How Long Does A Cartridge/converter Refill Typically Last For A Fine Or Extra Fine Nib?

[StrawberryJam]

I've found some helpful information in this post (https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/189397-converter-and-cartridge-capacities/) regarding the capacity of the various types of convertors / cartridges, but unfortunately, I have no basis for which to convert milliliters to "number of pages written."

 

In particular, I'm looking for information on how long the average refill will last in terms of writing capacity, such as "~100 sheets of US Letter-sized paper" or something similar. I know it varies based upon nib size and converter/cartridge size, so if you could post that information in your response, that would be helpful.

[mbankirer]

The very simple answer to your question is "longer with a fine than a medium or broad"!

It is a function of the flow of ink. Many other contributing factors.

[rochester21]

We`re working with guesses here. My guess would be.....5 pages of A4 size paper.

 

You would expect a fine nib to consume less ink than a broad nib, but the writing which someone does with a very fine nib is much finer that one done with a broad nib. This translates into more lines on paper and higher ink consumption(higher than one would expect).

 

Considering that the Sailor chalana converter, for instance, has a capacity of about 0.2 ml(much lower than the average capacity of ~0.75 ml), the writing range can`t be high. Fortunately, you can always take an ink bottle with you, even cartridges can be refilled by using a syringe.

Edited July 16, 2013 by rochester21

[View from the Loft]

I average 6 pages of A4 out of my Onotos with broad nibs and wet flow, and up 10 with my Parker 25 with a medium italic nib and medium flow. My daughter with a medium round nib gets around 15 pages out of a Lamy Safari convertor.

[StrawberryJam]

The very simple answer to your question is "longer with a fine than a medium or broad"!

It is a function of the flow of ink. Many other contributing factors.

 

I agree that there are many contributing factors, but I guess I'm just looking for an estimate / rough ballpark. Part of this is to calculate how much ink I need to be buying for my pens, and part of it is to figure out which converters I should be outfitting (e.g., CON-20 vs. CON-50, as the CON-70 won't fit in my Pilots) based upon the expected usage of the pen. I realize there's no exact science to it, but any info is helpful!

[Jerome Tarshis]

I studied statistics in college. For a time I thought I would go to work for the RAND Corporation. I spent a number of years of my working life crunching numbers, employed by people who believed in guiding one's decision making by playing with data. So let's say I am not coming at this from lack of experience with the bean-counting aspect of modernity.

 

Still, my suggestion is that instead of posting largely unanswerable questions (Marcia Bankirer is really on the money when she says there are many variables), you just buy your pen and your ink and your converters, or even a non-cartridge pen, and go ahead, enjoying what may become a pleasant hobby, instead of trying to do calculations in advance. As you run low on ink, you can buy more. Quite a few of us own half a lifetime's supply.

[inkstainedruth]

When I first started using FPs, I had a series of inexpensive Parker cartridge pens, which had medium nibs. When those were replaced with a Vector with an F nib, my initial reaction was "ewwww". Then I realized that I was just having the ink cartridges last about 1/3 longer... and fine nibs weren't quite anathema after that....

Although what others have said is correct -- it's going to depend on many factors.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[anton1978]

Sailor progear F nib - 1 cartridge about 5-7 pages

A4 size.

[inotrym]

F nib Lamy Vista with Parker Quink Black and a somewhat absorbent paper.

(started with full converter and saturated feed - expelled 3 drops of ink to avoid mess)

 

So far I've written 10-11 A5 pages and I have still something less than half the converter full (plus the feed still saturated)

 

My guess is that I could go as far as 23-25 A5 pages with that combo.

 

Hope I helped.