Eyedropper Fountain Pens (Fountain Pen 101)
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- Eyedropper conversion for fountain pens is something that is talked about often in the pen community but can be hard to learn for new fountain pen users. The term might be confusing, and manufacturers often don’t advertise this capability on their pens, so it’s usually more experienced pen users that get to enjoy this pen capability. We wanted to make eyedropper fountain pens less mysterious and teach you how to do your own eyedropper conversions!
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Topics:
What is an Eyedropper Pen? (00:22)
Benefits of converting your fountain pen into an eyedropper. (01:35)
Drawbacks of converting your fountain pen into an eyedropper. (02:27)
Fountain pens that can be converted:
- Platinum Preppy (03:32)
- Noodler's Ahab (03:45)
- Edison (03:57)
- Kaweco Sport (04:07)
- Opus 88 Demonstrator (04:19)
Step by Step how to:
- Supplies needed to convert, silicone grease at a minimum but also o-rings (ideally), and ink syringe and paper towel. Platinum Preppy O-rings works with most pens (10mm diameter by 1mm thick) (05:31)
- Take the pen apart between the grip and body. Remove the cartridge or converter (06:36)
- Dab a tiny amount of silicone grease on your finger, toothpick, or q-tip and spread silicone grease on the threads between the grip and body (07:22)
- Fill the pen body with ink up to the threads, but not quite the top (07:49)
- Screw grip back onto body and set the pen aside to allow the ink to work through the feed, or 'shake it down' through if needed to use now. (08:23)
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There is a better option than o rings and silicon grease. Grease can be messy particularly when you open the pen for second refill and the grease can mix with the ink. Instead the best option is to use Teflon water proffing tape used by the plumbers. It's super thin, easy to use and provides 100% seal. And it's super cheap and available in any hardware store. I'm using it for a long time. And never had a problem. And it's a cleaner process than using grease. Just try it.
You said loud what I was thinking for myself before reding your message.
Can u tell me, how do I use that tape?
@@anuragdey_ cut the tape according to the width of your pen's thread. I prefer little less than the full width. Then wrap it on the threads for a few rotations but don't make it too thick. Then simply screw in the section after filling the barrel with ink. And boom. You are done.
@@candidonthestreetanupamgos5283 thank u I'll definitely try it
Why have i never thought of this? Genius. Gonna try it out right now
I have always used candle wax for my eyedroppers, I rub it acrossways over the thread all the way around (thinking about this now I have never tried rubbing it in the thread direction!), never had any leaks. The only one I haven't done this is a recent Moonman pen with a built in rubber ring, I didn't put wax or silicon on the threads.
can we use the regular petroleum jelly as an alternative?
@@Daniel_Wright no, petroleum will react with and damage plastic and rubber
Oh hey thanks for the idea! Will have to try that.
Great video . Cleared a lot of my doubts and liked the evolution of filling mechanisms
One of my gama Indian eye dropper pens was coming today ! And you uploaded this video !! Thanks !!
In my earlier fountain days I played with eyedroppering Preppys. However, the ink seemed to evaporate pretty quickly and some cap edges developed cracks. Fast forward to 2019 and I discovered Opus 88 and their Japanese eyedropper filling system with the stopper valve. Perfect for travel/flying due to large ink capacity and the shut-off valve. Same benefits as a vacuum filler.
Great video! Thanks Brian(: keep up the great work!
Love eyedroppers! Always have. Thanx Brian!
I converted my pilot prera and have had no issues with leakage or burping.
Did you use O-ring or just silycon grease? Thank you, it will be of great help.
I’ve been eye dropper my Kaweco brass, steel, and aluminum for 2 years. Never had problems with corrosion. I don’t use silicon grease, instead use PTFE tape. Never had problem with leaking. I do make sure to use Ph neutral ink.
What ink do you use? I have a Kaweco brass and cross blue black but don’t know the ph of it.
The Kaweco is great but their converter has such small volume.
Excellent explanation. Thanks Brian!
For mammoth writing sessions I love/need eyedroppers or piston fillers, so this video is great for people new to the whole thing :)
I always eyedropper my Kaweco Sport fountain pens because I'm not a fan of cartridges and they hold a lot of ink when eyedroppered.
you probably dont give a damn but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account??
