What carts will fit a Pilot Plumix?

[Jeff Gibson]

Would love to recommend one but Target doesn't sell carts and I'm not sure what will (and won't) work in the pen.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Jeff

[Edgar Allan Bo]

It depends, there is the Japanese original version (PILOT carts) and the EU-version with standard international carts (Pelikan, etc.)

 

If bought in the UK / France / Germany it's more likely to be the EU version...

 

The small Pluminix is standard international cart only. (The grip section is the same and can be switched with the long end-part of the Plumix)

[Iranna]

The Pluminix uses short standard international cartridges.

[TWRDO]

The Plumix, not to be confused with the Pluminix, only takes Pilot/Namiki cartridges, or a Pilot Con-20 Converter.

 

I prefer to refill cartridges with a syringe.

Edited March 16, 2010 by TWRDO

[Chthulhu]

The Plumix sold in the US (at Target stores) takes only the Pilot/Namiki cartridges or a CON-20 converter. Those sold in Europe take short international cartridges and converters as mentioned above. They also work nicely as eyedropper pens with a bit of silicone grease on the barrel threads.

[Jeff Gibson]

The Plumix sold in the US (at Target stores) takes only the Pilot/Namiki cartridges or a CON-20 converter. Those sold in Europe take short international cartridges and converters as mentioned above. They also work nicely as eyedropper pens with a bit of silicone grease on the barrel threads.

 

 

In that case I would say the Plumix is a poor recommendation for an FP novice. I'd hate to tell someone who's just beginning to wade that deep in the weeds to try fountain pens. Too bad Target sells the pens but not the carts.

Edited March 16, 2010 by Jeff Gibson

[Chthulhu]

In that case I would say the Plumix is a poor recommendation for an FP novice. I'd hate to tell someone who's just beginning to wade that deep in the weeds to try fountain pens. Too bad Target sells the pens but not the carts.

 

I agree, yet I still bought three of the things. :-)

 

You can order the pens, cartridges, and converters from JetPens: http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/cPath/214_856_842

 

In my previous post, I mentioned the CON-20 converter when I meant the CON-50; the pen will accept either.

[GreenVelvet]

In that case I would say the Plumix is a poor recommendation for an FP novice. I'd hate to tell someone who's just beginning to wade that deep in the weeds to try fountain pens. Too bad Target sells the pens but not the carts.

 

I agree that the Plumix is a poor recommendation for an FP novice, simply because those sold at Target have italic nibs. Those are not for everyone.

 

But, you're in the USA - JetPens sells the requisite cartridges and converters, and has free shipping over $20.

 

The Plumix sold in the US (at Target stores) takes only the Pilot/Namiki cartridges or a CON-20 converter. Those sold in Europe take short international cartridges and converters as mentioned above. They also work nicely as eyedropper pens with a bit of silicone grease on the barrel threads.

 

Wait - the Pluminix AND the Plumix work nicely as eyedroppers, eh?

:hmm1:

[churl]

A note on eyedropper conversion: I bought 6 and only 3 were sealed on the bottom. As far as the threads go, a little silicone grease and this is an easy conversion.

 

As far as introduction fountain pens, at $5-6, it is priced to be disposable, and in fact I start most people at this price point with a Sailor Ink Bar, Platinum Preppy, or Pilot Varsity, all of which can be refilled, if you're intrepid. If they like writing with a FP, then I move them up in the world.

 

I don't think the Plumix is a great intro pen given the italic nib, which can be difficult for a newbie.

[Jeff Gibson]

I bought a black one a while back and I like it a lot but I have both a CON-20 and the means to refill cartridges.

 

What I'm looking for is something I can recommend that's easy to use and maintain with little to no hassles. I realize a web purchase is common these days but it's seems a lot to ask a novice to do just to use a pen. People see my pens and they ask, I just want to give them every chance at a positive first experience.

[GreenVelvet]

What I'm looking for is something I can recommend that's easy to use and maintain with little to no hassles. I realize a web purchase is common these days but it's seems a lot to ask a novice to do just to use a pen. People see my pens and they ask, I just want to give them every chance at a positive first experience.

 

My method for this is to keep a lot of extra Platinum Preppies on hand. As a Fountain Pen Evangelist, Preppies are inexpensive enough for me to hand out to people who are really interested. And they are wonderful pens, very accessible for newbies, I think.

 

If you must have an inexpensive fountain pen available at a B&M store, then I think the only thing widely available in the USA that's good for newbies is going to be the Pilot Varsity.

[churl]

... What I'm looking for is something I can recommend that's easy to use and maintain with little to no hassles. I realize a web purchase is common these days but it's seems a lot to ask a novice to do just to use a pen. People see my pens and they ask, I just want to give them every chance at a positive first experience.

The only <$10 pen I can think of which is easy to use and maintain with little to no hassles was the Parker Vector, which you can find refills for in Office Depot/Staples/etc. The cheap FP market in the US is pretty sparse.

 

My MO is to let people have a disposable, and if they like it, I walk them up the ladder in pens. I start most folks out on a Preppy with a couple refill carts, and if they take well to that, let them try my 78G, and at that point, they're pretty much doomed to FP addiction.

 

I have to admit though that I have two friends who've only been using a Preppy for 2+ years. I'm quite astonished because they tend to crack due to cheap plastic.

[Iranna]

The Plumix, not to be confused with the Pluminix, only takes Pilot/Namiki cartridges, or a Pilot Con-20 Converter.

 

I prefer to refill cartridges with a syringe.

 

What's the difference between these two? Plumix=Japanese version, Pluminix=Euro version? I thought they were one and the same pen since in another thread someone referred to the Pluminix as Plumix. I thought it was just a typo. I googled the Plumix and it looks identical to the Pluminix. I'm confused.

