First off, thanks to Onelonegunman for suggesting this pen in an earlier thread. I'm glad I didn't spring for a Lamy/converter when I didn't even need to!

This pen hits the mark, it's really fine, and even though people say it's got a flexible nib, with my left handedness, my light touch, and style of drawing, it doesn't flex a bit, unless I give it quite a bit of pressure on purpose.

Now, I'm going to Boston next week on a plane, and I found a local retailer that sells the refill cartridges. Sweet success. My aim is to eventually make this an eyedropper pen, and fill it with Noodlers, didn't want to do that - right before - trying to take it on a plane. I'd rather take it empty with a spare cartridge in a baggy.

Question:
I've noticed ink is getting right up along the barrel/nib, but not leaking, is that normal? I did a quick photoshop edit on a product shot to show exactly where I mean.



I'm assuming that's normal, hope it's not a defect, just a little worried.

Also, heard someone mention they made theirs an eyedropper without a rubber gasket, just some silicone. Should I attempt a gasket just for safety? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
-Squir

It's normal. Although I can't see it on my black one, my pilot Plumix(similar pen) does the exact same thing, and it's not leaked or anything(although I did have to fix some dry flow issues by putting my exacto blade between the tines of the nib, but that's neither here nor there).
It's normal. Just how the pen is made. I've not had any leaking isssues.
Also, It might be okee-doke to just use it on the plane. I brought a fountain pen with me to Dallas when I flew there and it took the flight just fine.
Just keep it Nib up the entire flight, and any possible problems you run into can be circumvented with a plastic baggie and a quick wash after you get out of the airport.
Actually....<checks> well, nope, I was wrong. I thought the penmanship had a hole in the top, and it doesn't. <pops ears> Use the silicone grease. Make sure it's pure silicone grease, but the gasket isn't necessary. Just pack the threads on the nib unit/holding area with the silicone grease, fill up the end to just below the threads, and screw it on, then wipe off the excess(check...Seth's? I think, guide to making a platinum preppy into an eyedropper. Yup, I was right:
How to make a Platinum Preppy into an Eyedropper)
Follow that and you should have no issue.

Thanks for the reply JonelB, much appreciated.
Also thanks for the link, I was at lowes earlier today and totally forgot to pick up some grease, I had JB Weld on my mind to fix my swing arm magnifier I got for 5 bucks....can't just "clearance price" something when it's essential feature is in two pieces, right? :P

Guess I'll have to grab some when I'm back from Boston, I'll be converting it after the trip, I'd rather have a single cartridge leak a bit on a plane than half a barrel of Noodler's, plastic bag or not.

Appreciate the insight, have a good one!

I honestly can not see the point in running the risk of ink leakage when all you have to do is to empty the cartridge, clean it and fill it with whatever ink you want! I do it all the time! I would not convert any fountain pen to an "eyedropper"! I'm not fond of grease! I'd rather get a bit of ink on my fingers than grease. And what if the barrel cracks while the pen is in your pocket? At any rate, if you must jury-rig your pen at least go to an automotive store and buy some silicone spark plug boot grease. I know it's silicone based, I don't know about plummer s grease! :roll:

Well, my current finishing process for artwork is the prevailing factor. I use this pen for sketching, writing, and finishing inks whereas I used to use pencil for all the preliminary work, and finish with ink.

In ~3 days, I've got this sucker's first cartridge drained to roughly 1/3 full. :oops:

So, I'll probably just invest in another fountain pen for travel/zoo sketching/park sketches. While the one I'm 'eyedroppering' will be the main go-to for work done at the drawing table. :wink:

This way, I know that I won't have to cart around a syringe/dropper and my bottle of noodler's ink. And if the trip is a really long one with downtime? I can take the full barreled one.

I know, it's a bit scatterbrained and might not be toooootally efficient, but it'll keep me from worrying about where my noodler's is. or if it's upright in my bag.....

If I remember properly, one person who sketched with a fountain pen(A sailor sapporo, I think), used a traveling inkwell. I think it was from visconti. But if you go through a lot of ink, you might want to look into it, Having peace of mind while you are out and about is important.
And your out and about pen can always have a squeeze converter in it.