Newbie question - how do I fill this pen?

**Darik** · January 7th, 2015, 02:48 PM

Hello! I apologize in advance if this is not in the correct section of the forum. I received a pen as a gift recently that I THINK is a fountain pen, but I'm not sure. It has a feather on the back, a point (a nib?) that has "Iridium Point Germany" inscribed on it and I can unscrew the point from the main metal body. But there is no cartridge or anything like that to change out. I've never owned a fountain pen, but this is a beautiful writing instrument my wife gave me as a gift from one of her business associates in China. I've included a few photos so hopefully someone can help tell me ( a total fountain pen newbie) what this is and how I can go about filling it to use it to write with.

thanks in advance!

The whole thing

The nib (I think?)

The body

This might be able to hold ink?

Underside of the tip ... or nib?

**tandaina** · January 7th, 2015, 02:50 PM

I'm not sure that's a functional fountain pen...

If it is I'm guessing you'd only be able to use a short international cartridge. Try attaching one of those to the nib and section (should just slid into the back of the section and a little push should secure it.

But it *looks* more like a decorative piece someone put together than an actual working writing instrument so who knows.

And does it have a cap that screws on over the nib? If it doesn't it won't be usable, the ink will dry out in hours.

**Darik** · January 7th, 2015, 03:10 PM

No it does not have a cap that screws on over the nib (or a cap of any kind.) It does, however, have a base to rest in but this won't keep the ink from drying out, I assume. I'll look into the short international cartridge.

thanks!

**tandaina** · January 7th, 2015, 03:14 PM

If it has a proper base like the desk pens of old that will act as the cap. But if it really is just decorative it won't. Doesn't hurt to try.

**gbryal** · January 7th, 2015, 03:34 PM

The feed looks fountain pen like. If you look inside of the hollow of the black cylinder, is there a tube or piece in the center that would puncture a cartridge?

**gbryal** · January 7th, 2015, 03:42 PM

Looks a lot like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Magenta-Feathe.../dp/B00H5NJL1Y
It says it uses "sacs" but what is pictured look like cartridges.

**Sailor Kenshin** · January 7th, 2015, 07:44 PM

Now I'm intrigued. Sacs?

**tandaina** · January 7th, 2015, 07:54 PM

Pretty sure those are ink cartridges.

**ainterne** · January 7th, 2015, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by tandaina

Pretty sure those are ink cartridges.

http://weheartit.com/entry/group/41932887 Cartridges in this one, but they seem to call them sacs....

And in this one Pen Ink Sac£º4pcs ink sac (2 of blue or black color)

http://www.fidibuy.com/product/details/RVg6QjAwSDVOSkwxWQ/Magenta-Feather-Writing-Quill-Fountain-Pen-With-Pen-Holder-and-Ink-Sac-Set-LL-42?

**Sailor Kenshin** · January 8th, 2015, 05:54 AM

Have at it and let's see how it writes!

**Darik** · January 8th, 2015, 02:17 PM

It DOES have a little "post" in the black part that looks like it could puncture a cartridge or "sac" so I'll see about getting some and trying to work on it soon! Will report back, thanks!

**Darik** · January 8th, 2015, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by gbryal

Looks a lot like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Magenta-Feathe.../dp/B00H5NJL1Y
It says it uses "sacs" but what is pictured look like cartridges.

Yep, that's exactly the same...mine even came in a flip top box with the World map logo on it. But no ink sacs (cartridges) that I could see. Thanks now I know what to ask for!

**Darik** · January 14th, 2015, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Darik

Originally Posted by gbryal

Looks a lot like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Magenta-Feathe.../dp/B00H5NJL1Y
It says it uses "sacs" but what is pictured look like cartridges.

Yep, that's exactly the same...mine even came in a flip top box with the World map logo on it. But no ink sacs (cartridges) that I could see. Thanks now I know what to ask for!

Well, I got some "international size" cartridges at a local Michaels store and plugged it in to the Nib...it writes great! But I cannot close the pen body. The cartridge is too long to fit into housing as it is flared at the end and the housing actually gets narrower the closer it gets to the feather end.

However, even after removing the cartridge and closing up the pen it will still do some writing with the ink it "absorbed" from the cartridge, I guess?

Do they make an even shorter size cartridge? I note an earlier reply says I need an International size "small" cartridge. Is that different from the International size cartridge or just a descriptor?

Thanks, it was a lot of fun to write with even for only a few minutes.

**Sailor Kenshin** · January 14th, 2015, 01:37 PM

'Short standard' is about one and one-half inches long. There are longer ones that are almost twice that length, or nearly three inches.

Which do you have?

**ainterne** · January 14th, 2015, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Darik

Originally Posted by gbryal

Looks a lot like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Magenta-Feathe.../dp/B00H5NJL1Y
It says it uses "sacs" but what is pictured look like cartridges.

Yep, that's exactly the same...mine even came in a flip top box with the World map logo on it. But no ink sacs (cartridges) that I could see. Thanks now I know what to ask for!

Well, I got some "international size" cartridges at a local Michaels store and plugged it in to the Nib...it writes great! But I cannot close the pen body. The cartridge is too long to fit into housing as it is flared at the end and the housing actually gets narrower the closer it gets to the feather end.

However, even after removing the cartridge and closing up the pen it will still do some writing with the ink it "absorbed" from the cartridge, I guess?

Do they make an even shorter size cartridge? I note an earlier reply says I need an International size "small" cartridge. Is that different from the International size cartridge or just a descriptor?

Thanks, it was a lot of fun to write with even for only a few minutes.

http://www.refillfinder.com/catalog/...-glossary.html

Yes there are different sizes...the M3 is half size,,, not sure if it will fit your pen....but just to show you.... Also you could check out http://www.refillfinder.com/catalog/...-glossary.html

**Darik** · January 20th, 2015, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the meticulous reply. It MIGHT work with an M3 size...the standard size one I got is close to that 38 mm size. It was like it ALMOST fit, but just had about a tiny amount that needed to be snipped off. Of course, if I snipped it off the ink would leak everywhere, LOL! I may try again with the tiniest one they make. I certainly don't have that super long one in your last picture, ainteme.