Integrated Vs. Separated Filling Systems Which Is Better?

[PolarMoonman]

So I have several pens (Montblanc 146, Parker 21 etc.)

That have integrated filling systems while others (Parker Sonnet, Waterman Hemisphere) have separated filling systems. I'm on the fence as to which one is better. What does everyone else think?

[brunico]

I think you're on the fence.

 

Seriously, it's not an issue for 99% of people who use fountain pens.

Edited February 14, 2015 by brunico

[ac12]

If by separated filling system, you mean an ink converter, that is my choice. The reason is cleaning. Is is VERY easy to clean a c/c pen, just fill a bulb syringe with water and push the water from the back of the section.

 

However, there are easy to clean integrated systems, such as Esterbrook Js and Pelikans, where you can unscrew the nib assembly and use an ink syringe to wash out the piston/cylinder, then flush and soak the nib.

 

Parker 51 (especially the Vacumatic) is the example of a fill system that works great, but is a PiA to clean.

 

BUT, some converters suffer from surface tension issues, and that can be another PiA to deal with.

So each system and type has its pros and cons.

[Icywolfe]

The snorkel is one integrated filler after months of cleaning. I still see blue ink on the towel.

 

I prefer cartridge converter's as you can just dunk the section into a usc and push water through it after. Then you are finished

[FountainPages]

Both have advantages, both have disadvantages. Personally, I like them both with a slight preference to piston and eyedropper fillers for the generous amounts of ink they usually hold. Then there some pens that will graciously accept oversize cartridges such as Lamy, Sailor, and Pilot. Ink supply, to me is foremost for these type differences.

[Runnin_Ute]

Integrated (lever, aerometric, piston, etc) 9 (2,1,6)

non-integrated (c/c) 7

 

What do you think?

 

No seriously though, I am not too particular when it comes to filling system. Of the ones I own lever is my least favorite, yet I have two. (Esties - as someone else said - easy to clean because of the interchangeable nibs) My aero sees the least amount of changeover from one ink to another. Cartridge/Converter pens (and piston too somewhat) are great for testing inks because they clean so easily. So best? For what?

[thatotherguy1]

I don't have a preference yet. I will say that my first pens were C/C and I never had any problem with them. I will also say that I love not having to fill my Gama Raja with its 3.5 ml eyedropper ink capacity every other day. On top of that I will mention that I hate trying to clean my one aerometric (it has a breather tube, so yes it's a true aerometric if I remember the proper terminology correctly) well enough to switch inks because to fill the thing all the way you have to expel inky water into clean water, which contaminates the clean water. My aero is a blue specific pen now (first inking since I got it was with PR DC Supershow Blue and I just can't get all the blue out, just enough to be able to say that I can use any blue in it).

At the end of the day, there's not a cut and dry answer to which is better. It all depends on what you prefer and what you want- if you want a pen that's pretty quick to refill and easy enough to flush so it won't clog but don't switch inks often enough to worry about ease of full cleaning, an aero might be your filler. If you want a large ink capacity and largely mess free filling, a piston is a good one. If you like a ginormous ink capacity and simplicity and don't mind having to keep up with another part to fill or (usually) not being able to see how much ink you have left, eyedroppers are great. If you don't mind a small ink capacity and want mess free convenience, cartridges are your solution. Moral of story- there are as many reasons to like or dislike any particular filling system as there are filling systems, and no two people will be the exact same in their preferences. It all depends on you.

[wspohn]

I don't care what filling system a pen has; I care very much how it writes.

 

I laugh when I see the guys that don't think it is a real pen unless it has a piston filling system. Yes, they normally hold more ink so you don't need to refill as often, but on the other hand, if they go wrong you are looking at an expensive repair bill and a long down time, whereas you can just toss the CC filler out and replace it.

 

To each his own.

[Woodnut]

Kudos to theotherguy1 (2 posts above) for putting in a good word for eyedropper fps!

 

Most of my ed's are Indian handmades, and the combination of ebonite bodies and potential (on the larger models for larger ink capacities is a delight. Further, they are among the easiest pens to clean and maintain.

 

Finally, many Indian manufacturers are beginning to adopt installation of German and Indian nib units, which provide good nibs that meet international standards, and allow their pens to be "triple players" as cartridge, converter and eyedropper fillers. Can't make up your mind among filling methods? With these new iterations of Indian pens, there's no need to be limited to only one.

[Randal6393]

+ 1 to Bill Spohn. Great call. You pays your money and takes your chances.

 

Piston fillers (and other integrated filling systems): Great capacity, classic fountain pen, BUT cleaning is more work, if something fails in the filling system you are down hard, costly to fix.

 

Converters: Easy to replace (and cheap) if the converter goes down, easily cleaned, cartridges are often very convenient, BUT less capacity (often but not always), not always easy to replace if proprietary system used.

 

Of course, the Noodler Ahab combines the benefits of both -- a piston converter that holds a large amount of ink, or can use as an eyedropper.

 

Something for everyone, it seems. Enjoy,

[Joe in Seattle]

I agree with W Spohn: how it writes is the most important thing.

 

Years ago, when I only had a couple pens I used them enough to wear out the innards. C/C pens were the easiest to get "repaired " just ask Parker or Cross to send another converter.

