What Is A Piston Fill Fountain Pen? Our Top 5 Picks
There are so many factors that make one fountain pen different from the next; the style, the nib, the weight or feel, but the fill system a fountain pen has can really change how you use your pen! Piston fill fountain pens, or piston fillers, are a popular form of filling system, although not as common as the cartridge converter style that many brands carry. And that brings the question: what exactly is a piston fill fountain pen?
TWSBI Eco in green being filled with Graf Von ink ‘Viper Green’
A piston fill style fountain pen holds ink within the barrel of the pen, instead of using an inserted cartridge or converter. These pens have an integrated piston mechanism that is used to pull ink up into the chamber of the body. In the barrel, there is a piston mechanism that consists of a plunger, the chamber or ink reservoir, and a piston knob that pulls the plunger up or down.To fill the pen, you simply rotate to unscrew the piston knob, located at the end of your pen, dip the pen into the ink bottle of your choice, and screw the piston knob to draw ink into the chamber. The main benefit of a piston fill fountain pen is that it has a larger ink capacity, which means more time putting pen to paper, and less time refilling or changing cartridges.
The Difference Between Catridge/Converter and Piston Fill Systems
How a cartridge-converter pen works is you insert a separate part into the pens barrel, either a cartridge or converter, that feeds ink into the pen. This is the most common and popular system. However, the ink capacity is limited and you will find yourself refilling your pen often, which is not ideal if you are using your pen frequently or are always on the go. Additionally, converters are a separate piece to maintain, and are not always included with the initial purchase of a pen.
With a piston fill fountain pen, the ink capacity is substantial and is perfect for long bouts of use, and can be used for longer between refills. Since the filling mechanism is built in, you do not need to fuss with an additional piece, and typically the make and quality of piston fill pens are high quality and robust - no need to worry about your little converter wearing out quickly! Although it is a bit of a learning curve for cleaning and filling, piston fillers are a popular pen type that should definitely earn a spot in your collection, or might even become your new everyday carry pen!
Not every brand makes a piston fill fountain pen, so what options are available in piston fillers? We have picked the best and most beloved piston fillers to answer that!
Typically piston fill fountain pens have been amongst the more expensive pens, as pens with the built-in mechanism raises the complexity of the pens' craftsmanship. However, TWSBI is an exception to this rule, without sacrificing any quality. TWSBI makes excellent, modestly priced, piston fill fountain pens that have been a shop favourite ever since they were stocked. Both these pens have a clear barrel that makes refilling an easy task, you can see how much ink you have left and your choice of ink is on display. The TWSBI Eco is one of best fountain pens under $50 and features their high-capacity piston filler barrel. This pen is an incredible everyday carry, you can go days between refills, and it is very durable. The TWSBI Diamond 580 hits the next price point of $50-100, and features beautiful metal accents, a stainless steel nib and an ink capacity of 1.98 ml of ink (the largest capacity here!).
Lamy 2000
The Lamy 2000 is a fountain pen ‘cult classic’ since 1966 that is well known for its unique, modern German design. This pen is revered for the sleek look of the matt black fiberglass body, with brushed stainless steel accents and a 14k yellow gold nib plated in platinum. However, what really makes this pen feel modern is how Lamy has implemented the piston filling mechanism so well into the design. The piston knob at the end of the knob is completely seamless, which gives the body of the pen a sophisticated sleek look from the end to the nib, while delivering all the pros of the piston fill system. The Lamy 2000 holds 1.35ml of ink, and the sleek and conspicuous ink window lets you see when a refill is needed.
Sailor Realo in Black/Gold and Maroon/Gold
Sailor is well known for their beautiful craftsmanship in Japanese pen making, and always deliver on their luxury looks and quality feel. The Sailor Professional Gear Realo is no exception to this, as one of their few piston filler fountain pens. The Realo series has a thick barrel that holds 0.9ml of ink, and remains light weight even when full due to the resin body. This pen has the classy and traditional design that Sailor is known for, with the added detail of the gold lined ‘window’ in the barrel, for a peek at your ink capacity. Like most ‘Pro-Gear’ series pens, the Realo features a stunning 21k gold nib that provides that delightfully responsive writing experience.
Pelikan Souverän
If you want quality, elegance, and one of the most reliable piston fill fountain pens, then you have to consider a Pelikan. Pelikan is the first company to introduce the piston fill mechanism and have been combining convenient functionality, elegant German design, and an unrivaled writing experience since 1929. Pelikans are a classic high-end fountain pen that has staked their success through craft and quality of their piston fill fountain pens. They are definitely one of the best in the business with almost a century of experience in their craft. The Souverän M-models offer a range of sizes, with the mid-sized M600 pens holding 1.65ml of ink. All their pens feature a buttery smooth 14k nib as well as a comfortably balanced body.
PELIKAN Souverän M600 Fountain Pen being filled.
There are more than just cartridge-converter and piston fill systems out there in the world of fountain pens - and each has its own unique quirks and qualities! What are your favourite filling systems?