How Far To Dip That Nib In The Bottle?

[Moondancer]

I have long been a bit confused on exactly how much of the nib should go into the ink bottle when filling. I thought the entire nib has to be covered, and sometimes get the section (? is that the right term?) a little under the level also to be sure. Which makes me concerned about staining some of the clear-sectioned pens. But my new Sailor has instructions to fill by covering the nib up to the hole--which is less than halfway up the length of the nib--and now I'm wondering if I've been doing it wrong all this time?

 

Help me Obi-Wans! You're my only hope!

[jar]

It depends on the pen and the model.

[Moondancer]

Why? Are they all designed differently under the nib? And is this something I can tell by looking at it, or only by a bunch of twists on the converter?

[mcbender]

It depends heavily on the pen (some fill through a small hole in the section near the base of the feed, others through the feed itself, and so on). I've found it's usually easier just to fully immerse the feed and a bit of the section; that's worked for every pen I've tried.

 

You can usually tell if it's not in deeply enough by the fact that you'll draw some air into the pen along with the ink, which often results in visible bubbles. If you see that, you should know that you can get a better fill by immersing the pen further.

[jar]

Why? Are they all designed differently under the nib? And is this something I can tell by looking at it, or only by a bunch of twists on the converter?

 

Yup, they are all designed differently and no, you really can't tell much by just looking at the pen.

[JefferyS]

My rule of thumb is to immerse at least part of the section.

[JonSzanto]

My rule of thumb is to immerse at least part of the section.

Barring a pen that you absolutely know otherwise (through instructions or solid advice), that is the only way to be sure you are getting a good suction of the ink supply. With many pens, if you don't include at least a portion of the section, you aren't sealing off a complete vacuum, and won't get a proper fill.

[fabrimedeiros]

Easy: most of pens you have just to cover all the nib and a bit of the section. No secret on that.

[xxloverxx]

Depends on the pen. As long as you're not sucking air in with the ink, it's alright. I find it easier (at least with Quink bottles) to dip all the way to the bottom and wipe off any mess…not so much with Noodler's bottles.

[Sagar_C]

Easy: most of pens you have just to cover all the nib and a bit of the section. No secret on that.

 

Precisely!

[Lorna Reed]

I just stick my pen in right down to the bottom of the bottle. I don't find I have any staining as long as I wipe the ink off straight away.

[AloofObserver]

My rule of thumb is to immerse at least part of the section.

Definitely. If you do this you can be sure that the nib is far enough.

[BrandonA]

I just stick my pen in right down to the bottom of the bottle. I don't find I have any staining as long as I wipe the ink off straight away.

 

I do the same. If you try and tip it in "only enough" you may not get a full loading of ink into the pen. I'm careful not to press the pen into the bottle so as not to damage the nib.

[torstar]

They vary.

 

Sometimes I'll release a few drops to make sure it really did get some ink into the barrel.

[Moondancer]

Thanks everyone!

 

 

I will carry on with confidence now.

 

 

Now if someone could explain why the inks in Platinum's mixing set are called "mix free" I'll be totally contented...

[Philosophy Student]

If you dont fully immerse the nib into the ink you can hear the air bubbles form in your converter or piston that tells you your pen isnt as full as it could be.

[Sasha Royale]

Some pens have to go in up to the edge of the section. Some

do not. I don't try to remember. All my pens going up to

the section. I have experienced no harm from it.

 

I always wipe the lip of the bottle before filling a pen.

This helps to keep my hand ink-free for at least a couple

of minutes.