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Kardzhilov
2
May 30, 2015
Wondering if anyone knows where they sell IC-100/IC-50 cartridges cheaply and ship internationally? (to Norway for example) Also i am new to fountain pens, are the cheap inks on E-Bay likely to ruin my pens, and if they are terrible to write with? Example of what i am talking about: http://www.ebay.com/itm/234-HERO-Black-Calligraphy-Writing-Fountain-Pen-Brush-Wash-Ink-Glass-Bottle-56ML-/141351140087?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item20e92f3af7
KAPS1M0
378
Jun 8, 2015
KardzhilovLet me start by suggesting you skip the cartridges and go straight for a couple of bottled inks.
Cartridges are easy to handle and disposable, yes, but buying more of them is very limiting when it comes to colour selection. Pilot has 7 options and that's it: blue, black, blue/black, red, green, purple and sepia, if I remember correctly. And cartridges are way more expensive in the long run.
With a fountain pen you can try literally hundreds of different colours of bottled ink. There are 100+ shades of blue for you to choose from! So don't go the cartridge way, please. Unless you want some cartridges to refill with your bottled ink and a syringe. That I can accept. But then again you'll get four cartridges with this drop. Do you want more than four?
Oh, and avoid any cheap ink that is not specifically formulated for fountain pens. Pilot's Bottled ink goes around for 5 euros, if you want something cheap (but still good, I am using it now in my Metropolitan). That Ebay stuff costs the same and might be hazardous material for your pen. Give 8 euros and you can get Waterman's ink, which flows so great that you'll think your pen is a hovercraft on the paper. Or Diamine, a brand with the sole purpose of making ink (I love Diamine). You can spend a lifetime and not manage to try all of the Diamine inks. And if you want something extra special like "bulletproof" inks or anti-freeze inks, go for Noodler's.
Anyway, I hope I convinced you. Since you're in Europe (Norway wasn't just a random country, was it?), here are some retailers that might interest you:
1) http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/cartridges.php Based in the UK, they have Pilot cartridges and low shipping fees. But you'll go for a bottle of ink.
2) http://www.purepens.co.uk/acatalog/Pilot-IC50-Ink-Cartridges.html Based in the UK, they have Pilot cartridges and Noodler's ink (the only place in Europe that I've found to sell Noodler's).
3) http://www.penshop.co.uk/category/refills/fountain-pen/pilot.html Based in the UK, a little pricier shipping though.
4) http://www.cultpens.com/i/q/PL00710/pilot-ic50-ink-cartridges Again, UK based. I've tried them out and they're absolutely great! Great prices, shipping and selection. Please go for a bottle of Diamine and pick up a Pilot Penmanship as well, for that Extra-Fine nib that is swappable with the Metropolitan and the Plumix and is missing from this Starter Set.
5) http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl/webstore/main/pilot-fountain-cartridges-cartridges-colour-p-1672.html Based in the Netherlands. If you really must have some cartridges this might be your best choice. Their prices are nice and the low shipping cost is even better, check it out.
I've decided not to include a link to the Goulet Pen company, just because I opted for European retailers. But the Goulet site is great beyond shopping, you should definitely bookmark it.
You will drop the cartridges and pick up a bottle, right? Don't tell me that this lengthy comment was written in vain.
ps: look in your country for shops with writing utensils, stationery and such. Pilot's a damn giant of a company, so there is a great chance that you'll find some of their fountain pen ink without having to shop internationally.
Kardzhilov
2
Jun 14, 2015
KAPS1M0Thanks a lot for the amazing response! Also sorry for getting back to it first now :( To respond to you, yes i do live in Norway, and yes i will go for bottle'd ink you convinced me :P
Also would you recommend a "CON-50" converter, since a friend of mine that got the same set thinks of buying one since he felt like the converter it comes with holds to little. Now to shop for some inks :D
KAPS1M0
378
Jun 17, 2015
KardzhilovYes, I recommend buying a CON-50, because it allows you to see how much ink you have left.
But it holds LESS ink than the included converter. It really holds a minuscule amount of ink.
ps: You can always refill the cartridges with a syringe. They hold more ink than the converters.
Kardzhilov
2
Jun 18, 2015
KAPS1M0Thanks man you are awesome :D