How to Refill a Fountain Pen
Refilling a fountain pen correctly prevents leaks, minimises air bubbles, and protects the nib from ink contamination. There are three common filling methods: converter, cartridge, and eyedropper. Each has distinct advantages.
Method 1: Converter Refill (Most Common)
A converter replaces the disposable cartridge with a reusable piston or squeeze mechanism, allowing you to fill from a bottled ink of your choice.
- Remove the pen cap and unscrew the barrel to access the converter.
- Twist the converter knob clockwise to fully expel any residual air.
- Submerge the nib completely in the ink bottle — the nib tip must be fully covered to prevent air ingestion.
- Slowly twist the converter knob anti-clockwise to draw ink into the reservoir. Do this slowly to avoid air bubbles.
- Lift the nib from the bottle and hold over a cloth. Expel a small amount of ink back into the bottle to remove any air pocket at the top of the converter.
- Draw ink again to top up. Wipe the nib and section clean with a damp cloth.
Capacity: Most standard converters hold 0.8–1.2ml of ink.
Method 2: Cartridge Refill
Standard international (short or long) cartridges are the simplest filling method, though they restrict ink choices to proprietary brands.
- Unscrew the pen barrel from the section.
- Pull the empty cartridge straight off the feed nipple. Do not twist.
- Press the new cartridge firmly onto the nipple until you hear a click. This punctures the seal.
- Hold the pen nib-down for 30 seconds before capping to allow ink to prime the feed.
Tip: Proprietary cartridges can be refilled with a blunt-tip syringe 5–7 times before the seal becomes unreliable.
Method 3: Eyedropper Conversion
Eyedropper pens use the entire barrel as an ink reservoir, offering the largest capacity of any filling system. RS Writing Instruments PRAVAH pens are designed with smooth barrel interiors for easy eyedropper conversion.
- Unscrew the barrel completely. Clean and dry thoroughly.
- Apply a small amount of 100% pure silicone grease to the section threads. This prevents ink seeping through the thread gaps.
- Using a blunt-tip syringe or eyedropper, fill the barrel to approximately 80% capacity (never 100% — thermal expansion can cause leaking).
- Quickly thread the section back onto the barrel before ink escapes.
- Hold the pen nib-down for one minute to prime the feed before writing.
Capacity: 2–4ml depending on barrel size. A full PRAVAH barrel typically lasts 3–4 weeks of daily writing.
Troubleshooting Common Refilling Problems
- Ink won't flow after refilling: The feed is not primed. Gently dip the nib in water for 10 seconds, then try writing on a scratch pad to draw ink through the tines.
- Air bubbles in the converter: Expel and re-draw ink with the nib fully submerged. Go slowly.
- Ink leaking from section after eyedropper conversion: Re-apply silicone grease to the section threads and ensure a firm seal.