Refilling Pens Using Bottled Ink With Shaky Or Similar Hands

[Doug C]

I have essential tremors and I have the same issue. One of the inks I use (PW Akkerman) allows me to hold onto the bottle while filling. It anchors the hand that is holding the pen.

 

Another nice feature is that they have a small ball at the thin top of the bottle that allows you to tilt the bottle with the cap on, fill it up to the top and then have enough ink in the reservoir that you don't risk hitting the bottom.

 

One more idea to consider.

[kernando]

I see you want to stick to your pens and not switch, but how do you feel about Parker 61s and sticking to one color of ink?

[vivdunstan]

I see you want to stick to your pens and not switch, but how do you feel about Parker 61s and sticking to one color of ink?

I’m extremely reluctant to change pens, unless I absolutely have to. And the Parker 61 doesn’t look like the sort of pen I’d be very comfortable with anyway. There may be other options, but for now I want to see if I can make my current pens work as well as possible.

 

I have been sticking to one ink per pen anyway. And my two main pens - the Visconti and TWSBI - each have their own dedicated ink bottle/colour. Experimenting with samples isn’t practical for me, and I like specific colours, almost religiously!

 

Loading my TWSBI is pretty easy now, thankfully. It’s the Visconti I’m still working on. But I’ve got hold of a Pineider Fountain Pen Filler, and will be trying that at the next full fill. In theory that ought to minimise a lot of my problems, if it works for me. On the downside untwisting and twisting it requires quite a lot of hand strength. I’ve tried that, and think I should be ok. But I could always ask my husband for help. Will report back after I’ve had a go with it!

 

Many thanks.

[DWR]

I am taking this thread off topic but it may provide help. My father has dealt with essential tremors throughout his life. There are helps available for folk and family that weve discovered.

 

Id be delighted to share if you are interested. PM me and we can dialog.

 

Blessings...

D

[Bo Bo Olson]

If one only uses the same ink, inkwells are stable enough they won't shake enough to matter wehn filling a pen.

[welch]

Hello Vivdunstan,

 

I remember a while back, during my lurking days where people were making custom sized bottle holders out of Legos with excellent results.

 

Sean

 

Welcome back, Sean! You have been missed!

 

For the OP's problem:

 

- I prefer the Parker 51 or Parker's old squeeze converters used for the Parker 45, the 75, and the converter version of their 61. They can can be refilled with one hand on the squeezer and one on an ink bottle. Incidentally, the Parker 51 is the all-time best fountain pen, so this is a good excuse to get one. You won't need another fountain pen.

 

- Diamine bottles are hard to tip over. The OP seems to be in Scotland, and Diamine is a UK company, so you might get a better selection at a better price than we can in the US.

 

-

[vivdunstan]

 

- Diamine bottles are hard to tip over. The OP seems to be in Scotland, and Diamine is a UK company, so you might get a better selection at a better price than we can in the US.

Yes I'm in Scotland / the UK, so have good options re Diamine.

 

My Visconti Van Gogh is currently filling from a big bottomed 80ml Diamine Chocolate Brown bottle.

 

My TWSBI 580AL is currently filling from a big bottomed 80ml Diamond Scribble Purple bottle.

 

Their "chickenpox" type of bottle. Like this one:

 

 

I don't expect to be changing those ink choices for ages, and the bottles should last me years. Both very, very stable when filling. I can rest my left hand on each bottle, and it works extremely well.

[corniche]

 

Welcome back, Sean! You have been missed!

 

For the OP's problem:

 

- I prefer the Parker 51 or Parker's old squeeze converters used for the Parker 45, the 75, and the converter version of their 61. They can can be refilled with one hand on the squeezer and one on an ink bottle. Incidentally, the Parker 51 is the all-time best fountain pen, so this is a good excuse to get one. You won't need another fountain pen.

 

- Diamine bottles are hard to tip over. The OP seems to be in Scotland, and Diamine is a UK company, so you might get a better selection at a better price than we can in the US.

 

-

Thank you kindly, Welch.

 

Diamine is a great suggestion. Great inks; excellent color range, etc.

 

I get the 80 ml bottles for around $6.95 each at Cult Pens; stock up and get free shipping. 👍

 

 

Sean

[wallylynn]

Hello Vivdunstan,

 

I remember a while back, during my lurking days where people were making custom sized bottle holders out of Legos with excellent results.

 

Sean

I second this idea. Make a jig. Not necessarily out of Legos. But a bottle holder and pen holder, so you don't have to hold them, and can concentrate on the filling motion. Heck even the fill can be adapted. If the converter is too tiny, maybe you can make the twist temporarily larger, like a wrench or mold a larger grip with Blu tac or play dough.

[tamiya]

How about one of these soapsavers with the little suckers on both sides...

 

 

If you think you'll likely spill some ink then get a big baking tray or plastic tub with low sides to work in. Suction the pad to centre of tray, put bottle on pad; most bottles would have enough flat area on its bottom for the suckers to grab onto.

[vivdunstan]

Checking back in to report on how I've been getting on with the Pineider Fountain Pen Filler.

 

Very well, overall. I can twist the bits needed to open it ok, with care, gripping the body with my other hand. Once inserted and tightened up the Visconti Van Gogh is a bit looser than I'd like - not gripped very firmly, though that might be partly due to its design. However the pen is secure in the filler, so when I upend the filler no ink comes out the wrong way. And I can fill the pen easily from then. I'm still amazed that it works, and doesn't pour ink everywhere

 

On the downside I have been having some air build up problems inside the Visconti Deluxe Converter I'm using (it's screw in, and I'm pretty sure I've attached it firmly). Though these are reduced if when I do my initial fill I also fill with a bit of air, and tilt the pen to move that to the back of the piston filler. That keeps the ink sloshing about well, at least until the pen is nearly empty of ink.

 

My TWSBI 580AL hasn't needed a refill for a while. Its capacity is gigantic compared to the Visconti! But when I do fill with that, straight from the bottle, it's proving safe and easy to do.

 

Main thing is I've pretty much - I think - cracked the Visconti filling, with my weak/shaky hand control. The Pineider Fountain Pen Filler isn't quite perfect for me, but it's pretty close, and does a good enough job. With so far no spills, and much less hazardous to use than straight from the bottle.

 

Thanks all.