I stupidly lost the login password. I appreciate any help you can give me
@Bowen Rylan Instablaster :)
@Luke Ares thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Luke Ares it worked and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much, you really help me out :D
@Bowen Rylan You are welcome xD
Excellent, as usual.
I think it's important to note that the Lamy Safari is not eyedropper-convertible. It doesn't have obvious holes in the body (e.g. the Pilot Kakuno) but the ink window isn't water-tight.
Dude the ink window is a literal hole haha
@@Rubikorigami
Oh, now I understand why my eyedropper Lamy Safari was leaking so much :)
So not water tight.
Thank you so much for explaining eye dropper pens! I found this so helpful!
Thanks a lot for the tips.
super helpful!
Your videos are so helpful. I still do not have a fountain pen but looking into it. I personally have a Parker Jotter and Schrade tactical pen both with Fisher Space pen cartridge PR4F. These are my every day carry pens either one or the other and one as a back up. I use it in my line of work too as a physical therapist assistant writing in charts and other documents. Those pens have been loyal to me for many years but I am fascinated about the fountain pens and what I have learned.
I carry everyday 2 fountain pens of mu collection and my Spacepen Bullet. It’s the one with the real .375 cartridge. I’m glad I’m not the only one that loves Fisher Spacepens!
@@justindesrosiers3145 Since it has been 4 years ago my latest EDC is now a fountain pen and my back up Schrade tactical pen. My fountain pen varies now from Noodlers pens, Platinum, Pilot, Edison, modern Conklin, Magna Carta, FPR and or 1929-1945 Conklin and Sheaffer. All my inks are permanent or stain monsters from Noodler's.
Thanks for the explanation
As far as an eyedropper pen, my Noodler's Boston Safety Pen works great. No leakage nor burping since I've had mine.
Thanks you answered a couple burning questions for me. Can I suggest you note on your site under the o-ring description that they are unable in all eyedropper conversions, not just the preppy? I was very frustrated trying to find this out on your site.
I have one of those old Schaffer student fountain pens that used to be sold in drug stores and such places. I love it and would like to find more. But since it takes proprietary cartridges I'd like to try converting it to eyedropper. Is this a pen that can be converted?
Hi all, new here and love the channel and info. Always liked fountain pens and only have a Waterman Harley Davidson and the one I carry daily, a 1942 Sheaffer Lifetime Vigilant white Dot military clip (someone gave it to me/ had it professionally restored). Never thought of actually collecting pens, but I guess I'm getting the bug..ESPECIALLY because I think in todays digital encroachment, the written language is being replaced by kids who can't write even a proper sentence without emojii's, proper structure and punctuation.
Anyway, love all the informative videos ; learn new things every day!
Cheers
Thanks so much for this! The lack of O rings is what kept me from trying this so knowing only petroleum jelly is ok, I can try this now.
Definitely don't use petroleum jelly! That is not the same as silicone grease. That can eat through o-rings, seals, ebonite, piston mechanisms. Stick with silicone grease! - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company Oh, almost.. Thanks for saving my pen. I have no idea what the equivalent of silicone grease here is, is it the silicone thing you use to glue glass? I'll look it up..
They usually have something similar in hardware stores. Not sure what's available to you, but the plumbing section should have silicone (or plumbers) grease that's either 98% or 100%. That should work. - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company Will check it out. Thanks again! :)
converted a monteverde pen no leakage, but i have to move the o ring up and down for some reason
I am using fountain pens for the last 60 years, mostly eyedroppers. My experience is:
1. don't trust plastic eyedroppers. They will crack., leak.
2. there will be blurp, but we know by experience when to expect it, and how to deal with it.
Blurping depends on the size of the pen, occurs once when the ink level reaches below half-way mark, and one or twice more as the ink level falls further. Towards the end, it will become very wet, and even a fine nib will write like a medium. So, you know when to stop and fill the ink. One precaution is to ensure that you begin with a full tank when writing something important. I have a small piece of chalk to absorb the ink when it blurps.
3. Involved cleaning? Well it depends. Cleaning the barrel is easy, it is only the nib portion that is 'involved' I keep it under running water for 2 minutes, and keep it soaked in water overnight.
