Changing Ink In The Pilot Metropolitan

[jasonkgreen]

So I just replaced the ink in my Pilot Metro. I've only had this pen for a couple of weeks. I have a set of gray samples and I'm going from Pilot Iroshizuku Fuyu-syogun to Diamine's Silver Fox. The pen doesn't feel the same when I write. I don't know if that has to do with the way I flushed the pen or the ink itself. Anyone have experience with these two inks? Anyone have advice on flushing the Metro with the squeeze converter (which I do not like).

[KellyMcJ]

I just filled and emptied the converter a bunch of times with water until it ran clear. It's OK to add a tiny bit of original blue Dawn dish soap too. (Make sure to rinse well).

 

Different inks will write differently in different pens. I'ts just a fact of life with fountain pens and the myriad inks that are out there. It's one of the things to consider when choosing an ink to write with.

[Bookman]

Watch this video from Brian Goulet. He uses a Pilot cartridge and a cartridge-filling syringe to flush a Pilot pen. This is an excellent alternative to the Con-20 converter and a better one than a bulb syringe. The place in the video where he uses the Pilot cartridge is at 6:40 +/–.

Edited July 16, 2017 by Bookman

[BillH]

I think the Iro ink is wetter than the Diamine, in my experience, so yes, that would also make a difference. I've never had any issues flushing either ink, warmish tap water usually does it for me. I've never felt the need to add anything to the wash or to either of those two inks.

 

[mitto]

Pens would write differently with different inks.

[EHV]

Absolutely agree with the above that different ink will give you a different experience. The trifecta of the perfect pen/nib, ink and paper is what we all strive for.

 

Also, as mentioned, Iroshizuku is a "wetter" ink that most Diamine's for me as well so that will show up in your writing and how it will feel and the finer the nib, the more this will be exacerbated.

 

I changed out the converter in my Metro's to either the Con50 or the even better, Con40. I'm not keen on the squeeze converter.

 

As far as flushing pens with converters, I do it a bit differently in that I clean the section/nib separately with a bulb or a large bore syringe after flushing with the converter and then I also use a syringe on the converter. I do this with tap water first, then distilled water to finish and if there is any stubborn residue, I use pen flush followed by a complete rinse out with water once again.

 

There are many tutorials on Youtube about cleaning and pen flush.