I got this pen today

[Beechwood]

13 minutes ago, Mr. Pink said:

That's pretty much what I do.  With the pens that I have that use a cartridge/converter, I just keep reusing the old cartridges and fill them with a syringe.  I have a bunch of converters for Parkers, Sheaffers, Watermans and a few others that I almost never use.  I maybe bought the last cartridge for a Sheaffer 20 years ago (probably longer) and I just keep refilling them. Of course, if I change inks, I flush them out with the syringe.  One of these days I suppose a cartridge will wear out.    

 

I have found that the older Sheaffer cartridges with flat ends leak when they are geriatric, by contrast the Parker Penman cartridges go on and on.

 

 

[FoundnZen]

2 hours ago, Beechwood said:

Not sure what the real problem is. I would simply use the ink in the part filled converter and then fill it.

 

...or use a cartridge and fill it with a syringe.

Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean, use the ink in the half full converter and then fill it? My problem is that I expected to fill the pen fully when filling it, but I only manage to fill the converter maybe half full. Of course I can just use the pen with a half full converter it just seems odd that it’s not possible to fill up the converter to its full capacity (by method of sticking the pen into the ink bottle) 

[Beechwood]

16 minutes ago, FoundnZen said:

Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean, use the ink in the half full converter and then fill it? My problem is that I expected to fill the pen fully when filling it, but I only manage to fill the converter maybe half full. Of course I can just use the pen with a half full converter it just seems odd that it’s not possible to fill up the converter to its full capacity (by method of sticking the pen into the ink bottle) 

 

In years gone by I would have done all I could to have a full cartridge, especially when I used one at work and it would need filling each evening. My technique in those days, and this was after you check that there are no air leaks especially between the cartridge and the nipple on the section, I filled the converter directly from the bottle and then fitted it to the section. This is not a perfect result because doing this repeatedly may cause wear.

 

Nowadays it is not usual for me to fill a pen and then use all the ink in the converter, in one day. I would just accept a half full pen and be prepared to fill it again to a half full point.

[A Smug Dill]

3 hours ago, Mr. Pink said:

I only manage to fill the converter half full,

 

That is what Pilot tells users, by way of the official tutorial video (hosted on YouTube) it posted on its (Japanese-language) corporate website, to expect when using a CON-40. In that “half full” stated, the CON-40 converter will still have drawn up 0.4ml (or 0.4cc) — that being the capacity stated in the CON-40's product specifications — of ink from the bottle/inkwell with a single full-travel piston retraction.
 

On 3/1/2026 at 2:28 AM, FoundnZen said:

What am I doing wrong?

 

I suspect it's the expectation, not your filling technique, that is ‘wrong’. Fully filling the cavity of the converter with ink, as far as you can see, was never the inherent or implied promise made by the product designer and/or manufacturer (i.e. Pilot). I fully understand the individual desire to maximum the potential of an object based on its physical dimensions; but that is not what the technical design with moving parts promises.

[AmandaW]

9 hours ago, FoundnZen said:

it just seems odd that it’s not possible to fill up the converter to its full capacity (by method of sticking the pen into the ink bottle) 

You can get a better fill by pushing the ink out into the bottle again, then immediately filling the converter again. I don't know why it works, but it usually does, with all brands of pens and converters.

[A Smug Dill]

This arrived yesterday, and I inked it up this morning before the sun rose.

 

 

(The note of thanks in the writing sample was to try to help the seller, who is relatively new to my local Facebook group, build credibility because it was in fact a smooth transaction, and she packed and sent the pen responsibly and promptly.)

 

 

Several years ago, PenGallery Malaysia must have found a stray in some dusty corner of its warehouse, and listed a Pelikan Souverän M300 for sale. I can't remember exactly now, but the nib on it mustn't have been quite right for me, so I passed on it at the time; and there has been this faint shadow of regret ever since.

 

Now, I finally have one of these wondrous diminutive writing instruments! The condition of the pen and its fit and finish are great, and the piston action is smooth, as one would expect of Pelikan piston-fillers. Broad would not have been my choice of nib width grade, if I was shopping for a new pen in currently available for retail; but now that I know we have ready access to talented nibmeisters in Australia whose skill is proven, I'm confident I can rectify that issue if need be, and take another wet, broad nib of a long since discontinued model permanently out of circulation, turning it into something capable of producing small enough writing to fit a Hobonichi Techo planner's pages — which is of course what the average collector of such a pen would want to carry and use it for, right? 😈

[Misfit]

Congratulations on that gorgeous Pelikan @A Smug Dill It’s a beauty. 
 

By the way, I like your handwriting no matter what nib you use. It looks great. 

[PennyTheDog]

OK, I’m pretty excited about this one: a Sailor 1911S in tangerine, with a 14K bold nib. I got it to keep in my bag with my other favorite pen (the black Sailor 1911L in the pictures), so I always have one filled as a backup. Even though the new one is a bold and the old one is a MF, the line thicknesses are very similar. The orange color is beautiful!

[Mr. Pink]

46 minutes ago, PennyTheDog said:

OK, I’m pretty excited about this one: a Sailor 1911S in tangerine, with a 14K bold nib. I got it to keep in my bag with my other favorite pen (the black Sailor 1911L in the pictures), so I always have one filled as a backup. Even though the new one is a bold and the old one is a MF, the line thicknesses are very similar. The orange color is beautiful!

Wow.  Nice looking - I like it.  If you happen to be out in the woods writing or hunting, you'll be easy to see.  (or it's easy to find if you drop it in the grass)

[PennyTheDog]

3 minutes ago, Mr. Pink said:

Wow.  Nice looking - I like it.  If you happen to be out in the woods writing or hunting, you'll be easy to see.  (or it's easy to find if you drop it in the grass)

It definitely isn’t a “blend in” type of pen! It’s a really nice shade of orange though. 

[Misfit]

Congratulations @PennyTheDog on getting a pen that makes you feel excited. I bet it pairs very nicely with the black pen. 

[rodia77]

Hmm, I ordered a Platinum Meteor but I seem to have received a frosted magic wand in a space capsule?

 

[Misfit]

@rodia77 You sent me looking for this. It looks like one I saw on Aliexpress. But I was good, and resisted the call of Meteor. Space themes are one of my weak points in buying. 

[Scribs]

29 minutes ago, Misfit said:

@rodia77 You sent me looking for this. It looks like one I saw on Aliexpress. But I was good, and resisted the call of Meteor. Space themes are one of my weak points in buying. 

 

Pst, there are some lunar Kaweco Sports about to be released 😉

[inkstainedruth]

LoL!  I'm sure you have Misfit's rapt attention now -- especially with the combination of astronomy and Kawecos!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Misfit]

12 hours ago, Scribs said:

 

Pst, there are some lunar Kaweco Sports about to be released 😉

Lunar Kaweco pens! Wow!

 

8 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

LoL!  I'm sure you have Misfit's rapt attention now -- especially with the combination of astronomy and Kawecos!

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

You got that right! 

But darn it! I was not wanting anything for almost a week. That’s something for me. To reach pens only for birthdays and Christmas is the goal. 
 

Edit: I looked for the Lunar Sport, and found it is on sale this month on the 18th. I’m glad they are the plastic version, and at the evidently new price point for the plastic Sport ($34 USD). It used to be $28. 

Edited March 12 by Misfit

[Ceilidh]

12 hours ago, Scribs said:

 

Pst, there are some lunar Kaweco Sports about to be released 😉

Bad Scribs... dangling this in front of poor Misfit when she's trying so hard to be good---🙃

[Misfit]

13 minutes ago, Ceilidh said:

Bad Scribs... dangling this in front of poor Misfit when she's trying so hard to be good---🙃

Thank you. The worst part is I’ll likely get FOMO, and buy it for myself, instead of asking my brother to get it for my birthday all the way in September. 
 

I’m betting Kaweco discontinued the Frosted Sport line, and the Lunar Sport will take its place. 

[Misfit]

Oh! Now I can be the sneaky enabler.  @AmandaW might will want the Iridescent Pearl Kaweco Perkeo that is new for 2026. 
 

I have two Perkeo, and am satisfied with that. 

[Scribs]

8 minutes ago, Misfit said:

Thank you. The worst part is I’ll likely get FOMO, and buy it for myself, instead of asking my brother to get it for my birthday all the way in September. 
 

I’m betting Kaweco discontinued the Frosted Sport line, and the Lunar Sport will take its place. 

 

Perhaps you could get them (there will be two; shadow green, and light green), and then the moment they arrive immediately hand them over to your brother to give to you in September? The moment I heard about them in a newsletter I thought I bet that's something for Misfit, then reading your comment about things space . . . How could I not pass on the news? 😇