Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 75 conversations about:
Donzo
5
Dec 31, 2016
bookmark_border
I wonder if this community can answer a question for me on this pen. This may be my first fountain pen, and I'm unsure exactly how the ink fills. Are these cartridges that are local office supply store? And what is "converter"? Is that to convert to bottled ink? Or roller ball type pen? I'm sure that those who know fountain pens know what this is, but the pictures here weren't that revealing to me. Also, one more (as this would also be my first MassDrop purchase), with two days remaining it looks like the $139 level just got unlocked. But there's a button, "commit for $129" -- yet, clicking on that seems to suggest that whatever is the lowest unlocked price is what you pay, not necessarily $129. Now, ten bucks is not the end of the world, I'm just wondering how all this works, so that I can make the best set of choices. Thanks, all.
Dec 31, 2016
writerstephen
480
Jan 1, 2017
bookmark_border
DonzoHi Donzo,
I'm annoyed with Massdrop at the moment, but I do think it's an interesting business model, so I'm going to answer your questions as objectively as possible. First, the Massdrop-specific one:
The current price is indeed the current price you would pay if the drop ended at this moment (assuming you had joined). If you "commit" at such-and-such a price, it means that if enough people commit/join to reach the lowest price, you will be joining the drop unless you cancel. So, if NOT enough people join/commit to reach the lowest price, you will NOT join the drop automatically. I know it's a bit complicated, but i hope that makes sense.
As for the fountain pen questions:
1. Cartridges. Yes, standard international short ink cartridges (which fit this pen) are available in many different places, including Amazon, Goulet Pens, Colorado Pens, Jet Pens, etc., etc. You may also be able to find them in your local office supply store, but there your colors will likely be limited to blue and black.
2. Converters. A converter is (usually) a small piston-filling device used to draw bottled ink into a pen. This pen takes standard international converters. It has nothing to do with a rollerball pen. Bottled ink is the choice of many fountain pen users because of the variety of colors and characteristics that are available.
Having said all that, I would NOT necessarily recommend this pen as a first fountain pen. Massdrop has another drop for a pen called the "Faber-Castell Loom" that would be much more appropriate (and affordable). I would opt for the metallic (not piano) finish and a fine or medium nib.
I hope that helps!
Jan 1, 2017
Donzo
5
Jan 1, 2017
bookmark_border
writerstephenThank you Stephen! Much to think about. And most timely as well. I will investigate all of this. So, pricewise, for example, if I committed at $129.99, it would seem to imply that if no more people join, then the drop ends without my participation (or $129.99.) But do I understand that if it ended at this moment, I might actually be paying $139.99? Or even $149.99?
One of the reasons I was attracted to this pen (and yes, I have no experience in this quest -- and am grateful for the guidance that saves me from learning by $$$), was that my hands are probably on the large size. Not huge, but large, for sure.
So tell me -- we're amongst friends here <grin> -- what's the challenge you have with MassDrop? It does seem that they're a shade less than open market. Not a ton, but a shade -- which is still a shade. And what exactly makes a pen a $130 (or $330) one, or a $30 pen. I imagine "limited production" (and I used quotes specifically) is one thing -- the collectibility factor; and perhaps to a lesser extent, quality. Why, if you would, might you recommend the Farber for me, as a beginner, over this one? --If for instance, I was only going to ever buy one pen, would the recommendation be the same? --Rather than work up to some greater quality down the road.
And on cartridges, the OfficeSupply type stores would have something like I bought as a kid for my $3 pen? In this case, I thought I read on Bexley's site (trying to figure this out) that you can simply fill the barrel with ink, and screw the front back on. That would seem messy to me. And thanks for the info on the converter. Makes it clear now. Sort of like a refillable cartridge, right?
Again, thanks a ton for this help, particularly at this time.
Jan 1, 2017
Donzo
5
Jan 1, 2017
bookmark_border
DonzoAh, never mind on the MassDrop issue. I read your posts re: delivery. Ha. Condolences on the experience. I would still value knowing you recommend this not as a first. Thanks!
Jan 1, 2017
writerstephen
480
Jan 1, 2017
bookmark_border
DonzoDonzo,
Keep in mind that I've been a fountain pen enthusiast for only a year or so, so I don't have all the answers (yet haha), but I will attempt to answer your questions as best I can.
As for why the Loom ahead of the Bexley for a starter pen, there are a few reasons:
1. Experience. F-C has been making pens for a century or more, and they know what they're doing. The Loom has an excellent reputation as a starter/entry level (or even one step above that) pen. If you were ever going to buy just one pen ... oops, my brain just short circuited haha. I suppose my recommendation might not be the same then.
