Ran Out Of Ink Today

[ruckin]

Actually I still have ink at home... But my pen ran dry today while at work. I am a new FP user so please forgive me if this is a common question or a rookie mistake.

 

I just got a Platinum Dragon pen last week and inked it with the MB blue that I am currently using. Today is the second day that I have been able to use the pen at work it started writing funny. So I opened the pen and low and behold the converter is empty I just checked and I was able to write about 5 pages in an A5 notebook.

 

I am a IT geek and spend most of my day using a keyboard but I do manage to write a little bit most days. I am new to FP and my only other data point is a BlueOBlue and it seems to go 2-3 weeks before I need to think about refilling it. I realize that the piston mechanism holds lots more ink than the converter but I was quite surprised how fast the Platinum emptied the converter.

 

I have not noticed a difference in line weight or coloring between the two pens. Do some pens just flow significantly more ink than others?

 

FWIW, I really like the new pen. It seems to make more noise than my other pen but that may be the cheesy paper here at work. I guess I need to check the ink level more often on this pen...

 

Thanks.

[stealthski]

what size nib does it have on it? if its really wet/broad it will go pretty quick, i have a broad nib on a pelikan and i get about 4-6 pages with it

[JLT]

A little trick that will come in handy when your pen runs dry at the wrong time (that's always . . .):

 

Draw enough water into the converter for a one-quarter to one-third fill. There is enough ink in the feed system to allow you to write with diluted ink for some time. Now, if your pen writes dry first thing in the morning, I hope you're within a lunch hour away from a refill . . .

[pajaro]

A little trick that will come in handy when your pen runs dry at the wrong time (that's always . . .):

 

Draw enough water into the converter for a one-quarter to one-third fill. There is enough ink in the feed system to allow you to write with diluted ink for some time. Now, if your pen writes dry first thing in the morning, I hope you're within a lunch hour away from a refill . . .

That's an interesting stratagem.

 

=================================

 

To the OP: I have several pens with me at work, but mostly for variety. As an IT person, I mainly use a computer.

 

The pens are good to play with in meetings, when some poor lost soul is meandering and holding forth with some rigmarole of senseless thoughts.

[Chi Town]

No problem, there is an easy fix Rookie. We all have done it at one time or another. Going foreward......Keep an extra bottle of ink at work!

Edited May 9, 2012 by Chi Town

[wallylynn]

No problem, there is an easy fix Rookie. We all have done it at one time or another. Going foreward......Keep an extra bottle of ink at work!

 

That's a terrible solution. Your solution belongs in Inky Thoughts. The proper solution for the Writing Instruments forum is to have another pen.

[Parker51]

Well, if you have a desk, even a cubicle, get a Vintage Desk Pen Set. They are a bargain, and you will find that you use them for quick notes at your desk, signing documents that require a physical signature, and doodling when stuck on the phone.

[mrwh1609]

No problem, there is an easy fix Rookie. We all have done it at one time or another. Going foreward......Keep an extra bottle of ink at work!

 

That's a terrible solution. Your solution belongs in Inky Thoughts. The proper solution for the Writing Instruments forum is to have another pen.

 

AN-other pen, as in one more? Tsk tsk.

 

Five or six F-C Penvelopes stitched together to make a bandolier should allow you to have about seventy-five pens at the ready. Plus, I find that when I wear my pendolier to the office, very few colleagues trouble me with small talk, and I get my own table in the break room.

 

 

If you insist on practicality, the suggestions above are great. I especially like the idea of vintage desk pens. Next to my Mac, I am looking at a Sheaffer snorkel desk set in a lovely piece of marble that I bought for $35 shipped here--much cheaper than two similar snorks with Triumph nibs would have cost, and such a pleasure to use.

 

Happy writing!

[Flake]

I carry a goulet sample vial full of whatever it is i'm using for just such an occasion (though today I did have to turn in an essay written in two colors....whoops).

 

I do like the pendolier idea. Will those be mass marketed soon?

[mark e]

this is an easy one---a pen case to hold....MORE PENS--i never have less than 5 pens in my pen-case

 

and my humble opinion/suggestion would be to look into a vintage pen that holds more ink than a converter (yuck)--say, a parker 51 or any vintage or new piston-filler

 

+1 >>> prospective pendolier buyer

[bunnspecial]

I keep a few cartridges in my desk for just such an occasion. Of course, since I rotate through pens regularly, that means that I have to have Lamy, Sheaffer, and international catridges on hand(at least they're cheap enough). I prefer to not keep ink bottles there, as I don't have any duplicates and most of my ink filling is done at home.