4. Leaking is a problem, especially in plastic pens. So, silicone grease is a must. ( But I have my own method, learnt in high school, which still works.)
After experimenting with most famous brands over the years, I now use only ebonite pens as eyedroppers. I decidedly avoid cartridges and converters. It is my experience that an Indian ebonite eyedropper with German JoWo or Schmidt medium nib gives the most pleasurable writing experience, especially when you write long hours.
Every kind of pen has its plus and minus side, but we get used to them!
yes,indian ebonite eyedropper pens like the ratnam,deccan,guider are gat yer underrated.
sir,can you reveal your alternative to silicon grease that you learnt in you high school years? thanks!
Adarsh Lakshman
@@adarshlakshman4715 You can use vaseline petroleum jelly. It works as well as silicone grease.
@@gani999 aah
Thanks!
I have to say Brian, your company is amazing, I went to your site and looked at the things I wanted, then clicked deliver, to Australia it adds a decent amount of money, well I'll be saving some money for a wile
Im 15 and kinda new to the fountain pen industry (started collecting 2yrs ago) and LOVE them, I would love to move from Australia to America and join your business, but I don't think that will happen
Yeah, shipping to Australia can be pricey. Best to just wait for everything and get one larger order so you don't have pay shipping multiple times. - Colin
@@Gouletpens no worries, Thank you for the advice colin
I got a Pilot Plumix and I really wanna make it an eyedropper but I'm not sure if it will ruin it
I have 8 Preppys eyedropper with different colors. When they get to the point where they are 1/4 full, they leak. A few do not, so it seems to be hit or miss.
@Carolee1945 are the leaky ones pens with larger ink holding capacity or made of materials that conduct heat better like metal? If that is the case, a very simple solution is to simply never let your ink level drop below 1/4 full.
The reason is air expend with heat from your hand. The more air there are, the bigger the pressure build up from temp increase. Result in ink leakage. This is alway why you should fill your fountain pen ink to the max, leaving as little air as possible in the converter if you bring it on airplanes.
I use a teflon tape which plumbers use, so far I've ED'd the Kaweco Classic Sport and there have been no issues
Any burping? I have my first Kaweco sport coming in the mail today.
@@LenaMellow No burping as long as you use it posted, unposted its too short anyway.
I have almost all eyedropper pens. I need a lot of ink, I've used 1ml in a day more than a few times.
The Zebra Disposable pens with their wick feed minimize most of the burping issues.
Would you recommend the o-Rings for the Kaweko sport if it were converted to an eye dropper?
Yeah, definitely recommend both o-rings & silicone grease for any eyedropper converted pen. - Colin
The filling process still seems pretty straight forward to me.
I also guess an o-ring can last for many uses, and you don't need a new o-ring each fill?
You shouldn't need a new O-ring every fill... There are occasions and some few pens are probably "exceptions". Things like burs left from machining and unfinished threads (on cheaper pens) can chew up the O-ring over time, so it's worth keeping a spare around and checking the pen for drips every refill... ;o)
Man, I hate that my Lamy Safari keeps leaking whenever I eyedropper convert it.
Are there any tests that can be done on a pen you own prior to using ink, or is the use of ink the only true test?
1 lamy safari user disliked this
I think (as much as it hurts me to do so) if Lamy made a version of their Vista into an eyedropper. ...that would be pretty cool.
I'm a Lamy fan myself, but if they took the Vista one more step that may fill a niche in their fountain pen line.
@@x-changex-outx-oner8224 Use a RB barrel. It does not have the ink window.
@@wvbeetlebug
Thanks for the feedback Cathy, great idea.
😂
Cathy Carter it still has an opening on the finial
Q&A: do you know of any pens with a nib size that can go to at least a fine nib that write really smooth?
This previous Q&A slice has a bunch of great recommendations: czcams.com/video/0gyLqkoebys/video.html - Colin
Can you do this with Fude Sailor pens?
Thank you for the excellent video. Do you think the Waterman Man 100 (1983) can be eyedropped? I cannot realize if the interior is made of metals resistent to corrosion. Thank you
Not familiar with that pen at all, but looking at pictures online, the section doesn't have metal threads which is a good. I'd worry about the metal band at the back of the pen being in the barrel too though. - Colin
@@Gouletpens Thank you so much!
but those who use both system with ultra flex nibs say the ink flow of the eyedropper is better! what do you think?
