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Estie button piston question (sopuli.xyz)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/fountainpens@lemmy.world
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Hi. I recently bought my first Esterbrook fountain pen. I went with the Estie Raven button piston. I struggle to get a proper fill. The only way I’ve been able to get close to a full fill is if I hold the pen nib-up after pumping ink into it, slowly press the button to force the air bubble out, and while holding the button down, place the pen nib-down into the ink well and release the button. Is there an easier way?

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[–] 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)

It's a lovely pen, and I just bought one myself! The trick to getting a full-ish fill is to dunk the nib in the ink and rapidly push on the button about eight or nine times. You'll feel a difference in the button action when it gets as full as it is going to. The button will give a bit of resistance at that point. I don't remember if mine got completely full, but I know that it holds a decent amount of ink. I hope that helps!

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Other than this (also works for levers), these types of pens usually didn't fill completely. The ink sack was also much smaller than our contemporary converters (and bigger systems like pistons). People just used to fill them more often and would not care that much to get it as full as physically possible. Ink wells used to be more abundant as well in many places. If their pen is vintage inspired, it may just be part of the charm. For example, those old Waterman pens have a small capacity but gush ink like there is no tomorrow. You'd better have a bottle of ink close by.

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