Using standard ink cartridges with Waterman pens

[Melan]

Hello,

 

due to the demise of my old, beloved fountain pen, I have been thinking about buying a replacement, a new Waterman Expert. However, I haven't been able to determine whether I could (or even should) use standard, commercial ink cartridges with it. I usually use short, black "Life Line" cartridges (manufactured somewhere in Europe, I guess - I live in Hungary), and have been very happy with them - they are cheap, and look pretty good, too. When I inquired about the pen itself, the retailer was vague about ink, and recommended that I buy my ink directly from Waterman, and refrain from commercial stuff.

 

My question to the Esteemed Experts of the forums are:

-Is it even physically possible to use a generic cartridge with a Waterman Expert?

-If it is possible, is it advisable? Will I meet no problems, or will the ink have a harmful effect on my pen?

-Finally, if it is not possible to use generic cartridges with the new pen, are there alternatives I could/should look into - e.g. fountain pens which are similar in size, shape and price to the Waterman Expert, and are operable with standard sized, generic cartridges?

 

Thank you in advance.

[kathywc]

Decidedly not an expert, but I decided to answer anyway.

 

I use generic carts in my waterman all the time. I started using them in it before I was.....um.....educated enough about pens to know that there were different style carts. Sometimes it's a really snug fit, but I don't think I've done any damage. As for the ink damaging the pen, it's going to depend on the ink in the cart, but most inks won't be a problem.

 

Now the real experts can respond.

 

kathy wc

[Larry T]

I Have two Waterman Expert fountain pens and I use Mont Blanc, and generic cartridges I found on ebay in them with no problem. My daughter uses one of them in college, she doesn't like to be bothered with bottled ink, so she uses cartridges all the time with no problems.

 

Larry

[Velma]

My experience with Waterman pens is that you can put a short standard cartreidge into them with no problem. If, however, you try to store a second cartridge in, say, a beautiful green Hemisphere, it will get stuck. And nothing will get it out.

 

Just sayin'.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Most any fountain pen ink will work in a Waterman. Waterman cartridges and convertor and Rotring cartridges and convertors interchange. After all, Rotring and Waterman are both owned by Sanford. International cartridges should fit.

 

Dillon

[Melan]

Hello,

 

Thank you for all the replies. My fears have been dispelled - I guess I can safely get my hands on one of those beauties after all. I can always ask you about even better inks later...