As writers go through their journey with fountain pens, they naturally develop their own preferences for the perfect writing experience. Whether it’s the ink type and color, nib size, pen design, or even the paper used, everybody likes something a little bit different.
Something that every writer must consider is how to fill their fountain pen with ink. Many fountain pen users prefer converters while heavy writers find that demonstrators using piston or vacuum filling methods work better for their needs. One of the most popular ways to fill fountain pens is by using an ink cartridge, especially for beginners. They’re accessible, quick, easy, and convenient to use.
A question that fountain pen users often ask about any type of filling system is how long they last. We’ll be answering that very question for fountain pen ink cartridges here.
How long does a fountain pen ink cartridge last?
This question can be difficult to answer because it is dependent on so many factors. You need to consider the size of the fountain pen ink cartridge, the size of the nib, the type of ink you have in your pen, and even the paper you’re using.
Nib size
Nib size is one factor that will affect how long your cartridge will last. Fountain pens come in a wide variety of nib sizes, and choosing the right one for you depends on your writing needs and personal preferences. Different-sized nibs are also more suitable for different tasks.
Finer nibs will create thinner lines and therefore use less fountain pen ink. Broad, stub, italic, or calligraphy nibs will use more ink to create a wider line variation on paper. Music nibs also use more ink since they have two breather holes and a second ink channel.
Ink cartridge size
Another thing to consider is the size of your ink cartridge. Not all cartridges hold the same amount of ink. Some are larger than others, so they hold more ink and can last a longer time. For instance, a Parker ink cartridge is much larger than one you would get from Sailor.
Ink type
How long your fountain pen ink cartridge lasts also depends on the type of ink it holds. Some cartridges come with thinner and faster-flowing inks, while others contain inks that have a more moderate flow and take longer to empty out.
Paper absorbency
The last factor that determines the longevity of your ink cartridge is paper absorbency. Some papers like the ones in Midori notebooks are more absorbent than others, such as Clairefontaine.
While there is no definitive answer as to how long fountain pen ink cartridges last for different people, writing more will help give you a feel for what ink capacity works best for you. Some fountain pen users find most cartridges to be sufficient for their writing needs. Others may require more mileage out of their ink filling systems, so piston style demonstrators may work better for them.
The key is to keep on writing.
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
