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Bulb Filler Fountain Pens

Unique custom style bulb-filler fountain pens.

I want to give a shout out to pen maker Dennis Cabell for this pen style. Way back before we had all the YouTube instructional video’s, Dennis created a PDF with instructions for making this blub-filler pen style. However this is not the only pen style you can use for a bulb-filler. Any pen style can be used as long as the barrel’s length and diameter is large enough. For more information on bulb filler or other pen styles, see my inking systems page.

As the name suggests, a bulb-filler pen uses a ‘bulb’ to fill the pen. It’s a fairly simple concept: you push the air out, and pull ink in. You squeeze the bulb to push out the air, then when you release the bulb, the suction created by forcing out the air, brings ink into the reservoir. But for the system to work it has to be setup properly so that the ink you bring in doesn’t just get expelled when press the bulb again…

Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Crimson & Black Acrylic (parts)

The solution to this is what is called a breather tube. The breather tube creates an additional channel so that air is push out in one place (through the breather tube), and the ink is pulled in through a separate channel. So when setup correctly as the air forced out, it creates a suction that then pulls in the ink. While the style of this bulb-filler is different from any of my other pen styles, the system can be used in a variety of other pen styles. So if you like bulb fillers, ask if the system can be used in the pen style you wish to order.

Ink view window:

If you’re a fountain pen user that likes to know how much ink is remaining in your pen you may want to consider adding an ink view window to the barrel. Most windows are made with a full piece of transparent acrylic spaced near the front of the barrel. Here I just used a small clear dot or circle.

Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Crimson & Black Acrylic (ink window)

Easy cleaning:

One of the complaints users have with some bulb-filler pens is the ability to flush out old ink and/or clean the parts. This pen style is made with a threaded section that seals against the barrel with a rubber O-ring. To clean the inside simply unscrew the section and you have full access to the ink reservoir inside for removing old ink quickly as well as thoroughly cleaning all the parts.


Crimson Bulb filler:

One of the advantages of this style is you can shape the parts any way you choose. The only considerations is making sure the diameter of the blub cap is small enough for the main cap to fit over it. Otherwise you can adjust the size and shape of the parts to create a different style. Make the ends flat instead of rounded or add a curved shape to the barrels. Another change you could make is to use a different style clip, or drop the clip and bands to make a more subtle pen.

  • Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Crimson & Black Acrylic
    Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Crimson & Black Acrylic

Bulb cap changes: The bulb cap is threaded at the base so the main cap can be screwed onto it for secure cap posting. That’s why it’s fairly straight. But the cap could be made without threads and instead tapering it so the main cap has the normal friction fit when posted.

This Pen’s Specifications:
Color / Material: 
Main: crimson crushed pearl™ acrylic.
Accents: black acrylic / ink window: clear cast acrylic.
Length: capped 6 3/8 ” / uncapped 5 7/8″ / posted 6 3/8″ / cap only 2 1/2″.
Diameter: barrel .60″ / cap .60.
Weight (empty): capped/ posted 22 gms / uncapped 13.6 gms.
Nib: 2-tone steel #6 Jowo.
Filling System: Bulb-filler. Can also be ordered as standard C/C (cartridge/converter).


Casein Bulb filler:

This pen is just like the pen above, except the material is faux casein acrylic. It’s called “Faux” because it’s not REAL casein, but actually an acrylic version made to look like casein.

If you aren’t familiar with casein, it’s an early form of acrylic made from milk curd. This thin pinstripe pattern in created during the curing and drying process.

Faux casein is made from polyester acrylic, which is also soft, so it machines just like real casein.

  • Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Faux Casein & Black Acrylic
    Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Faux Casein & Black Acrylic

Real casein acrylic is still made today, but is not widely available. I’ve used real casein in other patterns (see the “Tiffany” series of the JEB’s Duro), however the real casein in this pinstripe pattern is hard to come by. Real casein has a very distinctive odor when turning–it smells just like powdered milk or warm milk when heated. It is very soft, so it requires sharp tools to turn and a light touch and very low speed when sanding.

This Pen’s Specifications:
Color / Material: 
faux casein.
Length: capped 6.25″ / uncapped 5.625″ / posted 6.50″ / cap only 2.625″.
Diameter: barrel .61″ / Cap .59″.
Weight (empty): capped/ posted 23 gms / uncapped 13 gms.
Nib: 2-tone steel #6 Jowo.
Filling System: Bulb-filler. Can also be ordered as standard C/C (cartridge/converter).


Faux Bulb filler in Faux Casein:

If you like this unique pen style but prefer a standard C/C (cartridge/converter) inking system, then you may want to consider this pen. It’s just like the casein bulb-filler shown above except it has a C/C inking system.

The pen will accept a full length converter, or two cartridges. One cartridge in use, the other stored inside the bulb cap.

  • Faux Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Faux Casein & Black Acrylic
    Faux Bulb-Filler Fountain Pen in Faux Casein & Black Acrylic

This Pen’s Specifications:
Material/Color: 
Faux casein & black acrylic.
Length: Capped 5.876″ / uncapped 5.3125″.
Diameter: Cap (top/base) .513″
Barrel front .5135″ / rear .50″.
Nib: 1.5 italic 2-tone steel #6 Jowo.
Ink system: Cartridge/converter (C/C).


Miscellaneous items:
I also offer a variety of hand-made pen-related items. Pen Props, pen cap Buttons, Pen and Ink Trays, Cufflinks, and Button Covers. Use a Pen Props to display a pen or temporarily raise the nib. Order in a pen-matching material or a wooden style in a variety of finishes. Cap Buttons are small pieces of cap jewelry you can add to a clipless pen to keep it from rolling. Use a Pen & Ink Trays to display your favorite pen and ink. Trays are available in several styles and in your choice of natural wood. Cufflinks and Button Covers are timeless favorites that dress up a shirt. Order them in pen-matching material.

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To custom order any of the pens you see on my website for yourself or as a gift, please contact me at jeb<@>jebspens.com.

If you need fountain pen maintenance help (cleaning, refilling, or general issues), please visit my “Fountain Pen Help Line” page. If you’re having a problem and can’t find a solution, use the contact form or send an email.

For pricing, shipping, and warranty information, click the CONTACT link in the footer menu.