2. Cost. While I don't own a Bexley Imperial, it is pricey for a starter pen. It might be perfectly fine, and you might be very happy with it, and if you have your heart set on it, please don't let my humble opinion dissuade you. But what if you decide fountain pens aren't for you? You'll be out ~$35 for a Loom, ~$120 for the Bexley.
3. I actually own a Loom. It was one of my first pens. I have a metallic blue, fine nib. It is a great pen. I love it and still use it as part of my regular rotation, and I have several more expensive pens. I too have large hands, and find the Loom very comfortable to write with. It's not an overly large pen, but it is made from metal, chunky in diameter, and has a lovely ringed grip that makes for fatigue-free writing. Posted, the cap adds back-weight and balance. The nib is buttery smooth and fairly wet, and the pen accepts standard international cartridges and converters. If you join this particular drop, I'd recommend adding the converter and going to Gouletpens.com to buy some ink samples and find some favorites.
As for "filling the barrel" of the Bexley with ink, this refers to something called "eyedropper conversion." What it means is, with some pens, you can apply a little silicone grease to the threads that attach the grip section to the barrel, which creates a liquid-proof seal, and then you can fill the entire body of the pen with your favorite ink, using an eyedropper or ink syringe, eliminating the need for a cartridge or converter. It's not too messy, but might take some practice. Ink syringes are readily available (try gouletpens.com).
In fact, I'd recommend poking around that site (and visiting Brian Goulet's excellent inknouveau.com site) for lots of fantastic fountain pen information.
Happy writing!
--Stephen
Jan 1, 2017
Donzo
5
Jan 1, 2017
bookmark_border
writerstephenThanks Stephen! I'm getting a much better feel for all of this, thanks to your help. And will be investigating much over the next 15 (end-of-drop) hours. And did I read your shipment was from Secaucus to Suburban Fluffya? I'm originally from Vineland. :) --Also, got a kick out of the brain re-boot, on the single pen possibility. Yeah, I can see me going there, without too much problem, somehow. And, if you do get a chance, what exactly is the difference between a $30 pen and a $300 pen? Do they write more smoothly? Or have better balance? Even so, that's quite the range (and more) for those features. Or perhaps beautiful pens, like beautiful sports cars, are simply more fun to drive.(?) :)
Jan 1, 2017
writerstephen
480
Jan 1, 2017
bookmark_border
DonzoThe differences in fountain pens, especially from the $30 to the $300 can be staggering. As a rule, yes, they write much more smoothly; some have differentiated filling systems (internal vaccuum or piston mechanisms); and the materials used (resins, acrylics, metals; one Visconti pen is made with italian lava rock) are as differentiated as say, the colors of the Pantone palette.
But one of the main differences is the nib itself. Most lower-priced fountain pens have stainless steel nibs, many of which are manufactured in Germany or Japan. The higher end pens usually have nibs made from 14k or 18k gold. These are lauded as much smoother and tend to offer some springiness, allowing for line variation with pressure.
A lower-end pen with a gold nib is the Lamy 2000--many enthusiasts recommend this as an entry-level gold-nibbed pen.
Jan 1, 2017
BeefyBison
2
Jan 16, 2017
bookmark_border
DonzoSo here's some more help, I'll start off with your question about what pen is a good starter pen. I wouldn't recommend something this high in price for there are things to take into account such as maintenance that the pen needs and how they wright is different from the common ball point pens today. A good starter pen that I started with to one see if I like fountain pens, two was not so pricey that if I didn't like writing with one or if I didn't handle it properly I would be fine loosing a few bucks, and three its a great way to learn about how they operator. But that's just me I would recommend pilot metropolitan fine nib or a lamy safari extra fine nib. Now the pilot I recommended is a Japaneses made so the nib on this thing is amazing for the price you get it at and the lamy's extra fine nib is German made so if you chose just its fine nib you would be getting a Japaneses medium nib. I suggest a Japaneses pilot's fine nib or nibs on the same level due to if your just starting out and you don't want to buy paper that takes to inc better then every day paper then you don't have to worry about what you wright on too much.
Now as for why one pen cost $130 compared to $30 is that some has to due to the price of the material of the more costly pens since some of the materials of the higher priced pens aren't made in a high quantity. Other factors come from what it takes to make the more pricey pens is the material is made out of takes a long time to make. Like risen I may be wrong but it takes time to make and the rest of the price is due to craftsmanship since when you get to higher priced pens some of the material can't be handled by machine so it has to do it by hand. And a lot of time more then not on the higher priced pens the nibs are also hand made not just rolled out by a machine .
