Thread on the Leather One

 

PS: I would advise not buying directly from Faber-Castell, find a good retailer for it in case you have problems. Appointments in Ohio was very helpful in resolving my issue with the carbon-fiber one, but they don't have an online store, and their online presence at best is Facebook, but if you wanted to email or call them, they may be able to give you a run down on what's available. It's just been my personal experience that getting things resolved directly from the manufacturer has not always been timely. And their website is not very informative as to specs of each of the pens, where as a retailer can better answer your questions quicker.

Edited May 10, 2014 by KBeezie

[shinewu]

Thanks for the detailed answer. I think I am going to get the official one.

[Guernseytim]

I can't add much to that, other than I use the FC converter on my carbon fibre and it works fine

[strictlyobiter]

OP, I had a MOP Basic and it worked perfectly fine with the FC converter. It didn't appear to be snug at all. Lovely pen, just too heavy for me.

[casualmerlinconstant]

 

1) Where do you see this? Far as I can tell they simply don't have a 'direct' means of ordering the converter on their own site (though later on they seemed to have added it according to Michelle)

 

My Email Seems to say otherwise (Apr 23rd 2014):

 

2) The 'nipple' or the portion behind the section accepts standard international. However the BASIC's barrel design is a bit on the thin side. I had/have two, a Carbon Fiber and a Leather one. The official one (Part # 148785) will fit in both, but in my carbon fiber it was a little snug on the wall of the barrel but it did fit, and didn't pull out when removing the barrel, on the leather one, it just slips right in, right up to the wall of the barrel.

 

I used my faber-castell converter in both my Carbon Fiber and Leather one.

 

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/fabercastell_basic/converter.jpg

 

#1 is a "Standard International" for $5 from GouletPens, it won't fit into the Carbon Fiber or Leather Barrel, the silverish ring on the back of the converter is too thick for it. Same for #2 (Jinhao one), but #3 (Monteverde Mini) and #4 (from a Yiren pen) will fit just fine as it's thin enough. And naturally #5 is the official converter.

 

3) This is not true, Michelle confirms it. I think the reason some people think this is because places like CultPens are saying it due to "Design changes", but I think it's because on some versions of it, it's a tad snug and people pulling the barrel off a bit too hastily might also pull out the converter.

 

the reason I HAD a carbon-fiber is because the section/grip cracked down the middle, and according to one retailer there was one batch with a bad grip/section (which may have been exacerbated by the barrel putting too much outward pressure on it. Got it replaced with a leather version, which the FC converter fits into without grabbing the side of the barrel, so much smoother (and will fit #2 above 'snugly' but enough so that I wouldn't want to risk it).

 

If you don't want to get faber-castell's official version, the Monteverde Mini Converter is $2.50 at GouletPens (not sure what it is on Amazon) will definitely work, at the trade off of lower capacity.

 

PS: A Large waterman cartridge will fit, if you want to refill a large cartridge.

 

My Thread on the Carbon-Fiber one

My Thread on the Leather One

 

PS: I would advise not buying directly from Faber-Castell, find a good retailer for it in case you have problems. Appointments in Ohio was very helpful in resolving my issue with the carbon-fiber one, but they don't have an online store, and their online presence at best is Facebook, but if you wanted to email or call them, they may be able to give you a run down on what's available. It's just been my personal experience that getting things resolved directly from the manufacturer has not always been timely. And their website is not very informative as to specs of each of the pens, where as a retailer can better answer your questions quicker.

While 3) is probably not true, there are iterations of the Basic that won't fit at all. I the problem is the metal ring on the converter, on some Basics (perhaps older?) - like mine - the nipple fits, but the metal ring prevents the converter from going into the barrel. I had to take the ring off and now it just barely slides in. I suspect the converter is deforming every time I force the barrel back on haha.

[shawndp]

Hyatt's has ordered me a couple of official FC convertors and I am off to Buffalo in a couple of hours to find out if official + Basic Carbon is going to work for me. I love the pen but hate the soupy blue ink cartridge that came with it. Can't wait to make that pen lay down some Noodler's Nikita Red!

[BrandonA]

For $6 I'd buy it and then see if it works. Not worth stressing over something so cheap.

 

For what it is worth. I have one of them and it fits perfectly in my MB Starwalker.

[KBeezie]

While 3) is probably not true, there are iterations of the Basic that won't fit at all. I the problem is the metal ring on the converter, on some Basics (perhaps older?) - like mine - the nipple fits, but the metal ring prevents the converter from going into the barrel. I had to take the ring off and now it just barely slides in. I suspect the converter is deforming every time I force the barrel back on haha.

 

Probably a matter of quality control in making sure that the barrel designs remain consistent, like I was saying earlier my brand new converter barely fits into the carbon fiber one, but slides in pretty well for the leather one. (and the satin metal one, not sure but I haven't heard an issue, but then again most people don't specify exactly which design they're having a problem with).

 

But as far as the manufacture is concerned, #3 should be fully compatible with their own brand of converters (emphasis on 'should'). Since otherwise they would state it as a cartridge only pen (not that you couldn't use a thinner converter though...)

