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Thread: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Smile Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Why I went from disliking piston pens to being obsessed with them, I could not say. But I would appreciate suggestions for some bargain writers (certainly under $100....hoping more for $50).

    I already have two or three Pelikans, and a handful of Wing Sungs, Dollar Demonstrators, and TWSBIs. A Lamy 2000. One lone Wality (52P?), with which I am in love.

    Ink window a must. And I like them fat but not heavy. Thanks!
    Last edited by Sailor Kenshin; April 5th, 2021 at 04:52 PM.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    I did read your pricing criteria, and decided to stretch it. I'm at risk of becoming a fanboy, but consider this for $125 (maybe you can find it under $100 with a little searching, or with a coupon code?)

    https://www.papierplume.com/catalog/...n/category/54/

    I posted a pen review today about this beauty.

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    Senior Member Ron Z's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Your Wality still works? Miracles never cease to happen.

    Visit Main Street Pens
    A full service pen shop providing professional, thoughtful pen repair....
    Please contact us by email, and not PM for repair inquiries.

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    ceebert (May 12th, 2021), Dreck (April 8th, 2021), Sailor Kenshin (April 6th, 2021), welch (May 13th, 2021)

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    Senior Member Jaguarish's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    For your price range the pens from China such as Wing Sung, Luoshi, etc are readily found on eBay, or from certain retailers such as Truphae if you are worried about which one to pick. Aside from TWSBI (a great quality choice) there are other makers popping up from Taiwan. I'm not so sure about India as I've had trouble getting functional pens from there.

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    Senior Member mizgeorge's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    German school pens would fit very nicely into this category - and there are some great ones around. Geha comes to mind immediately.

    For current pens, Narwhal make a very decent piston filler at the bottom end of your price bracket, and I have some excellent Indian pens - the Kanwrite Heritage is an absolute bargain, and some of the options from FPR would also fit the bill. The Noodlers pens are also very inexpensive.

    I'm a huge piston filler fan, and have more of these than anything else, despite having a fair number of vintage British pens

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Why I went from disliking piston pens to being obsessed with them, I could not say. But I would appreciate suggestions for some bargain writers (certainly under $100....hoping more for $50)....
    Used Pelikan M2xx piston-fillers.

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    SlowMovingTarget (April 5th, 2021)

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    Senior Member Yazeh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    If you like thin fountain pens, you might like the nib creeper. I got it by mistake. It has an ink window.... It has minimal flex....you might need to do a bit of tinkering with it... :

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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Stipula Splash. It satisfies all your criteria except it's small and light. $78.00 from FPH; has a window. I've had one for a few years and like it.
    Dan Kalish

    Fountain Pens: Pelikan Souveran M805, Pelikan Petrol-Marbled M205, Santini Libra Cumberland Gold ebonite, Waterman Expert II, Waterman Phileas, Waterman Kultur, Stipula Splash, Sheaffer Sagaris, Sheaffer Prelude, Osmiroid 65

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Sailor, I would definitely consider checking out the Narwhal Schuylkill.

    I can't say what a "fat" pen is, but this pen is at least medium size in girth, and the section is quite long, very much like an Aurora Optima. The page I linked to shows their 4 acrylic models and, as you can see, features an ink window. I happened to purchase a limited edition ebonite model, which is sold out now (though they said they are making another this year). However, these acrylics are totally in your price bracket ($55). You'll have to search, but I got my pen through Dromgooles in TX, and they are also carried by Pen Chalet, Pen Realm, Goldspot, likely others. I am impressed by the workmanship and detail on the pen I got, so I thought I'd pass along this tip.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Your Wality still works? Miracles never cease to happen.
    I don't want to upset it, but I do need to fiddle with it to fill because the piston doesn't fully retract....I,ve almost mastered the art of advancing it, dropping in some ink, then retracting it a bit.