Hi, I would like to ask you whether inks with neutral pH (like Noodler's black) are safe to convert a pen with metal interior parts to eyedropper. Thank you so much
We wouldn't recommend it. It's not necessarily the acidity of an ink that can cause damage with metal but the biocides and other ink properties that can mix with the metal parts. Sticking with plastic/resin pens is the way to go. - Colin
@@Gouletpens Thank you
I’m already a popular member in the Traditional WetShaving Community. Including forums and Facebook groups. What’s THE Facebook group for fountain pen enthusiasts?
You say that you can't convert metal pens to eyedropper style. Curious if this applies to Titanium body pens?
one day... ONE DAY... i will convert a LAMY Vista into an eyedropper. It can be done! It'll take more work than a Preppy but it'd be so cool. Fill it up with some shimmer ink... oh man
They need to sell LAMY ink window plugs! - Colin
@@Gouletpens I've seen people swap out the Vista fountain pen body with the Vista rollerball pen body which does not have an ink window - works like a charm! Best wishes to y'all :)
I did with two components plastic glue (Nural 92) on both sides and end tip. It is fantastic how good it feels.
Does the eyedropper way works with pilot kakuno and the jinhao shark? Thanks in advance!
It doesn't work with the Kakuno because there are holes in the barrel. Jinhao Shark would work though! - Colin
@@Gouletpens oh thank you!
Would plumber's tape wrapped around the threads work too? (I think the tape is Teflon)
It should work, but be sure to not overtighten when adding it to the threads. Increase in pressure on the resin could cause micro-cracks. - Colin
I'll admit, one of the main reasons why I bought the Edison Nouveau Premiere fountain pen shown in this video is because it is incredibly versatile. Long, and short Standard international cartridges, S.I. converter, and yes; even eye-dropper convertible. (And the fact that the Cappuccino version is simply beautiful too!)
Yes, versatile is a great adjective for Edison pens. Lot it! - Colin
Funny you mention the Edison Cappuccino, that is the pen is on my next order...it is a stunning looking pen.
NGMonocrom I can’t afford an Edison nouveau premiere though I do like the look and reviews of them
+The Goulet Pen Company
Hi Colin, any info. on the next Edison Nouveau Premiere seasonal Limited Edition? I know.... Summer 2018 isn't officially over until the 22nd of September. But yeah, are you able to at least let us know if there will be a new seasonal version for Fall or Winter?
Fall premiere is coming next week! Not exactly fall themed, but I like the color combo. - Colin
Question: the 10mm diameter for the o-rings is measured internally or externally per o-ring? Thanks! 👋🏻
It's actually 7 mm internal diameter plus 1 mm rubber width times two, for a total of 9 mm.
chesshooligan 1 👍🏻👋🏻🙂
Here's a question I've been pondering. If you convert a pen to eyedropper with the silicone grease and then want to change it back, what's the recommended way to wash off all that silicone?
Brian touches on that a bit in this slice: czcams.com/video/MqdNi8okGuM/video.html . Best way I've used is a toothbrush with soap warm water. - Colin
no harm would be done if you put in a cartridge while there is still silicone grease on the threads
I used epoxy to seal the end fnneal threads on my JinHao X159
Can you eye dropper a Beni?
My Monami Olika has a small hole at the back of its body, can I seal it with silicone sealant and then convert it to an eyedropper?
It could work. I recommend trying it and then filling with water for a few days and see if that degrades at all. Would rather have that leak out than ink! - Colin
@@Gouletpens thanks that is helpful
Can I do it in pilot metropolitan?
Can you convert a Hero 1202 Transparent Fountain Pen to be an eye dropper pen?
I'm not familiar with that particular pen as it's not something we carry, but there's a few things to look for. If there's any metal components or holes in the barrel (usually at the back) then no. If you don't see any, could be worth a shot! - Colin
I’m having issues with my Franklin Christoph 20p. Lot of burping
OK, can I use Vaseline instead of silicone grease? Because I have Vaseline and don't want to pay for the silicone grease stuff.