[ac12]

 

So I have several pens (Montblanc 146, Parker 21 etc.)
That have integrated filling systems while others (Parker Sonnet, Waterman Hemisphere) have separated filling systems. I'm on the fence as to which one is better. What does everyone else think?

 

As others have said, one approach is to choose the nib, then accept the filling system that comes with that nib.

 

What is YOUR criteria for "better" ?

It may or may not match mine, which has cleanability as a major criteria.

 

In my case, I have most options covered: lever fill ink sac, button fill ink sac, pnumatic (ink sac), piston, cartridge, converter, vacumatic, aerometric. The only reason I am not using all of these, is I am trying to limit the number of pens that are inked.

[mirosc]

I have pens with almost all filling system. I don't care much about how to fill a pen, more how it writes and feels.

 

Generally speaking I find all sac fillers, vintage vacumatics, safety eyedroppers really problematic. You can't rely on the pen to stay in a good condition and mostly those filling systems require some additional efforts to repair them. As a consequence I love eyedroppers, c/c, piston fillers that can easily and fully be disassembled,...

[Sasha Royale]

It is not an issue with me, either. I use blue, and blue-black, and black inks. I "clean" the pen to remove

the possibility of dried ink, which is very bad. Any residual traces are absorbed into the next filling. I have

no pretext of artistic ability. I enjoy the ritual of filling my fountain pen.

 

For those, who are discerning of subtle variation in ink color, cartridge fillers are easiest to "scrub" to a

spotless state, since the nib and section can be isolated.

[VivienR]

I like c/c pens, because the mentioned time requirements to clean. Have 50 different bottles of ink, and although I have steady ones, I like to change the inks fill by fill. Cleaning the pen is already a time consuming method, no need for another things. Although if I would met a pen not with c/c filling system and I would like the pen, that would not mean an issue.

[Buzz_130]

I prefer filling systems that reliably fill the pen's reservoir and then provide a consistent flow of ink to the feed. How the vacuum works to draw ink into the pen isn't important to me. This sounds like a flippant answer, but I have pens that have not lived up to this standard. For example, I'm not a fan of the Visconti power filler. My HS does not reliably fill the pen, and I wonder how much ink is available. I've also had a Snorkel need repairs. Fortunately, that classic is back up and running.

 

I certainly understand the tedium factor with cleaning pens, but I usually set time aside on Sunday afternoons to clean and work on pens.

 

Buzz

[JimCouch]

I prefer integrated filling systems. In my experience, in addition to higher ink capacity, they offer more consistent ink flow than cartridges or convertors. I also like the variety of systems, they are just plain fun. I have a number of piston fillers (my favorite) lever, Visconti's power filler (a plunger) and a couple of eyedropper pens. I also find them more elegant, having the filling system as an integral part of the pen.

 

Probably should balance those comments out the with the fact that I am not particularity OCD about cleaning my pens. Not to say that I don't clean them, but I don't feel a need for them to be 100% spotless. I also enjoy the ritual of filling and cleaning.

 

The only cartridge pens I have left are my small accumulation of 'purse' pens for which I do have a bit of a weakness.

Edited February 14, 2015 by JimCouch

[VivienR]

Well if I would use only a few ink, than a piston or other integrated system would not be a matter, but even though I have one ink which I always have it at least one pen, I rotate the pens under the ink, depending for my mood. So, again cleaning is my integral process... As the ritual of inking, the ritual of cleaning also matter for me.

[Mercian]

For me, the best filling system is Pelikan's piston fill.

 

It's an integrated system with a larger ink capacity than cartrdiges, AND one can simply unscrew the nib & feed unit from the barrel, which makes cleaning (& re-lubricating the piston) really easy. And also allows for really simple nib exchange.

 

That said, if I were a high school student I'd prefer a cheap pen with the cartridge-converter filling system.

Because it's easier to carry spare cartridges & swap them in class than it is to carry a bottle of ink & refill in class.

And also because if some horrible Oxygen-thief of a classmate were to steal/break my pen, I'd rather it wasn't a Pelikan piston filler!

[thatotherguy1]

[snip]

That said, if I were a high school student I'd prefer a cheap pen with the cartridge-converter filling system.

Because it's easier to carry spare cartridges & swap them in class than it is to carry a bottle of ink & refill in class.

And also because if some horrible Oxygen-thief of a classmate were to steal/break my pen, I'd rather it wasn't a Pelikan piston filler!

Then the questions come up of...

1) If you're carrying a fountain pen to begin with, wouldn't you be inclined to look after it and make sure it isn't stolen or broken?

2) If you're writing a lot and wish to make a hobby of these writing instruments, wouldn't you want the best and nicest you can afford (which may just be a Jinhao, but the question stands)

3) If you enjoy the hobby and know you write a lot, wouldn't you be inclined to recognize your ink usage habits (not that hard- for example I know I go through about a converter full every two or three days because I write quite a bit (I enjoy writing)) and refill the pen before you run dry?

Not trying to incite anger or flame you, just playing Devil's advocate

 

To comment on another part of the thread with cleaning- that's another one of those things that depends on you to decide. If you don't like to clean pens then either having a C/C with a 2.5 ounce bulb syringe that can clean that pen in ten seconds or a piston filler or something that you only use one ink in and the act of filling keeps the pen relatively clean would work. If you tend to lean toward the ritualistic side and/or like tinkering with pens (as I do) cleaning may not be a big deal for you, so that isn't an issue.