Sage-Tips

Can you use ballpoint ink in a fountain pen?

Gravity forces ink down the reservoir, normally a plastic cartridge, onto the ball. This is how a ballpoint works. A fountain pen is different. Instead of a ball, it has a nib that is separated by two tines.

Can I use ink from a regular pen in a fountain pen?

The only hard and fast rule that we have is make sure your ink is traditionally formulated for a fountain pen. All of our Cartridges or Bottled inks should be safe with your pen. Do keep in mind that ink cartridges may be proprietary. No matter what ink you choose, we do recommend regular cleaning of your pen.

Why did ballpoint pens replace fountain pens?

He decided to create a pen using the same type of ink. Ballpoint pens were found to be more versatile than fountain pens, especially at high altitudes, where fountain pens were prone to leak.

Are fountain pens smoother than ballpoint?

Fountain pens are better than ballpoint pens because they are more comfortable to hold, are smoother to write with, and can create line variations with their flexible nibs. They are more customizable, with a vast range of ink colors to choose from. Here are 10 reasons why fountain pens are better than ballpoint pens.

What is an ink converter?

An ink converter allows the fountain pen to use bottled ink, rather than ink cartridges. Some cartridge style fountain pens are proprietary and only allow for their brand of ink cartridge to be used. Bottled inks come in a wider range of available inks and color selection than the cartridge inks.

Can you use acrylic ink in a fountain pen?

Acrylic paints are usually thicker than drawing inks, but you can find acrylic paints ready to use for fountain pens, such as Golden Hi-Flow Acrylic. The terms “acrylic paint” and “liquid polymer combinations” are used interchangeably. Some inks and paints are easier to clean than others.

Does a fountain pen need ink?

Your fountain pen consists of four parts when assembled—the cap, the nib, the barrel, and the ink reservoir. Most reservoirs are either a piston converter, a cartridge or an ink bladder. The converter and ink bladder require fountain pen bottled ink. The cartridge is a self-contained, disposable unit filled with ink.

What is the difference between a fountain pen and ballpoint pen?

A ballpoint pen works fundamentally differently than a fountain pen. The mechanism in a ballpoint pen consists of a tube of ink, a round metal ball, and a casing for the ball. The tip of the pen consists of this ball and casing. When you write, the ball rolls, leaving the ink on the page. You can see what a ballpoint pen looks like.

Can you use a writing ball with fountain pen ink?

No, usually not. The limitations of the writing ball and how it works with fountain pen ink plus the small size of the market for this type of pen means that writing tip sizes are limited. The best option here is to get a Pilot Hi-tecpoint V5 for a thin point or a V7 for a thicker point.

Are fountain pen cartridges refillable?

Fountain pen ink cartridges are disposable, but consumers can refill them with bottled ink. Using converters also produces less waste, as bottled ink recharges the reservoir. Although some manufacturers produce disposable fountain pens, these models are not as popular as the refillable models.

Can I travel with a fountain pen?

Fountain pens require a little extra care when traveling. Sealing them in a leakproof bag like a Ziploc Freezer Quart Bag, available here, will protect your belongings in case of leakage. Fountain pens also need additional regular maintenance, such as refilling the ink, flushing the pen, and replacing the ink reservoir.