Leak Resistant Filling Mechanisms...

[two2tone]

I was thinking about what is the most (and least) leak resistant filling mechanism. Here's my initial list from 1 (most leak resistant) to 5 (least leak resistant).

 

Your thougths?

 

1. Cartridge

2. Conveter

3. Vac filler

4. Piston filler

5. eye dropper

 

Of course, filling mechanism is not the only determing factor in overall pen leak resistance, just the consideration for this post.

 

 

Thanks!

Edited September 27, 2019 by two2tone

[sirgilbert357]

What failure points are you considering in this analysis? Logically, the fewer failure points, the better from a leaking standpoint. This would make an eyedropper number one on the list, because the only place for the ink to escape is the barrel threads.

 

Unless you are considering the feed as a failure point too?? I don't think so though because you said "Leak Resistant Filling Mechanisms".

 

1. Cartridge/Eyedropper = 1 failure point

2. Converter, Piston, etc (All others, I won't list them all) = more than 1 failure point, but I see none that are inherently better or worse in a properly functioning pen. If you want to talk about which pens will fail over time if all maintenance is neglected, then the points still go to the eyedropper, as there is no real maintenance there, unless the particular pen in question MUST have the threads greased (but not all do is my understanding).

 

Edit: we could add sac pens to the number one spot too, but inferior in comparison to an eyedropper: sacs that are attached directly to the feed with shellac only have the one failure point, however sacs age over time and become prone to leaks themselves (unless it is a Parker Pliglass sac, or other similar material, which are remarkably durable).

Edited September 27, 2019 by sirgilbert357

[Ron Z]

My order would be quite a bit different. I consider reliability and mean time between restorations to be more important - and related to leak resistance. Feed design is as, or perhaps more, important than the filling system.

 

Sheaffer plunger fillers, properly restored, can be very leak resistant, piston fillers are very reliable, converters, not as reliable because the nipple on the converter can crack or loosen up. Pens with PVC sacs can be very reliable and leak resistant. As a result the Parker 51 aerometric in my opinion is one of the most reliable pens and leak resistant pens on the market.

 

The modern feeds control the flow of ink better with the smaller ink channels and finer collector fins, so are less likely to leak than early fountain pens, including eyedropper filled pens.

 

Cartridges may not be likely to leak, but they introduce other problems because the pen doesn't get flushed with each filling, so for me falls far down on the reliability list.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Pistons, yes I did have some '30-early 50's piston pens fail, with a new properly prepared cork, I expect them to last another 70 years.....my hand writing then will be very shaky....very.

Plastic Gasket 1.0...'39?-55 can fail. It is seldom Plastic Gasket 2.0...'55-now fail.

 

I've had no failures in '82-now pistons, and I have a lot of '50's-60's piston pens with out a problem.

 

I don't have vapor lock of a converter and the piston pen holds much more ink.

 

There are some cartridges that hold 1.60...the large old Shaffer. Two short Internationals2x 0.74)hold as much or more as a MB 146 or a 800 (1.37) But the problem of not cleaning the feed with new ink, is solved by using a rubber bulb syringe to clean the pen. Cartridge ink color outside of perhaps Diamine are very limited.

The old 400&400nn hold 1.95/2.00 ml. New and semi-vintage 400/600 only@ 1.27.

 

I like Pistons, twist and go.....no taking the pen apart and putting it back together like a C/C pen.

[sirgilbert357]

Really good points Ron. As far as total reliability, I have never had any issues with my piston fillers. I trust them 100%.

[Freddy]

Safety .... Aerometric {Parker 51's} .... Piston .... Fillers

Fred

Certain experiences may be transmitted by language..others more profound..by silence;

And then..there are those that cannot be transmitted even by silence...Elie Wiesel

[A Smug Dill]

Logically, the fewer failure points, the better from a leaking standpoint._...‹snip›... Unless you are considering the feed as a failure point too?? I don't think so though because you said "Leak Resistant Filling Mechanisms".

[fountainbel]

Conid Bulkfiller !

[Bo Bo Olson]

Francis re-corks properly; a sized cork; boiled in paraffin; (a thicker mineral oil), and beeswax as it should be. Then he slather's the cork with silicon grease.

 

In the book 'Pen Repair' by Marshal and Oldfield, they say cork boiled in paraffin and beeswax is the smoothest of all gaskets and Francis does one more step.

[sirgilbert357]

LOL.

[sirgilbert357]

Conid Bulkfiller !

There wouldn't happen to be any bias in that response, would there?? Lol.

[fountainbel]

There wouldn't happen to be any bias in that response, would there?? Lol.

 

I understand and agree this could be the case.

