Fountain Pen Converter vs Cartridge (2026): Which Should You Use?
Which LAMY and Pilot cartridges and converters fit which pens, what capacity each listing states, and when bottled ink is worth the switch.
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The most common beginner mistake is buying a converter or a box of cartridges from a different brand than the pen, then finding the part will not fit. Converters and cartridges are brand-specific: LAMY parts go in LAMY pens, Pilot parts go in Pilot pens. So the fountain pen converter vs cartridge choice comes down to one rule. Pick cartridges for zero fuss, and pick a converter if you want bottled ink and more colors.
Still choosing the pen itself? Our beginner fountain pens guide and the LAMY safari vs Pilot Metropolitan comparison cover that first step.
Cartridge or converter: what is the difference?
A cartridge is a sealed, pre-filled ink tube. You push it onto the pen, write until it runs dry, then replace it. LAMY says its empty T10 cartridges can go in plastic waste for recycling.
A converter sits in the same spot inside the barrel, but you refill it from a bottle instead of throwing it away. The mechanism depends on the brand: the LAMY Z 28 is piston-operated, while the Pilot CON-40 is a screw type. Neither changes the nib, so the pen writes the same line either way.
If you have a LAMY pen
1. LAMY T10 ink cartridges
Best for: LAMY owners who want quick, clean refills with no bottle.
These are LAMY’s large-capacity cartridges, 1.25 ml each, sold here in a pack of five. LAMY lists seven colors: blue (erasable), black, red, turquoise, green, violet and blue-black. This listing is the black pack.
Fit is broad. Per the listing, every LAMY fountain pen except the LAMY 2000 writes with the T10, so the same box works in a safari, an AL-star or a vista.
✓ What we like
- 1.25 ml per cartridge, stated on the listing
- Seven listed colors, including an erasable blue
- Fits all LAMY fountain pens except the LAMY 2000
- Swapping one takes seconds
! Keep in mind
- Each cartridge is single-use, even if the plastic can be recycled
- It does not fit the LAMY 2000
- You are limited to LAMY’s own color range
Skip it if: You want to try inks from other makers.
🛒 Check price on Amazon↗ Opens Amazon.com · affiliate link, no extra cost to you2. LAMY Z 28 converter
Best for: Moving a LAMY starter pen over to bottled ink.
The Z 28 is a piston-operated converter that replaces the T10 cartridge. The listing title names the Abc, AL-star, joy, Lx, nexx, nexx M, safari and vista, and the bullet points confirm the AL-star, joy, safari and vista.
Once it is in, the pen can take any bottled ink made for fountain pens. That makes it the simplest way to open up color choice on a pen you already own, without buying a new pen.
✓ What we like
- Reusable, so no more cartridge boxes
- Works with any bottled fountain pen ink
- Fits the most popular LAMY starter models, per the listing
! Keep in mind
- The listing does not state its ink capacity
- You need a separate bottle of ink
- Filling takes longer than pushing in a cartridge
Skip it if: You only want to pop in a pre-filled tube and keep writing.
🛒 Check price on Amazon↗ Opens Amazon.com · affiliate link, no extra cost to you3. LAMY T52 bottled ink
Best for: Desk writers who fill a Z 28 converter at home.
This is LAMY’s bottled ink in a 50ml size, black in this listing, packed with blotting paper. Pair it with the Z 28 and a LAMY pen becomes a bottle-filled pen.
✓ What we like
- 50ml, so one bottle covers many converter fills
- Blotting paper included, per the listing
- Same brand as the pen and converter
! Keep in mind
- A bottle belongs on a desk, not in a bag
- Filling from a bottle carries more risk of ink on your fingers than a cartridge
Skip it if: You mostly write on the go.
🛒 Check price on Amazon↗ Opens Amazon.com · affiliate link, no extra cost to youIf you have a Pilot pen
4. Pilot Namiki IC100 ink cartridges (blue/black)
Best for: Pilot owners who want standard replacement cartridges.
Pilot makes these in Japan and sells them here as a 12-pack in blue/black (model 69102). The listing does not name compatible pens, so check your pen’s manual before you order. They are made for Pilot fountain pens, not for LAMY or other brands.
✓ What we like
- 12 cartridges in one pack
- Made by Pilot for Pilot pens
- Blue/black suits everyday notes
! Keep in mind
- No compatible-pen list on the listing
- The listing does not state capacity
Skip it if: Your pen is not a Pilot.
