IPlease Help New Japanese FP Collector.
Submitted by MurexSeeker on Sun, 06/19/2005 - 09:30.
Beginners - Help Me!
Or should I say "new collector of Japanese FPs? I am a long time collector of pre-war Sheaffer and Parker 51 fountain pens, but recently have fallen into a state of lethargy about pens. Then I rediscovered, among the few "modern" pens I own, a slim Pilot, the only Japanese pen I've ever written with. I filled it with PR velvet black and remembered why I bought it. I immediately hopped on Stan's Japanese pen sale and bought two more.
My question is this... did all 1970's vintage Japanese C/C fountain pens use the same style cartridge, and if so, are they still available? My Pilot (unknown model) has a permanent aerometric style filler, but I think most of the Japanese pens from the sixties and later were C/C fillers. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Actually I've had the same problem.
Submitted by kathywc on Mon, 06/20/2005 - 15:52.
The available pilot/namiki converters and cartridges do not seem to fit my Murex. It was made in 1/79 according to the date stamp. I've been wondering if there was a Manufacturing change. And, now I'm thinking about turning it into an ED simply so I can use it. Anybody know if there was a change? And, if so, where i can find the right size converter?
kathy wc
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I've never heard of this problem.
Submitted by mbacas on Mon, 06/20/2005 - 23:31.
What does your converter look like? Was it new in a box? Should be Pilot CON-20 on the box. Aerometric metal casing. Kinda like a Parker 51 aerometric filler.
Have you tried more than one?
Stan sells these for $5 I believe. email stanklem@dslextreme.com
- Mark
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It was new with my Namiki
Submitted by kathywc on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 12:59.
It was new with my Namiki VP, but it definately doesn't fit the Murex. It is an aerometric converter similar to parker's, but the only writing that is on it is on the Press bar and says: "Press Here Pilot Made in Japan"
I'll have to try Stan, which makes sense, since that's where I got the pen from anyway. 
kathy wc
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Might be different.
Submitted by mbacas on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 13:29.
I'd definitely try Stan. Did he include a cartridge? You could maybe compare the 2 end pieces. When you say it doesn't fit, what happens when you try to install it? Too large, too small, won't stay on?
- Mark
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It's extremely loose and won't stay on the nib.
Submitted by kathywc on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 17:43.
The cartridges have similar issues. At this point, I've pulled the cartridge from my VP and put the converter I have on it. Then I put the 1/2 used cart on the Murex. Hopefully, this will allow me to use both the pens. Meanwhile, I'll have to keep looking for the right converter for the Murex.
kathy wc
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Picture of Converter Installed.
Submitted by mbacas on Thu, 06/23/2005 - 00:39.
I check with Stan and he isn't aware of any Murex that won't take a CON-20 Pilot converter. You'll probably want to order one of these from him if you aren't sure about yours.
Here is a shot of my Murex section with the converter installed. It includes a shot down the barrels.
- Mark
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May have to push harder than you think.
Submitted by mbacas on Tue, 06/21/2005 - 17:48.
It may be that the converter is extremely snug on the Murex. I can understand that you may be concerned about pushing too hard. I'm pretty sure you must have the correct converter. I'll see about taking a picture of my Murex with converter installed and check to see how tight it is.
- Mark
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Well, it appears that you are correct.
Submitted by kathywc on Thu, 06/23/2005 - 12:42.
I took a look at your pictures and realized that this is the same converter that I have. So, I decided to swap the converter and cart again. I opened up the VP and there was ink everywhere......cleaned it up and put the converter in the Murex, pressing hard this time. It stayed. Apparently I didn't even press hard enough for the VP.
THANKS for all your help!
kathy wc
kathy wc
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Yee-haw! Glad you got it working.
Submitted by mbacas on Thu, 06/23/2005 - 12:58.
I have a fear sometimes too when installing a converter. I figure I spent a lot of money for the pen and I don't want to break it.
Glad to help out,
- Mark
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Love the handle/username.
I believe all of the 3 big name manufacturers (Pilot, Platinum, Sailor) had their own. You are correct that most of the pens from the 60s, 70s, 80s are cartridge fillers. Some of the short/long style pens either don't have a converter or they are very hard to find. Mainly the Platinum I believe. Pilot the standard aerometric converter fits their short/long pens. Probably why I have more Pilots.
- Mark