@clif Cardinal Pens and PaperTruphaeVannessAtlasJetPens If you're near Chapel Hill NC, Crazy Alan's EmporiumA nice starter pen is the Pilot Explorer.

@DadFather Looks nice. Check the tine alignment and see if something needs a gentle nudge. Beyond that, I would leave it to pros.

@Paularhion I've had the tube in the section that the converter slides onto break. You could also try a cartridge or another converter.

@Paularhion Is there ink behind the piston of the converter? If so, replace or, maybe, try greasing the piston.