My favourite filling system...

[Keith with a capital K]

I took a few minutes away from the other pen stuff to treat myself to something I have been planning on all week...

 

I had two N.O.S. Sheaffer cartridge pens in translucent red and violet and have been meaning to convert them into eyedropper fillers.

 

The process is a simple one as one merely has to remove the convertor or cartridge (if they're present) and fill the barrel with your chosen ink. From there you need to apply a thin coat of silicone grease (I like white heat sink compound) or vac cement and screw the section back into the barrel and voila!

 

Now I have two pretty cool little pens that are each holding nearly 3ml of ink (Pelikan Brilliant red and Violet) and should be able to write with them for months before I need to contemplate a refill.

 

Like their bigger brothers, the Sheaffer No Nonsense, the Sheaffer cartridge pen makes a wonderful ed filler as there are no metallic parts (except the cart nipple) that come in contact with the ink.

 

As far as writing goes, these are wonderfully made pens and just like the No Nonsense, I have never been disappointed with how they write straight from their package.

 

So my favourite filling system, if you haven't guessed, is no real filling system at all.

 

What's yours?

[Maja]

I get worried about knocking over or dropping an eyedropper pen

 

My favourite is the piston-filler on my Pelikan pens, for example. It is neat, quick and seems to hold a fair amount of ink.

[Keith with a capital K]

I have a handy little stand made up for refilling ed filling pens so I don't worry about knocking them over.

 

If I was to pick a real filling system I'd be leaning towards the Sheaffer vac filler as once serviced, they are amazing in their capacity and simplicity.

 

Another system I am very fond of is the one on the Pelikan Level 5; aside from needing a special bottle the pen fills cleanly and easily and is also a champion among pens for sheer capacity as the filler takes up very little space. I can only surmise that with the exceptional capacity and great seals on the pen that it must have a write out of 15,000 - 20,000 words.

[TheNobleSavage]

Whew, That could be a close call for me!!! Piston all the way, I have yet

Had one fail me, hold lots of ink !! BUT, When the Vacumatic is working, its neck and neck. It too, holds lots of ink and I would have to say it is one of the top inventions for fountian pens in the 20th century!

[Maja]

Another system I am very fond of is the one on the Pelikan Level 5; aside from needing a special bottle the pen fills cleanly and easily and is also a champion among pens for sheer capacity as the filler takes up very little space. I can only surmise that with the exceptional capacity and great seals on the pen that it must have a write out of 15,000 - 20,000 words.

Well, I just re-read the Level 5's filling instructions here at Pendemonium's site (bottom of that page)....and all I can say is that it's a good thing it doesn't have to be refilled very often

Just teasing, Keith....I have heard of people who love the filling system and others who hate it.....The pen has been discontinued by Pelikan, hasn't it?

[Keith with a capital K]

Yes Maja, the Level 5 has been discontinued.

 

It's a fairly superb pen that can be found selling for some pretty reasonable prices in the secondary market.

 

There isn't much grey to be found when I see people discussing the model as you either love it or hate it.

 

I like the review at Rick Connor's site...

 

Pelikan Level

Edited January 8, 2005 by Keith with a capital K

[KCat]

thus far it remains the piston filler. I can't tell you whether I prefer Pelikans because of the piston quality and design, or if I prefer piston-fillers because Pelikan does it so well. Example, I don't just *love* the piston-filler of my MB because the piston knob is too thick and conical and i have a hard time keeping a grip on it.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

For me, I would say my Pelikan M200 piston filler.

 

Dillon

[wimg]

Hi All,

 

My favourite filling system currently is the triple filling system offered in modern Stipula Etrurias, and some Novecentos . I guess that surprises nobody here .

 

First of all it can be operated as a normal piston filler, and holds a large quantity of ink.

 

The beauty, of course, is that the big piston can be taken out very easily, and be replaced with an international size cartridge or a international size converter.

 

So, you're never stuck for ink in your pen.

 

Warm regards, Wim

[Titivillus]

I took a few minutes away from the other pen stuff to treat myself to something I have been planning on all week...

 

I had two N.O.S. Sheaffer cartridge pens in translucent red and violet and have been meaning to convert them into eyedropper fillers.

 

The process is a simple one as one merely has to remove the convertor or cartridge (if they're present) and fill the barrel with your chosen ink. From there you need to apply a thin coat of silicone grease (I like white heat sink compound) or vac cement and screw the section back into the barrel and voila!

 

Now I have two pretty cool little pens that are each holding nearly 3ml of ink (Pelikan Brilliant red and Violet) and should be able to write with them for months before I need to contemplate a refill.

 

Like their bigger brothers, the Sheaffer No Nonsense, the Sheaffer cartridge pen makes a wonderful ed filler as there are no metallic parts (except the cart nipple) that come in contact with the ink.

 

As far as writing goes, these are wonderfully made pens and just like the No Nonsense, I have never been disappointed with how they write straight from their package.

 

So my favourite filling system, if you haven't guessed, is no real filling system at all.

 

What's yours?

For me it's the telescoping piston in the Lamy 2000. I love the pen ( which is a 'no grey' for most) and it seems to carry a whole lot of ink around inside. I think this is the mechanism that other companies (MB) use to use but gave up for a more standard piston.

 

 

K H

[Pashwawa]

Parker's Aeromatic and old Parker Duofold's Button Fill. They are easy to fix and durable. The Aeromatic was installed in Parker 51 in 1949 and most of them are still working!