I found out if you put a bottom less cartridge in the feed, the pen burp a lot less.
It is because it will restrict the ink flow.
Can I use a monteverde monza as an eyedropper?
We wouldn't recommend it. The ink tends to get through the back cap on the barrel causing some leaking issues unfortunately. - Colin
I’m watching this because I converted an fountain pen into an eye dropper pen by hot gluing the ‘windows’ but it won’t kill me if it doesn’t work cause it’s a cheap pen
i'm surprised that nobody uses Teflon tape on the threads. it's cheap, it's white (so looks nice), and seals very well. i mean, it's used in high-pressure air tool fittings which run at 100psi or more and those don't leak for months.
I believe the reason people suggest not using teflon tape is that it can be applied too tight potentially causing some cracking issue with the threads. - Colin
I want an Opus88 Fantasia so bad I can taste it!
Gordon Busseau
I have the blue Fantasia with a broad nib. This thing writes creamy smooth and always starts right off the bat. The drawbacks are having to unscrew the stopper if used for longer periods, and being so small it has to be posted. Unfortunately the cap has to be screwed on the body which takes time. I wish it had a slip cap to speed up uncapping and posting, but they are very nice pens.
What ink is Brian using?
That's just water with a bit of dye in it! Easier to clean out. - Colin
@@Gouletpens I was thinking it looked very watery, even for water based ink
I would counter the view that filling an eyedropper pen is complex. It's the simplest of all filling methods and once you have one eyedropper or syringe itself you can fill every pen you have. Since you're not dipping the nib and section in the ink you don't have to clean those up, which is always a mess. Unlike with every other filler mechanism, it's simplicity it's itself to get a very full fill. Also you can use pretty much every last drop of ink in a bottle. I think these vacuum and piston and spring plunger etc all these filling mechanisms are really just for adding some mechanical interest to a pen. It's like how people like Swiss mechanical watches when quartz watches are far more accurate and simpler and cheaper and run for years on a battery. These filling mechanisms also adds a lot of busy-ness, complexity and parts and they're much much harder to clean out than any eye dropper. One of my favorite pens is the Moonman C1. It's minimalistic, elemental, just beautiful. Slosh, sloosh, slosh. Though I would have to say some of the vacuum filler pens are cool, not because of the vacuum fill feature, but because they have a shut-off valve that will prevent the main body from leaking into the section under air pressure changes while traveling. That's actually pretty cool. Opus 88 pens as you mention are also awesome for that reason. Wish more companies did something like that.
Do you guys still have the option to convert a preppy for us? I want to obtain a preppy eyedropper but I don't want to have 3 extra o rings or a massive amount of grease that will not be used for a long time.
Unfortunately, no. You'd have to buy the o-ring and silicone grease and convert it on your own. Sorry about that! -Margaret
why dont recommend parker pen ?
Do you think that Vaseline would work as the silicone grease?
No, Vaseline can do more harm as it can eat through plastic and cause leaks. This thread has more details: www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/319622-using-petroleum-jelly-for-eydroppers/ - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company Thank you, I will take that into consideration!!!
Thank you!
I tried this and the pen skipped pretty bad. Not sure why.
can i use vaseline as silicone grease?
No, don't use vaseline! It has a different composition that can eat away at pen parts/converters/seals. - Colin
@@Gouletpens Yeah I knew that from speedcubing and sacrificed a cube. Well thanks anyway but do you recommend any good converters for the Sheaffer VFM?
nice info but there are pens that are sold as eyedropper pens
Yeah for sure. Brian mentions Opus 88 in the video, but there's a few others. I know most high-end Namiki is as well. - Colin
Petrolium Jelly works real good if you have no silicon plastic thingy
Ahab has a great filling mechanism and large ink reservoir. Converting it to a leak monster is pretty stupid.
Haven't had any leaking issues with my converted Ahab and then triples the ink capacity. Great for any long-term flexing projects, but the piston 'converter' works really well too. - Colin
@@Gouletpens
Not to mention Noodler's .308 cartridges as another alternative for the Ahabs. Talk about being veritable.
Too much work. Not for me. Thanks anyway. (smile).
Can I do it in pilot metropolitan?