Fountain Pen Converter CON-40

The CON-40 is Pilot's standard twist converter — the part that turns a cartridge fountain pen into a bottle filler. It replaces the disposable cartridge in the barrel, holds 0.4ml of ink, and fills by submerging the nib and grip in a bottle and turning the knob to draw ink up through the feed. Small metal agitator beads inside roll as you write, keeping the ink moving and reducing the amount that clings to the walls of the reservoir. Pilot lists it as compatible with its cartridge-type fountain pens generally, excluding large urushi-lacquer models and double-spare style bodies, which makes it the correct converter for kakuno, Cocoon, Prera, Metropolitan and similar pens. Practically speaking it is the cheapest way into bottled ink: one converter and one bottle of Pilot Iroshizuku or any Pilot bottled ink replaces an endless run of cartridges, and it opens up the entire ink hobby. It is a spare part, not a pen, so it ships without a pen or ink. Made in Japan by Pilot Corporation.

1. Unscrew the barrel of your Pilot cartridge pen and pull out the cartridge or old converter.
2. Push the CON-40 firmly onto the metal nipple inside the grip section until it seats squarely.
3. Submerge the whole nib and part of the grip in the ink bottle, then twist the knob down and back up to draw ink in; repeat once or twice to fill the 0.4ml reservoir.
4. Wipe the nib and grip clean with tissue before screwing the barrel back on.
5. To flush, fill and expel cool water repeatedly until it runs clear, then leave the parts to dry before refilling.