    For those who did not read the original, under $100 and fat but not heavy. The Wality is perfect in those regards (it was free!), even with the 'amusing' piston routine.

    I already have all the TWSBI pens I want. Thanks!
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    A used Lamy 2000 is almost in range. I think it’s worth breaking the rules for. It’s a nice functional pen. I never have to think twice about mine.

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Have one. 😜 Read Op. ^^^
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    FPG Donor ♕ KrazyIvan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Your Wality still works? Miracles never cease to happen.
    I don't want to upset it, but I do need to fiddle with it to fill because the piston doesn't fully retract....I,ve almost mastered the art of advancing it, dropping in some ink, then retracting it a bit.

    For those who did not read the original, under $100 and fat but not heavy. The Wality is perfect in those regards (it was free!), even with the 'amusing' piston routine.

    I already have all the TWSBI pens I want. Thanks!
    In the vein of the Wality is the Airmail Black Beauty. I had to look for pictures of the 52P to make sure it was not the same pen.
    Fountain Pen Sith Lord | Daakusaido | Everything in one spot

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    Sailor Kenshin (April 7th, 2021)

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    For those who did not read the original, under $100 and fat but not heavy.
    I read it. I made a suggestion. A suggestion in return: $100 is a true target, and you can easily tell if a suggested pen is above or below that. However, fat means nothing, essentially. Give a measurement, best in mm, so that people have an actual piece of data to work with and not a hunch. I've never seen a Wality pen, and they likely have many models, so I can't gauge it by personal experience.

    I've measured the section of the Narwhahl pen: the section is 12mm at the base and 9.7mm nearest the nib.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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    Senior Member guyy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Have one. 😜 Read Op. ^^^
    Have another in a different nib width or style.

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    I had a small piston-filled Wality with a decorative pierced metal cap. It was absolutely faultless during the years I kept it. The Caliarts Ego 2 piston filler works well, writes well, seems robust and costs next to nothing - I think I paid less than £10. It comes with a small wrench, O rings and a spare nib and feed.

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by KrazyIvan View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Sailor Kenshin View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Z View Post
    Your Wality still works? Miracles never cease to happen.
    I don't want to upset it, but I do need to fiddle with it to fill because the piston doesn't fully retract....I,ve almost mastered the art of advancing it, dropping in some ink, then retracting it a bit.

    For those who did not read the original, under $100 and fat but not heavy. The Wality is perfect in those regards (it was free!), even with the 'amusing' piston routine.

    I already have all the TWSBI pens I want. Thanks!
    In the vein of the Wality is the Airmail Black Beauty. I had to look for pictures of the 52P to make sure it was not the same pen.
    Thanks. I looked for the Airmail Black Beauty, couldn't find it. 😢
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    I heartily recommend the Scrikss 419, well within your budget. Smooth writer, piston filler.

    Here's a supplier in Europe, there is probably a supplier in USA as well.

    https://www.scrittura-elegante.nl/en...s/scrikss-419/

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    Sailor Kenshin (April 8th, 2021)

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    Senior Member mizgeorge's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by RWS View Post
    I heartily recommend the Scrikss 419, well within your budget. Smooth writer, piston filler.

    Here's a supplier in Europe, there is probably a supplier in USA as well.

    https://www.scrittura-elegante.nl/en...s/scrikss-419/
    You can also buy them direct from Galen Leather in Turkey. They're fun pens

    https://www.galenleather.com/collect...-fountain-pens

    (warning - other very nice things can be found on this website!!)

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    Senior Member Sailor Kenshin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a few good piston-fillers

    Quote Originally Posted by RWS View Post
    I heartily recommend the Scrikss 419, well within your budget. Smooth writer, piston filler.

    Here's a supplier in Europe, there is probably a supplier in USA as well.

    https://www.scrittura-elegante.nl/en...s/scrikss-419/
    Looks good, thanks. I may already have found a US seller.

    The Indian pens intrigue me, but I wonder about shipping.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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