Fountain Pen Cartridge Guide

Cartridges

Most European fountain pen brands (for example Caran d'Ache, Faber-Castell, Michel Perchin, DuPont, Montegrappa, Stipula, Pelikan, Waterman, Montblanc, Monteverde, Sigma, Delta and Rotring) and some pen brands of other continents (for example Bexley, Retro51, Tombow and Acura) use so called "international cartridges" (AKA "European cartridges" or "standard cartridges" or "universal cartridges"), in short (38 mm in length, about 0.75 ml of capacity) or long (72 mm, 1.45 ml) sizes, or both. It is to some extent a standard, so the international cartridges of any manufacturer can be used in most fountain pens that accept international cartridges. Also, converters that are meant to replace international cartridges can be used in most fountain pens that accept international cartridges. Some very compact fountain pens (for example Waterman Ici et La and Monteverde Diva) accept only short international cartridges. Converters can not be used in them (except for so-called mini-converters by Monteverde).

Many fountain pen manufacturers have at various times developed their own proprietary cartridges, for example Parker, Lamy, Sheaffer, Cross, and Namiki. Fountain pens from Aurora, Hero, Duke and Uranus accept the same cartridges and converters that Parker uses and vice versa (Lamy cartridges, though not officially, are known to interchange with Parker cartridges also). Cartridges of Aurora are slightly different from cartridges by Parker. Hero, Duke and Uranus have made few fountain pens that take international cartridges. Corresponding converters to be used instead of such proprietary cartridges are usually made by the same company that made the fountain pen itself. Some very compact fountain pens accept only proprietary cartridges made by the same company that made that pen, for example Sheaffer Agio Compact and Sheaffer Prelude Compact. It is not possible to use a converter in them at all. In such pens the only practical way to use another brand of ink is to fill empty cartridges with bottled ink using a syringe.

Fountain pen cartridges are closed by a small ball of plastic, held inside the ink exit hole by glue or by a very thin layer of plastic. When the cartridge is forced inside the pen, a small pin pushes in the ball, which falls inside the cartridge.

While cartridges are mess free and more convenient to refill on the go than bottle filling, converter and filling systems are still sold. Non-cartridge filling systems tend to be slightly more economic in the long run since ink is generally less expensive in bottles than in cartridges. Advocates of bottle-based filling systems also cite less waste of plastic for the environment, a wider selection of inks, easier cleaning of pens (drawing the ink in through the nib helps dissolve old ink), and the ability to check and refill inks at any time.

The Fisher Space Pen Collection

The Space Pen (also known as the Zero Gravity Pen), marketed by Fisher Pen Co., is a pen that uses pressurized ink cartridges and is claimed to write in zero gravity, upside down, under water, over wet and greasy paper, at any angle, and in extreme temperature ranges.

The Fisher Space Pen was invented by American industrialist and pen manufacturer Paul C. Fisher and is manufactured in Boulder City, Nevada, USA. Pens claiming some or all of the same abilities have also appeared on the market from other manufacturers.

Models

There are two prominent styles of the pen: the AG7 "Astronaut pen", a long thin retractable pen shaped like a common ballpoint, and the "Bullet pen" which is non-retractable, shorter than standard ballpoints when capped, but fullsize when the cap is posted on the rear for writing.

Several of the Fisher Space Pen models (the "Millennium" is one) are claimed to write for a lifetime of 'average' use, however the product literature states that the pen will write approximately 30 miles (approximately 48 kilometers).

Standard Space Pen refills can be used in any pen able to take a standard Parker Pen Company ball point refill, using the small plastic adaptor that is supplied with each refill . Fisher also makes a Space Pen-type refill that fits Cross pens, one that fits 1950s-style Papermate pens (or any pen that uses that type of refill), and a "universal" refill that fits some other ballpoint pens (these are not usually stocked in stores, but can be ordered from Fisher's website).

