When you have a beautiful fountain pen and you want to make the most out of it, the best thing you can do is to use a fountain pen converter. While it depends on the fountain pen that you are using since some only use ink cartridges, this is one of the easiest ways just start writing with your favorite fountain pen.
One of the reasons why so many people love fountain pens is that they can experience hundreds of ink colors that are only available in ink bottles.
In case you never used a fountain pen converter before, you need to know that there are different types of converters. This way, you need to make sure that you find the one that fits your fountain pen. In case you have no idea about the fountain pen converter that you need, you can simply check our fountain pen converters page and search for your pen’s brand.
To ensure that you learn how to use a fountain pen converter, we will show you the different types of fountain pen converters.
#1: Piston Converters:
Piston converters are the most common type of converters for fountain pens. They aren’t only reliable and simple to use as they all work the same way.
While this fountain pen converter is available in different sizes and shapes, its mechanism is quite simple. Overall speaking, you’ll simply need to twist the knob of the converter so it can draw ink up into the pen.
Using A Piston Converter
Step 1: To start using a piston converter, you will first need to insert it into your fountain pen’s grip section.
Step 2: Open the ink bottle that you want to use and dip the nib into the ink. In this step, you want to make sure that the nib is completely submerged. This means that the grip section should also be touching the ink.
Step 3: Now, you will need to twist the fountain pen converter knob counterclockwise. This will help expel air from the pen lowering the piston. During this step, you should see some air bubbles coming out of the pen. This is perfectly normal.
Step 4: At this point, you need to twist the knob clockwise. The piston should raise while it draws ink into the fountain pen.
Step 5: To make sure that your fountain pen converter is completely filled with ink, you may need to repeat steps 3 and 4. In case your pen is still expelling air bubbles, you should also repeat the steps.
Step 6: Before you reassemble your pen, it’s better to use a tissue or a paper towel to absorb any excess ink from the nib. It may also be handy to clean the grip section as well.
Step 7: You can finally reassemble your fountain pen and start writing with it.
#2: Squeeze Converters:
Although squeeze converters are older than piston converters, they are far less common.
A squeeze converter is simply an exposed sac that may sometimes be enclosed in a protective case. One example of a squeeze converter is this Kaweco squeeze converter.
Overall speaking, when you squeeze the air out of this converter, it’s real dropping up into the pen.
Using A Squeeze Converter
Step 1: Just like when you are using a piston converter, the first thing you need to do with a squeeze converter is to insert it into the grip section of your pen.
Step 2: Again, you will need to completely dip the nib into the ink bottle. Make sure that the grip section it’s also touching the ink.
Step 3: Now, you will need to expel the air from the pen. To do this, you just need to squeeze the sac. As you complete the step, you should see some air bubbles escaping from the fountain pen.
Step 4: At this point, you will need to start releasing the converter slowly. This will allow it to draw in the ink.
Step 5: You always want to make sure that there are no more air bubbles coming out of the pen. This means that you may need to repeat steps 3 and 4. Please be aware that squeeze converters tend to take less ink than piston ones.
Step 6: When your fountain pen takes a squeeze converter, you will also need a paper towel or tissue to clean up extra ink on both the nib and grip.
Step 7: Finally, reassemble your fountain pen and start writing with it.
#3: Push-Button Converters:
The third type of fountain pen converters are the push-button ones and they are the least common. A perfect example of a push-button converter is the Pilot CON-70.
Overall speaking, using this type of converter is not difficult. However, it may take you a bit more time to learn how to use this fountain pen converter.
How To Use A Push-Button Converter
Step 1: Like with the previous types of converters, you will need to insert the converter into the grip section of your pen.
Step 2: Now, you will need to completely dip the nib into the ink and also make sure that the grip section of your pen touches the ink.
Step 3: At this point, you will need to push and release the button of the converter to expel the air and draw ink. One of the things that make this converter a bit harder to use is the speed that you apply when you are pushing and releasing the button. In fact, you need to be rather quick or else the converter won’t be able to draw much ink. You should continue with this step until your converter is filled with ink.
Step 4: It’s now time to grab a tissue or paper towel to clean up your nib and the grip section of your fountain pen.
Step 5: Reassemble your pen and start writing with it.
How To Use A Fountain Pen Converter – Extra Tips
Since fountain pens that use fountain pen converters use one of the previous types of converters, you shouldn’t have any problems filling them with ink. Nevertheless, some fountain pens may be trickier than others. So, here are some extra tips to ensure that you can use your fountain pen converter.
#1: The Type Of Converter:
One of the main reasons why you may not be able to fit the converter into your fountain pen is because it’s not the right one. So, the first thing you need to do is to confirm that your fountain pen uses converters. Then, make sure that you are using the right one. You can always check our fountain pen converter page and look for the brand of your fountain pen. Here, you’ll be able to find the different pen converters that you can use.
#2: You May Need A Bit Of Force:
In case you’re trying to insert a fountain pen converter on your pen and you know it’s the right one but you can’t go through with it, you may need a bit of force. The truth is that fountain pen converters are designed to fit tightly. So, don’t be afraid of using a bit of force.
#3: The Converter Doesn’t Draw Ink:
This problem may happen for two reasons. The converter may not be properly installed or the nib may not be completely submerged in the ink.
Bottom Line
As you can see, using a fountain pen converter is not difficult at all. You just need to know the type of converter that fits your fountain pen. Then follow the steps to fill it with ink.
While there are different types of converters, the steps you need to follow are pretty much the same. This ends up making it easier to use a fountain pen converter.
