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Part 3 of Enjoying Your PILOT Fountain Pen

Refilling Your PILOT Capless Fountain Pen

With a unique retractable nib mechanism, changing ink colours in your fountain pen has never been this easy! Explore different inks with the Rotary Converter (CON-40) or refill on-the-go with a PILOT Ink Cartridge.

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Sophia Le

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Tips & Guides

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What makes the PILOT Capless so special?

The PILOT Capless, also known as the Vanishing Point in the US market (VP for short), sets itself apart with its clean lines and unique retractable nib mechanism. An in-house manufactured 18K gold nib, integrated with an innovative modular design, offers convenience without sacrificing elegance, making it an inescapable delight for anyone fascinated with the Art of Writing!

Upon unboxing your PILOT Capless fountain pen for the first time, you’ll find the pre-installed PILOT Rotary Ink Converter (CON-40) nestled in the nib unit. You’ll also find a spare PILOT Signature Ink Cartridge (IC-50) and a metal cartridge sleeve - definitely keep that safe.

Refilling your Capless with the Rotary Ink Converter (CON-40)

Step 1 - Prepare your space to enjoy the refilling process!

Choose your favourite notebook and bottle of fountain pen ink.
(I’ll be demonstrating using an empty PILOT iroshizuku bottle filled with water to make it easier to see.)

Sophia’s Hot Tip: Re-use an old cotton t-shirt or lint-free towel to wipe off any excess ink during refilling. It will soon become an ‘ink towel’ of many colours (and possibly a treasured item).

Step 2 - Take the modular Nib Unit out of the barrel with the Converter still attached.

Nib Units are interchangeable between different Capless pens, allowing you to change sizes and ink colours seamlessly.

Step 3 - Dip the Nib Unit into your ink bottle and turn the converter knob to the right (clockwise) to draw up the ink.

To displace the air bubble at the top of the converter when you first refill, you will need to prime the feed of your fountain pen. This will allow more ink will be pulled into the converter.
Without taking the nib out of the ink bottle, empty out the first fill of ink by twisting the knob left (anti-clockwise) and refill it once more by twisting it back (clockwise). Repeat until you have a fuller fill.

Step 4 - Wipe off any excess ink and return the Nib Unit back to the clip section of your Capless.

Be sure to align the bump on the Nib Unit between the space allocated in the threads.

Step 5 - With the clip section in your left hand, reassemble your Capless.

There will be no resistance when you slide the top barrel section onto the Converter.
Twist the top barrel section away from yourself until the two rings meet in the middle.

Step 6 - Retract the nib with a click and you’re ready to write!

Sophia’s Hot Tip: I highly recommend putting the cap back onto the ink bottle before you start writing *cheeky grin

There's clicky. And there's thocky.

Refilling your Capless with a PILOT Ink Cartridge

Step 1 - Remove the Rotary Ink Converter from the Nib Unit.
If you have some leftover ink in your converter, check out our article on Cleaning and Maintaining your PILOT Fountain Pen.

The Converter is tension-fitted, so a little twist and wiggle should loosen it from the Nib Unit.

Step 2 – Insert your PILOT Signature (IC-50) or iroshizuku Ink Cartridge. Push it deep into the Nib Unit to break the seal and ensure a good fit.

PILOT fountain pens take proprietary ink cartridges that are designed for optimum flow.

Step 3 - Give it a few squeezes to get the ink flowing through to the feed and the nib.

Step 4 – Slide the metal Cartridge Sleeve over the installed Ink Cartridge.

The Cartridge Sleeve ensures the push-retraction mechanism is consistently smooth in your Capless.

Step 5 - Return the Nib Unit back to the clip section of your Capless.

Be sure to align the bump on the Nib Unit between the space allocated in the threads.

Step 6 - With the clip section in your left hand, reassemble your Capless.

There will be no resistance when you slide the top barrel section onto the converter.
Twist the top barrel section away from yourself until the two rings meet in the middle.

Step 7 - Retract the nib with a click and you’re ready to write!

If you find that the ink has yet to flow through to the feed, you can gently shake the pen with the nib facing downwards above your ink towel to get it going.

Available in a wide range of materials and colours, the PILOT Capless is a companion that is sure to become a treasured expression of your unique style and personality. Discover the ultimate writing experience with PILOT.

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Tips & Guides

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About Author

Sophia Le

Resident Fountain Pen Fanatic at Pilot Pen Australia.
Capless Collector. Staffy Lover. Casual Gamer and Maker.
Currently a Citizen of Super Earth after vacationing in Baldur’s Gate and Hyrule.

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