Jan 16, 2017
adouglas
17
Jan 16, 2017
bookmark_border
BeefyBisonI strongly second the recommendation of the Pilot Metropolitan F and Lamy Safari/Vista/Al Star EF as good everyday writers. I have several Metropolitans (different inks, and they now have a stub nib version available from Goulet Pens) and a Lamy Al Star. Pictured below are the EF Lamy, with blue ink; a bronze "lizard" metropolitan with stub nib and black ink, black F Metropolitan with black ink, red F metroplitan with red ink, and a purple F with purple ink. The Metropolitan is hard to beat, hands down (even regardless of price)... the line is very fine, the nib is extraordinarily smooth and the pen feels great in the hand
search
. I actually bought a Pilot Custom 74 to see what gold nibs are all about and wound up sending it back... the gold nib gave me some line variation, but the Metropolitans are smoother, even though they cost a small fraction of the price! I recommend getting converters for every cartridge-type pen you buy... lets you play with ink, and you're not locked into the cycle of buying cartridges. Regarding the differences between low-end and high-end pens: Brian Goulet has some blogs on this. Once you get into gold nibs at about $130-150, it's all in prestige, materials, finish, etc. Fountain pens are fundamentally simple devices. So it's not surprising that a cheap Pilot Metropolitan can write as well as a far more expensive pen. My next pen will be a TWSBI Vac700 -- the funky filling mechanism appeals to the geek in me, and I like the ink capacity and the fact that you can seal it up when flying.
Jan 16, 2017
Donzo
5
Jan 16, 2017
bookmark_border
adouglasThanks all! I very much appreciate the time you've all taken to write, and for the help! It does help me a great deal. Best regards, Don
Jan 16, 2017
adouglas
17
Jan 16, 2017
bookmark_border
Donzo
search
From the top, what we have here are: Sheaffer cartridge (proprietary - Sheaffer pens only) Long international standard cartridge International converter Pilot CON-50 converter (for the Pilot Metropolitan and numerous other Pilot pens) Pilot cartridge (proprietary - Pilot pens only) Lamy Z-24 converter (proprietary - Lamy pens only) Lamy cartridge (proprietary - Lamy pens only)
To answer your questions... yes, you can find cartridges at office supply stores, but selection is severely limited because fountain pens are not that popular. Also, most cartridges come only in blue or black. If you're lucky you might find red. As you can see, there are several different types... the international style is more or less standardized (cheap Chinese pens all use this) but some of the best pens use their own systems. Finding this stuff in a store is a crap shoot.
A converter is a gadget that lets you fill a cartridge-type pen from a bottle of ink. This means more fiddling with the pen, but it gives you far more flexibility in terms of ink selection and a bottle of ink will last a very long time. Highly recommended.
There are other filling systems. Piston fillers are basically a giant converter with a nib -- there's a piston in the body of the pen, activated by a screw. You get a lot more ink capacity, but it can only be used with bottled ink -- no cartridges. Vacuum fillers are like piston fillers but have a mechanism that actually sucks ink into the pen. They're relatively rare. And there are still other, less-common systems.
Hope this helps.
Jan 16, 2017
phoenixsong
1055
Apr 28, 2018
bookmark_border
adouglasHi adouglas,
For the Metropolitan, how should the included squeeze fill mechanism be swapped out for the converter? Also, can the converter be somehow "locked" after it has fully drawn in ink? Thanks in advance :)
Apr 28, 2018
adouglas
17
Apr 29, 2018
bookmark_border
phoenixsongNot exactly sure what you're asking about swapping the converter. "How should?" If you're asking whether it should be, then I'd say yes... the converter is a bit easier to use and I believe it has a larger capacity. If you're asking how it's done, then both the bladder and the converter are friction-fit... just pull one out and seat the other one. Regarding whether the converter can be locked, there's no need. The mechanism has enough friction in it that it won't move. Plus it's inside the barrel of the pen once everything is reassembled, so there's no chance of disturbing it. Last note on the Pilot bladder: This is, in effect, a vacuum filling mechanism. You squeeze the bladder to force air out, then release and as the rubber returns to its original shape, it sucks ink in. It takes a few seconds to do this, so be patient.
Apr 29, 2018
phoenixsong
1055
Apr 29, 2018
bookmark_border
adouglasThanks! That's one heck of a reply you've given :)
Apr 29, 2018
View Full Discussion