Converter Vs Eyedropper With Indian Pens.

[matteob]

I have ordered two pens (including the Ranga group buy) with the standard converter set up that I am used to. However are eyedroppers with Indian nibs better with ink flow than converter pens with the German nibs? I have ordered the converter as I carry a fountain pen around with me and do not want to run the risk of a leak and spill.

[Jamerelbe]

My experience with eyedropper-filled pens is that they generally have a wetter flow (for the same nib). It's often the case also that (for Indian pens at least) the eyedropper only version comes with an ebonite feed, that allows you more easily to modify flow. The cartdige converter pens more often than not (except for Fountain Pen Revolution) come wit plastic feeds - which are perfectly fine, just not as easily adjustable.

 

A number of my Indian pens are converter / eyedropper pens, which can be used in either mode (that's probably what you're getting with the Ranga). I've tended to find that I prefer to use them with a cartridge converter, for two reasons: (1) I don't usually need a 2-3ml reservoir of ink, and find myself wanting to swap colours long before I get through that kind of volume; and (2) eyedroppers have more disadvantages in terms of the danger of leaking, and of ink "burping" when the volume of air in the barrel becomes greater.

 

From my point of view the German nib is the better option - you can still do an eyedropper fill if you want, but you don't have to - and the German nibs are a higher probability of writing well without need for modification or adjustment. Wish you all the best with it!

[matteob]

Thanks for your feedback! I would be keen to try an eyedropper at some point but I think the converter will be more efficient.

Edited December 3, 2016 by matteob

[ak2k5]

if u plan to use same ink for a consistent period of time in the same pen eyedropper is good. the ink lasts for a long time. but if u plan to change the ink frequently convertor is the way to go.

 

eyedroppers are convenient to clean also . indian nibs like ambitious and kanwrite have good standards too.

as for eyedropper leaking , if u have a good feed/nib and grease the section threads with silicone i don't think it will be a big problem. my ASA galactic which is a jumbo eyedropper never made a mess inspite of me often using it will less than 10% barrel filled with ink.(caused very minor ink leaks inside cap though)

[gopool]

I like to tinker with my pens so I'm a huge fan of eyedroppers. I switch nibs and feeds often to find the perfect fits and I enjoy field stripping my pens before cleaning.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks for your feedback! I would be keen to try an eyedropper at some point but I think the converter will be more efficient.

If you've ordered the cartridge converter version of a Ranga pen, the beauty of it is that you can remove the converter, grease up the threads with silicone, and use it as an eyedropper.

Edited December 4, 2016 by Jamerelbe

[matteob]

Yes I have. I have just sent the gentleman his payment this morning!

[bobje]

Jamerelbe, your comparison of the characteristics of eyedropper and cartridge-converter pens is helpful. My experience with eyedroppers matches yours, though I haven't tried both filling methods in the same pen. In the case of a pen that can be used either with a cartridge-converter, or as an eyedropper, do you still find that the pen tends to have a wetter flow? As opposed to pens that start as eyedroppers, and pens designed only to be used as cartridge-converters?

[Ladyinheels58]

i happen to have a cheap serwex eyedropper pen and I happen to like the wet flow of the ink it gives . does anyone else have a serwex eye dropper ? just curious .

[mehandiratta]

I always maintain that Indian Eyedroppers are meant for Advanced Users ... who like to tinker with their pen...

play with the nib... change the nib and sometimes even go to extent of trimming the ebonite feed to accept the rose nib...

 

For those who want no fuss pen ... they should go for CC mechanism pen..