🛒 Check price on Amazon↗ Opens Amazon.com · affiliate link, no extra cost to you5. Pilot CON-40 converter
Best for: Using bottled ink in a single-cartridge Pilot pen.
The CON-40 is Pilot’s screw-type converter. The listing says it is for Pilot (Namiki) single-cartridge fountain pens and holds 0.4ml of ink. You turn the end to draw ink up from the bottle.
✓ What we like
- Reusable, so it cuts cartridge waste
- Opens a Pilot pen to any bottled fountain pen ink
- Capacity is stated: 0.4ml
! Keep in mind
- 0.4ml is a small fill, so heavy writers refill often
- Rinse it with water when you change colors
Skip it if: You want the longest time between refills.
🛒 Check price on Amazon↗ Opens Amazon.com · affiliate link, no extra cost to youWhy most beginners should start with cartridges
Cartridges remove the bottle from the picture. There is less chance of a spill, a swap takes seconds, and many pens ship with one in the box, the LAMY safari included. The T10 range also gives LAMY owners seven colors before they ever buy a bottle.
A converter starts to make sense once you want bottled inks, refill often, or would rather stop buying single-use cartridges. It will not make the pen write differently. The nib and feed set the line, so a converter filled with the same ink writes the same as a cartridge.
Converter vs cartridge: side by side
- Setup: a cartridge pushes on; a converter is filled from a bottle first.
- Mess risk: low with cartridges; higher with an open bottle.
- Ink choice: the brand’s cartridge colors vs any bottled fountain pen ink.
- What you buy: cartridge packs vs a converter plus a bottle.
- Refilling: replace a cartridge; refill a converter.
- Stated capacity: T10 1.25 ml per cartridge; CON-40 0.4ml; the Z 28 and IC100 listings do not state one.
| Item | Type | Fits (per listing) | Stated capacity | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAMY T10 | Cartridge | All LAMY fountain pens except the LAMY 2000 | 1.25 ml each | Quick swaps |
| LAMY Z 28 | Converter | Abc, AL-star, joy, Lx, nexx, nexx M, safari, vista | Not stated | Bottled ink in LAMY pens |
| LAMY T52 | Bottled ink | Use with a converter | 50ml | Desk refills |
| Pilot IC100 | Cartridge | Not listed; made for Pilot pens | Not stated | Standard Pilot refills |
| Pilot CON-40 | Converter | Pilot single-cartridge fountain pens | 0.4ml | Bottled ink in Pilot pens |
How to choose
- Pen brand: buy the pen maker’s own parts. LAMY and Pilot parts are not interchangeable.
- How much you write: light, occasional writing suits cartridges. Daily pages at a desk lean toward a converter.
- Color: if the cartridge colors cover what you want, stay with cartridges. If not, get a converter and a bottle.
- Where you write: cartridges travel well; a bottle stays at home.
- Your exact model: the T10 does not fit the LAMY 2000, per LAMY.
Alternatives
Lower-cost or simpler option: The Pilot Kakuno is a simple starter pen with a smiley face on the nib that shows the right writing position and a hexagonal barrel. Its listing does not state the fill system, so check the box contents before buying refills.
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Upgrade option: The TWSBI ECO is a piston filler, so it draws bottled ink straight into the pen with no converter. The cap posts on the back, an inner cap seals the nib, and nibs run from EF to a 1.1 stub.
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Different need: If you do not own a fountain pen yet, the LAMY safari ships with one blue erasable T10 cartridge, takes the optional Z 28 converter, and has a small window in the grip that shows how much ink is left.
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FAQ
Is a converter better than cartridges?
Neither is better overall. A converter gives you bottled ink and less waste; cartridges give you speed and no mess. Many people use cartridges first and add a converter later.
Do LAMY cartridges fit Pilot pens?
No. Cartridges and converters are brand-specific, so buy refills from the brand that made your pen.
Does the Pilot CON-40 fit LAMY pens?
No. Its listing says it is for Pilot (Namiki) single-cartridge fountain pens. A LAMY pen needs the LAMY Z 28.
Will a converter change how my pen writes?
No. The nib and feed set the line width and flow, so the same ink writes the same from a cartridge or a converter.
Do I need bottled ink for a converter?
Yes. A converter comes empty and is filled from a bottle. Some hobbyists also refill used cartridges with a syringe, but that is optional.
Which LAMY pens does the T10 not fit?
Per the listing, all LAMY fountain pens write with the T10 except the LAMY 2000.
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