lever fill question..

[emgee]

hi all, new to fountain pens really, I'd like to know how long to expect out of a lever fill pen? 1,000words? less? got myself an Onoto, lovely marble gold and brown colour, will post a pic or two soon as. Any help appreciated.
cheers
Mark

[dobro]

Depends on a lot of factors: How wet the pen writes, width of line (XF, F, M, etc.), the pen's reservoir size, ink choice, paper choice, and probably some I'm not thinking of or just don't know, as I'm a pen newbie...

[Simon]

As Dobro rightly says, lots of factors here from paper quality (some higher grade acts like blotting paper soaking up more ink) to handwriting style (some push down hard & ink flows more freely), to nib size (the wider the nib the bigger the flow) to ink type used (Quink blue will last longer than a a heavy Green ink).

However, one of the major factors is simply the bladder size. They vary considerably depending on how large/long the pen barrel & location of lever box. But you should get 4 pages of A4 out of a standard pen fill.

Incidentally, lever fillers on vintage Onoto's were not the norm so that's a real find.

s

[Shangas]

It honestly depends. How much you get out of ANY fountain pen is determined by the following:

1. Size of the pen.
2. Size of the reservoir (in this case, rubber ink-sac).
3. Size of the nib (broad? Medium? Flexy? Fine? Oblique?)
4. Type of paper.
5. Size of handwriting.
6. Evapouration.

[Guillermo_P]

Let me put Mark question in another way since I am certainly a newbie and his question is a good one for an amateur as myself... ¿how much is reasonable to expect for a bladder (rubber) filler? How much you guys have been able to complete with a full charge? How is the minimum you did? Lets say M nib, waterman black, average size writing. Just a rough idea would be fine. I know the question is too general, but an order of magnitude will serve as an answer just fine.
Thanks for enlightening me! :-!
Guillermo

[Shangas]

Guillermo, you are asking an EXTREMELY subjective question here. There are literally hundreds of variations of answers I could give you. Sacs range in size anywhere from size ten up until...I think the top size is #24. A #24 would take enough ink to last perhaps a month or more. But then that depends on a lot of things such as the size and style of the nib and how often the pen's used.

For example:

I've a 1930s Waterman lever-filler, that I restored myself. The nib is a medium semi-flex one. I can't remember the sac-size, but it wasn't very big. The pen is a junior-size, anyway. This pen, used frequently, will only run for a day or two, perhaps three at a stretch.

On the other hand, I also have in my collection a 1928 Parker Duofold Big Red. This one has a fine nib. Fully-loaded, this could run easily for perhaps two weeks or more.

My MB 145 Chopin (c/c filler) with F nib, lays down a very wet line, and it runs for perhaps a week. I have another pen (not of MB manufacture), which is EXACTLY the same SIZE and uses the same filling-system and has an F nib.

This pen writes significantly drier than the MB. That would last perhaps two, three weeks, perhaps even a month.

How long any pen lasts is not something that somebody other than yourself can really tell you.

However, in conclusion, I'd say that a pen which ednures "regular", daily writing, I would expect the pen to last at least a week.

[Guillermo_P]

However, in conclusion, I'd say that a pen which ednures "regular", daily writing, I would expect the pen to last at least a week.

Thanks a lot! It is clear now what I can expect, understanding that I will have to make my own experiences...

Cheers,

Guillermo