How Do I Fill My Pen When My Bottle is Really Low? - Q&A Slices

[@jrdavisphd]

Mini terrariums from repurposed ink bottles. Incredibly creative idea!

[@MarshaLove0723]

I didn't buy a TWSBI VAC 700R Iris until I saw someone take the grip off for cleaning. That became my method of filling too. I don't mind waiting for the ink to saturate the feed - neater than cleaning off the nib and reduces burping.

[@lanceerickson9244]

This may be bad but I just insert the converter into the bottle, wipe and insert it into the pen. This results in hysterical acts of dexterity but works for me. I have trouble drawing ink through the nib and this is the only way I can fill most pens.

[@shelbywright3712]

Same!! Makes for a cleaner nib too.

[@Gouletpens]

That works too! This specific question was about non-converter pens though (like piston and vacuum pens) so we didn't cover that method. - Drew

[@TheFortKnight]

You can also use a syringe to fill the converter, removing the hysterical acts of dexterity.

[@pbs1516]

I don't know if this can help you but I had long time trouble doing the same thing, I couldn't fill my pens through the nib. I finally understood that you needed to have the nib REALLY deep for it to work, as (at least on mine) the ink does not go in from the tip of the nib, but from a hole at its very base. When I totally submerge the nib and a few additional mm, it goes right on the first try.

[@JerryBearry]

I do the exact same thing... with a twist. I fill my converter from my TWSBI inkwell. The plastic inner cup is perfect for the task. If you change ink colors often, this may not be your best option.

[@managingmarlys]

I love the empty unclean bottles. I swatch the inks in them and that helps me to decide wahat ink I am purchasing next. I have made many decisions on ink I will by like this.

[@LedgerAndLace]

LOVE my ink miser! Speaking of syringes, I think that would be an entertaining question: What are your funniest or most embarrassing syringe stories? I had FINALLY cleaned out a bunch of fountain pens and syringes, etc. And then I had a plumber over to repair something in the bathroom . . . and I don't think he was buying my, "No, really, it's a Fountain Pen Thing" explanation when he saw the container of rinsed out, drying syringes.

[@Gouletpens]

I've taken a few pictures of something on my desk from time to time...and a blurry syringe the background always looks really sketchy. I try to catch them, but I don't always! - Drew

[@danielklopp7007]

@@Gouletpens My adult son came to my house for a visit (first time since COVID reared its ugly head), spotted one of my ink syringes next to the sink in our laundry room, and used the same word (sketchy)... LOL

[@fieryspy6414]

Fr. I can't even get syringes in my country like that. They refuse to sell it to anyone without a prescription (which is understandable) and there isn't some seller like Goulet here who sell these blunt tip syringes either. The only reason I was able to get my hands on one was because my sister is a doctor lmao.

[@LedgerAndLace]

@@fieryspy6414 Yikes! The syringe needles are very blunt and can't really be used as needles. What country are you in?

[@FerralVideo]

Heh. I felt awkward having a blunt tip full of ink on my desk at work for my cartridge refilling operations. Turns out it wasn't sealing as well as I thought it would, so I put it back in the bottle, and will just use it for transfers rather than storage. Could probably get it to seal better, but it's not really worth the effort. I've got an Ink-Shot on my radar to pick up, since I absolutley love my TWSBI Eco, which cannot use the TWSBI inkwells.

[@v1f118]

The two Pineider products you sell are also a convenient work around.

[@Gouletpens]

Vey true! - Drew

[@GabDy-zm9sl]

Its so adorable when Drew gets excited

[@mencken8]

Wouldn’t be easy with the bottles shown in the thumbnail, but some bottles work pretty well. Waterman & Pelikan bottles are multifaceted, so setting it down on a side flat to suck up the last bit is pretty easy. I also have a Mont Blanc bottle that has a little pocket in front for this purpose.

[@mrsttwo2nd]

Yes!! Mini terrarium. My daughter has done just that with one of my empty ink bottles.

[@DragonsinGenesisPodcast]

Some of the Lamy bottles, the ones with the roll of paper in the bottom, are great for filling pens because the bottom is so narrow you can get the last tiny bit. You can also pour ink into a sampler bottle.

[@rvdbYT]

Here in the Netherlands, we have a bottle from the fifties that does the trick. Google for "Gimborn inktfles" and you will see an inkbottle that contains a small compartment at the top that is closed off by a free-moving glass bead. Turn the bottle down (with the cap!) and the top fills with ink, turn it back and the ink stays in the top part as the bead closes the top compartment. I think the bottle was designed way back in the '50s by Andries Copier. Nowadays the firm Akkerman in The Hague still sells these bottles with their ink. No other bottles for me...

[@seankeaney823]

I am surprised you did not mention the Pineider Pen Filler… Work in a similar manner to the Smaller TWISB but are not brand specific… though I have not had a problem in the 6 months or so that I have used them I do keep them in a sealed bag in my backpack and wrap a paper towel around the pen and filler when I invert it.