Technology

The ballpoint is made from tungsten carbide and is precisely fitted in order to avoid leaks. A sliding float separates the ink from the pressurized gas. The thixotropic ink in the hermetically sealed and pressurized reservoir is claimed to write for three times longer than a standard ballpoint pen. The pen can write at altitudes up to 12,500 feet (3810 m). The ink is forced out by compressed nitrogen at a pressure of nearly 35 pounds per square inch (340 kPa). Operating temperatures range from -30 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (-35 to 120 degrees Celsius). The pen has an estimated shelf life of 100 years.

Uses in the U.S. and Russian space programs

There exists a common urban legend claiming that because a standard ballpoint pen would not work in zero gravity, NASA spent $11 million developing the zero-g capable Space Pen, with the humorous note that the Russian space agency opted to simply use pencils. In fact, NASA programs have used pencils (for example a 1965 order of mechanical pencils) but because of the danger that a broken-off pencil tip poses in zero gravity and the high flammability of both the graphite and wood present in pencils a better solution was needed.

On top of all that, it turns out that a standard ballpoint pen will work in space after all.

NASA never approached Paul Fisher to develop a pen, nor did Fisher receive any government funding for the pen's development. Fisher invented it independently, and then asked NASA to try it. After the introduction of the AG7 Space Pen, both the American and Soviet (later Russian) space agencies adopted it. Previously both the Russian and American astronauts used grease pencils and plastic slates.

Another rumour has it that the Apollo 11 astronauts accidentally snapped off a switch which was necessary to permit them fire the engine to return to the Earth; and that a Fisher Space Pen was used to press this button. While the incident did occur, Buzz Aldrin has stated that he in fact used a felt-tip pen for this.

The Difference Between A Roller Ball & A Ball Point Pen

The main difference is the ink. In ballpoint pens, the ink is an oil-based paste ink that dries immediately. It is suited to all types of writing styles. The frustration some people feel with ballpoint pens usually involves an inferior brand of pen that makes blobs or skips. High quality ballpoint pens do not do this.

On the other hand, the ink of a rollerball pen is more fluid than ballpoint ink, so it seldom skips, but the ink does take a few seconds to dry. The ink in a rollerball also runs out sooner than in a ballpoint, requiring more frequent refills.

The main deciding factor in choosing one over the other is functionality. The ball point pen is typically more functional because it does not require a cap. True it writes slightly less smoothly than a roller ball pen, but for some it is worth the trade off not to have to deal with taking the cap on and off reach time the pen is used. For those who write a lot for long periods of time, the roller ball makes more sense. For those writing on and off many times during the day, the ball point is the way to go.

Another option is the capless roller ball which uses a gel-like ink that allows the user the functionality of a ball point pen with the writing style of the roller ball. The capless roller ball does not require a cap as the ink does not evaporate as quickly as with a true roller ball.

Last, many ball point pens can be fitted with a gel refill which writes somewhere between a ball point pen and a roller ball. The most common gel refill is the parker style gel. It fits a variety of pens. Among the pens the parker gel refill fits are:

• Parker
  
• Waterford
  
• Retro 51
• Visconti
• Delta

A Guide To Help You Select The Best Fountain Pen, Just Right For You.

