Fabre Castell Ambition - Converter Issue

[MHBru]

I just bought a new pen after much handwringing... I was actually going for the Loom but they did not have one so I opted for the Ambition. After much searching the clerk (at a fine retail pen store vs some jeweler) found a converter that seemed to fit. But when I got home it was stuck in the barrel. I finally got it out and inked the pen. It actually writes pretty well... but when I unscrewed the nib to check the ink level the converter was stuck in the barrel again.. with ink in it! I have written to the store as I am now back in California and hope they just agree to take it back. (It's an east coast store but not in NY)

 

So my question is.... has anyone else had a problem like this? Is it resolvable? Besides the place I got the pen, where can the appropriate converter be found ... assuming one exists.h

 

Just a PS.. I did make certain that the converter was firmly seated before I closed the pen

Edited June 28, 2017 by MHBru

[dennis_f]

Finding a convertor to fit an Ambition should be relatively easy. They're popular pens, made by a reputable company, and sold by almost every store that sells pens. If you don't have any pen stores nearby, visit the GouletPens website, or any other reputable online store and take a look at their convertor section. Or call one of the major retailers (goulet, or anyone else really), and just ask for the correct convertor.

 

You shouldn't have to return the pen because of this. Convertors are cheap. I'm not certain which one fits the Ambition (someone will probably chime in to help you with that), but Faber obviously makes one to fit their pen, and there are probably generic ones that will fit as well.

 

I've never encountered this problem with a convertor, but I have, on occasion, jammed the wrong size cartridge into a pen and found it stuck in the barrel. It's not a huge deal, and very easily fixed. Though I imagine it's a pain waiting to use your new pen.

 

The Ambitions are great pens. Enjoy it and rest assured that you can solve your problem very quickly. Within a day or two probably (and that's only because you may have to wait for a convertor in the mail).

 

Hope this helps.

Edited June 28, 2017 by dennis_f

[LizB]

The Ambition takes a standard international style converter or cartridge, so you should be able to find a wide range. I have a Faber-Castell brand in mine and never had any problems. It sounds like you have the wrong converter.

 

I don't know what else to suggest.. have you had a look down the empty barrel to see if there are foreign bodies in there?

[senzen]

I have a Faber Castell converter with mine, zero problems, unless you're counting the fast evaporation.

[SpecTP]

I use the same FC converter in my Ambition and my Loom, I think it also works well in my platino.

 

Edited June 28, 2017 by SpecTP

[MHBru]

Thanks everyone. The retailer (and the one I really want to hear from) has yet to respond to the email I sent yesterday. Stay tuned.... it's their move.

[MHBru]

Just an update... as the converter ran out of ink I unscrewed the nib unit and the converter remained firmly seated in the barrel. After a couple .... we'll actually more than a couple... of protected raps on the counter it became dislodged. After cleaning the converter I slid it back into the barrel and it was indeed a snug fit. After some thorough swabbing with a q tip it seemed to slide in and out more easily. Any suggestions for an acceptable dry lubricant that might keep this from happening again? Graphite? Or just leave well enough alone...

[EclecticCollector]

The Ambition does need a slightly thinner converter than usual due to the inner diameter of its barrel. It's technically still an international standard, but not all international standards will fit. In my pen the converter easily slips in and out without requiring any effort.

[twdpens]

You need a Schmidt K2 (or derivative such as those labelled by Faber Castell, Visconti and others). This converter doesn't have a step in the collar in front of the piston knob and as such is slightly slimmer than other converters.

 

Another possibility is a rOtring or Waterman converter (same part, different colours) if you can't get one of the above. These fit fine but don't feel quite as secure.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[MHBru]

Well, I spoke too soon. The converter is stuck again. And still no response from the customer support at Fahrneys... there... calling them out. I wrote to them twice with no reply. So much for their customer satisfaction guarantee. Not sure what to do next.. very unhappy with the situation and if I realized this pen was such a problem I would never have purchased it. I guess I am stuck refilling cartridges. I'll check with Goulet as dennis_f suggests... should have purchased from them in the first place.

[Mrpink]

Cartridges are okay because I learnt a trick from this site that you just flush it with a syringe full of water. 1 push and it's clean. And sorry about the bad retail experience.

[MHBru]

Fahrneys finally responded and sent a new converter.... I got smart this time and inserted it without ink to check the fit... and that was a good decision as it is more firmly stuck in the barrel than the original. I have written them asking for a return auth. Very unhappy with this pen. Hopefully they will agree to take the return.