[@Misfit-yx8fq]

I have two of these. Fills my pens full every time. Not a drop spilled and no inky fingers.

[@Gouletpens]

I definitely could have/should have. I wanted to focus on the less-popular items but I think I should have at least mention the pen filler! - Drew

[@danielklopp7007]

A little off-topic, but since we're talking about filling fountain pens, here's a hack for a completely full, eye-dropper converted Platinum Preppy (or Prefounte). 1 - pull the nib & feed. 2 - remove the grip section and pull the "post" using needle-nose pliers (i.e. what Nathan Tardiff did to prevent people from using cartridges). 3 - install O-ring and silicone grease on the threads, and re-install the grip section (no ink the body yet). 4 - using an ink-syringe, fill the body of the pen through the small hole where the feed installs. 5 - re-install the nib & feed unit. 6 - congratulations - you have the fullest fill possible on a Platinum Preppy (or Prefounte)!!

[@avaDesdemona]

You can also use the syringe to fill piston fillers by gently and carefully sticking the needle into the filler hole in the feed. (You may need to figure out where it is. Usually it's in the center bottom of the feed nearest the grip.)

[@hansspiegl8684]

Rohrer und Klingner also have this inserts to get out the last ink!

[@crandalllogan584]

I use the 4 oz noodlers to hold bulk ink and ink up from the small de attamentis bottles.

[@JerryBearry]

Personally, I just start a new bottle of the same ink and use that until I can empty the old bottle into the newly started one... repeat.

[@pat999x]

I do the same, on the rare occasions that I get to the bottom of a bottle of ink

[@MitchellJBridges]

That sounds like a great idea. I personally use the diamond 50 inkwell. I also have a ink miser. I find a lot of bottles are hard to fill from.

[@trocycling1204]

Glad I found this, running low on my favorite ink and am starting to have trouble filling my twisbi vac!

[@julierak343]

I just bought an ink miser from you guys, so now you are reading my mind. That scares me! Also, nice sweater, Drew.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks, Julie! - Drew

[@ChanceCooper125]

TWSBI pipe! Never thought I’d want a TWSBI until I bought one on a whim and now I think I’m a fanboy. I think I’d be happy just having 3-4 Diamond 580s to fill with my favorite inks.

[@scottbaker2451]

Visconti do a travelling ink well too

[@jeanie1131]

Thanks for including ways to fill without having to get an ink miser. Some of us dont want to add a new accessory for a very rare occurance :)

[@florencefortyseven]

For this situation, I just wouldn't use a piston or vacuum filling pen. My solution is to buy an eyedropper-convertible pen and use the last bit of ink to fill the pen. With eyedroppers (or ink syringes), you can get basically every last little bit out.

[@error.418]

I feel like the Pineider Pen Filler is worth mentioning...

[@adeniranm7647]

The Pineider Pen Filler is another great option

[@Gouletpens]

You're right! I should've included that one (and the one made by Visconti). - Drew

[@NGMonocrom]

Two words: Ink Miser! Totally worth the cheap investment. ✒

[@tagamag]

It's a shame that these products are not available in the UK. I wish Goulet had a branch here!

[@davidclare7494]

They are actually

[@avnishcantcountd7701]

I think someone on the r/fountainpens subreddit had made a little diorama in an iroshizuku bottle a while ago.

[@Hannah-lc7de]

Twice when trying to fill my fine nib Pilot with Con 70 Converter, I have stabbed a hole in the bottom of my ink sample tube. Wondering if the Miser Inkwell would solve my problem 😏

[@Gouletpens]

WHAAAAAT!? Was your nib ok? - Drew

[@Hannah-lc7de]

@@Gouletpens nib is totally fine, but my ink sample tubes had to be stored upside down lol.

[@BrainBurst369]

That's Brine, I respect your method ❤

[@stickinthemud23]

Thanks to the Goulet team (Brian K and Adrianne) for pointing to this video (2204-07).

[@T_B1]

Or if you use the same colour all the time (e.g black/blue) just buy another bottle of ink, use some of that then fill it up with the near empty one. Also considering that if you get to the bottom of a bottle of ink you must use it all the time!

[@annathomas2029]

You couldn’t make a mini terrarium out of a noodles bottle because to protect the ink the glass is brown which blocks sunlight which the plants need to survive. A clear ink bottle may work though.