 

Hyatt's has ordered me a couple of official FC convertors and I am off to Buffalo in a couple of hours to find out if official + Basic Carbon is going to work for me. I love the pen but hate the soupy blue ink cartridge that came with it. Can't wait to make that pen lay down some Noodler's Nikita Red!

I know what you mean, that's the current blue in mine til it runs out. I'm also surprised that's the only blue in FC's name and it's not even a "cobalt blue" as the name implies.

Edited May 11, 2014 by KBeezie

[shawndp]

So the excellent news is the convertor fits with no snags. I imagine it is best to unscrew the pen carefully so as not to rip out but we have all systems go. I can not wait to banish that insipid blue. Like you said, it is a big let down that a company that has such a strong color portfolio makes such a lacklustre ink.

[KBeezie]

So the excellent news is the convertor fits with no snags. I imagine it is best to unscrew the pen carefully so as not to rip out but we have all systems go. I can not wait to banish that insipid blue. Like you said, it is a big let down that a company that has such a strong color portfolio makes such a lacklustre ink.

 

When I first got the BASIC, and because it did not come with a converter, I popped in a large waterman intense black cartridge into it. The Waterman Intense Black behaved incredibly well with the faber-castell nib for me. The only reason I even popped in a blue, was because it arrived with the leather pen and I wanted to see what their blue looked like. I should have looked it up online first, because then I would have just given it to my brother lol.

 

After that blue runs out, I'll probably either ink it with Blue Steel or Akkerman's Shocking Blue (... or maybe the MontBlanc Royal Blue sample I have).

 

On yours (which BASIC do you have?) when you say no snags, you mean the back of the converter just slips right into the barrel, or is it a little snug like it was on my carbon fiber one? Also most people shouldn't just yank the barrel right off the section anyways, even cartridges can easily pop off doing that.

[shawndp]

 

 

On yours (which BASIC do you have?) when you say no snags, you mean the back of the converter just slips right into the barrel, or is it a little snug like it was on my carbon fiber one? Also most people shouldn't just yank the barrel right off the section anyways, even cartridges can easily pop off doing that.

 

 

I have the carbon basic - the rig looks like #5 in your pic. The FC convertor seems to hesitate going into the barrel for a moment but it does not jam - snug may the right way to put it. I just inked it up with Diamine Red Dragon and flow is pretty good - seems like a slightly higher rate than with that cartridge, but maybe that has something to do with the ink.

[KBeezie]

 

 

I have the carbon basic - the rig looks like #5 in your pic. The FC convertor seems to hesitate going into the barrel for a moment but it does not jam - snug may the right way to put it. I just inked it up with Diamine Red Dragon and flow is pretty good - seems like a slightly higher rate than with that cartridge, but maybe that has something to do with the ink.

 

I just inked mine up with some Noodler's Texas Steel Blue.

 

Mead 5-star notebook paper

 

PS: it's the first time I used the bottomless cartridge they provide with the pen to clean, as it turns out one of my bulbs fits right into the back of it (I have a separate bulb that has a broader clear section that I normally use). Works very well...

 

 

By the way on your barrel, what does it have when you unscrew it from the section? Is it like an "A3" or "F3" etc?

I'm thinking the Carbon Fiber ones, depending on how they made the barrel, is probably the thinnest in terms of inside girth.

Edited May 12, 2014 by KBeezie

[swanjun]

So, where exactly are y'all buying the one that fits? There's poor feedback on the Amazon entry, which makes me dubious about purchasing it there.

[KBeezie]

So, where exactly are y'all buying the one that fits? There's poor feedback on the Amazon entry, which makes me dubious about purchasing it there.

 

My F-C converter was shipped to me from Faber-Castell no-charge because I had emailed them complaining that my pre-existing standard international converters did not fit my BASIC and they had no converter offering on their website and that if they weren't going to provide one, least make it purchasable on the website. In response they apologized for one not being listed on the website but that for my inconvenience they would post me one for free (normally $5 from them).

 

I know cultpen sells it, and it's part # 148785

 

But if you don't want the F-C any of the 'thinner' ones will work like the Monteverde Mini-Converter that you can find on GouletPens for 2.50$

[swanjun]

But if you don't want the F-C any of the 'thinner' ones will work like the Monteverde Mini-Converter that you can find on GouletPens for 2.50$

 

I reckon I'll try this one, then, as I don't have anything else to add to a Cult Pens order at present.

[KBeezie]

 

I reckon I'll try this one, then, as I don't have anything else to add to a Cult Pens order at present.

 

The one that's marked #4 above works too (but haven't seen any for sale with that push/pull lever style, I see one once on a site, but they called it "parker style"... ), the idea being if the girth of the converter is no thicker than a cartridge it should work.

[swanjun]

Does this look like the right one?

http://www.fabercastell.com/products/more-products/refill/ConverterforfountainpenemotionAMBITION/148785

[twdpens]

Can't be bothered to read the whole thread (sorry). The Schmidt K5 (and derivatives/lookalikes, eg Pelikan) won't fit in the barrel; it's too wide (dia 7.7mm). Look for the step in the metal sleeve. If it has one, it won't fit a Basic. End of. Everything you need to know is on this page, I hope.

 

HTH,

 

Martin