 

Since my pen of choice lately has been my newest toy, my Lamy 2000, I can't exactly rely on cartridges as a back-up. So, I go with the second filled pen option.

[WOBentley]

Well, if you have a desk, even a cubicle, get a Vintage Desk Pen Set. They are a bargain, and you will find that you use them for quick notes at your desk, signing documents that require a physical signature, and doodling when stuck on the phone.

Been there, done that, love it!

I do lock it up in a drawer when I am not there to keep someone from grabbing it for a quick note they want to leave on my desk though!

[Sasha Royale]

Except in letters, I seldom write multiple pages. Some pen feed/nib combinations

put down a lot of ink. Pressing hard increases ink flow. The international

standard converter has a small ink capacity. I don't think anything is wrong.

 

I keep a bottle of "ink of the month" in my desk drawer.

[amberleadavis]

No problem, there is an easy fix Rookie. We all have done it at one time or another. Going foreward......Keep an extra bottle of ink at work!

 

That's a terrible solution. Your solution belongs in Inky Thoughts. The proper solution for the Writing Instruments forum is to have another pen.

 

And the desk set....

And a portable ink pot....

[amberleadavis]

Also, you can consider something like this

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-1-6oz-5ml-Glass-Bottles-Perfume-Cologne-Fragrance-Oil-w-Funnel-NEW-/160792003929?pt=fragrance&hash=item256ff34559#ht_3119wt_966

[JimB]

No problem, there is an easy fix Rookie. We all have done it at one time or another. Going foreward......Keep an extra bottle of ink at work!

That works only if you use the same ink in your pen(s) all the time, or have a dedicated pen/ink combo that is your Work Writer. I can't leave home without at least 3 pens, all with different color inks. That saves me from running out of ink, but introduces a possible problem of notes changing from black to Sherwood Green in mid-stream!

Edited May 9, 2012 by januaryman

[ianmedium]

Look, it is really simple When your buying ink buy two bottles of the same colour,one for home, one for office, then each time you buy pens buy two of the same kind, one for the office, one for home.. Yeah, your right, what about holidays.. OK, buy three of each, problem solved.. Oh, hang on, What about family visits to great Aunt Nellie, you have to have ink and a pen there so make that four of each.

 

Of course then there are the trips to the shopping Mall, you never know when you want to stop in their food courts and write so for that get a pocket pen and Visconti travelling ink well, that should take care of that eventuality.

 

See, I told you it was simple

[ruckin]

what size nib does it have on it? if its really wet/broad it will go pretty quick, i have a broad nib on a pelikan and i get about 4-6 pages with it

 

My Pelikan has a fine nib, and the Platinum has medium nib. When I look at the notebook it appears that he line weight is approximately the same. I try to let the weight of the pen apply the pressure. This doesn't quite work on my new pen as it is quite a bit lighter. I try to use the minimum amount of pressure necessary to make the ink flow.

 

Based on the replies it sounds like I am leaving the home woefully unprepared with only a single pen. While saving to buy more pens I think I will try to remember to check the ink level daily.

[ianmedium]

what size nib does it have on it? if its really wet/broad it will go pretty quick, i have a broad nib on a pelikan and i get about 4-6 pages with it

 

My Pelikan has a fine nib, and the Platinum has medium nib. When I look at the notebook it appears that he line weight is approximately the same. I try to let the weight of the pen apply the pressure. This doesn't quite work on my new pen as it is quite a bit lighter. I try to use the minimum amount of pressure necessary to make the ink flow.

 

Based on the replies it sounds like I am leaving the home woefully unprepared with only a single pen. While saving to buy more pens I think I will try to remember to check the ink level daily.

 

I know my last post was light hearted but seriously, with my Cartridge converter pens I always unscrew the barrel and check the ink level before I leave for the day. I now have pens with pistons and also an eyedropper one so those last ages but the CC ones don't hold that much. Also, I have noticed with CC's that in my experience, even with the cap on they seem to loose more ink by evaporation.

 

One of the things that I find so appealing about fountain pens is that they do require more effort than Ballpoints or roller balls, it kinda makes you feel more connected and in charge of the writing experience if that makes sense!

 

The most laborious but also the most enjoyable is my eyedropper pen, it requires a little ritual to fill so as to ensure no leaks and I like that it slows me down for a moment in the day!

[OcalaFlGuy]

The solution is very simple.

 

The Nalgene 1/2 oz wide mouth bottle (I think this is the actual title )

 

It is the perfect size for pocket carry

The pefect compromise between capacity and ease of carry

Wide enough opening for most any pen

Absolutely leak proof

Almost indestructible

Non-staining

 

For about 50-75 cents I think.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL