Help needed to get sentimental pen running. Odd mini-refill size.

[ScottT]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm throwing this out to the hive-mind, in hopes I can save this pen.

 

I was gifted a business card case that was hinged and used a mini pen to hold it closed.  Rather clever, I tried the pen out, all good, and never found the proper place to use it.

 

Many years pass.

 

I rediscovered the case, and the pen will no longer write.  It uses a very odd size of refill, and I have attached a photo of it against a ruler, and above it a D1 mini refill.  The D1 is a tiny bit thicker in the point and will not fit through the opening at the end, and for the life of me I cannot find this refill available anywhere.  Regular ballpoint refills (like from a promotional pen) again have too thick a point.

 

I have tried shaking it, soaking it in boiling water, running it over a piece of rubber to see if the ball is stuck.  The only success I had was early on, when it wrote for a few seconds.

 

I'm hoping someone has an idea they could send my way.  As I said, this was a gift and I would like to get it back to working order.

 

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

Thanks muchly,

Scott

 

p.s.  That silverish thingy at the end comes off, I should have removed it for the picture.

[amberleadavis]

Jet Pens has a great starter section:

 

https://www.jetpens.com/blog/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Pen-Refills/pt/231

 

 

You might also consider the Fisher Universal filler because it is made to fit in different pens.

 

Then there is a weird set of adjusters or converters for different pens.

https://www.ballpoint-pen-springs.com/refills/adjustable-ballpoint-pen-refill-extender-kit

 

This store has quite a selection: 

https://www.ballpoint-pen-springs.com/refills

 

This company has a lot of different refills for your comparison.

https://refillfinder.com/collections/ballpoint-refills?page=7

 

You really need to know who made the pen if you want to simplify your search.

 

I have also used the snap to size refills.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/pm-company-05077-snap2fit-blue-ink-medium-point-ballpoint-brass-refills-for-preventa-and-mmf-counter-pens-pack/328PMC05077.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=Cj0KCQiAosmPBhCPARIsAHOen-ND_s-EFT7Zxn7q3wcG3eaDZ6EQUXgGH7fipQj21kBdAg8KRNESpycaAlIeEALw_wcB

 

[ScottT]

Hi Amber,

 

Thanks so much for all the helpful information!  Seems to be a Japanese refill of some kind.  I don't have any identifying information, unfortunately.  The item came from a Celtic gift store in the UK originally, but I cannot remember the name.  I've ordered a couple possibles from aliexpress and am looking again at the Jetpens resource for the best choice there.

 

Thanks again, I really appreciate the help,

Scott

[amberleadavis]

Glad to have been of help.

[Stephen2020]

 I wonder if the info of this image might be useful?

[ScottT]

I checked their online shop, nothing even remotely similar, but thanks.

 

The original website had a ton of knicknacks, pocket watches, money clips, business card cases, pens, that sort of place.

 

More like an online gift shop type of inventory, if that makes sense?

[Anne-Sophie]

Pendemmonium is a shop, in Arizona, U.S and a an online stores, that specializes in vintage writing instruments, as well as repairs and the consumables that bring them in working condition.

 

They are great people, I am not affiliated with them, just an happy customer since 2006.

 

Below is their online page about vintage lead. 

 

Pendemonium learning page about vintage pencil lead

 

 

[amberleadavis]

11 hours ago, Anne-Sophie said:

Pendemmonium is a shop, in Arizona, U.S and a an online stores, that specializes in vintage writing instruments, as well as repairs and the consumables that bring them in working condition.

 

They are great people, I am not affiliated with them, just an happy customer since 2006.

 

Below is their online page about vintage lead. 

 

Pendemonium learning page about vintage pencil lead

 

 

 

They are very nice people and quite knowledgeable.

[KandyPenz]

I can give you a really bad option if you a desperate and cant find a matching refill. Note this is not rally an option.

 

Not 100% sure but as far as I know pens made by Atlas in Sri Lanka uses a refill with a very slim point. I think the pen is called atlas chooty and its the cheapest pen they make that you need.
you probably can get 10 pens for less than a dollar, throw away the pen and take the refill.

Also your closest japaneese shop may also have pens that uses similar refills. they usually have a slightly bigger point though where as one in atlas is very thin and stepped.
you should be able to pull out the metal screw out. and put it back on the replacement refill. refill tubes are made out of very soft plastic that can be trimmed easily if its too long.

As I said before this is really not an option and is a terrible idea. but if you a desperate then ....