Pilot converter CON-40

The CON-40 is Pilot's compact rotary piston converter made of clear plastic – built for all Pilot fountain pens with standard cartridge system. Anyone who prefers to use ink from a bottle rather than from a cartridge simply inserts it into the grip section and fills it via a twist knob. The compact design makes it particularly suitable for compact models like the Pilot Prera or the Kakuno, where longer converters won't fit.

Special Features

• Rotary piston filling: A single turn of the piston knob draws ink controllably from the ink bottle – no squeezing, no splashing.
• Metal ball bearings as ink agitator: Small metal balls inside the cylinder move while writing and keep the ink in suspension. This prevents pigmented or heavily staining inks from adhering to the plastic or sedimenting, and ensures consistent ink flow until the last pen touch.
• Clear plastic body: The transparent cylinder makes the fill level visible – practical for inks with intense color or for varieties you want to keep in reserve.
• Compact design: At 6 cm long and only 2 g in weight, the CON-40 doesn't disturb the balance of short grip sections. It was explicitly developed for slim and shorter pen models.
• Compatibility: Fits all Pilot fountain pens with standard cartridge system, including Pilot Prera and Pilot Kakuno. No screwing – friction-fit connection directly to the grip section.

Application & Tips

• Filling from the bottle: Completely submerge the nib and grip section in the ink, then turn the piston knob at the end of the converter evenly until the cylinder is filled. Then wipe the grip section before putting the cap on.
• Ink change: Thanks to the small fill volume of 0.4 ml, you can quickly change inks – ideal if you want to try multiple colors or seasonal inks without having to wait long for a fill to run out.
• Pigmented inks: The agitator balls are particularly advantageous with heavily settling inks (e.g. iron gall inks or sheen inks): briefly shaking the pen lets the balls remix the ink.
• Cleaning: Separate the converter from the grip section, fill it with lukewarm water several times and expel until the water remains clear. The balls help remove ink residue from the inner walls.
• Pilot Kakuno: With the Kakuno, the CON-40 sits particularly well thanks to its compact design and hardly changes the light balance of the entry-level pen.

For Pen Enthusiasts

The CON-40 works on the piston principle via pressure release (push-knob / twist-piston): A thread in the piston head converts the rotational movement into a linear stroke, creating the vacuum to draw in ink. It sits as a friction-fit converter without threading in the grip section – this allows for quick changing but also means that a secure fit depends on the fit accuracy of the respective Pilot model. Those needing higher capacity should opt for the CON-70 (vacuum system, approx. 1.1 ml); but if you're looking for a compact everyday converter for short pens or frequent ink changes, the CON-40 is well-equipped.

Technical Data