Montblanc Ink Converters/cartridges

[pradhith]

Hello everyone! I am new to the vast field of pens, so that is why I am asking this question. I want to purchase a Montblanc fountain pen given the fact that it is compatible with an ink converter. I know that many of the Montblanc fountain pens can only use cartridges. Is there a way to used ink converters with the fountain pens not compatible with the Montblanc converter? For instance, maybe there is another type of converter that is compatible. Also, can someone provide me with a list of Montblanc fountain pens compatible with the converter and the Montblanc fountain pens that aren't? I would very much appreciate it.

 

Thanks for all the help:)

[razr]

I think the only MB pens that use a converter are the 144 and the 147 (aka "Traveler").

[Jimothy]

The 145 (Chopin) uses a converter.

 

The 147 most definitely cannot take a converter - it is cartridge only.

 

The current model Boheme is a cartridge only pen.

 

146 and 149 are piston fillers, as are all of the writers edition pens.

 

I don;t know about any other models.

[psychobabble]

The Mozart comes as a FP, with a tiny nib, and it uses only cartridges. It's too small to fit a converter. I bought one out of curiosity, it is better as a daytimer/schedule notebook pen or for a small purse carry. You have to have small hands to feel comfortable with it. I don't know if MB still sell them, I got one off of Ebay about 6 years ago for about $100. I was trying to collect all of their Meisterstucks at that time. Now, on to the Writers Editions!

 

Also, many here in the forum refill their cartridges with ink from an ink bottle using a small syringe so they don't have to keep buying cartridges. You get more milage from bottle ink.

Edited December 18, 2010 by psychobabble

[pradhith]

Thanks for all of the answers. Psychobabble, does the syringe filling method allow for the same ink delivery performance as with the ink converter? Will the ink will stay securely in the cartridge?

 

Thank you very much.

[pradhith]

Also, I am really looking into purchasing a Montblanc Boheme fountain pen (the smaller sized ones, I have really small hands). Is there any ink converter made by another company that will fit into this pen?

[hari317]

IIRC, presently only the Chopin and the Generation line of FPs can take converters. The boheme has a retractable mechanism and even if a third party converter is made to fit(it is loaded from the rear, thus increasing the hassle), the process of dipping the section in ink to fill it might corrrode/jam the mechanism, also probably void warranty under misuse.

 

The Chopin is a fairly small pen and might suit you, try it at a MB boutique near to you.

 

BTW, are you by any chance from India?

[psychobabble]

Thanks for all of the answers. Psychobabble, does the syringe filling method allow for the same ink delivery performance as with the ink converter? Will the ink will stay securely in the cartridge?

 

Thank you very much.

 

Yes, I've read that it does, some even say it is better than the cartridge ink. I haven't heard about leaks or problems associated with this practice. Those who do this a lot can chime in. As for myself, I own several MB FP that uses cartridges and/or converters but for the past few years, I have just been using the piston fillers.

[pradhith]

Thanks hari317 and psychobabble. Yes, I am Indian I am guessing that hari317 is as well?

[pradhith]

Fail, that was a stupid question to ask if you were Indian. You are located in India.

[Birger]

Hello - I am new to this site

Could someone tell me - Is it impossible to get a Fountain Pen (one of the special editions) like

Thomas mann or Mark Twain (beautifull) or John Lennon - WITH Cartridges - I do not want to have to suck up (Piston - I believe) ink

from a bottle.

Can these pens be converted to using cartridges??

Went to buy one of them but was told they do NOT use cartridges but only use the "suck up" method.

(I hope I use the correct terms )

I have a meisterstuck that seem to be able to use both cartridges and piston(if its called so) - so its very versatile - and smart.

 

Thanks very much in advance

Regards Birger

[Brookzy]

Hello - I am new to this site

Could someone tell me - Is it impossible to get a Fountain Pen (one of the special editions) like

Thomas mann or Mark Twain (beautifull) or John Lennon - WITH Cartridges - I do not want to have to suck up (Piston - I believe) ink

from a bottle.

Can these pens be converted to using cartridges??

Went to buy one of them but was told they do NOT use cartridges but only use the "suck up" method.