[GreenVelvet]

The only <$10 pen I can think of which is easy to use and maintain with little to no hassles was the Parker Vector, which you can find refills for in Office Depot/Staples/etc. The cheap FP market in the US is pretty sparse.

 

Parker Vectors are really great pens, but I haven't been able to find them in a large office supply store - or any B&M store - for over ten years! Must be a very different kind of stock in your neck of the woods.

 

My MO is to let people have a disposable, and if they like it, I walk them up the ladder in pens. I start most folks out on a Preppy with a couple refill carts, and if they take well to that, let them try my 78G, and at that point, they're pretty much doomed to FP addiction.

 

I have to admit though that I have two friends who've only been using a Preppy for 2+ years. I'm quite astonished because they tend to crack due to cheap plastic.

 

I very much agree about walking up the ladder in pens - I've done this with a young cousin who has really taken to them.

 

I've used Preppies for 2 years, sometimes the same one... I used to have the cracking problem but learned not to tighten the barrel too much, and haven't had a crack in over a year. I think it does depend on the pen, though - sometimes you get one that's just better than another.

[GreenVelvet]

The Plumix, not to be confused with the Pluminix, only takes Pilot/Namiki cartridges, or a Pilot Con-20 Converter.

 

I prefer to refill cartridges with a syringe.

 

What's the difference between these two? Plumix=Japanese version, Pluminix=Euro version? I thought they were one and the same pen since in another thread someone referred to the Pluminix as Plumix. I thought it was just a typo. I googled the Plumix and it looks identical to the Pluminix. I'm confused.

 

My understanding is the difference is the nib. The Plumix is only available in a wide (for me, anyway) italic nib, whereas the Pluminix has more nib widths available. But I believe you are correct about the geographical distribution.

[m13a8]

The Plumix, not to be confused with the Pluminix, only takes Pilot/Namiki cartridges, or a Pilot Con-20 Converter.

 

I prefer to refill cartridges with a syringe.

 

What's the difference between these two? Plumix=Japanese version, Pluminix=Euro version? I thought they were one and the same pen since in another thread someone referred to the Pluminix as Plumix. I thought it was just a typo. I googled the Plumix and it looks identical to the Pluminix. I'm confused.

 

My understanding is the difference is the nib. The Plumix is only available in a wide (for me, anyway) italic nib, whereas the Pluminix has more nib widths available. But I believe you are correct about the geographical distribution.

 

 

Also, the EU version seems to take international short cartridges, where the Japanese/USA version only takes Pilot/Namiki cartridges. The one I've got (which I believe is the same one sold at Target stores) I ordered from jet pens and only accepts Pilot/Namiki cartridges or a Con-20 or Con-50. While this may not be a great introduction into fountain pens, this pen is a great introduction to italic nibs for someone who already has some experience with fountain pens and is looking to learn an italic hand!

[Chthulhu]

What's the difference between these two? Plumix=Japanese version, Pluminix=Euro version? I thought they were one and the same pen since in another thread someone referred to the Pluminix as Plumix. I thought it was just a typo. I googled the Plumix and it looks identical to the Pluminix. I'm confused.

 

The Plumix is the only version available in the US, and has a long barrel. The Pluminix (think Plu+MINI+x) has the same cap, nib, and section* but a much shorter barrel.

 

*US Plumix pens have only M italic nibs and take only Pilot/Namiki cartridges and converters; Plumix and Pluminix pens marketed in Europe have a variety of nibs and accept short international cartridges.

[Iranna]

What's the difference between these two? Plumix=Japanese version, Pluminix=Euro version? I thought they were one and the same pen since in another thread someone referred to the Pluminix as Plumix. I thought it was just a typo. I googled the Plumix and it looks identical to the Pluminix. I'm confused.

 

The Plumix is the only version available in the US, and has a long barrel. The Pluminix (think Plu+MINI+x) has the same cap, nib, and section* but a much shorter barrel.

 

*US Plumix pens have only M italic nibs and take only Pilot/Namiki cartridges and converters; Plumix and Pluminix pens marketed in Europe have a variety of nibs and accept short international cartridges.

 

Thanks for explaining. My PluMINIx has an italic nib that says 'M' on it. I didn't know they come in different sizes; where I bought it (The Writing Desk) they only had this one size. I took a closer look and yes, the Plumix does indeed look longer.

[TWRDO]

Also, the EU version seems to take international short cartridges, where the Japanese/USA version only takes Pilot/Namiki cartridges. The one I've got (which I believe is the same one sold at Target stores) I ordered from jet pens and only accepts Pilot/Namiki cartridges or a Con-20 or Con-50. While this may not be a great introduction into fountain pens, this pen is a great introduction to italic nibs for someone who already has some experience with fountain pens and is looking to learn an italic hand!

 

This is the difference. Plumix = Pilot/Namiki cartridges, PlumINix = short international.

[Alohamora]

Hello, I'm a FP newbie with a Plumix. Actually I bought two, a blue and a purple, but I've only opened up the blue one so far. I want to get purple ink for the other one. I've been tearing through my first cartridge with some penmanship practice and I can see I'm going to need ink soon. For now it seems like I'll be doing the syringe refill thing, eventually I may get a converter. Is there any special ink that would work better with the italic nib? I want a purple or violet and I also want a blue that's a little more vivid than the Pilot blue. The only trouble I have with the pen is a slight tendency to skip, I've modified the way I hold it to minimize this but it still happens. That's why I want to know if the type of ink will make a difference or if it's just a matter of getting used to the italic nib and adjusting my writing style?

 

The only FPs I have to compare with (so far) are a 3 color set of Varsity pens and those write so easily and fluidly.