I'm losing ink fast!

[passenger]

Ink cartridges are only expected to last a day or two of heavy writing. They're easy to change.

 

Have fun!

You're scaring me!

 

Now, how can I have fun?

[passenger]

The Javelin does write well, but I'm afraid the ink cartridge won't last long.

I recommend a Sheaffer converter for your pen to start filling your Javelin from a bottle rather than with cartridges. It is much much more economic if you bottle - fill.

 

http://www.nexternal.com/swisher/images/Sheaffer_Converter_Med.gif

 

These are not hard to use at all and are quite cheap usually. Most pen stores would have them for sale, otherwise they're easily obtained online or from Sheaffer directly (I got mine for free at Sheaffer They couldnt be bothered billing me for such a small purchase). Just plug it into your pen like a cartridge, dip the whole pen nib into the bottle of ink and suck up the ink by twisting the piston (kinda like filling a syringe)

 

http://www.levimage.com/image/HelpfulHints/FtnFill/FillingConverter.gif

 

This gives you the flexibility to use any kind of ink you would like in your pen from bottles, gives a generous flush of ink in your nib (I find it that my pens write 'better' when they are piston filled rather than cartridge filled) and makes washing out your pen for a clean much easier

I know filling from ink bottles is much more economical, but it's intimidating to me.

 

I mean, the converter looks bigger than the Javelin barrel! Will it really fit inside snugly? Do you (or anyone else) have a picture of the end of the converter where it's supposed to be inserted like a cartridge? Or maybe you can just confirm for me that the end has a little hole much like Sheaffer's cartridges? And how does the converter suck up ink? Through the twisting motion itself? When the converter is full of ink, do you twist the piston clockwise when the the nib is still in the ink or do you twist when the nib is in the air?

 

Lastly, how much will the converter last with heavy writing?

[passenger]

How does the Sheaffer piston converter compare to the Sheaffer Classic Squeeze converter from Pen Hero?

 

 

http://www.penherostore.com/catalog/Converter01.jpg

Edited September 6, 2006 by passenger

[Dr.Grace]

I much prefer the Sheaffer piston converter to that squeeze thing. The bar is very hard to press, even for my relatively strong fingers (playing the 'cello is good finger exercise) and the piston converter holds much more ink. The only reason to use the squeeze converter is if your pen doesn't have enough space to hold the piston one.

Edited September 6, 2006 by Dr.Grace

[sonia_simone]

I would concur, I have a couple of squeeze converters for various makes and I don't like them much. You can't tell how much ink you've managed to suck up, and they're just not as easy or tidy as the piston/twisty ones.

[kissing]

http://www.nexternal.com/swisher/images/Sheaffer_Converter_Med.gif

 

How to use a converter should be quite self-explanatory once you get your hands on one. Just plug in the part with the hole (the left side in the picture above) into the pen as you would do with a cartridge.

 

A Sheaffer converter should fit nicely in all modern Sheaffers (including the Javelin, of course ). This is just a big photo, so it looks big. These hold more ink than cartridges, I assure you. Also, if you're a heavy writer, you can just refill it any time you want if you have a bottle nearby. Just 'twist' the ink remaining in the converter back into the bottle and then suck it all back up. Think of it as like filling a syringe (except you twist, instead of press/pull). A piston inside (like in a syringe) will move up and down depending in which direction you twist (i think its anti-clockwise for up and clockwise for down?).

 

After a fill, you might have to wrap the nib in a cloth (that you're willing to sacrifice as an ink cloth) or a piece of lint-free tissue (such as serviettes, paper towels) to wipe the excess ink off the nib.

 

They are VERY simple to use.

 

Here is my Sheaffer with converter attached:

 

Fits in place a cartridge

Edited September 6, 2006 by kissing

[*david*]

The watery ink in fountain pens flows much faster than ballpoint ink. If you have this pen with you at school or work and use it regularly, you have to know that soon it will run out of ink. (Often you can kind of get it timed, so that you know (for example) "It's been two days now, I better refill my pen".)

If you're worried about running out, keep a spare cartridge in your bag. They were invented so that you don't have to have an ink bottle everywhere.

 

To change cartridges, you just pull out the old one, throw it away, and push the new one in with your thumb. No sweat.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I like both converters, but I recommend the twist converter for the Javelin. It fits perfectly in the barrel. All that is left for you is to try it out!

 

Dillon

[passenger]

The watery ink in fountain pens flows much faster than ballpoint ink. If you have this pen with you at school or work and use it regularly, you have to know that soon it will run out of ink. (Often you can kind of get it timed, so that you know (for example) "It's been two days now, I better refill my pen".)

If you're worried about running out, keep a spare cartridge in your bag. They were invented so that you don't have to have an ink bottle everywhere.

 

To change cartridges, you just pull out the old one, throw it away, and push the new one in with your thumb. No sweat. 

Hi david,

 

thanks for your post, but it's the converter that is now my main worry (and I don't even have one in my possession!).

 

When I have the time I'm going to shop around for the twist converter and some FP ink.

 

Thanks for everyone on his/her recommendations :meow:

[*david*]

The converter is definitely the better solution when you are able to have an ink bottle around. Bottled ink is much cheaper (unless you buy a super-expensive bottle), and gives you more choices of colours and brands.

 

As on the cover of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Don't Panic.