(I hope I use the correct terms )

I have a meisterstuck that seem to be able to use both cartridges and piston(if its called so) - so its very versatile - and smart.

 

Thanks very much in advance

Regards Birger

 

Unfortunately, it is pretty much impossible to use cartridges with a piston filler, because the nib part of the pen and the barrel are sealed together.

 

People can make cartridge fillers piston converters as there are many third party piston converters that can fit cartridge pens. (That was a mouthful! )

 

When I got my first piston converter, quite recently (the MB Diamond Classique) I found the piston converter system quite cumbersome, however now I enjoy filling the pen from a bottle.

 

And it always looks nice to have an ink bottle on your desk

 

Brookzy

 

PS to clear things up:

 

Cartridge Pens - can only use cartridges

Piston Converter pens - can use either converter or cartridge, quite clever.

Piston filled Pens - can only be filled from a bottle (the 'suck up' pens)

Edited December 20, 2010 by Brookzy

[Birger]

OK Thanks

Háve you an idea about which MB pens which are

1. Pure Cartridge

2. Smart Pens - ié. that can both

3. Piston

 

I read here that all writers editions are piston - is this true - (The Mark Twain are so nice)

Its just that I feel it cumbersome to have to have a ink jar around - and at meetings running dry

 

Maybe I am wrong - hmm

 

Thanks

Birger

[psychobabble]

All of the Writers Edition are piston filled.

 

All of the MB piston filled fountain pens hold a lot of ink. The ink cartridges for MB are small compared to the volume of the piston fillers. Most of the piston filled pens have an ink window so you can see the amount of ink left.

 

Daily, I carry a 144 which uses a converter and I, as a habit, check the amount in the pen weekly. I never carry around an ink bottle, it's never been necessary.

[hari317]

1. Pure Cartridge: Mozart, Current Bohemes, Starwalkers...

2. Smart Pens - ié. that can both: Chopin, Generation

3. Piston: 149/146 in the meisterstuck line, several models in WE/POA etc...

Edited December 21, 2010 by hari317

[MidnightBlue]

Not sure why you'd want to put a non MB product in a MB....... ??????????Thee's a first......but the MB people will still ignore me.......but I'll never go away......Thanks.......No I think I'm just confused after reading the original thread

Edited December 21, 2010 by MidnightBlue

[ethernautrix]

1. Pure Cartridge: Mozart, Current Bohemes, Starwalkers...

2. Smart Pens - ié. that can both: Chopin, Generation

3. Piston: 149/146 in the meisterstuck line, several models in WE/POA etc...

 

 

The 100-Year Historical is also cartridge-only.

[Darius]

I just want to add a few things.

 

Cartridge only:

Mozart and its LE based, eg the 75th anniversary ones

Le Grand Traveler (147) and its LE based Otto von Bismarck.

Retractable Boheme and its LE based pens: Friedrich II the Great, Sir Henry Tate, American Fireworks, Four Seasons, Four Elements, Sakura 88 and 8 versions, the 3 versions of the 100 year pens.

The 100th year Historical

The "Feminine" SE and LE: Garbo, Diedrich, and Bergman.

The Etoile de Montblanc.

(for those you could find a mini-converter that might work with them. I see no point as these mini-converters usually hold less ink than a cartridge.)

 

Officially cartridge only, By MB:

Starwalker and its LE based pens: the 100 year pens.

The Generations

However, a standard international converter may fit. I use Pelikan converters with them.

 

Fixed converter:

Kafka and Hundretwasser. Also Modigliani (I know it's a Montegrappa, but it's made by MB)

 

Cartridge/converter:

Classique 144, 145 (Chopin)

Fixed nib Boheme

 

Piston:

Le Grand 146 and its LE based.

149 and its LE based

The rest of the LE, POA, WE, And higher end which were not otherwise specified above.

 

I know I probably missed a few thing. So please add whichever ones I missed.

[Birger]

Hello all

Thanks for all the input - I got convinced that the piston models contain at least as much ink as in a cartridge so

I I went a bought the WE - Mark Twain - a beautiful looking pen and its perfect to write with.

 

Regards Birger

[PAKMAN]

Good choice!