However my statement was based on the fact that Conid delivered over 3000 Bulkfiller's over the last 6 years and never received a single complaint about leakage on the filling mechanism ….

Francis

[Freddy]

Francis has every right to say what he did...The pens are outstanding period

Fred..

manners maketh the man....

future behavior is past behavior...............

[ele]

The feed design and ink chamber design matter just as much, so I think this question belies some degree of misunderstanding. The only design where feed and ink chamber don't matter is the safety, which, as a tightly-sealed miniature ink bottle, is the most leak-proof design.

[fountainbel]

The feed design and ink chamber design matter just as much, so I think this question belies some degree of misunderstanding. The only design where feed and ink chamber don't matter is the safety, which, as a tightly-sealed miniature ink bottle, is the most leak-proof design.

 

Note the Bulkfiller equally includes an ink shutoff valve, just as a safety and a Japanese eye dropper;

Francis

[sirgilbert357]

 

I understand and agree this could be the case.

However my statement was based on the fact that Conid delivered over 3000 Bulkfiller's over the last 6 years and never received a single complaint about leakage on the filling mechanism .

Francis

My comment was totally in jest. I don't fault you for thinking highly of your own work -- it is simply outstanding and the pens speak for themselves. I've got to admit I want one at some point...

[Addertooth]

Number 1, a hopelessly clogged pen, which some awful person filled with India Ink. Barring serious restoration, or an act of God, a drop of ink will never fall from that pen.... ever.

I restored a very valuable pen once, which had been filled with India ink and allowed to dry, removing the ink remnants was epic. The only ink I have ever seen that clings to gold better than superglue.

Edited September 29, 2019 by Addertooth

[SpecTP]

I would concur with Francis, my Conid kingsize bulkfiller with CAISO is solid and utterly reliable in the 2yrs that I've owned it.

[peroride]

I like this question as it opened up different aspects of reliability and whether it is enough of a pain point/consideration in fountain pen acquisition.

 

What has been leakproof and in what conditions?

 

Try a fun experiment:

 

Take your filled pens and shake them around nib up or clip them to shirt pocket and hop around like you missed out on that Ebay Grail.

 

I think this would be a real world test for leakproofness!

 

I think all are equally leak proof if the unwritten pen is not moving , sometimes...

 

Sounds cheeky, but I've had a few inky caps from vintage BCHR eyedropper and sac filled pens which I swore I kept horizontal or tried vertical shirt pocket EDC to no avail. They write flexy great and only occasionally burp on low ink. But carry them in case or shirt pocket, inkage be found . Now I just keep them mainly for home use; well they're vintage and I do want to crush a centuries worth of survival .

 

Most modern c/c, piston, and vac have been 'reliable' for me as @Ron Z noted regarding modern feed ink flow: the feeds of Jowos, Bock, Japanese PilotSailorPlatinum, WingSung 601, Opus (Jowo), Pelikan, Lamy, Aurora, etc

 

It is as if the filling mechanism is not a consideration for leakage. Though I had my Nemosine cc filler leak perhaps due to wet ink.

 

Side note, like the Lamy 2K and Wing Sung 601, i love my hooded nib Parker 51 aerometric and I think that is a great design feature for reducing further leakiness.

 

So for modern pens, is leakproofness even a consideration?

 

If you are looking for pen ultimate (pun intended) then the question remains.

 

I want the coolest baddest bleeping pen that will not fail me during those acrobatic commando ninja missions when i jump out of a parachute or at least when the dog flicks it across the room.

 

We are talking G-Shock chuck this ulti-tool pen around and nary a nibbage creep. Who's with me?

 

I have to concur with @ele, the Safety mechanism by virtue of closing the feed (point of controlled leak) is most leak proof.

 

Unfortunately, I do not own one to validate my reasoning.

 

I thought about getting a Noodler's safety just for that reason but the reports of issues and built quality have deterred me.

 

Like Opus88 grabbing a monopoly niche on affordable eyedroppers, I am hoping another company will step up and present a Modern Safety of sufficient build quality to regain interest in this forgotten area. No weak broken rods, or screwy strip threading, a bona fide bomb proof Safety in 2020.

 

Is this that hard?

 

I know the market share is probably so low as to relegate this to the custom boutique route, but still it sounds like a great kickstarter.

 

Imagine all the shimmering inks, heck go India Ink!

 

While I am waiting for my Conid bulkfiller, I'm crossing fingers that @fountainbel will convince Conid of his superior Safety mechanism design to replace the simpler CAISO BulkFiller just kidding!

 

My signature is available of NDA beta testing

Edited September 29, 2019 by peroride