How to fill a fountain pen

Fountain pen with ink cartridge

Most fountain pens can be refilled with ink cartridges, and this is by far the easiest way to refill a fountain pen. When the cartridge is empty, you simply replace it with a new one. Unscrew the pen, pull out the cartridge and discard it, then insert the new cartridge. The new cartridge should be pushed in firmly enough to get punctured. You can feel when it is in place.

Which cartridges fit my pen?

Many manufacturers have their own ink cartridges in their own size. In this case, it is usually only the manufacturer's own, original cartridges that fit their pens. Since it is not a major investment, there is no reason to start experimenting with products from other brands. Some of the manufacturers that have their own cartridges are Parker, Lamy, Cross, Waterman, Platinum and Namiki.

There is also a cartridge size called International Standard. It is very common, and if there is no mark on the pen it is usually these cartridges that fit. Manufacturers using these standard cartridges are, for example, Caran d’Ache, Pilot (some models, e.g. MR), Pelikan and Kaweco. The most common is the short size of these cartridges. There is also a longer size (with the same attachment) but it does not fit in all pens. In some pens there is room for an extra short cartridge in the body of the pen so you always have a back up cartridge with you.

Filling with converter

1. Put the converter in place

2. Make sure the converter screw is screwed all the way down

3. Dip the entire tip into the ink bottle

4. Twist the converter and fill it - the ink will be drawn inside through the tip

5. Lift the tip from the bottle, screw gently and release a few drops

6. Dip the tip again and fill the converter completely

7. Wipe off the tip with some paper and screw the pen together

8. You are good to go!

The step of releasing a few drops into the bottle and then refilling is intended to reduce the risk of air bubbles (which causes interruptions in the ink flow). This step can be skipped if you don’t usually experience any problems with air bubbles. The converter must fit the specific pen model. If there is no associated converter, it may be possible to find another variant that happens to fit but you might need to test a few.

Pens filled from a bottle

Some pens, e.g. Lamy 2000 and TWSBI, have built-in piston filling with reservoir and can only be filled from an ink bottle (or inkwell, as it is also called). It works in exactly the same way as filling with a converter. Soak up the ink through the tip and then gently wipe it off. It is as easy as that! The advantage of these pens, compared to the converter, is that they usually hold much more ink. If you write a lot, you will not have to refill the pen as often.

Changing ink colours

Do you want to change the colour of the ink in your fountain pen? Do it! Just keep in mind that a lot of ink gets stuck in the pen (in the lamellae of the tip, the ink conductor, the reservoir etc.), which means that it must first be washed well. If you do not do this, you will get a colour in the form of a mixture between the ink colour you changed from and the new one you selected. You may not notice it much if you change from a lighter to a darker shade, but if it is the other way around, then you can not avoid doing a wash in between.

Wash through the pen with lukewarm water (no other oddities). Remove any print cartridge and rinse the entire front piece in water. If the pen has a built-in reservoir or if you have a converter it will be particularly easy to wash the pen. Fill the pen with water, then pour it out. Repeat until the water you empty is clear. Allow the pen dry thoroughly - preferably overnight. If it is not completely dry when you refill the pen you will write with diluted ink.

One more thing! When not using the pen, store it with the tip facing up. If you store it with the tip downwards, the ink will run down into the tip and possibly dry up. The best way to keep the pen in good condition is to write with it often!