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Can drying out be a converter problem?

My Kaco EDGE is drying out, even when using it the next day. I feel that the issue is related to the converter, because usually I can fix the issue (even for a couple of days) by driving the converter just a little bit outwards and then cleaning the pen. The converter is a rather cheap one made of plastic. It came in a set with the pen and the schmidt EF nib. I saw this set of many places, but it looked like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Matte-Fountain-Schmidt-Cartridges-Original/dp/B07HG1J9M1

What is the "right way" to fix this. I know the TWSBI Eco wants to be greased regularly – is this a thing with converters?

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  • I've not known a converter causing issues such as drying out. I'm a bit confused about how you are fixing it? Do you mean you screw the converter a little to lower the piston and that gets it going again? That is a common fix for a dried up pen.

    Have you tried different inks? It might be the ink is just not compatible with the pen.

    As already mentioned you can get converters (Faber Castell makes one) with agitators in them to help prevent the ink from staying at the wrong end of the converter but most of the converters I own are fine without them.

    I would try getting a sample of a well known reliable ink such as Waterman Serenity Blue and seeing if the pen behaves well using it. Also try flushing your pen with some mild soapy water or pen flush, maybe even allowing it to soak for a few hours. You may have dried up ink or some oils from manufacturing in the feed that are impeding flow.

    Sometimes it is just a problem with the pen/cap design due to a poor seal. I had a wooden Conklin All American Golden Walnut and it would stop writing if left for more than a few hours. The cap had no liner in it and the raw wood just sucked all the moisture from the nib and dried it out. Ultimately despite liking the pen I just sold it due to frustration.

6 comments