[@Gouletpens]

Noodler's bottles are indeed clear. - Drew

[@almur88]

My personal rule would keep me from soaking the nib itself in the ink ever. I fill converters and never tarnish nibs cuz I have a hard time washing them after they've been exposed to inks. When the bottle is running out of ink I just use 2ml syringe with a needle. As simple as that and my nibs are always bright and shiny

[@cferracini]

I just syringe everything '-' Maybe I would wonder about it if I had a vac pen but for the ones I have, syringe works and I use even the last drop from the bottle

[@sadaanandsingh2323]

Deep, existential, difficult, painful question: ¿is it possible to get a Twsbi Iris Vac 700R nib replacement somewhere? Yes, mine is f***ed up…it slipped to the floor… 😭😭😭

[@as-yu4vk]

You could get a TWSBI VAC nib, but it would not have the rainbow color

[@Gouletpens]

Not that I know of. Your best bet would be to contact TWSBI directly. - Drew

[@jinseinogakuseiesq2724]

what I noticed about the vac 20 is theres space under the cap hold in when using the cottle in action...... Your thoughts?

[@Vendavalez]

Pilot recommends against removing the nib unit on the 823?!? Why? I do it every time when cleaning it. I have no idea how they expect people to get the pen clean in a reasonable amount of time otherwise. I would not remove anything related to the filling mechanism though. I have come across warnings about that and the only time that I even started attempting to, everything felt specially delicate so I just left it alone. The nib unit though? Everything on that end of the pen felt robust enough to handle regular handling.

[@marcusm359]

What about for the TWSBI Eco which doesn't have a removable grip? Can I remove the Piston and just pour ink into the end?

[@ameliabuns4058]

God that vac Inkwell is so awesome. The only problem is that I can't afford a vac700r

[@Gouletpens]

The TWSBI Vac Mini also fits the bottle, and is a bitt more affordable. - Drew

[@ameliabuns4058]

@@Gouletpens I thought both are 60$ (non iris ones)! but I kinda hate the mini version, no idea why. I love the 700r, and yet strongly dislike the mini!

[@4kassis]

if the ink is really low I just use the syringe for those cartridge pens. Seems like the easiest solution...

[@anindyasil3]

Can you please do a tutorial on how to use syringe to fill a sqeeze converter, because my ink bottle is half way through and I am very afraid of puncturing the converter if try on my own.

[@mallardtheduck406]

Hi Brian & Drew, I really love that Noodler's ebonite Black Boston Safety pen. I literally seen that by chance and decided I needed it. I So lucked out!!! I love unusual pens, cool product. TWSBI'S are great pens and are a great invitation to a new fountain pen user, so many color's, writes very nice different model's. BTW Drew, I seen the DarkWing Duck sticker behind you...I loved that show as a lad. "Let's get Dangerous ".. LOL 🤣🤣🤣. I Also love those glass bottles with the colored plastic caps on them. Do You Sell them on your site? Thanks, and Happy Writing!!! BTW, I filled my Noodlers with moon dust, I eventually would like to buy carbon black or a very rich shiny black.

[@Gouletpens]

Thanks so much! - Drew

[@michaelx.heiligenstein3112]

"you have to be at the end of the bottle, so it's pretty niche" uhhhh i don't know how you get a lamy converter more than halfway into a noodler's bottle, am i doing it wrong?

[@liamstrain]

What about something like the Pineider pen filler? Would that serve?

[@Gouletpens]

Absolutely! I'm surprised neither of us mentioned that one! - Drew

[@sylpherina]

Are parker fountain pens good? And if they are can you please suggest one or two considering I want a smooth pen but not too costly. Please.

[@elizabethgray2386]

The ink samples are great except they are unstable and I typically end up dumping most of them. 😱. You really need three hands. One to hold the ink one to hold the pen one to work the piston or vac.

[@VidkunQL]

Oh... I just thought of a new product. A sample vial holder. A simple little object with a cylindrical hole at the top. The hole is the right diameter to hold a sample vial, deep enough for the vial to be stable, but shallow enough that the vial protrudes a little so that it can be gripped securely and removed easily with the fingers. Likewise the diameter is snug enough to give the vial very little play, but not so tight as to make it difficult to remove (or worse, impossible to remove until the applied force overcomes the static friction and then it _suddenly_ comes free). The holder must be heavy and stable enough for the job. Ideally, pleasant to see and touch, and transparent so that the ink in the vial is visible. A glass inkwell or empty ink bottle would be perfect in this regard, so such a container could be converted by means of an adaptor fitted into the mouth. And if that isn't sweet enough, the transparent base could first be filled with a tiny self-contained ecosystem. (I actually have some experience with those...)

[@kjp76]

Rohrer & Klingner "Erka-Rapid"

[@osofine23]

Watching you fill the feed with the syringe was like watching someone feed a baby bird - so cute!! ☺️ Added to the idea to make tiny mini terrarium’s - it’s so cute I’m gonna die!¹ 🥰 🤯 ¹See film *Despicable Me*

[@ryansullivan3081]

Is there a way to fill a pen when there’s very little ink in the bottle? Brian: “yes, and no.” lol

[@chaddesrosiers1107]

You guys didn't cover the most obvious solution. Just buy a new bottle. Use the new bottle till you can pour what is left in the old bottle into it.