Have you used a fountain pen before?	Which brand of fountain pen did you use? If so, what characteristics were most appealing?
Open or enclosed nib?	Open nib - traditional pen design, entire nib is exposed. This type of nib often feels more flexible than other nibs but it can also dry up faster if the cap is left off for for any length of time. Enclosec nib - only the tip of the nib is exposed. This nib style is more resistant to drying up quickly. There are other nib designs, such as the Sheaffer "inset" nibs used on the Valor. Most of these are variations of an open nib.
What size pen should I choose?	The right pen should "fit" in your hand. Don't set out with you rmind made up that you prefer a small, medium or large pen. Try them out. You may surprised at which pen feels best in your hand and for your writiing style.
What nib should I choose?	The most widely used nib is a medium nib. The nib size refers to the width of the writing line. The second most commonly used nib is a fine nib. For the majority of people, either of these nibs will work well. As a rule, the broader the nib, the more forgiving it is. Broad nibs let out more ink and write with a thicker line making for a smoother writing experience. On the down side, the thicker flow of ink take up much more space on the page so you need a lot more paper than with smaller nib sizes. A broad nib can be irritating for smaller writers as it can tend to use more ink and takes up more room on the paper. A fine nib tends to produce a sharper, clearer line, but can often feel sharp or scratchy. Note also that broader nibs feel smoother and will work on more types of paper than fine or medium nibs. Extra fine or extra broad nibs should be tested as they have particular ways of writing and are not for the majority of fountain pen users.
What about other nib styles?	The term "style" is used to describe the shape of the nib, the commonest being regular, italic and oblique. Italic nibs are shaped rather like a chisel - broad and flat. Not surprisingly they produce italic writing. They come in different widths and as an approximation, the broader line of the italic nib is about the same as the next size up in a regular nib. In other words, a medium italic writes about the same width as a regular broad. Italic nibs are more difficult to write with until you get used to them and for this reason they may not make a good choice for an everyday pen. Oblique nibs have their tip cut at an angle instead of square. This means that the pen must be turned slightly to ensure that the nib contacts the paper properly. This suits some handwriting better and also most oblique nibs produce a script similar to an italic nib. Oblique nibs come with the oblique angle to the left or to the right. The RIGHT oblique is more suited to left-handed writers.
What type of filler?	With modern pens, the replaceable ink cartridge is most common. Cartridge/converter filler pens allow the use of bottled ink if you prefeer not to use cartridges. Earlier pens use a variety of systems to fill, some more convenient than others.
Does my choice of paper affect the choice of pen?	As a general rule, broad nibs are better with different types pf paper. Rough paper surfaces, hand-made papers, and parchment are not the best suited for use with a fountain pen. They tend to scratch and tear easily. Absorbent paper can be difficult to use with a fountain pen. Smooth writing paper works with any type of nib.
What about the flexible nib?	Flexible nibs were common in early fountain pens until the 1940's whenfixed nibs were introduced. The flexible nature of the nib allows you to vary the width and "wetness" of the writing line by varying your pressure on the nib. This can produce very interesting and attractive handwriting, but you have to acquire the skill to use a flexible nib effectively. A flexible nib is not for a novice fountain pen user. The flexible nib takes time and practice to perfect.

Care Instructions for your Fountain Pen:

1. To fill your pen from a bottle, you must have a converter or a piston filling fountain pen. To fill, begin with the piston in a depressed position and submerge the entire nib into the bottle of ink. Fill by turning the end of the converter or pen barrel so that the ink is drawn up into the chamber. Repeat once or twice to get the maximum amount of ink into the pen.
2. To use disposable cartridges, you must have a fountain pen that is not a piston filler. Remove the converter and snap the plastic cartridge into place. Generally there is a small ball or plastic barrier in the end that should mate with the nib section. This end gets punctured by pressing the cartridge firmly into place.
3. You should clean your fountain pen periodically, and whenever you change brands or colors of ink. If you have a converter or piston filler, simply submerge your nib into a glass of water and push and pull the water in and out of the chamber until it runs clear. For a cartridge filling pen, remove the cartridge and run water through the nib feed so that it drips through the nib. Afterwards, let your fountain pen rest on a paper towel with the nib making contact with the porous material of the towel, this will draw out remaining moisture. Never use soap or abrasive cleaners in this process. If your pen needs more attention, send it in to the manufacturer for a professional cleaning.
4. Your fountain pen should never leak or skip with proper care. Carry your pen with the nib facing up whenever possible. Take care to secure it firmly inside your pocket, handbag, or briefcase so that it doesn’t bounce around.
5. Perhaps most importantly, your fountain pen wants to be used!! Never put ink in your pen and leave it unused- over time the ink dries and the inner channels of the feed become coated with hardened, dried ink which obstructs the flow of your pen, sometimes permanently. If you are not going to use you pen at least once a week, simply rinse the ink out and store it in a safe place- it will keep indefinitely!